7 Ways Professional Lighting Rentals Can Transform a New York Event

New York events are defined by the atmosphere. A ballroom, rooftop, or warehouse space needs the right lighting to feel like the talk of the town or remain mundane.

Lighting rentals NYC planners recommend are one of those design details that can dramatically shift first impressions as soon as a guest arrives and ultimately influence the look and feel of the photographs and videos in turn.

Here are 7 ways to leverage professional lighting rentals NYC to bring out the best in your New York event, from the first RSVP to toasts and dancing.

1. Uplighting Sets the Tone of the Event

Color-washed uplighting makes the tone very apparent. Warm hues lean more heavily towards romance, while cool shades lean modern and exciting.

Since most uplighting rentals are now battery- or wire-free to avoid damaging venue circuits, uplighting can be used in a wider variety of New York venues like historic buildings or rooftops with no access to power.

2. Pin Spotting Enhances Centerpieces

Pin spot lighting focuses a narrow, intense light on a particular object, such as a centerpiece, cake, or flowering plant. In a vast hall, this method directs the attention of people and draws their visual focus to the expensive, painstakingly created details.

Otherwise, even the most artistic centerpieces tend to blend into the background lighting and can't be seen clearly in the photographs.

3. Dance Floor and Stage Lighting Keeps Energy High

It might not be a flaw in music selection, but lighting that lacks power or dynamism can lead to a lackluster dance floor.

Moving head dance lighting or DJ-friendly effects keep the energy up during the big dance numbers and help transition between speeches, performances, or other programs in the event itinerary. In corporate events, using dynamic effects during a stage setup helps smooth transitions between speakers.

4. Gobo Projections Offer Branded or Thematic Graphics

Gobo projections use masks to cast a specific image from a light source. Customized gobo masks can create an opportunity to personalize the lighting for the event while being a focal point in a larger ballroom or other space.

This is particularly cost-effective in New York due to the expense of traditional photo backdrops and offers a dynamic option for dimly lit environments.

5. Uplighting and String Lighting Overcome Venue Challenges

New York boasts an exciting variety of venues that might not be found elsewhere, from lofts to museums to rooftops with skyline views.

Good lighting helps balance these unique environments by adding warmth to cold concrete, adding color to blank interior walls, or guiding attention away from utility rooms in a venue.

String lighting overhead is another way to create texture or color without having to alter the structure of the venue itself. Uplighting is a popular option for challenging venues since it does not have to be connected to power sources in the host site.

6. Lighting Enhances Photo and Video Shoots Automatically

Photographers and videographers always talk about lighting as the element that makes a good event photo a really great one. Overhead flat light casts bad shadows, hides skin tones, and in general it just doesn't make for great images.

Then again, a layered lighting design using a key light, fill light, and accent light will give every shot depth and definition. Most couples and event organizers who go out of their way to get lighting done right really appreciate this as their photo albums get more attractive with each year.

7. Renting Offers Scalability for Smaller Budgets and Larger Venues

One of the biggest selling points of hiring instead of purchasing your lighting kit is the versatility of lighting hire. A little gathering like a proposal celebration can get by with only a couple of uplight fixtures and a few pin spotlights.

Yet, a 500-person party can have a complete lighting system, a lighting stage with trussing, moving light instruments, and even a professional lighting technician.

Lighting equipment rental companies can provide the right lighting package by just scaling the lighting solution a little or quite a bit without ever making the client compromise the visual look of their event.

The Bottom Line

Lighting ranks among the most important arts for videographers at any event, touching on themes, photography and videography, first impressions, and much more.

This places it at the center of event planning, where it must be considered before flowers or centerpieces but after core considerations like venue and photography.

New York in particular rewards careful lighting design because of its challenging venues, many of which are not optimized for events. Rooftops with skyline views, tents, and even ballrooms all see dramatic improvement from lighting that uses the strengths of a space while mitigating its weaknesses.

Planners who want to maximize their impact in a new venue should consult with a professional lighting rental service to ensure that the space is fully optimized for the event.

 Summit AV Group has helped New York hosts at every stage of the process to ensure that their vision for the event is brought to life while accounting for the specific needs of the venue and its guests.