Laptop displaying marketing system analytics dashboard with New York City skyline visible through window in background.

Left To Right | Photo of Consuelo Vanderbilt-Costin, Pamela Morgan, and Montgomery Frazier

Project Snapshot


  • Event Name: Belafonte Family Foundation: NYC VIP Fundraiser
  • Location: Jones Day Law Firm, 31st Floor Rooftop – Vesey Street, Lower Manhattan
  • Date: May 15, 2025
  • Subject: The Belafonte Family Foundation’s ongoing legacy, philanthropic mission, and intergenerational cultural impact
  • Focus: Comprehensive 360° visual storytelling—including portraits, performances, networking, speeches, and ambiance—to honor legacy, build relational equity, and elevate the guest experience
  • Photographer: Jordi-Lakeem Foster, JFP Studios
  • Hosts: Linette & Matthew Semino, on behalf of the Belafonte Family Foundation
  • Note: This exclusive event brought together legacy icons, cultural influencers, and philanthropic leaders for a night of purpose and artistry. JFP Studios was entrusted with full photographic coverage to ensure the elegance, warmth, and mission of the evening lived on long after the final toast.

Event Overview


On May 15, 2025, the Belafonte Family Foundation hosted an intimate, high-profile fundraiser on the 31st floor of the Jones Day Law Firm in Lower Manhattan. The evening featured art showcases, live performances, and impassioned speeches—drawing a crowd of New York City’s cultural elite, including fashion designers, philanthropists, and legacy families.


JFP Studios was brought in to provide full photographic coverage, with a special focus on capturing the authenticity and presence of each guest without interrupting the event’s natural rhythm.

Infographic comparing the wrong path of design-first website development versus the right path focusing on clarity and audience first.

Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe at the Belafonte Family Foundation Cocktail Hour

The Approach


Rather than overly posed portraits or red-carpet-style images, JFP Studios employed a documentary-style approach—blending into the room while quietly building rapport and allowing guests to shine in their natural element.


“My goal wasn’t to profile these guests—it was to catch them in action: connecting, contributing, and enjoying the night. That’s where the real beauty is.”
— Jordi-Lakeem Foster
Infographic comparing the wrong path of design-first website development versus the right path focusing on clarity and audience first.

Left To Right | Photo of Matthew Semino with guests from the event

A presenter gestures enthusiastically while speaking at a conference stage with projection screen in the background.

Photo of Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe and Nabys Vielman

A professional wearing a light blue lanyard sits at a table in a conference room during a networking event.

Photo of the Malena Belafonte after her dance segment "Malena Belafonte's Boudoir"

A presenter gestures enthusiastically while speaking at a conference stage with projection screen in the background.

Hosts Linette and Matthew Semino expressing their gratitude for everyone coming out to the fundraiser

A professional wearing a light blue lanyard sits at a table in a conference room during a networking event.

Photo of guests mingling at the cocktail hour

Deliverables



Over 400 fully edited images, including:

  • Pre-event artwork showcase
  • Candid guest interactions and networking
  • Rooftop portraits on the 31st floor
  • Performances by Malena Belafonte, Sarafina Belafonte, and dance collaborator Chris
  • Speeches by Lynette and Matthew Semino, David Belafonte, and Malena Belafonte
  • Moments of giving, joy, and mission-driven energy

Why This Matters


In high-profile environments, discretion and sensitivity are everything. But too often, photography becomes stiff, over-produced, or obtrusive. JFP Studios provides an alternative: visual storytelling that respects the room and uplifts every subject—famous or not.


For foundations, luxury brands, and cultural icons alike, the photos from this event serve as long-term assets: images that reflect trust, elegance, and the emotional truth of the evening.

A large group of business professionals gathered in a hotel conference ballroom for a corporate event.

Photo of guests by the bar

Results & Impact


The images were used to support ongoing marketing and donor engagement efforts by the Belafonte Family Foundation.


They strengthened public perception of the hosts, captured intergenerational legacy in action, and visually elevated the Foundation’s message of social justice and cultural empowerment. The seamless event presence of JFP Studios contributed directly to the event’s warm, inclusive atmosphere.

Performers and Notable Guests

  • Malena Belafonte – Acclaimed ballroom dancer known for her aerial performances.
  • Shari Belafonte – Actress and daughter of Harry Belafonte.
  • David Belafonte – Producer and son of Harry Belafonte.
  • Sarafina Belafonte – Granddaughter of Harry Belafonte.
  • Amadeus Belafonte – Grandson of Harry Belafonte.
  • Diana Mahrach – Prominent fashion designer known for her couture creations.
  • Nabys Vielman – Celebrated fashion designer recognized for his innovative designs.
  • Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin – Singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur; descendant of the Vanderbilt family.
  • Pamela Morgan – Renowned chef, author, and lifestyle expert known for her culinary events and expertise.

Want your guests to feel seen—and not staged?

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Whether you’re hosting a high-profile fundraiser or an intimate donor event, your mission deserves to be remembered—and visually respected.

Partner with JFP Studios to capture the moments that build trust, tell your story, and drive your cause forward.

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