St. Petersburg Event Photographer: 57th Annual Golden Baton Award


Fifty seven years is a remarkable run, and the Florida Orchestra Guild St. Petersburg marked another milestone with this year's Golden Baton Award, an elegant evening of cocktails, dinner, and recognition at the Mahaffey Theater.


An Evening Honoring Susan Hough Henry


This year's Golden Baton Award honored Susan Hough Henry, celebrating her contributions with an evening that moved through cocktails, a seated dinner and dessert, and the award presentation itself. The Mahaffey's elegant ballroom space and waterfront views gave the recognition moment the kind of presence a milestone honoree deserves.


A Night That Flowed Into the Symphony


What makes this event so special is how the celebration carries straight into the music, with the evening's award presentation leading right into a Florida Orchestra performance. It's a rare pairing of an intimate, personal tribute and a full symphonic concert, all in one evening under the same roof.


Why the Mahaffey Works for Guild and Orchestra Events


The Mahaffey Theater is a natural fit for an event like the Golden Baton Award, offering both the elegant ballroom space needed for a formal dinner and recognition, and the concert hall itself just steps away for the performance that follows. It's a venue built for exactly this kind of evening.


St. Petersburg Gala and Fundraiser Photography


The 57th Annual Golden Baton Award is a wonderful example of how the Florida Orchestra Guild continues to celebrate the people behind its music. If you're planning a gala, guild event, or fundraiser at the Mahaffey Theater or anywhere in downtown St. Petersburg, take a look through more of our event galleries or check out pricing and packages to start planning your coverage.


Thank you to the Florida Orchestra Guild St. Petersburg for having me capture this milestone evening.


Planning your own gala or guild event in downtown St. Petersburg? Get in touch and let's start planning.

Sign on easel for 57th Annual Golden Baton Award thanking valet sponsor Aleta Fisher.
Elegant round banquet table with gold charger plates, black tablecloth, floral centerpiece, and silver cutlery for a formal event.
Elegant banquet hall with round tables draped in white linens and black chair sashes, set for a formal event or wedding reception.
Gold charger plate with 57th Annual Golden Baton Award program at an elegant black-themed banquet table setting.
Gold treble clef decoration among white roses and purple ranunculus in an elegant floral centerpiece arrangement.
57th Annual Golden Baton Award sponsors board displayed on wooden easel listing Gold, Silver, and Bronze donors.
Event program booklet showing sponsors, menu featuring Mozart Jupiter Symphony, and thank you to underwriters.
Three elegantly dressed women socializing at a formal banquet table set with gold plates and floral centerpieces.
Elderly couple sharing a warm embrace at an elegant wedding reception with black and white table settings.
Two elegantly dressed women in black attire smile together at an annual golf awards banquet event.
Man in tuxedo playing a Korg keyboard synthesizer while seated at an indoor event or wedding reception.
Three elegantly dressed women posing together at a formal event in a banquet hall setting.
Two senior men in suits smiling at a formal banquet event with elegantly set tables in the background.
Guests networking and conversing at a formal cocktail reception, with a woman in teal and black hat socializing.
Three professional men in suits conversing at a corporate networking event or business reception.
Two elegantly dressed women share a laugh at a formal event while a pianist performs in the background.
Elegant banquet hall with black and white draped chairs, guests mingling at a formal gala event.
Two women conversing at a social event, one wearing a colorful pink scarf holding a drink.
Four elegantly dressed guests smiling together at a formal networking event or gala celebration.
Elderly group of seniors socializing at a formal event, exchanging papers and smiling in an elegant venue.
Elegant senior woman in gold sequined jacket speaks into microphone at formal Florida Orchestra fundraising event.
Elderly woman speaks into microphone at formal event while man in navy blazer applauds behind her.
Guests seated at elegantly decorated tables during a formal banquet event in a carpeted ballroom.
Women gathered around decorated tables enjoying a catered luncheon event in a bright banquet hall.
Man in navy blazer speaks into microphone at indoor event near exit sign.
Speaker addresses large audience of guests seated at banquet tables during a formal luncheon event.
Speaker addresses guests seated at decorated tables during an elegant formal luncheon event in a banquet hall.
Two men in navy blazers, one speaking into microphone, presenting at The Florida Orchestra awards event.
Man and woman posing together holding a wooden plaque award at a formal recognition ceremony indoors.
Crowd applauding a woman holding an award at a formal indoor banquet event with decorated tables.
Elderly woman in blue floral jacket speaking into microphone at formal event.
Woman speaking at podium with microphone at formal indoor event, two men standing nearby in professional attire.
Large group of guests dining at elegantly decorated tables during formal banquet event.
Two women smiling together at formal indoor event, one elderly in gold lace dress.
Elderly women smile at a formal banquet event while a younger woman in a name tag leans in to chat.
Three professionals networking and conversing at a formal dinner event with food and drinks.
Group of elegantly dressed adults smiling together at a formal event or gala celebration indoors.
Smiling senior couple in formal attire seated at a gold-themed gala dinner event table.
Two smiling couples pose together at The Florida Orchestra 57th Annual Golden Baton Award gala event.
Two women pose in front of The Florida Orchestra branded step-and-repeat banner at formal gala event.
Orchestra performing on stage in an elegant concert hall filled with audience members seated in red chairs.
Orchestra conductor leading a full symphony orchestra in a modern concert hall performance.
Symphony orchestra performing Mozart's Jupiter beneath a large projected title screen in a concert hall.
Dynamic conductor leading a large symphony orchestra during a live classical music performance on stage.
A packed concert hall with orchestra performing on stage, featuring elegant balconies and warm lighting.
Orchestra performing Mozart's Jupiter on stage in a historic theater with an audience in attendance.
Orchestra conductor performing on stage before large audience in elegant theater venue.
Conductor leads orchestra performance before a large seated audience in an elegant theater.
Orchestra performs on stage beneath large projected painting in a concert hall with audience.
Full symphony orchestra performing on a large concert hall stage before a packed seated audience.