MCKINSEY SPRING FESTIVAL
MCKINSEY SPRING FESTIVAL – A COLORFUL EVENT AT WAPPELHALLE MÜNCHEN
DATE April 2023
LOCATION Wappenhalle Munich (Old Riem Airport)
GUESTS Approx. 300–400
SERVICES Event photography, performance photography, mix of flash & available light
A SPRING CELEBRATION FULL OF COLOR, MUSIC AND ATMOSPHERE
For McKinsey & Company’s spring festival, the historic Wappenhalle at the former Munich airport was transformed into a vibrant event location. Under the theme "Colors of the Night," guests experienced a unique evening with impressive LED performances, culinary highlights, and outstanding live music.
The theme was embraced from the start with colorful guest attire and festive venue decorations. High-quality appetizer buffets at multiple stations set a relaxed tone for the evening.
The official opening featured a brief speech about a new charity initiative, followed by the first show act of the night: dancers dressed in black with LED elements delivered an energetic performance that guided guests into the main hall. There, the choreography continued on stage with a drum performance – a visually stunning highlight perfectly suited to the vivid lighting.
Guest reception at Wappenhalle – Colorful outfits and vibrant decor
LED show act – Dancers with light installations lead guests into the hall
Dinner followed in a street food format, with high-quality dishes at various food stations and an exclusive dessert buffet.
After a short speech by the Munich McKinsey managing director, the in-house McKinsey band – made up of company employees – impressed the crowd. With energetic pop and rock cover songs, they set the mood and transitioned seamlessly into the party.
A standout moment was the humorous partner recognition ceremony, where new McKinsey partners received symbolic air guitars as trophies – a playful and lively celebration.
The evening culminated in a two-hour set by renowned German DJ Alle Farben, who turned the venue into a dance floor with his electronic beats. His hits created a unique atmosphere and made the party a true experience.
CHALLENGES & TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION
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Varied lighting situations: Ranging from daylight to LED staging to club lighting, fast camera adjustments were required. A mix of available light and flash ensured a perfect balance between ambient lighting and sharp, dynamic shots.
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Performance photography: Capturing the LED dancers posed a specific challenge – precise timing was essential to capture the color intensity of the LEDs without losing the motion’s energy.
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Event documentation & mood: In addition to standard reportage, the focus was on atmospheric wide shots, performance highlights, and emotional moments that conveyed the event’s energy.
Street food stations with gourmet dishes – Buffet detail shot
CONCLUSION
The McKinsey Spring Festival 2023 was a colorful and high-energy event. With a mix of vibrant decorations, innovative show acts, top-tier live music, and a headlining DJ set, the event created a celebratory and exciting atmosphere. The photo and video documentation required advanced handling of light, motion, and performance – a demanding yet rewarding assignment.
With professional event photography, creative performance documentation, and flexible lighting techniques, we captured and preserved the spirit of the event for both guests and the company.
DJ Alle Farben performing – Club vibes & dance floor in motion
McKinsey band on stage – Energetic live performance
Honoring new partners with air guitars – A humorous moment on stage
IMAGE SELECTION FROM THE EVENT REPORTAGE
The following gallery presents a small selection from the extensive event reportage. The displayed images represent only a fraction of the material captured throughout the day.
