Setting the Scene
As a Las Vegas event photographer, working the Wella pop-up during Grand Prix weekend was a standout assignment on the Strip. The booth drew steady excitement throughout the week as guests dropped in for styling and touch-ups. As one of the youngest drivers on the grid, Joanne Ciconte also made a Wella Professionals pitstop, swapping the driver’s seat for the salon chair and asking for soft, tumbling waves for the bright Las Vegas lights.
Photographing a High-Energy Pop-Up Experience as a Las Vegas Event Photographer
Lighting inside the space came with its own challenges. Natural daylight blended with the warm bulbs of the beauty mirrors, creating constantly shifting color tones and reflections. Bold reds from the booth design bounced into skin and backgrounds, and every angle had a different mix of ambient light. These kinds of environments are part of the reality of shooting experiential activations, where you have seconds—not minutes—to adapt.
Using the Space to Shape the Light
The unexpected advantage was the white vinyl tent overhead. Instead of fighting the mixed light, I used the tent as a massive natural reflector. By angling my flash upward into different parts of the ceiling, the light wrapped beautifully around my subjects, giving me clean, even illumination without harsh shadows. It balanced the competing light sources and kept tones accurate and flattering.
Capturing the Atmosphere and the Team
The final collection reflects the energy of the space—bright, welcoming, and full of personality. From the stylists working with precision to guests enjoying their transformations, the pop-up was an environment where creativity and excitement came together. Shoots like this are why I love photographing events in Las Vegas: every challenge becomes an opportunity to create polished, dynamic work.
The Bigger Picture
