Let’s get down to details.

For the Zocdoc gala at Tao Downtown on December 11th 2026, commissioning The Absolute Best Thing starts at $17,500.

The plan, in broad outlines, would be to create two portrait spaces side by side near the feet of the reclining Buddha. From my rough estimate, the depth of that space from the wall behind the Buddha to the pillars is 13.5 feet, so each portrait space would be about 6.75 feet wide with no divider in between them so that large groups can be photographed using both spaces at once. We'll use the existing furniture at Tao, but I'll bring in a pipe and drape team to create a U-shape to contain the portrait spaces. I'll bring in additional fabrics and materials to complete the design of the portrait spaces. The final layout and design will be subject to approval by Tiffany.

There will be two photographers taking portraits side by side (I will be one of them). There will also be two digital techs to rapid-edit the portraits and send them to the two dye-sub printers. Guests can pick their prints up right at the table. There will also be a digital gallery of these photos created after the event.

Assuming four hours of continuous photography, the list price for all of the above is $25,000. However, I am happy to do an inaugural rate here, as this will be my first non-wedding industry event; and so, I am pleased to quote the following:

  • $17,500 for 4x6 prints

  • $18,000 for 5x7 prints

  • $18,500 for 6x8 prints

Bigger print sizes take more time - our fast printers take 9 seconds to print a 4x6, 13 seconds to print a 5x7, and 14 seconds to print a 6x8.

This rate includes up to four hours of operation, with additional hours billed at $2,000 per half hour.