mariachi

Juliana 7th Birthday Party at Glazer Children Museum in Tampa

Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/5.6 ISO 200 1/125th Strobist: SB-800 @ 1/2 power on light stand to frame left

The Glazer Children's Museum makes a wonderful event space for children's birthday party photography with its floor to ceiling windows revealing views of the Tampa downtown skyscrapers and the University of Tampa, as well as the Hillsborough River.  This was the setting for Juliana's horse-themed 7th birthday party.  

Arts & crafts time was very popular with the children at the birthday party in the Glazer Children MuseumIn addition to providing a great venue for a birthday party, the Glazer Children's Museum also provides numerous activities for the kids to do during the party.  An elaborate arts & crafts table was setup for them to make hoop necklaces, etc which you can see brought a smile to birthday girl Juliana's face.  

Nikon D80 Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D @ f/2 ISO 400 1/160th Nikon SB-600 Speedlight hotshoe mountedThe shot above is the kind I always try to get at any type of event I photograph where one or two people are the central focus (see also Bianca, bride series).  I wonder what the person is thinking when all eyes are not on them.  What might be going through their mind?  Do they not want the party/wedding to end?  Is it a relief that the attention is not on them for a moment?

Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/5.6 ISO 620 1/125th Nikon SB-800 Speedlight hotshoe mountedThe finale to Juliana's birthday party was the entrance of a mariachi band that provided the soundtrack to the blowing out of the candle on the cake, and then, my favorite part, the eating of the cake!

Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/8 ISO 640 1/200th Nikon SB-800 hotshoe mountedOnce my photography time was finished and the party was winding down, Juliana's mom said, "help yourself to as much food as you want."  I noticed despite the presence of 90+ people, there was still way more than half of the cake left.  I did control myself though and had only two pieces.

I had a very fun time photographing Juliana's birthday party and getting to meet her family.  I would very much recommend the Glazer Children's Museum as a fantastic venue to hold a kid's birthday party at.