I had the absolute pleasure of photographing the Annual Awards Gala for US Foods of Lexington! This year’s event was held inside the Sweetgrass Inn at Wild Dunes Resort, and once again, it was an unforgettable evening. This high-society banquet brought together an incredible group of professionals to celebrate excellence, leadership, and achievement within the organization. The atmosphere was elegant, energetic, and full of well-deserved recognition.
One of the highlights of the evening was the special awards presentations led by the new president of US Foods Lexington, Steve Boggan. His remarks set a thoughtful and inspiring tone for the night, making the celebrations feel both meaningful and forward-looking. From heartfelt speeches to candid moments of celebration, the event offered no shortage of powerful storytelling opportunities through my photography.
To document the gala, I worked with a dual-camera setup to ensure I could capture every moment in rapid succession. I used a Nikon Zf paired with the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 II for versatility and beautiful low-light performance, alongside a Nikon Z9 with the Nikkor Z 70-180mm f/2.8 for tighter compositions during presentations. For dramatic, super-wide room shots that showcased the scale and elegance of the venue, I occasionally swapped in the Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4. Lighting was key for this event. I strategically placed six Godox V860II remote flashes around the room to create consistent, flattering light, while a Godox V480 on each camera provided flexibility for on-the-move moments.
Plus my good friend, Gary, set up a fantastic Portrait Station, where guests could get their couple’s photos taken. He used an elegant silver sequin backdrop, beautifully lit by two Godox AD200 flashes in soft boxes. He shot tethered with a Nikon Z9 and Nikkor Z 24-70 f2.8 lens. The workhourse DNP printers pumped out 5x7s, which were then mounted in black folios, and placed on tables for guests to take home as their party favors at the end of the evening!
This marked my third year photographing the Annual Awards Gala for US Foods Lexington, and it is always an absolute pleasure working with their team. I’m grateful for their continued trust, and am already looking forward to next year’s celebration!!!
