Ben Hider
All photographs taken with the Canon R3 and Canon RF24-70 F2.8 lens.
Photographer Ben Hider covering the catering, food and design of the Macy’s Flower show in New York City.
Food Photography for Bluestone Lane
Photography of the Old Mates menu near Southstreet Seaport in New York City
Chat GPT says
Capturing the Action: Being a Set Photographer in New York
New York City is a hub for film, television, and commercial productions, making it an incredible place to work as a set photographer. With its iconic streets, diverse architecture, and vibrant creative scene, the city provides endless opportunities for behind-the-scenes photography. Whether it’s a feature film, network TV show, independent production, or commercial shoot, a skilled set photographer plays a crucial role in capturing production stills, promotional images, and behind-the-scenes moments that bring a project to life.
As a unit still photographer in New York, my job is to document the production process without interrupting the flow of filming. This means working quietly with mirrorless cameras like the Canon R3 or Sony A9 to capture high-quality images with silent shutters that won’t interfere with sound recording. My focus is on candid moments, key action shots, and high-resolution images for marketing and press use.
Productions in New York move fast, and a set photographer needs to adapt quickly. Whether shooting on a soundstage in Brooklyn, a rooftop in Manhattan, or a historic street in the West Village, the job requires an eye for composition, strong technical skills, and the ability to work in low-light conditions. Many productions rely on Profoto lighting setups, fast prime lenses, and high ISO performance to ensure crisp, cinematic stills.
From major motion pictures to episodic television, New York is home to productions of all sizes. Shows filming in NYC often require dedicated set photographers to provide imagery for streaming services, press kits, and social media campaigns. Working on a Netflix series, HBO drama, or independent feature film means collaborating with directors, cinematographers, and publicists to get the best shots without disrupting the production.
Being a film set photographer in New York also means navigating union guidelines, NDAs, and fast-paced production schedules. Experience in event photography, corporate headshots, and editorial portraiture helps refine the skills needed for on-set photography, where moments are fleeting and precision is key.
Producers, studios, and public relations teams hire professional set photographers to ensure their projects have high-quality stills for promotion. Hiring a seasoned NYC unit photographer means getting images that capture the energy, emotion, and artistic vision of a production. Whether it’s for a theatrical release, film festival submission, or social media campaign, strong behind-the-scenes photography is essential for marketing success.
If you’re looking for a New York-based set photographer for your next project, let’s connect! With years of experience in event, corporate, and editorial photography, I bring a keen eye and professional approach to every production.
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Looking to hire an experienced set photographer in New York? Get in touch today!
Photography for Bluestone Lane at the Chelsea Piers Location in New York City
All photos taken with a Canon R3 and RF24-105 F2.8 Lens
What a pleasure to be in the presence of all of these amazing speakers at the Commit to Grow Equality event hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization.
Food photography styled and setup for a catering shoot with Bluestone Lane
I’m always looking to work with more restaurants, chefs or people in the food industry.
Portrait and headshots of a friend who works for Nixon Peabody in New York City
The Bachelor Grant Ellis photographed for ABC/Disney
Chat GPT says…
Photographing a high-profile press event is always an exciting challenge, and working with ABC to capture Grant Ellis, the newest Bachelor, during a media event filled with influencers was no exception. These kinds of events move fast, with a mix of candid interactions, posed portraits, and dynamic event coverage, so having the right gear and approach is crucial to getting the best shots.
For this shoot, I relied on my Canon R3, a powerhouse when it comes to fast autofocus, eye detection, and incredible low-light performance. When working an event like this—where the lighting can change quickly, and you’re moving between different setups—you need a camera that’s responsive. The electronic shutter at 30fps meant I never missed a moment, whether it was a laugh during an interview or a subtle, thoughtful expression from Grant.
I paired the R3 with two key lenses:
RF 24-105mm f/2.8 – My go-to for versatility. This covered everything from mid-range portraits to wider environmental shots that captured Grant interacting with influencers..
Event lighting can be unpredictable, especially at press events with a mix of stage lighting, natural light from windows, and LED panels. I balanced this with a Profoto A10, bouncing flash off nearby surfaces to create soft, natural-looking light without overpowering the ambient glow.
For off-camera lighting, I used a Profoto a10, set up on a light stand when capturing more structured portraits of Grant with influencers. Soft directional light helps define facial features while maintaining a flattering, even tone—key for photographing TV personalities who are used to looking polished on camera.
While posed shots were part of the job, the best moments were candid interactions—a big part of why I love event photography. Grant was naturally charismatic, and influencers kept the energy high, making for plenty of laughter, genuine reactions, and unscripted moments.
Using face tracking and eye detection AF on the R3 allowed me to stay locked onto Grant as he moved through the event. With so much happening at once, this was a lifesaver, ensuring every shot was sharp and well-framed, even with a shallow depth of field.
Press events demand quick image delivery, often with same-day edits for social media. I shot RAW + JPEG to give myself flexibility in post-processing while also having immediate, ready-to-use files. Editing in Adobe Lightroom, I focused on:
Color correction – Ensuring skin tones looked natural despite mixed lighting.
Cropping for composition – Tightening frames when needed while keeping images engaging.
Noise reduction – Cleaning up high-ISO shots from dimly lit sections of the event.
Photographing Grant Ellis for ABC was a mix of portraiture, documentary, and fast-paced event photography, making it a perfect test of both technical skill and adaptability. Working with a high-profile subject in a dynamic settingmeant balancing lighting, composition, and timing, all while anticipating the best moments before they happened.
For photographers looking to improve their event coverage and celebrity photography, my biggest tips are:
Know your gear inside and out – Press events move fast, and you don’t have time to fumble with settings.
Be adaptable with lighting – Whether using bounce flash, available light, or off-camera setups, knowing how to adjust is key.
Stay engaged with your subject – The best shots come when your subject is comfortable, and that means keeping the energy relaxed and natural.
This was another exciting shoot, and I’m looking forward to more celebrity press events and entertainment photography in the future!