Capturing Moments That Matter – While Elevating Brand Visibility and Guest Engagement
Client: The Toledo Zoo
Event: The Hippo Classic Golf Outing
Location: Catawba Island Club, Port Clinton, Ohio
Photography Sponsor: BMW of Toledo, A Yark Automotive Dealership
Lunch & Dinner Sponsor: COFC Logistics
Photographer: Kurt Nielsen Photography, Inc., Sylvania, Ohio
Overview
As a professional event photographer serving Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, I had the opportunity to work with The Toledo Zoo during their annual charity golf outing — The Hippo Classic — held at the picturesque Catawba Island Club, an exclusive destination with stunning views of Lake Erie. This premium event, designed to support the Zoo’s mission to Enjoy. Inspire. Educate. Act., offered an ideal blend of business development and philanthropy.
My role: deliver a seamless, branded, and engaging photographic experience for guests and sponsors — before, during, and after the event.
Photography Goals
- Team Photos branded with event and sponsor logos
- Instant photo delivery for social sharing and print takeaway
- Event documentation of the scramble, lunch, dinner, and awards
- Sponsor visibility with BMW of Toledo vehicle integration
- Action shots of golf play and candid moments throughout the day
Our Solution: The Paparazzi Event Photography Experience
To enhance the guest and sponsor experience, I deployed my unique Paparazzi Event Photography Experience, a hybrid of professional event photography and instant photo booth delivery.
Key Features:
- Facial recognition tagging
- Instant galleries sent to guests via text or email
- Fully branded photos for maximum sponsor exposure
- Fully edited and optimized photos for best social sharing
- Live uploads to a custom microsite for real-time access
- On-site printing for immediate photo takeaway in keepsake folders
✅ The Paparazzi Experience ensures no one leaves wondering if they’ll ever see their event photos — they receive them instantly and share them effortlessly.
Event Highlights
🏌️♂️ The Golf Scramble
- 25 business-sponsored teams with 4 players each
- Played “Par is Your Friend” format for faster play
- Action and team photos captured on Tee 17 near the Pro Shop
- Additional candid moments at the Tee 18 putting green
📷 Branded Team Photos
- BMW of Toledo featured two luxury BMWs as a branded backdrop
- Golfers were positioned between the vehicles for each team shot
- Photos were printed onsite and ready by dinner under the beachside Pavilion
🍽️ Event Coverage
- Lunch at the Side Door Bar pre-tournament
- Full coverage of dinner and awards ceremony under the Pavilion tent
- Documented interactions, sponsor recognition, and VIP moments
Measurable Results
- 📸 564 total photos captured
- 🧑 33 guests tagged using facial recognition
- 📁 Average of 4.1 photos per tagged guest
- 📤 Instant access to photos via text/email and microsite
- 🖼️ 100+ printed 4×6 branded keepsakes distributed
Why This Matters for Event Planners & Sponsors
Solving Key Pain Points:
- No More “Where Are The Photos?” – Guests received theirs within seconds.
- Built-In Brand Promotion – Branded, shareable content enhanced sponsor reach.
- Increased Engagement – Social sharing amplified visibility for The Toledo Zoo, BMW of Toledo, and COFC Logistics, along with all of the other event sponsors.
- Optional Data Capture – My software also supports GDPR compliant email/phone number collection for future outreach (available for future events).
About the Venue: Catawba Island Club
Nestled in the Catawba Cliffs, CIC is a scenic Arthur Hills-designed course offering luxury and tradition. Its pristine greens and lakeside views provided a beautiful and relaxed atmosphere — ideal for both business networking and high-end event photography.
Final Thoughts
The Hippo Classic showcased how intentional photography can do more than document an event — it can enhance guest experience, support brand storytelling, and create lasting impressions.
As an event photographer serving Toledo, Ohio, Catawba Island, and beyond, I’m proud to bring innovation, emotion, and efficiency to every project — especially those that support great causes like The Toledo Zoo.
Thank you Toledo Zoo, for allowing me to capture these memories
A special shout-out to Grace, Nicole, and the entire events team at The Toledo Zoo for creating an amazing and fun event. The behind-the-scenes work is endless but truly appreciated by all who participate! Thank you for entrusting me to capture the day.
📞 Interested in elevating your next golf outing or corporate event?
Let’s talk about how Kurt Nielsen Photography and the Paparazzi Event Photography Experience can transform your fundraiser, brand activation, or charity event.
🌐 www.kurtnphoto.com
📍 Based in Sylvania, Ohio – Serving Northwest Ohio, Southeast Michigan, and Nationwide
📧 kurt@kurtnphoto.com | 📞 419-885-7153
📷 disclaimer …
All photos used in the case study post are from the actual branded photo gallery that was sent to the players and guests at the event. These photos are optimized for instant social media sharing and look best on a cell phone. The full-resolution photos are sent to the event host after being fully edited. 📷