If you've ever scrolled through our event gallery or seen our photos on Instagram, you already know the work of Hariel Xavier Photography. What you might not know is the story behind the camera — and why we believe great photography is as essential to our events as the food, the fashion, and the cigars.
More Than Just Event Photos
Let's be real for a second: most event photos are terrible. Bad lighting, awkward poses, that one person who always has their eyes closed. We've all seen them. We've all been tagged in them.
From the very beginning, we knew we wanted something different for Fuego Fashion. Our events are designed down to every detail — the lighting, the ambiance, the fashion, the food — and we needed a photographer who could capture all of that without it feeling staged or forced.
That's where Hariel Xavier comes in.
The Approach
Based out of Sparta, New Jersey, Hariel Xavier Photography brings a style that's equal parts editorial and candid. The posed shots look like magazine covers. The candid shots — the ones where you didn't know the camera was there — those are the ones that really tell the story of the night.
There's an art to photographing events in low light conditions. Cigar lounges, dimly lit venues, candlelit dinners — these are environments that most cameras and most photographers struggle with. Hariel's team has dialed in a workflow that makes these environments look incredible instead of just dark and grainy.
What They Capture
At a typical Fuego Fashion event, Hariel Xavier Photography is there from setup to the after-party. Here's what they're shooting:
- Arrivals: The moment guests walk in — suited up, feeling good. These are some of our most popular photos because everyone looks their best right when they arrive.
- Dinner: The food, the table settings, the conversations happening over wine glasses. These tell the story of the evening's atmosphere.
- The Fashion Show: Every walk down the runway, every outfit, every expression. This is where the editorial skills really shine — the lighting, the angles, the timing.
- The Cigar Lounge: The smoke, the amber glow of bourbon in a glass, friends laughing in leather chairs. These are the shots that define the Fuego Fashion brand.
- Candids: The unscripted moments. A handshake, a toast, someone discovering a cigar they love. These are the photos people actually frame.
Why It Matters
Here's something we learned early on: great event photography isn't a nice-to-have — it's how you preserve the experience for everyone who was there, and how you show everyone who wasn't what they missed.
When our guests see themselves in those photos the next day, looking great, having an amazing time — that's powerful. It's a reminder that they did something special. And when people who weren't there see those same photos? That's what sells the next event.
Every time someone shares a Hariel Xavier photo from one of our events and a friend asks "What is this? How do I get in?" — that's the cycle working. Great experiences, beautifully documented, shared naturally.
Working With Hariel Xavier
What we appreciate most about working with Hariel's team is that they get the vibe. They're not intrusive — you won't notice them during dinner or feel like you're being followed around with a flash. But when you see the photos afterward, you realize they caught everything.
They also turn things around fast. Within a few days of the event, we have a full edited gallery to share. That matters when you want to keep the energy going while people are still talking about the night.
If you're in the NJ area and need event photography, portrait work, or anything creative — Hariel Xavier Photography out of Sparta is who we trust. They've been with us since the beginning, and the partnership just keeps getting better.
See the Work
Check out our full gallery to see Hariel Xavier's work from our past events. And if you want to be in the next set of photos — grab a ticket to our upcoming event. Come looking sharp, enjoy the night, and let the camera do the rest.
— The Fuego Fashion Team
