A SPECIAL MOTHERS' DAY GIFT - A ROGER HAMMONS PHOTOGRAPHY PORTRAIT SESSION! 

I first met Shahla and Tom when they scheduled their engagement portrait session with me a couple of years ago.  Then we got some great photographs -- the one of Shahla leaping into Tom's arms in a landscape of high grasses still adorns my studio walls.  

For the pregnancy portrait session this weekend, I went on location to the Landsdowne Resort in Leesburg.  Shahla and Tom had an "in" with the coordinator there, so we had free reign (as long as I behaved myself)!  The session was obviously focussed primarily on Shahla, but I also added Tom into the portraits "as needed" (Tom's phrasing).  We planned both outdoor and indoor shots.  Because the weather was rather cold, we alternated settings: a short outdoor session, a long indoor session, a short outdoor session, and a final long indoor session to finish up.  I must say Shahla was a trooper.

The above portrait of Shahla is one of my favorites from the session.  It was captured near the end of our time together.  The natural light was nice at this location, but I supplemented it with a kiss of off-camera strobe.  To me, this portrait speaks of motherhood.  I love Shahla's beautiful smile.  The protective hand gestures around the belly are classical and lovely.  The beautiful artwork complements Shahla's elegant dress, creating a harmonious composition.  

I also love this more intimate portrait below. I'd asked Shahla to lie down on a long leather sofa in one of the Landsdowne Resort's sitting areas back from the main lobby.  I wasn't sure if she'd mind the more intimate pose in a public setting, but she was excited about the idea when I first proposed it. By the time we got there, however, the area was crowded with a party just ten feet away.  Fortunately, it was a baby shower, so the group welcomed Shahla and Tom with a hearty congratulations. This portrait was lit primarily by off-camera strobe because the sitting area was quite dark.  I did drag the shutter to let in some ambient light.  I had to experiment a bit in order to find a placement of the light that I liked given the constraints of the furniture and party all around.  But I think I succeeded.  To me, it looks beautifully lit. I again love Shahla's smile and how her eyes directly engage the viewer.  Her pregnant body is flattered by the soft light and soft pose.  The dark brown leather goes well with her dress to create a harmonious color harmony for a glamorous portrait.

Tom and Shahla's baby--a boy to be named Aurelius--is due in early April.  I cannot wait to meet him!  After that, the family moves to California, where Shahla will begin a prestigious residency in pediatric neurology.

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It's personal!  I love to capture beautiful portraits at life's milestones large and small.  I feel privileged to be able to photograph the various love stories of a family -- from that engagement session, through the wedding, through the pregnancies, through the growth of the children. Family is special.  It deserves special photographs.   

My Northern Virginia wedding photography and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Please contact me by email to start planning your portrait session.  I'd be honored to preserve your life's stories!  

Proud to have served as a juror on a distinguished panel of PPA Master Photographers for the Maryland Professional Photographers Association's 2019 Annual Print Competition. It was a dazzling display of great work by a strong group of motivated and talented pro photographers. Thursday was a fun day looking at images and discussing them with fellow judges (agreeing, disagreeing, and agreeing to disagree). It's always interesting to see how different people see images in different ways. On Saturday, I attended the awards banquet and loved seeing old friends, making new ones. It was great to be able to put faces to the winning images. I loved the experience! Who knows -- one day I might become a Professional Photographers of America approved juror and be able to judge the industry's most prestigious International Photographic Competition.

VARIETY IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT!

When I returned from vacation in Mexico, I saw an email from the Ashburn, Virginia author NoNieqa Ramos that caused me a moment of panic.  She wanted a more casual headshot taken outdoors. Why the moment of panic?  Well, just before I'd left for Mexico, I had delivered to her a studio headshot to use for promotion of her new book that will appear next year.  So, my initial thought was that her agent hadn't liked the studio portrait we had created together.  Oh no!

My response was to set-up the appointment and then head to the local Barnes & Noble at Loudoun One.  The store clerk asked me if I needed help finding anything.  I said no, that I was there to look at authors' headshots in the Young Adult Fiction section.  (I like to be prepared!)   It was interesting but ultimately not very helpful.  I thought maybe there was a certain style that was currently in fashion, one of which I wasn't aware.  But there was not.  It was a mixture, some professional looking, some less so (IMHO).  

My game plan then was to do the outdoor session in my usual manner, looking to get as many different looks in as many different locations as the hour-long session allowed.  I would put these in a private gallery to allow her and her agent to select the new headshot.  Hopefully they would find something that worked!

The location that NoNieqa wanted was a bit of a challenge, but the session turned out to be a great one!  I found a variety of mini-locations, each with lovely light and interesting backgrounds that allowed us to create 16 different, strong portraits.  They all struck me as capturing the casual outdoor feel she was looking for. 

With the help of her husband and her agent, NoNieqa selected the above portrait from her four favorites.  It is also one of my favorites.  Interestingly, it was taken at the first mini-location I had identified on my scouting the previous day.  I liked the spot because the natural light there was nice and the background of sunlit foliage and blue sky reflected in water was exciting.  On the day of the session, all the excellent photographic possibilities I had hoped for were present.  NoNiequa's engaging expression with her warm natural smile was the final ingredient.  The result is an honest expressive portrait of a Young Adult Fiction writer.  

So, what of my initial panic regarding the previously delivered studio portrait?  It was misplaced.  NoNieqa assured me that the studio portrait was perfect for its purpose.  She just didn't want ALL of her promotional materials to feature the same portrait.  She wanted variety!

As always, variety is the spice of life.  And I was happy to be able to oblige.  

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Whether in the studio or on location, I love to capture honest portraits of people.  For me, every person is unique, every portrait is personal, and every session is a new chance to experience and connect.  

My Loudoun County wedding photography and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Give me a call at 703-729-3780 or contact me by email.  I'd be thrilled to work with you, too!  

Author Headshot | Northern Virginia Headshot Photographer

WRITER OF YOUNG ADULT FICTION.

NoNieqa Ramos is the author of The Disturbed Girl's Dictionary published in February 2018.  Her second novel, The Book of Love, will be published in 2019. 

Here's a quick blurb regarding her biography and vision copied from her Amazon author profile:

"Raised in the Boogie Down Bronx, NoNieqa Ramos is an award-winning educator, literary activist, and writer of 'intense' young adult literature. She plants seeds of mass creation in the minds of impressionable youngsters. She writes to amplify marginalized voices and to reclaim the lost history, mythology and poetry of the Latinx community." 

Since writing fiction has become a new passion of mine, it was a special treat to meet such an accomplished writer.  Fortunately, the basic 20-minute headshot session allows just enough time for chatting and establishing a person-to-person connection.  That rapport is vital to a successful portrait -- epecially when you want the portrait to welcome folks into the worlds of your imagination!

Take a look at this May 2018 interview with the author NoNieqa Ramos (which not so coincidentally features the new headshot!).  

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I love to capture honest portraits of people from all walks of life.  For me, every person is unique, and every portrait is personal.  

My Loudoun County wedding photography and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Give me a call at 703-729-3780 or contact me by email.  I'd be thrilled to work with you, too!  

Actor Headshot | Northern Virginia Headshot Photographer

PLAYING MY CARDS RIGHT!

In May, I was fortunate to work again with actor George Melik, who has appeared in the highly regarded series "House of Cards."  George was one of the models for our recent "Natural Light Portraiture" workshop, co-taught with Philip Brasch, as part of the Professional Photographers of America Super 1-Day program.  We had a nice group of professional and aspiring professional photographers looking to learn how to create studio-quality portrait lighting using just available natural light.  The advantages of these techniques is that you can create beautiful portraits with a minimum of equipment and without the extra expense of a photographic assistant.  The tricky part is that you need to develop a great eye for natural light.  It doesn't just happen!  

The look George and I were going for in this portrait is that of a Wall Street tycoon.  The portrait was taken close to dusk using natural light only.  The backdrop is a local government building to give the requisite corporate ambiance.  Here I think the suit, the glasses, and the tartan scarf all contribute to the look George wanted.  I enjoy the beautiful color harmony with the background.  That was an important consideration in my choosing this particular location.  But most important was the beautiful light.  

In addition to being able to identify great combinations of lighting and location, the photographer must also know how to establish rapport and guide the subject into the pose that achieves the purposes of the portrait.  So the "Natural Light Portraiture" workshop also taught these skills through hands-on student work.  

In this portrait, I love how George looks at me thoughtfully over the top edges of the glasses:  Great gesture and terrific connection to the camera. Directors will be looking for such skills in the actors they hire.  I expect this handsome headshot will result in more acting work for George.  Keep an eye out for him!

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I love to capture honest portraits of people from all walks of life.  For me, every person is unique, and every portrait is personal. 

My Loudoun County wedding photography and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Give me a call at 703-729-3780 or contact me by email.  I'd be thrilled to work with you, too!  

Toddler Pajama Portrait | Northern Virginia Portrait Photographer

PJ JAX!

Jax is three years old, and one of his favorite TV shows is P.J. Masks.  For his children's portrait session, I didn't have masks, but I did have Jax in colorful, eclectic pajamas that perfectly fit his playful personality.  

Jax enjoyed sitting on the old wooden work stool (although he didn't stay there long!).  Sometimes he had his two pink stuffed bunnies sitting on his lap; sometimes he'd thrown them onto the studio floor.  Sometimes, we took portraits of the two bunnies sitting by themselves.  When you're a Jax having fun, there are so many things to try.  In fact, that's one of his favorite sayings at this age:  "Let's try!"

Among all of Jax's many faces during the session, this one with a small pleasant smile was one of my very favorites.  I love how alert and engaged Jax is.  You can tell by the swinging legs that he was enjoying our interactions.  The multi-colored background and green stool coordinate beautifully with Jax's pink, green, and blue mismatched pajamas.  

It's a lovely honest portrait of a playful little boy.  

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I love to capture honest portraits of people young and old.  For me, every person is unique, and every portrait is personal. 

My Loudoun County wedding photography and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Give me a call at 703-729-3780 or contact me by email.  I'd be tickled to work with you, too!  

Portrait of Elementary School Music Teacher

CLASSICAL CONTEMPORARY.

I was happy to create this classical contemporary portrait for Sara, an elementary school music teacher in Loudoun County, Virginia.  Our goal in creating this portrait was to present Sara as she is in her everyday work life.  Her outfit is typical of the clothing she wears in the classroom--practical but with touches of elegance.  

Sara is quite personable and has great presence in front of the camera.  I'm sure that's in large part inherent in her personality; but I suspect it's also, in some part, due to survival skills learned in the classroom.  She teaches elementary school kids of all ages, and I bet sixth-graders sometimes benefit from a strong teacher's presence! 

In this portrait, Sara is in a classical feminine pose.  I love the graceful gesture of her arms and hands, which is pure Sara.  The gesture was one that I noticed during an in-between moment between image captures.  I get excited when the person relaxes and reveals a natural look to the camera!  

I experimented with different expressions:  serious, small smiles, large smiles, and expressions in-between.  I loved this serene expression.  Sara looks regal, a woman comfortable in her own skin and confident in her abilities.  

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It's personal!  I love to capture honest portraits of the people I meet, and I feel privileged to get to know them and help tell and preserve their stories.  

My Northern Virginia wedding photography and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Give me a call at 703-729-3780 or contact me by email.  I'd be honored to work with you, too!  

On vacation, walking with my wife Michele through different Canadian cities, there is not much time to linger photographically.  So I capture quickly what captures my eye.  Most images created in this way are tourist postcards: reminders that we were there.  Some (hopefully) come closer to art.  

These three images below were among my favorite captures.  Clearly I was attracted to bold colors!  Hopefully the compositions are also interesting.  

Here the mural by Jason Botkin dominates the cityscape.  That was certainly the first thing I saw at this corner.  I enjoy the mural's bright colors and vivid shapes.  In the final image, I enjoy even more how the mural seems to integrate the scene, while simultaneously being so foreign to the city landscape.  Its organic shapes contrast to the rectangular shapes of the buildings; whereas its palette binds together the diverse colors surrounding the mural in a bolder representation that commands the viewer's eye.

 

In this image, I enjoy how the brilliant yellow of the "Cows Ice Cream" store, the vivid blue and pink of the ice cream banner, the lime green of the parking meter, the red of the fire hydrant, and the rainbow colors of the crosswalk all work together to create a whimsical street corner.  It makes me smile!
 

The unusual facade to this store is notable for the mix of colors: greens, golds, and oranges.  The dappled sunlight playing against the interior lights of the shop adds a bit of mystery.  

OH WHAT A NIGHT! 

On a chilly November night, Debi and Sam were married in a lovely ceremony outside the beautiful barn at Stone Tower Winery in Leesburg, Virginia.  Originally, their ceremony was going to be held inside, but their wedding day turned out to be warmer than the past November days have been.  So the bride and groom opted to go for an outdoor nighttime ceremony under the twinkling patio lights instead.  

After the ceremony, everyone hurried inside, for an elegant dinner party in the well-heated barn.  

During the dinner, Debi's father recalled that Debi was a "girly girl" when she was little.  She was into frilly princess dresses, which she wore in the cold without a coat so as not to ruin the look.  Later, she had a tomboy stage, but the frilly princess in the cold was the story that stuck in my mind.  

About 10:15 pm, the couple and I ventured outside for a few romantic portraits under the sparkling lights.  It wasn't just chilly then; it was cold!  As I watched Debi in her beautiful princess gown, without a shawl or coat, I was reminded of her dad's story.  While Sam and I were shivering in our jackets, Debi assured us that she was too excited to feel the cold and wanted to continue taking photographs.   

This is one of my favorite portraits from the late evening session.  I love how the strings of lights have become a swarm of little heart-shaped butterflies.  Romance is in the air!  I love how comfortable Debi and Sam look in each other's arms.  And, by the smiles that light up their faces, you can tell they're enjoying the night.

Best wishes, Debi and Sam, for a long and meaningful marriage, especially one full of warmth!

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I'd love to capture your love story in photographs that are deeply seen, deeply felt, deeply remembered.  Call my Northern Virginia portrait and wedding photography studio at 703-729-370, or send me an email, to start planning for your professional photography needs.  

My photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

I love what we can create together!

BLACK TIE GALA.

This month I was pleased to help photograph a black-tie gala in Washington DC, which was attended by many prominent lawyers, judges, and other noteworthy VIPs.  

The above candid photograph shows Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito responding to introductory remarks preceding the elegant dinner.  In the background, lead photographer Michael Dunphy captures additional images of the evening's events.  

After dinner, the main event was the invited speech by Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch.  His talk was full of both humor and serious thoughts on the role of the judiciary in our government.  In this candid photograph, I have captured Justice Gorsuch as he makes an impassioned point.  

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My Northern Virginia wedding photography and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Whether your photography needs are family or business related, I would enjoy working with you to create photographs that are "deeply seen, deeply felt, deeply remembered."  Please call me at 703-729-3780 or contact me by email to discuss your commission.    

SPLOTCH-LIGHT / SPOTLIGHT.  

On Friday, Michael Dunphy and I finished co-teaching our "Fall Environmental Portraits with a Kiss of Flash" workshop.  And what a gorgeous sun-drenched day it was! 

The trees were more bare than expected, so it was hard to avoid the sun -- the perfect challenge for a workshop exploring the use of off-camera flash to shape otherwise difficult lighting conditions.  (May as well look on the "bright" side, I say, no pun intended!)  

One of the students, Linda H., wanted to see how off-camera flash might be used to deal with splotchy sunlight.  So we placed our model Rachel on a small grassy hill that was lit unevenly by splotches of direct sunlight, falling on and all around her.  To overcome the uneven sunlight, just a kiss of flash was definitely not going to get the job done.  We needed an overpowering flood of flash -- i.e. a flash flood!  

To create the portrait above, I positioned a Qflash in a softbox just outside the frame on camera left to mimic the direction of sunlight.  Placing the softbox close to Rachel and using high power, the flash replaced the sunlight as the main light.  Because I'm exposing for the direct sunlight, the splotches of sunlight around Rachel are subdued.  And, because of the off-camera flash, the unattractive splotchiness of the sunlight on her face is now gone. 

The effect is as if Rachel were illuminated by a clean spotlight of the sun streaming through the trees.  The only indication to the contrary is that Rachel is not squinting!  Instead, we see Rachel relaxed and comfortable, with her engaging, beautiful smile.    

Splotch-light to spotlight, we did ourselves proud!

WHAT STUDENTS THOUGHT ABOUT THE "KISS OF FLASH" WORKSHOP EXPERIENCE:

"I felt great about the things I learned!  The workshop was just as described.  It followed very well on the indoor portraiture class, so that I could apply what I'd learned there to a new shooting situation.  My favorite part was shooting the same scene with and without flash.  Even though I have often heard that good natural light photographers can "control the light," I didn't really know what that meant in practice.  Now I realize that a photographer benefits from a background in studio lighting in order to then apply that knowledge to outdoor/natural lighting.  Most come at photography the other way around; they don't invest in studio lighting and they add those skills AFTER they do outdoor work.  But real learning comes when you know studio lighting and then move to natural light. That was an aha moment for me!" -- Linda H. 

"Great workshop.  For me, I thought the workshop was perfect. We practiced techniques that I sort of knew how to use, but seeing them in action made me feel more comfortable in their use." -- Jim C.

"I thought that the workshop was great. I learned a great deal. My favorite part was listening to you and Michael, watching how you worked with the models to make lovely portraits. Learning to use the small flash and trigger was most helpful.  Most of all I was very impressed with your skills in teaching so many skills in a relatively [short] period of time and at the same time making the learning most enjoyable for your students. On top of that you made lovely portraits of your models!" -- Ann S. 
 

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Whether you're a client looking for a skilled people photographer or an aspiring photographer looking for expert instruction, I'd love to get to know you.  

My Northern Virginia wedding photography and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Give me a call at 703-729-3780 or contact me by email. 

SUSAN -- CAUGHT ON CAMERA -- ON THE PLAZA, WITH A KNIFE, AT NIGHT.

(It's called abetting when you help set it all up!) 

Susan is a master pastry chef, just starting up a new sweet-treat catering company she calls SweetFreakz.    She was one of the models who participated in the madcap PPA Super 1 Day workshop, "Lifestyle Photography and the Art of Natural Light," recently taught by Philip Brasch and myself.

The workshop was so much fun and inspirational that Philip and I stayed long into the night, well past the end of the workshop, to work with Susan in our  "street-lamp street studio."  We used the nighttime street lamps as our principal lights (both main and accent) and added LED panel lights on stands to refine the set-up. 

In the street-lamp studio, we started with portraits illustrating her work as a pastry chef, using a tray of sweets (YUM!) and various kitchen utensils as props.  

Afterwards, Susan brought out a "blood"-stained chef's knife, and I almost whooped in delight!  I set up a few different poses to play with the bloody knife.  This is one of my favorite portraits from the session.  

The portrait has the feeling of a suspenseful English murder mystery, with the top hat, bloody knife, and upscale ambiance and theatrical lighting.  The way Susan holds the bloody knife so casually speaks chillingly of her expertise and comfort in handling it.  

Most of all I love that delicious self-satisfied smile that Susan gave me!

How did I elicit such a perfect expression?  I just asked Susan to imagine me at the business end of her knife.  That did it!  

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Whether in a streetlight studio, traditional studio, or the great outdoors, I'd be thrilled to collaborate with you on fun creative portraits. 

My Northern Virginia wedding photography and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Give me a call at 703-729-3780 or contact me by email.  Let's do it!!  

A "MRS P" WORKSHOP: 

FALL ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAITS WITH A KISS OF FLASH

by Roger Hammons, Ph.D., M.Photog., CPP and Michael Dunphy, CPP

Working at a picturesque lakeside setting, the focus of the class will be on identifying portrait locations based on available light and scenery.  Within the constraints of the selected locations, we'll practice shaping the posing and lighting to create a professional portrait.  This is an extremely hands-on workshop, offering students practical experience in analyzing locations and balancing off-camera flash with existing light across a variety of scenes, from easy to challenging.  Students will also practice interacting with and posing our delightful models, Rachel and Scott, who are young adults and siblings.  And, as always, we plan on having a lot of fun doing so!  

Michael and Roger will work with small teams of students, both together and separately.  Each student will experience two different approaches to on-location portraiture and be encouraged to develop his/her own perspective!  

Location:  Wheaton, Maryland

Date:  Friday, 10/27/2017 (with rain date the following Friday 11/3/2017)

Time:  11am - 3pm 

Fee:  $165

Contact:  Roger Hammons, 703-729-3780

The workshop will be limited to 6 students, 3 per instructor, for personalized instruction.

Call Roger at 703-729-3780 today to register!

PRAISE FOR PAST MRS P WORKSHOPS:

"The class was fantastic. Had a great time." -- Leslie K.

"Loved it!  All of it!" -- Danille W. 

"Excellent class.  Learned a lot in one day."  -- Cybil L.

"The workshop was wonderful!  Both Roger and Michael were prepared but also provided opportunities to experiment.  Just so many learning opportunities were given.  The hands-on piece was super helpful to me.  Great model too."  -- Grace K. 

Northern Virginia fine art photographer Roger Hammons shares an October 2017 image of Fall colors in Vermont entitled "The Introvert versus the Extravert Fall Diptych", which compares and contracts the reflections of an evergreen and maple tree in a small woodland pond near Woodstock, Vermont.

Chasing the Fall color in northeastern USA and Canada was great fun, even though the trip turned out to be a bit premature for peak color.  

I love this capture, an abstract image of colorful leaves reflected impressionistically in the rippling waters of a Vermont woodland pond.  In this scene, I was drawn to the interplay between the evergreen tree on the left and the maple tree on the right.  Together, the reflections of these two trees form a kind of diptych, each side presenting a similar splattering arrangement of colorful tree limbs, but differing rather emphatically in the spectrum of colors presented.  

The "introvert" (evergreen tree) is a quiet green, while the "extravert" (maple tree) is conspicuous in its rainbow of bright reds, yellows, and oranges.  

Different strokes for different folks!

"Excellent class.  Learned a lot in one day."  -- Cybil L.

"The workshop was wonderful!  Both Roger and Michael were prepared but also provided opportunities to experiment.  Just so many learning opportunities were given.  The hands-on piece was super helpful to me.  Great model too."  -- Grace K. 

BACK-TO-BACK FUN!

Late Tuesday night, my wife and I returned home from a busy, two-week vacation, seeking vistas of Fall color from Montreal, Canada, around Nova Scotia to Bar Harbor, Maine, down to Boston, Massachusetts.  Then, starting bright and early the next morning, I hosted and co-taught another all-day studio portraiture class in my Ashburn, Virginia studio. 

Co-taught with my friend Michael Dunphy, the "Hands-On Studio Portraiture" workshop was sponsored by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) under its Super 1 Day program, in which local professionals share their expertise with other pros or aspiring professionals. 

In the morning, Michael and I explained the technical aspects of studio portraiture through a series of demonstrations.  We explored the use of studio strobes in "bare bulb" configuration as well as with diverse light modifiers including umbrellas, soft boxes, strip boxes, beauty dishes, and snoots.  Starting simply with just one strobe, we built up a series of increasingly complex lighting set-ups, using as many as four strobes plus a reflector.  Using a flash meter to establish power settings, we demonstrated how to create lighting patterns that add depth to the portrait.  It was quite a busy, information-packed morning!

After lunch, we began our study of the non-technical aspects of studio portraiture:  posing and interacting with a non-professional model.  Joining us as the model was my favorite fiddler, Chelle Fulk, who brought two different fiddles and a change of clothing for us to use in the portraits.  She worked hard that afternoon, giving everyone a chance to practice different lighting set-ups and directing her into different poses.  

At the end, once the traditional portraits were finished, Michael and I took turns setting up some playful, creative mini-sessions -- and then inviting the students to join in on the fun. 

I love this silhouette of Chelle and her fiddle I took during the workshop.  With the right lighting set-up, the silhouette is technically easy to achieve.  The secret lies in arranging a pose that creates an interesting interplay of the two-dimensional shapes.  I think this one succeeds quite nicely!

Can you imagine this portrait as an album cover?  I sure can!

# # # 

My Northern Virginia wedding photography and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Give me a call at 703-729-3780 or contact me by email.  Whether you're a client or an aspiring photographer, I'd love to work with you, too!  

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A FLASH MAKES!  

Today Michael and I finished our preparations for a new class on outdoor studio portraiture by doing a quick survey of the lake front where the class will be held.  We wanted to assess the variety of different lighting conditions we might encounter during the workshop.  I can tell you right now the workshop is going to be a blast!

In the above example, Michael is in a shaded area on the banks of the lake where our October workshop will be held.  (Can you image how glorious this background will be in late October when the leaves change color?!) 

It is tough to work this gorgeous location using existing light only.  Exposing for the subject (leftmost image) leaves the background blown out.  Plus, even though the exposure for Michael's face is good, the lighting itself is choppy and unattractive.  Exposing for the background (center image), on the other hand, renders the background beautifully but leaves Michael an uninteresting silhouette. 

The rightmost image shows a better, more professional approach.  To achieve the dimensional, studio-quality light on Michael's face, we introduced an off-camera strobe, in a softbox modifier, just outside the upper left corner of the frame.  The power of the flash is balanced to match proper exposure of the background.  Even straight out of the camera, this portrait would have strong appeal for a client.  

# # #

If you are interested in learning more about on-location portraiture, please join our hands-on workshop:

A "Mrs P" Portraiture Workshop: 

"Fall Environmental Portraiture with a Kiss of Flash" 

by Roger Hammons, Ph.D., M.Photog.,CPP and Michael Dunphy, CPP

Like the popular "Bare Studio" workshop we taught last July, the focus of the class will be on identifying portrait locations based on available light and scenery, but this time working outdoors instead of in studio.  Working within the constraints of different lakeside locations, we'll practice shaping the posing and lighting to create a professional portrait.  This is an extremely hands-on workshop, offering students practical experience in analyzing locations and balancing off-camera flash with existing light across a variety of scenes, from easy to challenging.  Students will also practice interacting with non-professional models to build posing skills and confidence.  And, as always, we plan on having a lot of fun doing so!  

Michael and Roger will work with small teams of students, both together and separately.  Each student will experience two different approaches to on-location portraiture and be encouraged to develop his/her own perspective!  

Location:  Wheaton, Maryland

Date:  Friday, 10/27/2017 (with rain date the following Friday 11/3/2017)

Time:  11am - 3pm 

Fee:  $165

Contact:  Roger Hammons, 703-729-3780, to register

The workshop will be limited to 6 students, 3 per instructor, for personalized instruction.

POUR IT ON. 

Recently, my friend Philip Brasch invited me to help teach a night-time portraiture class for the Northern Virginia Professional Photographers Association (NVPPA).  The class offered a taste of our upcoming natural light portraiture workshop, sponsored by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) under its Super 1-Day program, plus a little bit extra.    

The night's photoshoot with actor George Melik was a blast!  Such a good sport, when George is in character, not even a downpour can get him down. 

For most of the class, we worked with the lighting provided by the existing building lights, supplementing them with a pair of LED light panels on stands when necessary.  But, when the rain started to pour, we brought out a Quantum Q-flash strobe with a softbox modifier to use as our main light source.  The ultra-short duration of flash allows us to stop the raindrops in mid-fall.  

In this photograph, I love how the rain pours off the hardhat, splattering, and sparkling like little crystals in the night.  The moody light and stoic expression of our "Can Do" hero combine to create a dramatic, storytelling portrait.    

Powerful stuff!

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Whether for an actor's portfolio, professional headshot, or family memory, I love collaborating with my clients on portraits that are uniquely them.  

My Northern Virginia wedding photography and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Give me a call at 703-729-3780 or contact me by email.  Let's get started!  

THIS MAN SKIRLS! 

For our "One Light Wonderful" studio portraiture workshop sponsored by Blue World Media, co-instructor Michael Dunphy and I were excited to invite Jeffrey Herbert, an accomplished musician, to be one of our guest models.  

In a prior blogpost, I presented my portrait of Jeff as a guitar man.  Here we see him as a bagpiper in highlander kilt and accoutrements.  

A longtime musician, Jeff is a charter member of the Washington DC Fire Department Pipes and Drums Band and has over 15 years of bagpipe experience.   (And, yes, he accepts solo commissions to play at weddings and other events!)  

In full regalia, Jeff cuts quite the dashing figure, so at least one of his portraits had to be full length.  The lighting set-up is a bit experimental for a full-length portrait:  the main light is provided by a beauty dish placed in the usual position for a glamour head-and-shoulders portrait.    

The light falls beautifully down the body, its raking angle showcasing the gorgeous details of the uniform, while its falloff in intensity keeps Jeff's rugged face the center of attention.  Fine-tuning the set-up was required to balance the lighting top and bottom in order to avoid losing too much detail on the kilt, socks, and shoes.  As the final touch, I tweaked the light to ensure crisp catch lights in Jeff's eyes, bringing his expression to life.  

Quite a commanding presence, quite the commanding performance!

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My Northern Virginia wedding photography and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Give me a call at 703-729-3780 or contact me by email.  I'd love to celebrate your life in portraits that are "deeply seen, deeply felt, deeply remembered."  

GUITAR PLAYING MAN. 

On Thursday, as part of my "One Light Wonderful" studio portraiture workshop (sponsored by Blue World Media and co-taught with my friend Michael Dunphy),  I had the pleasure of doing a portrait session for a wonderful, multi-talented musician, Jeff Herbert.

Jeff is an accomplished BagPiper and Singer/Guitarist with over 15 years bagpipe experience and over 30 years guitar/vocal experience. In addition to his solo career, he is a charter member of the Washington DC Fire Department Pipes and Drums Band. Jeff's solo performances include high profile events at the Vietnam War Memorial, at Arlington National Cemetery, and before members of Congress on Capitol Hill.  His music ranges from Celtic to Folk, Pop and Rock. 

For my portrait of Jeff, the guitar playing man, I imagined an itinerant troubadour, traveling from town to town, singing his songs for tips.  As he leaves one town to continue his journey, you might see him walking head down, lost in his own thoughts, contemplating the miles ahead, the guitar strapped to his back.  

To realize this vision, I lit a profile view of Jeff's face, and made sure to showcase the beautiful guitar in very subdued fill light behind him.  Finally, to complete the feeling of times gone by, I converted the original photograph, captured in color, to a sepia-toned black and white image.

I love the soulfulness of the final portrait.  

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My Northern Virginia wedding photography and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Give me a call at 703-729-3780 or contact me by email.  I'd love to celebrate your life in portraits that are "deeply seen, deeply felt, deeply remembered."  

DISTINGUISHED PRESENCE.

It was my great honor to start September with a portrait session for Ambassador Hector Posset, the ambassador to the United States from Benin.  

I did not know much about his country before we met for the portrait session at Blue World Media in Alexandria, Virginia.  

As Ambassador Posset and I chatted, he told me that Benin is a popular tourist destination, especially for African Americans in the southern United States and Caribbean region.  The country is famous as the birthplace of the traditional African religion known as Vodun or Voodoo.  In early January, the port town of Ouidah hosts the country's traditional Vodun (Voodoo) Festival, a week-long celebration for both the faithful and the curious.  The town also played an infamous role in the slave trade.  In Ouidah, the memorial "La Porte du Non Retour” ("Door of No Return") marks the site where millions of people were once removed from Africa as slaves.  Tourists are also attracted to the Parc National de La Penjari in the northern part of Benin, which is famous for its wild animal safaris.  

For the ambassador's portraits, I used a dark gray seamless paper as the backdrop, a large softbox as a main light, and a small stripbox as a subdued accent light.  I took head and shoulder portraits of him seated, on an adjustable posing stool, and later brought in a posing table for a few thoughtful poses I had noted when we were chatting earlier.  

In addition to the traditional headshots, Ambassador Posset wanted a full-length portrait, so we reset the backdrop and adjusted the lighting accordingly.  The result above became one of my favorite portraits from the session.   In the full-length portrait, the ambassador's poise and dignity are readily apparent.  He is clearly a man of importance and accomplishment.  And his personal warmth is also apparent in his smile and inviting stance.  

Ambassador Posset plans to hang one of the portraits I took of him in the Benin embassy in Washington DC.  I wouldn't be surprised if this portrait turns out to be his favorite, too.  

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My Northern Virginia wedding photography and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Give me a call at 703-729-3780 or contact me by email.  I'd love to celebrate and capture the wonderful uniqueness of you!  

A HUMDINGER OF A THREE WHEELER.

This quirky vintage tricycle really amuses me!  I found it recently at an antique store in central Virginia, and it's now a new prop in the studio.

In its simplicity -- just red metal tubing, black metal seat, black rubber wheels -- the design is rather clever.  But, it looks odd, backwards, quirky, fun.  You just don't build a tricycle that way -- at least not anymore.  I love it!  

And toddlers seem to love it as much as I do.  It's been a big hit, even for children as old as four years.  In this informal, natural light portrait of Gavin, you can see the unfettered joy in his wide grin.  He just had to ride that red trike.  

As a studio prop, the tricycle encourages a lovely natural pose.  I like how Gavin's hands grip the steering loop, and I love the gesture of his feet resting on the wheel and axle.

As for Gavin, he's quite the humdinger on that three wheeler!  I love it.

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To schedule your own family portrait session, call me at 703-729-3780 or contact me by email.  

My Loudoun County wedding photography and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Whether or not it involves a quirky tricycle, I'd love to capture your life's journey.  Call today!

TOTALLY AWESOME!   Enough said.  

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PRINT PURCHASES:

As a special gift to readers of my blog, I am happy to announce that 10x20 lustre prints of this triptych, with the title "Let There Be Light," are now available for purchase at the following link:  Total Eclipse Triptych.  The triptych is available mounted ($45), ready for framing, or already framed ($127).  Prints are shipped from the professional color lab associated with my website directly to the purchaser.  For other presentation options (such as canvas wraps, metal prints, or other sizes), please inquire via email or telephone.  Enjoy!

SUMMER-TIME MEMORIES.

Sometimes we take photographs of people to record how they look; sometimes we take photographs of people to tell a story, to express feelings.  

I love this portrait of my grandson Gavin taken last week on our family vacation at Lake Anna in Virginia.  It has a nostalgic, wistful feel.  For me, it speaks of summer's end and of a little boy who's growing up. 

I love this time of his life.  At 3 1/2 years old, he adores me (and, it's no secret, vice versa!).  As he grows, I trust he'll always have a special place in his heart for me and his grandmother.  And I hope we live long enough to see him well grown.  

In the meantime, I look forward to capturing memories with my camera -- for him and for me.  

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For photographs with special meaning, please call my Northern Virginia portrait and wedding photography studio at 703-729-370, or send me an email.  

My Northern Virginia wedding photography and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

I'd love to capture your memories, too!

POCKETS OF PERFECTION

I love the "doing" of a portrait session, whether in studio or on location.  The collaboration between photographer and model is always fascinating, and the results can be magical.  

I also enjoy the "pre-doing," the preparatory work that goes into an on-location session, especially the site survey to scope out a new location.  To prepare for an upcoming engagement session, I visited Ellanor C Lawrence Park in Chantilly, Virginia for the first time this past weekend.  

Usually, my site surveying is a solitary effort, spent walking about, examining the available light and potential backdrops, and capturing reference photographs to use for more detailed planning.  This time, however, one of my favorite portrait subjects, Autumn, joined me for an impromptu mini session as part of the site survey.  

Quite fun!

For outdoor portrait sessions, I prefer a location that has many little nooks with both nice natural light and attractive background -- areas I call "pockets of perfection" -- all within easy walking distance.  At Ellanor C Lawrence Park, there were such pockets aplenty!  

The above natural-light portrait of Autumn illustrates how beautiful these pockets of perfection can be -- especially with a model as beautiful as she.    

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Let's go pocket-of-perfection prospecting together!

My Northern Virginia wedding photography and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Give me a call at 703-729-3780 or contact me by email to arrange a special portrait session just for you! 

Yesterday, the MDPPA held its most recent quarterly image competition.  As you might imagine, the competition among professional photographers was fierce; and the day was full of outstanding and inspiring work across multiple specialities.  

I was thrilled that the three portraits I entered all received blue ribbons!  

The coveted blue ribbons are awarded to photographs judged by an outside panel of distinguished Professional Photographers of America (PPA) master photographers to be especially merit worthy.  

The blue ribbon reads "MERIT IMAGE MARYLAND PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION."  The yellow corner reads "THIS PHOTOGRAPH ACCEPTED FOR EXHIBITION BY THE MARYLAND PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION."   

"Apparition" by Roger Hammons

"Fashion Forward" by Roger Hammons

"Calypso Steelpan Man" by Roger Hammons

The first two entries are portraits I captured as part of the workshop, The Bare Studio: Improvising Inside the Box, that I taught in July with my friend Michael at my Ashburn, Virginia photography studio.  The third is from a creative headshot session for a musician who plays the steel pan.  

It's such a blessing when magic happens in the studio!

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My Northern Virginia wedding photography and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Give me a call at 703-729-3780 or contact me by email.  I'd love to work some magic for you, too!  

"The workshop was really helpful for me as I have always had difficulties shooting in low light."  -- Paneer P.

"The class was fantastic. Had a great time." -- Leslie K.

"Loved it!  All of it!" -- Danille W. 

Michael and I had great fun teaching our July studio portraiture workshop, "The Bare Studio: Improvising Inside the Box," at my photography studio in Ashburn, Virginia.  

For the workshop, I moved all of my strobes, stands, backdrops, posing aids, and other equipment out of the studio's camera room into the projection room and garage, thus revealing the “Bare Studio” that would be our inspiration and challenge.  

With its toys hidden away, the studio felt strange and a bit intimidating!

To create a successful portrait in a bare studio, you first have to find areas with good lighting and non-distracting background.  Then you have to pose the model effectively within those pockets of perfection.  Not easy at all!  

We wanted the workshop to be semi-private and extremely hands-on to allow the participants to practice these skills over and over again.  So we split the group into two student-led teams to work simultaneously in different parts of the studio, each team having its own model and instructor.  We were fortunate to have two teenage models, Katie and Autumn, who stayed with us the entire session.  

With two friendly instructors, two lovely teenage models, and three talented students all sharing the available light and space in my camera room, it was glorious chaos, bursting with energy and creativity.  

In the first half of the workshop, we worked on mastering the fundamentals, creating beautiful natural-light portraits.  In the second half, we improvised to bring an additional element of flair to the portrait.  Everyone was asked to bring a small surprise element we could add to the portraits.  It was a lot of fun seeing what everyone brought and figuring out how to incorporate them into the portraits.  

Here is one of my favorite portraits of Autumn from the workshop.  It is a gorgeous profile portrait, featuring Autumn in her summer dress and hat.  I love the color harmony.  And, the light on her face and the catchlight in her eye are exquisite.  For a bit of unexpected drama, we created the larger-than-life shadow of her profile on the bare wall behind her.  

All in a bare studio!  

Wow.  

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My Northern Virginia wedding photography and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Give me a call at 703-729-3780 or contact me by email.  I'd love to work with you, too!  

In a prior post, I shared a studio portrait of Wally and his family, which consists of two humans, Caitlin and Grant, who've been married a little more than a year.  

I also photographed Wally by himself, both in my Ashburn, Virginia photography studio and outside at a beautiful park nearby.  This is one of my favorite individual portraits of Wally.  

It as an environmental portrait; but, given Wally's role as pack leader, I like to think of it as a canine executive portrait, too.   Wally looks regal, proudly surveying the realm for which he is responsible.

Where you lead, Wally, I'd love to follow! 

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To schedule your own canine executive portrait, call me at 703-729-3780 or contact me by email.  I'd love to photograph the humans you love, too.  

My Northern Virginia wedding photography and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Don't let another dog year pass you by.  Call today!

HEAR YE, HERE YE!

I am super excited to announce that my friend Michael and I will be offering our next workshop July 19, 2017 in my Ashburn, Virginia portrait studio.  Registrations are on a first-come, first served basis by calling me at 703-729-3780 or sending me an email.  Our last workshop sold out, so don't wait too long to sign up!  Here are the details:

A “MRS P” HANDS-ON WORKSHOP:   THE BARE STUDIO – IMPROVISING INSIDE THE BOX

by Roger Hammons, Ph.D., M.Photog., CPP and Michael Dunphy, CPP

On-location portrait photography requires working efficiently to overcome the challenges of a new environment:  You have to find both flattering light and a pleasing backdrop and then pose your subject effectively within those constraints.  It can be overwhelming!      

In this 4-hour creative workshop, we’ll work on the skills of analysis, visualization, and problem solving applicable to every on-location portrait job.   With a very low student-to-instructor ratio, this workshop is designed to be uniquely hands-on, with a strong emphasis on learning by doing.  

To focus our attention on just the essentials, we’ll work in a bare studio!  

We’ll start with a site survey to identify promising areas within the bare studio.  Then we’ll explore how to pose our model within those areas to take advantage of the existing light and architectural elements.  We’ll strive to capture as many different, compelling portraits as we can, to ensure variety in our portrait work.  We’ll then challenge ourselves to add an extra touch of flair to the portraits via simple additions to the scene.  

The process we follow is a methodology whose mastery will allow the photographer to create unique images regardless of the “box” his/her future assignments bring.  

LOCATION:   Roger Hammons Photography LLC in Ashburn, Virginia.   Tel:  703-729-3780

CLASS SIZE:   Limited to four students:  Two per instructor!

DATE/TIME:   July 19, 2017,  9am – 1pm  

COST:  $165

WHAT TO BRING:  DSLR camera with high ISO capability (since we’ll be working in relatively dim light) , lens, tripod, creativity!

MODELS:  Katie, shown in the sample "bare studio" photographs above (courtesy Michael Dunphy), is confirmed as one of our models!   

REGISTRATION:  Call 703-729-3780.  

UPLIFTING LOVE.  

Shahla and Tom met and fell in love at medical school.  Last Monday, they took a well-deserved break from the rigors of their ongoing career training to celebrate their engagement in front of my camera.

For their engagement photography session, we went to one of my favorite parks near my Ashburn, Virginia portrait studio.  I selected the park because Shahla planned to dress up and I needed a nature setting with a "heels-friendly" walking path.  It worked out beautifully.  

We walked and talked -- and they laughed and kissed and snuggled -- as we went from one inspiring location to the next.  And the early evening light was incredible!  

We created so many beautiful, romantic portraits that it was hard to pick one favorite to highlight in this "sneak peek" blogpost.  

I finally chose this fun photograph of Shahla leaping into Tom's arms.  I love its soft quality of light and the lushness of the tall grasses that wind in an S-curve around them.  I love how they look at each other, how they embrace.  I love how effortless it all seems.  

I am reminded of the saying:  "So head-over-heels in love, she's walking on air."

Congratulations, Shahla and Tom!  May your life together be long and happy.

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I'd love to capture your love story in photographs that are deeply seen, deeply felt, deeply remembered.  Call my Northern Virginia portrait and wedding photography studio at 703-729-370, or send me an email, to start planning your own unique engagement session.  

My photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

I love what we can create together!

PRETTY IN BLUE. 

As part of a recent joint project with Gallery252 and Blue World Media Network, I photographed two teenage sisters, Lydia and Amina, in studio using natural light -- sometimes using the existing light as is, sometimes blending in an off-camera strobe.  

After a series of portraits in her street clothes (see the earlier post casual portrait in street clothes), Lydia changed clothes for a more formal portrait.  Jewel tones really flatter her, and she looked stunning in her full-length blue dress!  (See also her portrait in a hijab in an earlier post.)

In this portrait, the main, frontal light came from a series of windows at the front of the studio.  To provide separation from the black background, the natural light was supplemented with an off-camera strobe, placed behind her to the side.  I love how the soft accent light subtly outlines the right side of her body and shows off the wonderful texture of her long hair.  

Whether standing, leaning, sitting, or lying down, an attractive pose always starts by considering how the body is to be supported.  In this 3/4-length portrait, I have coaxed Lydia into a classic feminine standing pose, starting with foot position and weight distribution before finessing presentation of her face and torso to the camera.   Neither dramatic nor exaggerated, this pose is sophisticated and natural-looking, which suits Lydia beautifully.  She doesn't look posed; she looks graceful.  

And, as funny as that might seem, that's the purpose of posing!

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I'd love to capture you and your loved ones in sensitive, timeless portraits.  Call my Northern Virginia portrait and wedding photography studio at 703-729-370 or send me an email.  

My wedding and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Let's create something beautiful together!

NEW FAMILY, NEW FRIEND.  

If I photograph your wedding, you become part of the Roger Hammons Photography family!  And your family is treated to a complimentary portrait session each year to document how your family changes over time.  

I was so happy when Caitlin and Grant called to schedule their first year anniversary portrait session.  They are such a fun couple; I'm cracking up all the time I'm with them.  

I loved photographing them at a fun engagement session in the Shenandoah National Park, a touching wedding at the Top of the Town in Arlington, and a styled bridal shoot at Rust Manor House in Leesburg.  In the year since they first became husband and wife, they've acquired a new family member, Wally. So Wally had to be included in the new family portrait -- in fact, you might call him the star of session!  (I am sure that Wally would agree.)

In the studio, I photographed Wally by himself, with Caitlin and Grant individually, and with all of them together as a family.  To my amusement, Wally was a champ at posing for the camera, and the feral pig noises coming from behind my camera kept him fascinated, leading to a variety of great expressions (on dog and humans alike).    

To keep everyone's energy level high, we finished the session with environmental portraits at a nearby park.  The lush greenery and soft, late-afternoon light made a beautiful setting for our final images.  And, when Wally posed so proudly on rocks by a little stream, he looked every bit the master of the land.  

It is wonderful having a new best friend!

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To schedule your wedding photography or family portrait consultation, call me at 703-729-3780 or contact me by email.  

My wedding and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

I would love to capture your life's journey.  Call today!

Yesterday was the deadline to enter images into the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) 2017 International Photography Competition (IPC).  I am especially excited this year as I entered a set of four images in the Artist category for the first time.  Having completed those entries the day before the deadline, I scrambled to select and add finishing touches to four additional images for the Photographic Open category.  That wasn't easy but I successfully uploaded them with minutes to spare. 

To become a PPA Master Photographer, which I did in 2010, you need to have many merit-worthy images accepted for exhibition in the IPC's Photographic Open category.  Here are two of my merited images from the 2016 Photographic Open.  

In the IPC Photography Open category, jurors evaluate images based on technical characteristics (sharpness/color/exposure) as well as esthetic qualities (impact, storytelling, style, etc).  Retouching and other enhancements are allowed, provided the artwork is done under the supervision of the photographer.  (In a traditional studio, a professional photographer takes the photographs, and a professional retoucher enhances them according to the studio's directions.)  

By entering images in the Artist Category, I am now working on earning the PPA Master Artist credential.  To become a PPA Master Artist, you must have many merit-worthy images accepted for exhibition in the IPC's Artist category.  In that category, jurors look for demonstrated mastery of digital art techniques of high difficulty, all artwork being done exclusively by the entrant.  

Because I've always done all of my own artwork, I'm competing now in order to elevate my digital art to greater heights.  

So a new journey begins!

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I'd be thrilled to capture images to document your life's journeys.  To schedule your portrait consultation, call me at 703-729-3780 or contact me by email.  

My wedding and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

I love what we can do together!

When I received the "Harry Potter" themed party decor set created by Give ‘Em Props Studios, LLC to photograph, it consisted of five vials of potions, seven wizardry books, one owl perched on a log, and one spider, all of which could be independently arranged.  My challenge was to photograph the set on white seamless paper and create a series of interesting product shots that would fit a variety of different layout options.  

My first composition was a landscape arrangement with a height-to-width ratio of 2:3, the aspect ratio of 35mm film and most DSLR cameras today.  It took a lot of experimentation to perfect; but, fortunately, I love puzzles and had fun exploring the different possibilities.  

My goal was an overall composition that flowed and that also showed off each individual piece well.  (The same considerations apply to arranging a group of people to be photographed!)  After the overall composition had been roughed in, I experimented with different lighting arrangements.  And, once both the "pose" and the lighting started working well together, the game of tweaking began:  Find some aspect of the arrangement or lighting that felt "off" and try to fix it.  

It's amazing how tiny adjustments -- just fractions of an inch! -- can make a big difference in the feel and flow of the composition.  (In portraiture, slight differences in gesture or expression play the same role!)  

Here's that first arrangement, which fills the 2:3 frame.  I love the gentle triangular composition with the owl at the triangle's peak. It feels balanced and flows beautifully.  Each piece looks good and plays a strong supporting role in the overall composition.  

In this next arrangement, I compose more tightly to fit a 4:5 aspect ratio (typical of the ubiquitous 8x10 print).  The triangular composition now has a narrower base, so a more acute angle at the top.  Once again, each individual piece displays nicely and helps the composition flow from left to right.

In this arrangement, I fit everything into a square format (1:1 aspect ratio).  The composition is now a boxy triangle.  Each piece is again positioned effectively.   

Finally, I squeeze the base of the composition even more to move from a landscape orientation to a portrait orientation.   This composition is an acute triangle, presented in a photograph having the camera's natural 3:2 aspect ratio.   If need be, the photograph could be cropped top and bottom to fit a 5:4 aspect ratio.  

In order to avoid getting lost in the dense mix of books and vials, the spider runs loose at the base of the triangle.  (Creepy!)

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For your professional photography needs, corporate or personal, call my Northern Virginia photography studio at 703-729-370 or send me an email.  

My photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Let's see what we can arrange together!

WHO-O-O-O's HAVING FUN NOW?

Just started working with Christine, a local artist, who wanted to know if I'd be willing photograph some of her creations for her charming Etsy shop Give ‘Em Props Studios, LLC.  I loved the whimsy of her pieces, so my answer was enthusiastic:  "Of course I would!"

Here is my first arrangement and photograph of her "Harry Potter" themed set, which she created as party decor for a recent bar mitzvah celebration.   

Such fun -- especially figuring out where the spider wanted to go! -- I'm giggling.    

I cannot wait to see what she brings me next!

# # #

For your professional photography needs, corporate or personal, call my Northern Virginia photography studio at 703-729-370 or send me an email.  

My photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Let's start the collaboration going!

QUIET PRESENCE.

This is the first portrait I took of 15-year-old Lydia as part of my joint project with Gallery252 and Blue World Media Network.  It's such a different look than her hijab portrait, which I posted earlier.  

In this experiment, I was trying to make a portrait in a small pocket of natural light in front of a small wavy-patterned wall in the studio.  Because the light was better lower on the wall, I had Lydia sit rather than stand.  I found a white chair to match the white wall and turned it sideways so that the curved armrest echoed the wall's waves.  

I love the quietness and authenticity of this portrait.

Although the light is less directional than I would have preferred, it is still quite lovely, and Lydia's face is aglow.  The casual outfit and decorative necklace are Lydia's everyday clothes.   And, sittting casually in the chair, Lydia presents herself to the camera in a natural way.

The overall effect is a genuine portrait -- a portrait of a thoughtful young woman,  the young woman that Lydia is becoming at this age.

Beautiful!

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I'd love to capture the "real" you in sensitive, timeless portraits.  Call my Northern Virginia portrait and wedding photography studio at 703-729-370 or send me an email.  

My portrait studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Let's plan something beautiful for you!

ROMANCE ATOP HOGBACK MOUNTAIN.

Rachel and Matt wanted to have a morning engagement session at Stone Tower Winery in Leesburg, Virginia.  What a lovely venue!

We started about an hour before the winery opened for tastings.  With some chance of rain that morning, we took advantage of the empty tasting room to capture a series of portraits there first.  The upscale rustic decor appealed to Rachel, who hails from Dallas, Texas.  From snuggling on the leather sofas, to smooching over wine barrels, to posing along a rough wood staircase under a quirky Dr. Seuss painting, Rachel and Matt had plenty of places in which to create fun romantic portraits.  

As opening time approached, we moved to the outside grounds to explore the vineyard and nearby picturesque pond.  Once again, there was a tremendous variety of locations from which to choose.  We were fortunate that the rain held off until the very end of the session.  We finished up as the first drops started to fall.  It had been a fun collaboration, and we succeeded in creating a wonderful series of distinctive portraits.   

I love a natural look in my environmental portraits.  And, I think, the featured photograph above exemplifies this style and feeling.  

I love how comfortable and relaxed Rachel and Matt look on the rocks by the pond.  I love the femininity of Rachel's white lacy dress and how Matt's light purple shirt matches Rachel's purple earrings.  I love the tender touches and the matching beautiful smiles.  You definitely feel the love between them.  

And, last but not least, I adore Rachel's cowboy boots!

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I'd love to capture your love story in photographs that are deeply seen, deeply felt, deeply remembered.  Call my Northern Virginia portrait and wedding photography studio at 703-729-370, or send me an email, to start planning your own unique engagement session.  

My photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

I love what we can create together!

IMPOSING PRINCESS.

On Sunday, I photographed two teenage sisters, Lydia and Amina, as part of a joint project with Gallery252 and Blue World Media Network.  Yesterday, I posted a striking portrait of the older sister Lydia in a hijab.  Today, it's the younger sister Amina's turn to play the starring role!  

Because Amina is just thirteen, we played with different looks, ranging from cute little girl in pigtails to imposing warrior princess.  It was a lot of fun!  (I love it when magic happens in the studio.)

In the warrior princess portrait featured here, Amina adopts a serene regal pose while wearing a (faux) fur cloak that I provided.  To complete the look, I photographed her from a camera angle slightly lower than usual to make her appearance more elegant and imposing.  

The portrait of Lydia in hijab was taken with a mixture of natural and artificial lights in front of a black velour backdrop.  Amina's portrait, on the other hand, used just the natural light for illumination and the white walls of the studio as a backdrop.  Our purpose was to show the versatility of the space as well as to illustrate some of the considerations involved in natural light portraiture indoors.   

For natural light portraits, the first step is to find locations with nice lighting, preferably soft and directional.  Then, the photographer needs to evaluate the suitability of backgrounds within those locations.  Not all locations with nice lighting offer nice backgrounds, so the creative challenge is to arrive at a trade-off that allows beautiful portraits to be made.  

For the warrior princess portrait, I positioned Amina in a small corner of the studio that offered beautiful window light.  Space in the corner was very tight and significantly limited our options with respect to camera angles and posing.  Playing within those constraints, however, was worth the effort.  

As this striking portrait shows, Amina and I did a fabulous job making it work!

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I'd love to capture you and your story in sensitive, timeless portraits.  Call my Northern Virginia portrait and wedding photography studio at 703-729-370 or send me an email.  

My photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Let's plan something beautiful for you!

A LOVELY PRESENCE.

This past Sunday, I photographed two teenage sisters, Lydia and Amina, as part of a joint project with Gallery252 and Blue World Media Network.  

Of the many lovely portraits that I took of Lydia, the older sister, this is one of my favorites.  In this portrait, Lydia wears a hijab as a celebration of the family's multi-ethnic heritage.  She and her mother fashioned the hijab by draping a geometrically-patterned cloth that I provided.  I love the beautiful lines of the headdress and how its colors flatter Lydia's skin tones.  By framing Lydia's face, the hijab draws attention to her beautiful eyes and winning smile.  

The portrait was taken in studio.  The lighting is a mixture of natural light, illuminating her face, and artificial light accenting the top of her head and the right side of her body.  The natural light comes in from the front windows of the studio, while the artificial light is from a studio strobe raised high, almost to the ceiling, behind her.   Both lights are angled to flatter her facial features as well as emphasize the texture and soft folds of the garment.  

It's a striking portrait of a lovely young woman. 

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I'd love to capture you and your story in sensitive, timeless portraits.  Call my Northern Virginia portrait and wedding photography studio at 703-729-370 or send me an email.  

My photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Let's plan something beautiful for you!

Los Angeles used to be home.  My wife was born and raised there.  Our children were born in the San Fernando Valley on the outskirts of Los Angeles and were raised in Simi Valley, just west of the San Fernando Valley, until the girls were tweens and teens.  While the greater DC area now feels like home, it is always great to travel back to Southern California for a visit.  

I love the ocean, the sand, the tourists, the hawkers, the local outdoor enthusiasts, the whole Southern California vibe.  So, I decided to do some street photography around the Santa Monica pier and waterfront.

Street photography is a fun way to sharpen quick-reaction observation and composition skills.  From the unscripted action happening all around, you strive to isolate and capture events that are interesting and noteworthy.  Those skills are especially useful for a documentary-style wedding photographer!  

Below I present a few of my favorite photographs from that first afternoon in Santa Monica.  

Beach storefronts under renovation.  I love the buildings' funky beach colors and shapes as well as the mix of people traveling by.

Beach selfie-on-a-stick.  Despite the sun, it was a rather chilly March afternoon on the pier.   In this photograph, I love the color harmony of the guy's hoodie and the painted shop with all its unusual treasures outside.

Grandpa and grandson feeding the seagulls.  Being a grandfather myself, I love this shared moment between the two, and I enjoy the wonderful tower of seagulls above them.    

Walking the boardwalk.  In this photograph of the Santa Monica pier and its amusements, I enjoy the sense of place.  The chilly ocean breeze and direct California sun cause people to wrap themselves in different ways, which adds to the fun.    

Beachside troubadour.  In this portrait, I love the rugged face, the white windblown hair, the calloused hands, and the gracious smile.  I get the impression that this troubadour has been entertaining Santa Monica tourists for a long, long time and deserves every tip he receives.

Empty bumpers.  Since March is not prime beach time, even in California, not all of the pier's amusements were open.  I found these bumper cars to be quite interesting despite the absence of people (maybe even more interesting because of the emptiness).  I love the harmonious mix of colors and shapes and their reflections in the metal flooring.  The expensive high-rises in the distance help define the unique character of this setting.   

Swimsuit model amid the waves.  Walking under the pier, I chanced upon a swimsuit model posing on the beach.  Despite the cool temperature--and the very cold Pacific waters!--, the photographer's energy and model's enthusiasm kept the session going.  In my photograph, I like the way the pier's supports break the frame up into disjoint pieces offering different peeks at the ocean.    

Walking a tightrope.  It was fascinating to watch people walk and perform gymnastics on the tight ropes -- a major activity on the beach.  In this photograph, I love the way the main subject balances so perfectly among the palm trees.  I delight in how the perspective makes the scene seem almost otherworldly.  

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Need a sharp eye and quick reflexes in your wedding photographer?  (Yes, you do!)  Call 703-729-3780 or email the studio to chat about your wedding plans.  

My Northern Virginia wedding and portrait photography studio is conveniently located between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

I accept commissions throughout the greater Washington DC metropolitan area.  Sharp eye and quick reflexes will travel!

Invention is rare in portraiture.  As photographers, we're constantly observing and incorporating "new" ideas--perhaps handed down for ages!--into our own approach.  That's why I find it so interesting and fun to watch how other experienced photographers "see" and work. 

For me, the month of May was full of teaching and learning.  In addition to teaching two portraiture workshops as part of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) "Super 1 Day" program, I also attended a Super 1 Day workshop in Maryland taught by the Turner brothers.  Half of their class was in the studio; half was outdoors.  Both halves were worthwhile.  

In this post, I want to share two portraits I captured during their workshop, one in studio and one outdoors, and discuss the techniques I found "new" and interesting.    

I cannot take full credit for these portraits.  While I worked with the model to elicit the poses and expressions that I wanted, the lighting set-ups for each portrait were done by the Turners to illustrate the lighting techniques they favor.  So what you see is partly my skill and partly theirs.  

I love this portrait of our model Sam, who works as one of the Dapper DJs.  The lighting concept is bolder than I usually employ in my own portraits, but it suits the outsized personality of this model and his occupation perfectly!  In particular, I love the dramatic accent lighting on Sam's right side and the elegant blue spotlight behind him.  I definitely plan to borrow this idea in my future work.  

Sam is quick to offer fun, uninhibited expressions.  But, in my portrait of him, I wanted something a little bit quieter, with a more GQ-type of dapperness.  Working with Sam, I was able to achieve this pose and expression, which I think works well with the studio lighting to achieve my concept.  And Sam's quirky smile, with a hint of mischief, is the perfect finishing touch.    

My outdoor portrait of Sam uses existing natural light to illuminate his face.  This is one of my favorite ways of working, either using the natural light only or adding a touch of off-camera strobe for extra effect.  Here, the Turners have set up a strobe behind the model, which spotlights his shoulders, underneath the hat, and some of the bushes behind him.  It is an interesting look, implying a sun low in the sky.  

For the pose, I brought up Sam's hand as a gentle fist supporting his head.  His thoughtful look completes an inviting portrait. 

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If you'd like a business or family portrait that's uniquely you, call 703-729-3780 or email the studio to discuss your ideas with me.  

My Northern Virginia wedding and portrait studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

I accept commissions throughout the greater Washington DC metropolitan area.  Call me today!

SWEET SERENDIPITY!

While co-instructing an Existing Light Portraiture workshop with my friend Philip, I happened to notice a young woman sitting on the rocks across the lake from us.  Her lovely red hair and flowing yellow skirt had caught my eye.  

I remarked that we should ask her to be a model.  Everyone agreed how striking she was, but laughed at my audacity.  Then she got up and started walking around the lake in our direction.  I approached her and asked if she would be interested and if she had the time to model for our workshop.  

She was flattered and definitely interested but had to ask her friends:  "Do I have time to be a model?"  She and her friends were on campus to watch a performance that would start soon.  Fortunately, Amanda had some time to spare, so I quickly arranged a short series of natural light portraits.  (Another 10-min portrait challenge anyone?)  

For Amanda, I decided to go for a glamorous butterfly-lighting look, in which soft light, approximately 45 degrees above and directly in front, illuminates the model's face.  It was a great choice!  

I was excited to capture close-up portraits highlighting her beautiful blue eyes and red hair as well as full-length portraits that showed off her fabulous style.  (Once the technical issues of lighting and pose are resolved, you can get a great variety of stellar portraits through slight variations of expression, gesture, and camera position!)  

The above featured image is one of my favorite portraits of Amanda.  I love the color harmony, how the soft background complements the richness of her hair.  I love the triangle formed by her jewelry and the flower in her hair.  Playing off the line of her glasses, the triangle creates a lovely "gentle soul" rhythm around Amanda's sparkling eyes.  

And, above all else, I love her expression and its honesty.  

It speaks to me of young adulthood.  

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I love creating beautiful and honest portraits.  To discuss your family or corporate portrait needs, call me today at 703-729-3780 or send me email.  I'd be happy to collaborate with you!

My Northern Virginia portrait studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport and north of the Brambleton shopping center.  I accept professional photography commissions throughout the greater metropolitan DC area.  

ANOTHER EXCITING DAY OF TEACHING!

My friend Philip and I just completed teaching a fun workshop on existing light portraiture sponsored by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) "Super 1-Day Program."  (See this post for my recent in-studio portraiture workshop.)  

We had two wonderful models---George, an actor, and Rebecca, a business woman---looking for fabulous headshots; and we had a great group of photographers, eager to learn how to "see the light."  Our goal was to set-up studio-quality portraits outdoors using only the existing light in the scene.  

The trick is to find the proper lighting conditions first and then to pose the model properly within that light.  It's quite a challenge that takes a great deal of practice.  But, mastering these skills allow you to travel and work efficiently, unburdened by reflectors or auxiliary lighting equipment, and achieve beautiful, professional-quality results.  

In the early afternoon, Philip and I discussed technique and showed examples from our own portfolios.  Then we caravanned to a nearby campus for the practical study of lighting and posing in a natural setting.  The group took turns looking for different places, studied how the light fell upon the models, and then finessed their positioning and posing until the studio-perfect portrait revealed itself.  

It was addictive!  

Such fun, our study continued long after the sun set, allowing us to demonstrate portrait lighting using not only existing natural light but also existing artificial light.  The above portrait of George was taken at night using the light from the lampposts illuminating a small walkway and plaza.  Wow!

The result is a strong headshot with a distinctive character -- perfect for adding interest to an actor's portfolio.  

Thanks to all of the models and photographers who made this workshop so fascinating!  

I was thrilled to spend the day with you.  

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I love creating strong distinctive portraits of unique people (like you!).  To arrange a portrait session, call me at 703-729-3780 or send me an email.   

My Northern Virginia wedding and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport and north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Let's get that distinctive portrait going!

Emily Seiler of Emily's Umbrellas

SHE'S GOT YOU COVERED!

Wow, what a fabulous "PPA Super 1-Day" workshop my friend Michael and I just taught at my Loudoun County portrait studio in Ashburn, Virginia!  

It was great fun.  After a busy, full day of teaching and hands-on instruction, we ended the day excited and exhausted -- a very satisfying exhaustion.  

Our "Hands-On Introduction to Studio Portraiture" was sold out, and the studio was filled with seven friendly photographers eager to share and learn.  Michael and I used the morning to introduce the studio equipment, talk about camera settings, and demonstrate the effects of various light modifiers and lighting set-ups.  In the afternoon, the students worked in teams to try out various lighting set-ups and to learn some of the fundamentals of lighting and posing individuals, couples, and groups.  

At the end of the hands-on sessions, Michael and I took turns photographing our wonderful model Emily Seiler, owner of Emily's Umbrellas, in Winchester, Virginia.  Emily and I are both juried members of Hunt Country Celebrations, a premiere group of wedding professionals serving the greater Hunt Country region of Virginia.  I had asked Emily to join our Super 1-Day workshop as a model because of her vivacious personality.  She told me that she'd love to do it, but that she didn't think of herself as photogenic.  

Unless you are the perfect model, most of us are uncomfortable in front of the camera and perceive flaws in our looks that we wish we didn't have.  Regarding past photographs taken of herself, Emily shared that she liked many of the candids but none of those in which she tried posing for the camera.  

This is rather common.  It's the reason that I wanted a "real person" (i.e., non-model) for the workshop.  

The above portrait is one of my favorites of Emily from my mini-session that day.  I love its playfulness.  I love how it captures Emily's confidence and outgoing personality.  It's a beautiful portrait of a beautiful person.

My thanks to all the photographers who made the workshop so much fun.  And a special thanks to Emily -- I love what we did together.  

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To schedule your own unique portrait session, please call me at 703-729-3780.  I'd love to capture how you look and how you relate to the world.

My Northern Virginia family and business portrait studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport, east of Leesburg, and north of the Brambleton shopping center.  Call today!

Mothers-Day-Gift-Family-Portrait

RE-CREATING MEMORIES.

My three daughters wanted to re-create one of my wife's favorite portraits of them when they were little.  

When they were all visiting from out of town, the four of us slipped away from our significant others to do some secret "Father-Daughter" business.  With one of my DSLR cameras already hidden in the car, we drove over to a nearby park in Ashburn, Virginia, in search of a tree.  

Until my job brought us to Maryland in the early 1990s, we lived in a single family home in Simi Valley, California, the only home the two younger ones had known at the time.  A large mature tree dominated the front yard, and the three girls loved to climb on its low-hanging limbs.  

(On a return trip to California a few years after the move, they were sad to see that their tree had been ripped out by the new owners.)

My wife keeps a framed portrait of the three girls, posing in that tree, on her desk at home.  My daughters wanted to recreate that portrait as a Mothers' Day gift for her. 

At the neighborhood park, we couldn't find a tree of the same size: so, we looked for one that might provide a similar feel, with separate branches they'd be able to lean through at different heights.  That sounded easy, but it wasn't.  We tried many trees that just didn't work and were beginning to consider ourselves defeated.  

Then, we found a little tree that had just the right look.

The result was pretty amazing!  You can see our re-creation above, with the original photograph as a heart-shaped inset.  My daughters were quite excited, so it didn't take much coaxing to get them into the perfect positions with some terrific smiles.  

A beautiful nostalgic portrait, it reminds me of their childhood as well as the wonderful women they've become.  

Happy Mothers' Day!

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To create or re-create beautiful portraits of your family, please call me at 703-729-3780.  I'd love to chat about your portrait ideas!

My family portrait studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport and north of the Brambleton shopping center.  Call now to schedule your portrait session.  

"Roger and Michael hit it out of the park as they demonstrated how to take professional breathtaking portraits that actually capture your attention as you just stare at them. They showed us how to do this all with ONE off-camera light. Kudos guys this was a fantastic session." -- Mike G.

"Roger's presentation on finding the right light with limited resources should be mandatory learning for anyone who photographs people." -- Mark G.

THRILLED!!

I just found out that the May 9th workshop, "Hands-On Introduction to Studio Portraiture," that Michael and I will be teaching in my Ashburn, Virginia portrait studio just sold out.  We had limited the class to six students to allow plenty of hands-on learning experience, and that milestone was reached late this afternoon.  

Congratulations to everyone who made it in!  Michael and I are very excited to be able to share with you our deep passion for studio portraiture.  We're looking forward to a fun group and some fascinating portrait work by everyone.  

If you didn't make it in, don't despair!  Our previous programs have been great fun for us and well received by our audiences, so we're certain to be offering a new workshop this Fall 2017.  Keep your eyes open for the announcement!  

Best wishes, Roger

HANDS-ON INTRODUCTION TO STUDIO PORTRAITURE.

On Tuesday, May 9, my friend Michael and I will be teaching an all-day workshop at my portrait studio in Ashburn, Virginia.  Our class, "Hands-On Introduction to Studio Portraiture," will cover the use of studio equipment to create beautiful portraits, like the one I recently captured of singer Vicki Golding shown above.  

The workshop is part of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) "Super 1-Day Program," in which local professionals teach other photographers (professional or not) some of the tricks of the trade.  

The first part of the class will introduce lighting equipment (monolights and various modifiers), posing aids, light meters, and color calibration targets.  (Touching the equipment is encouraged!)  

The second part of the class will consist of instructor demonstrations of lighting and posing fundamentals, starting with one-light set-ups and progressing to complex multiple-light set-ups.  (Can you tell how many lights were used in Vicki's portrait?)

These demonstrations culminate in an instructor-vs-instructor challenge, in which the students get to observe two live portrait sessions.  Michael and I will compete head-to-head to see who can create the "best" portrait of our model.  

I am a PPA master photographer, and Michael is (excruciatingly) close to earning his master photographer medallion.  So pride is on the line!  

To increase the challenge, we're expecting to photograph someone without professional modeling experience and whom neither of us have photographed before.  (Keeping it real is in our nature!)

The third part of the class will allow the students to practice what they have learned.  Each will have individual time setting up the studio equipment and working with a model (non-professional of course!).  The instructors will provide gentle critiques of the students' efforts and resulting images.   

We have limited the class to 6 students, so it will be a small fun group with plenty of hands-on learning time.  

For additional details and on-line registration, please visit the PPA website:  Virginia Super 1-Day Classes.  

Michael and I hope to see you there!  

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My professional portrait studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport and north of the Brambleton shopping center.  I look forward to chatting with you about all your professional photography needs, from family portraits to commercial headshots.  Contact me today!  

FLORAL ARTISTRY.  

Rick Thompson, the person behind Rick's Flowers, prides himself on his creative and whimsical designs:

"From beautiful weddings and elaborate corporate events, to home decorations for special events, Rick's Flowers provides distinctive and creative floral designs for every occasion. Our extra-special, last-minute touches produce floral designs that are artistic and whimsical and capture the essence of your event in an awe-inspiring floral arrangement that won't be forgotten." -- RicksFlowers.com

Because I have worked with Rick's Flowers on a number of beautiful weddings in Loudoun County, Virginia, I know firsthand how wonderful their floral arrangements are.  Rick's expressive creations certainly live up to his aspirations!  

We are also both juried members of Hunt Country Celebrations, a premiere group of wedding professionals serving the Hunt Country area of Virginia, so I was delighted when Rick hired me to photograph a large collection of the company's wedding-related floral designs.  His goal was to create a visual catalog of options---from less expensive to ever more indulgent---in order to help clients align their decorating needs with their budgets.  

The day of shooting was busy, busy, busy!  From room-scapes to tables-scapes to close-up product photographs, we did it all.  When Rick saw the edited previews, he was thrilled: "They are wonderful."  

The sneak peek I've shared above shows a small sample of Rick's bridal bouquets.  Whether understated or exuberantly indulgent, the designs all exhibit a sophisticated grace and beauty.  No matter your budget, Rick's flowers will bring joy to your ceremony and reception celebrations.  

It was great fun making Rick's dream become a reality.  Now let Rick make your floral dreams come true!

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When professional photography is part of your dreams, let Roger use his skills and expertise to bring them to life!  

For your personal or corporate photography needs, Roger Hammons Photography offers both in-studio and on-location services.  

The studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport and north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Contact Roger today!

A SHY ONE.

What a fun "One Year Old" portrait session we had with Hailey!  

First we did a series of portraits of Hailey wearing her regular play clothes (a pretty pink top and blue jeans) and sitting on a small step stool.  Her reactions to the silliness going on behind the camera were precious.  

Then we dressed her in one of the studio's tulle dresses and tried to get her to stand.  Whether her mom stood with her or not, Hailey decided she wasn't into standing; she preferred to sit.  So we went with her sitting on the floor.  

We were soon rewarded with some of the sweetest portraits of the session.  (Obviously, Hailey knew best!)  

As you can see, Hailey delighted in playing with the tulle.  The above portrait is the first image in an adorable triptych of her playing peek-a-boo through the fabric.

I love it when there's magic in the studio!  

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Let's try to create a little magic with your little ones!   

I have a very cost effective baby plan to capture your baby's first year of life.  And I also offer portrait sessions for the entire family, either in studio or on location.  

My professional portrait studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport, east of Leesburg, and north of the Brambleton shopping center.

Contact me today to discuss a portrait session for your family!

MOONLIT ROMANCE

Voila!  

Mark and Jessica wanted their engagement session to be in Old Town Alexandria, while I was looking for a fun couple to do a sunrise engagement session at Jones Point Park in Alexandria.  Obviously, we were meant for each other!

On the day of the session, icy remnants of snow were still on the ground from the March snow storm.  Before the sun rose, the morning was quite chilly.  Mark and Jessica, however, were northern-midwest tough and brought mother Kay to hold their heavy coats and scarves while they posed.  (Being more of a Southern weather-wimp, I kept my down jacket and knit cap snugly in place!)

The above featured image is one of the first captures in our session.  I love the beautiful kiss under the moonlight by the white picket fence by the bay.  I enjoy the triangular composition formed by the couple on the lower left, the shed and graceful tree on the upper right, and the moon so brilliantly lit by a sun still hidden.  

A few minutes later, the sun will burst over the horizon behind me to my left, flooding the area with warm yellow light.  In the meantime, I am entranced by the ethereal blue colors just before dawn.  I am swept away.  

An appropriate title for this portrait might be "Love Warms the Morning."  

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I love capturing that special time of romance between "Yes" and "I do".  To schedule your romantic engagement session, contact me today!  

My professional photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport and north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Let's chat about your all of your family portrait and event photography needs!

Model & Actor Headshot | Northern Virginia Portrait Photographer

MEETING THE CHALLENGE

At a recent portrait photography workshop, I was given the following challenge:  

In a tiny park that I'd never been to before, in the middle of a harsh sunny day, take a model I've never met before and, with just a camera (no auxiliary reflectors or lighting equipment), create a beautiful portrait before a 10-minute clock expired.    

No, it wasn't a photographer's performance anxiety nightmare.  It was a honest, real-life dare; and, I must confess, I started the challenge in fight-or-flight panic mode.  Hunting for a good location with beautiful natural light, I tried and quickly abandoned three different locations before settling on a far corner of the park offering a wee bit of tree cover.  

I felt that the location by the tree had potential -- the tree provided a posing aide, and the sunlight reflected from the tall building opposite that corner provided a quality of light I could potentially work with -- and, being short on time, I had to make it work.  The main problem was the harsh sunlight coming in from behind the model.  I solved that problem step-by-step (literally!), moving the model forward/backward/sideways and adjusting her pose to minimize the glare.  

Having solved the technical lighting and posing problems (at least until the sun moved!), I only needed a great expression from my model before time expired. Because she was an experienced model/actress, she could easily translate my cues and suggestions into a graceful look.  

The result was the beautiful portrait shown above.  

Despite my initial panic, the portrait was completed with 90 seconds still left on the clock!

Way to go, Roger!

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I'd love to take portraits of you and your family, especially if we can take our time and plan the portrait more leisurely!  Contact me today to chat about your family portrait needs.

My professional portrait photography studio is located in Ashburn, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport and north of the Brambleton shopping center.  Quick and easy! 

DC SUNRISE 

Sarah and Mason met at a George Mason University party, and Mason proposed in Stowe, Vermont on a ski trip on New Year's Eve.  A fun couple, they describe themselves as "pretty laid back, a bit super gooshie."  They love the Washington DC Capitals, skiing, snowboarding, traveling, and playing with their dogs.  They're also into Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm. 

For the engagement session, they knew a place near the wharf in DC that was special to them, where we could enjoy the cherry blossoms away from the usual DC crowds.  They wanted to use one of the engagement session photographs as their save-the-date invitation.  And they really wanted to include their dogs if at all possible.  

Because the cherry blossoms' peak bloom was in March this year, we kept our eyes on the weather forecast.  March weather had delivered quite a roller-coaster ride, with rain, snow, and day-to-day temperatures in the 20's or 70's, almost on a whim.  When an upcoming Saturday morning promised warm weather without rain, we scrambled to rearrange our schedules.  

And, we pulled off a lovely sunrise engagement session (including Sarah and Mason's two dogs)!

The featured image above is one of my favorite close-up portraits of Mason and Sarah.  It was captured towards the end of the session as the warm sun just managed to break through the clouds.  I love the warmth of the image:  two people in love, with two beaming smiles, illuminated by a beaming sun.  

What a lovely couple, what a lovely March morning!

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I love capturing that special time of romance between "Yes" and "I do".  To schedule your romantic engagement session, call me at the studio at 703-729-3780 or send email to studio@rogerhammonsphotography.com.  

My professional photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport and north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Let's chat about your all of your family portrait and event photography needs!

"I'M FANCY!"

When sister Hailey had her 9-month milestone portrait session, her brother Gavin wanted to have his portrait taken, too.  He's just a few months shy of three years old.

As part of my Watch Me Grow! portrait series for young children, I've invested in a small collection of classic clothing for babies and toddlers.  As parents surely know, cute outfits are much easier to find for little girls than for little boys.  I am always on the look-out!  

I loved this elegant find:  A button-down white shirt with sateen vest and tie and matching khaki pants.  It photographs beautifully -- which, of course, is my main concern.  :-)  

Gavin looked quite sharp; and the session could have gone on and on, he was so delighted in posing for the camera.  As he said with pride, over and over again, "I'm fancy!"

Yes, Gavin, you are fancy.  And handsome and witty and charming.  I love the wonderful silliness of our portrait sessions.  

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My Northern Virginia wedding and family portrait studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport and north of the Brambleton shopping center.  I'd love to plan a portrait session -- plain or fancy! -- for your little one.  Call me at 703-729-3780 today!

ON HER WAY TO INDEPENDENCE!

At 9 months old, Hailey is a little doll, secure in her parents' love but a little apprehensive about strangers.  She can sit up, crawl, and, most recently, pull herself up to a standing position with the help of furniture.  In her 9-month milestone portrait session, we wanted to capture how she looks, how she interacts, and how far her skills have progressed since her 6-month session.  

In the featured portrait above, she is dressed in one the Studio's beautiful lace dresses.  I picked the textured gray backdrop to complement this choice in clothing and used an Amish-built step stool as the posing aid.  Although we gently kept trying to have her sit on the stool, she'd have nothing to do with it (even when mom was near).  But she did enjoy using the stool to stand up.  We of course worked with what she was willing to give us!

I enjoy how this portrait succeeds in capturing today's little Hailey.  As she supports herself somewhat precariously on the stool, you see how little and doll-like she is.  Her smile is genuine but reticent.  And, if you look closely, it reveals a mouth with just two little teeth.  

A precious moment.  A precious memory.   

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My Northern Virginia wedding and family portrait studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport and north of the Brambleton shopping center.  I'd love to plan a portrait session for your little one.  Call me at 703-729-3780 today!

Don and Susan fell in love and recently married.  Their ceremony was a traditional service in the beautiful St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Rockville, Maryland, celebrated with children, grandchildren, and many other close family and friends.   

I loved the contemporary elegance of the church and especially admired its magnificent stained glass windows.  So I made sure to take a wide-angle view of the ceremony in progress (top photo).  And I loved creating artistic portraits of the couple using the stained glass as frames (bottom photos).    

One of the most touching parts of their ceremony was a special remembrance.  Don and Susan lit candles to honor beloved spouses, now departed, and the decades-long marriages they had enjoyed with them.  In moments such as these, I must remind myself not to be swept away by the moment but to capture a deeply seen, deeply felt photograph that will surely move them again and again.  In my photograph (middle photo), I think you can sense the depth of their emotion.  

A MEMORABLE NIGHT.

The wedding reception was a charming evening at the rustic Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards in Hamilton, Virginia.  In mid-November, the sun sets early--and, that night, the temperature took a sharp drop while the winds kicked up, too!--so we were unable to enjoy the vineyard grounds.  But, inside The Barns, it was cozy and beautifully decorated.  Rick's Flowers provided the floral decorations; Shugar Shugar, the scrumptious dessert and groom's cake; Grandale Catering, the gourmet dinner; deejay Mark Burch of Everything Entertainment, the music; and Vows & Vines, the event planning and coordination.  

Congratulations, Don and Susan!  May you enjoy a lifetime of love together.  

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Carefree wedding celebrations require a team effort.  I highly commend the above wedding professionals for making Don and Susan's party such a wonderful success and my job as wedding photographer so enjoyable.  

My wedding and portrait photography studio is located in Ashburn, Virginia, between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, just north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

I'd love to chat about your wedding plans and my photography services.  Call me at 703-729-3780 today!

THREE LITTLE SNOW BEARS.  

The snow bears are now gone, but the November mini-sessions were great fun while they were here to play!   Like us, the bears loved every one of our visitors, treating them like the wonderful little cubs they are.  (I am sure the furry outfits provided by the studio helped!)  

If you missed the mini-session, keep watching for our next one in December.  We're hoping we can get Frosty to visit.*  We're told that we won't get him without a fight -- a snowball fight that is -- so that's what we're planning.  We'd love to have your little one, newborn to 3 years old, join in the melee!  

Quick and easy mini-sessions.  All the fun and photos we can pack into 30 minutes.  Call me at 703-729-3780 today!

*OMG, IT'S HAPPENING!  CHECK THIS LINK FOR DETAILS.

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My portrait studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport and north of the Brambleton shopping center.   We'd love to schedule a portrait session for your little cub!

The vignettes presented in my "Glimpses of Italy" exhibit represent quiet moments, a personal meditation on the land, its bounty, and the work of human hands.  I hope they draw you in and inspire within you a sense of peace and well-being this holiday season.

Italy is special.

When my wife and I were graduate students at UCLA, we saved one of our fellowships to travel for two months by train through England, Scotland, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Crete.  What a marvelous adventure it was!  As our family grew, we returned to Italy for business or pleasure several times.  Each experience was special.  These images are from a 10-day trip last year devoted to photographing Tuscany, Cinque de Terre, and Rome.  

Award-winning images in the gallery include:

• “Tuscan Morning” – Fog rolls in like the tide, separating quaint farmhouses in the hills of Tuscany.
• “I Spy the Passersby” – A hidden corner of a small Italian town intrigues with its old bricks, worn cobblestones, elegant flowers-and-lace windowsill, and mysterious onlookers.  
• “Evening Glow” – A town built on a finger of land, which plunges dramatically into the sea, lights the night with a mesmerizing glow.

Other personal favorites of mine include:

• “Tryst at the Colosseum” – A traditional view of the Colosseum in Rome, taken at night, alone in imposing splendor; but, in the foreground, two lovers look on.
• “Of Italy Long Ago” – An Italian city as it might have appeared in the Renaissance.  Playing the role of the Pope for an Italian TV series, Dustin Hoffman was on set.  What an unexpected pleasure!
• “And the Clusters Ripened Into Grapes (Gn 40:10)” – A lovely image of grape clusters, shrouded in netting, along a wrought-iron fence.  I love the abstract interplay among the netting, the grapes, and their shadows, against the architecture in the background.

The remaining images are equally evocative, celebrating both rural and urban Tuscan landscapes with a charming mix of farmland and buildings in the Italian style.   Enjoy!

Prints are available for sale from the artist.  703-729-3780

"All About Me!" Toddler Portrait

To prepare for Krish's 15-month portrait session, I asked his mother Ami to tell me a little bit about her son.  She told me that he's very smiley; loves dump trucks, blocks, balls, and Cheerios; babbles a lot; does not like to be held; doesn't walk yet but likes to roam; and says a few real words.  

Did you catch that?  "Doesn't walk yet but likes to roam."  By the day of the session, however, Krish was walking and, yes, he did like to roam!  

It was a fun session.  We took family portraits amused by the tickler.  Then Krish sat in chairs and climbed on chairs.  He stood by the chest, sat on the chest, and walked away from the chest.  He crawled, he ran, he wriggled.  

We caught butterflies and played with a big red kickball.  And we all made noise, lots of noise!  Happy days are like that, especially in the studio. 

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To arrange a fun portrait session for you and your little ones, call me today at 703-729-3780.  

My portrait photography studio is located in Ashburn, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport, east of Leesburg, north of the Brambleton shopping center.  All sessions are unique and by appointment only.  

TIP #3.  LET THEM BE

Once you've found great light (see Tip 1) and a background that accentuates your subject (see Tip 2), your next objective is to draw out a great expression from the child.  This is very challenging, and no strategy is guaranteed to suit every child (or even every photographer).  You must be creative.

And "Say cheese!" is not my idea of an interesting interaction or a promising start to a revealing portrait.  (Just saying!)  Instead, how about inventing a little bit of action and then letting the child be?  

My idea for this Thanksgiving-inspired child's portrait was to place toddler Jax in the middle of a pile of decorative gourds and then ... just let him be.  Exploring his surroundings, he became fascinated by a fallen leaf.  That allowed me to capture a natural storytelling portrait, showing behavior typical for his age.

Did you notice how the roundness and color of the gourds echo those pudgy baby cheeks?  Absolutely adorable -- I love it!

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To start planning an indoor or outdoor portrait session for you and your child, call me at 703-729-3780.  I'd enjoy the chat! 

And, if you'd like hands-on training in photography, perhaps you'd like to join one of my classes or workshops.  

My Northern Virginia wedding and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport and north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

"Our Love is Evergreen" by Roger HammonsThe photograph taken at Rust Manor House in Leesburg, Virginia, was awarded "Best in Show" honors in the wedding category at a 2016 print competition held by the Maryland Professional Photographers Association.

HONORED INDEED!

I was thrilled when my wedding photograph entitled "Our Love Is Evergreen" won best-in-show honors in the wedding category at a recent Maryland Professional Photographers Association (MDPPA) photography competition, but I was not surprised.  

What a fantastic landscape!  Its natural beauty offers a wonderful setting for an environmental portrait of a bride and groom.  

The portrait had its origins when I first met Lynn and Robert for a complimentary wedding photography consultation.  Like me, they loved their venue, the Rust Manor House, in Leesburg, Virginia, where both their ceremony and wedding reception would be held.  We bonded over how awesome the Manor's immense evergreens are.  

"We'll HAVE to do a wedding day portrait that includes those trees," I urged.  

"They're so huge I don't see how you're going to be able to do that," said Robert.

"I have my ways!", I said.  

Their summer wedding was beautiful:  the manor house was lovely and the weather was picture perfect.  

After the ceremony and family portraits were done, we set off to do a series of romantic portraits on the grounds.  

Our "wedding couple with the trees" was the first portrait idea.  As expected, the cloud-decorated blue sky and the sun-splotched greenery had created a wonderful setting to show off the couple and the evergreens in all their finery.  But where to place the couple in the scene was not immediately obvious. 

Analyzing the scene, I noted that the late day shadows from other trees on the property pointed to a small patch of direct sunlight---a perfect spotlight for the couple!  Ordinarily, I would try to avoid direct sunlight, but here it was the solution.  Placed there, the couple balances the magnificent evergreen on the right for a strong composition.  The small cross at the end of the stone pathway provides another visual treat.  

My last trick to make this image work was to stand far back, letting Lynn and Robert forget about everything but each other for a moment.  Their sweet interaction completes this award-winning image. 

I am honored by the Best-in-Show award.  Even more so, I am honored to have been Lynn and Robert's wedding photographer, privileged to share such moments of love, blessed to be able to capture them in works of art.

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To schedule a complimentary wedding consultation, please call me at 703-729-3780 or email me through this link.  I'd love the chat!  

My Northern Virginia wedding and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport and north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

TIP #2.  SIMPLIFY THE BACKGROUND

It's all about the storytelling.  A confusing background competes with the subject for the viewer's attention, leading to a less than satisfactory portrait.

Remember that everything visible in a photograph is there only because the photographer chose to include it.  If the background is cluttered, the photographer chose to include the clutter -- either creatively (good) or carelessly (bad).  

If the photographer observed the clutter and recognized it to be an important storytelling element, he used it creatively (hopefully in an effective manner).  If the photographer did not notice the clutter, however, its inclusion is careless and usually results in a photograph that disappoints:  The photograph doesn't tell the intended story.  

So, how do you simplify the background?  

Often, it is just a matter of viewpoint.   You might move in closer to your subject.  (An under-appreciated trick that solves many, many photography problems!)  Or you might try a different viewing angle.  Rotating around the subject just a little bit (left/right/up/down) might be all it takes.  If these fail, try moving the subject instead.  Again, having your child take a little step, to one side or the other, might be all you need.  

Technical means for simplifying the background include using a more telephoto lens (to bring the subject closer to you) and using a wider aperture (to make the out-of-focus background a soft blur).  

Keep in mind that a simple background doesn't have to be bland.  It should help tell the portrait's story. 

In this portrait of a young artist, I chose a strong graphic design.  The background is bold, but it is still simple.  Your eyes are attracted to the contrast between the red and beige colors on either side of the image.  And, in the middle, -- at the line of strongest contrast -- you find a lovely young woman, smiling back at you.  It is an effective storytelling portrait.  

Once you've found great light (see Tip 1) and a background that accentuates your subject, you've come a long way towards a memorable portrait of your child.  

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To start planning a studio or environmental portrait session for you and your child, call me at 703-729-3780.  I'd enjoy the chat! 

And, if you'd like hands-on training in photography, consider joining one of my classes or workshops.  

My Northern Virginia wedding and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport and north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

TIP #1.  LOOK FOR GOOD LIGHT

Harsh lighting makes for harsh portraits, which isn't fun for the child, the photographer, or the viewer.  Just don't do it!

One of the easiest places to photograph people is in open shade.  Open shade is mellow, easy-going, "do-your-own-thing" light.  It is usually soft and relatively even, so you don't have to worry about dark shadows, squinting eyes, or photographing your subject from one angle only.  Open shade allows the photographer more freedom to photograph an active child.  Requiring fewer instructions and less intrusion by the photographer, the session is more fun, and the photographs are more natural.

You can see this in my photograph of 2-year-old Gavin, which was taken in a wooded area near his home.  You'll notice how gentle the light is, how subtle the shadows are.  This quality of light allows us to enjoy Gavin's beautiful face, which is well lit despite the cap.  Because the lighting was similar in all directions, I was able to let Gavin enjoy the sights and sounds of the woods, while I maneuvered freely to capture his play from a good angle.  

Where do you find open shade?  

As in my photograph of Gavin, tree lines create beautiful open shade lighting by blocking the sun when it is not directly overhead.  And, if the trees are leafy, you'll often find nice portrait lighting underneath the canopy, even when the sun is directly overhead.  Sweet!  

Outside in urban areas, look for open shade where buildings and overhangs block the direct sunlight.  

Indoors, look for north-facing windows and doors to let in light.  Famous since at least the Renaissance, this source of indirect light resembles open shade but is usually more directional.  You'll want to start taking photographs with your back to the window and your child facing you.  That'll put a nice soft light on the child's face -- beautiful!

While it is always a challenge to capture great photographs of a small child, you're off to a good start if you succeed in finding great light that's easy to work in.  

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I love capturing a child's portrait as he or she experiences the world.  Call me at 703-729-3780 if you'd like to start planning a session for you and your child.  I'd enjoy the chat! 

And, if you'd like hands-on training in photography, let's chat about joining one of my classes or workshops.  

My Northern Virginia wedding and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport and north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

GROW HAPPY!

In my "Watch Me Grow!" Baby Portrait Series, the four-month-old session is devoted to baby's happy, funny, silly, shy, curious faces.  By four months, the baby can lift her head and smile at her parents.  She has a repertoire of expressive faces that are delightful to capture in portraits.  

I like a clean, simple set to showcase the baby's expressions.  Here I have used a soft lilac fleece to complement her lacy pink dress and flowery hair bow.  By engaging the baby with silly noises and gestures, I elicited a variety of sweet reactions.  

And, oh, how I love those happy faces!  (See also my Curious Baby blog post.)

The "Happy Faces!" art panel is a signature product from the four-month-old's session.  Here it is shown as a 16x20 lustre print mounted and framed, ready to hang in the nursery.  Other presentations such as framed canvases, gallery wrap giclees, or stand-out metal prints are also available according to your home's decor.  

A beautiful piece of art -- One look and you have to smile, too!

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To enroll your child in my "Watch Me Grow!" Baby Portrait Series, call me today at 703-729-3780.  I'd love to capture your child's unique happy faces, too! 

My Northern Virginia wedding and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport and north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Four-Month Baby PortraitAt four months old, the baby is curious about the world. In additional smiling faces (which four-month olds can also do!), it is great to be able to capture that part of their existence, too.

CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER!

“Curiouser and curiouser!” Cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English).” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

Like everyone, I love portraits of happy, smiling babies!  At four months of age, a baby can smile for her parents, and those smiles are so endearing.  For a four-month-old's session, I always work hard to capture such a portrait.  (See, for example, my Happy Faces blog post!)

But I also love natural, in-the-moment, more enigmatic portraits.  In particular, at four months of age, a baby is becoming more and more aware of the world, and her brain is trying to figure out how it all works.  Capturing those looks are precious, too!

I love this portrait from Hailey's four month session.  It is not about a smile but about those amazing, beautiful eyes.  Hailey seems intrigued by what's going on, open to the possibilities, taking it all in.   

As she reacts to my silly noises and gestures, I am sure she agrees with Alice:  "Curiouser and curiouser!" 

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To arrange a portrait session for your child, call me today at 703-729-3780.  I'd love to capture your child's unique beauty, too!

My Northern Virginia wedding and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport and north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Baby Portrait | Northern Virginia Portrait PhotographerPortrait of a 4-month old baby girl asleep in a decorative cradle.

SWEET DREAMS  

For Hailey's 4-month session, I wanted to create a sleeping baby portrait with a languid, Renaissance feel.  

After we finished the first part of the session -- which showcased Hailey's newfound ability to lift her head and engage the people all around her -- her mommy nursed her, and the baby fell fast asleep.  I fashioned a comfy bed from a beautiful wooden tray and fleece blanket.  Then I decorated the set with complementary flowers and lace to match the decor and Hailey's satin bloomers.  

When she was laid on the small bed, Hailey looked like a little cherub without her wings.  In this portrait, I love her expression and the delicate way her hands and feet both cross.  She looks beautiful and peaceful.  

I wonder what she's dreaming of.  

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To arrange a portrait session for your baby or grand-baby, contact me by phone at 703-729-3780 or by email (click here for my contact page).  

My Northern Virginia wedding and portrait photography studio is conveniently located in Ashburn, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport and north of the Brambleton shopping center.  

Let's start planning your beautiful portrait today!

"Big Bad John" by Roger HammonsMerit Award, 2016 International Photographic Competition

"Big Bad John" by Roger Hammons 

Merit Award, 2016 International Photographic Competition

I knew Oliver's handsome ruggedness would make for an exceptional portrait when I invited him to my Ashburn, Virginia portrait studio.  I knew that he was an outdoorsman with a military background.  But, boy, was I blown away with the storytelling possibilities when he arrived in the studio with his gear!

This wonderful portrait is one of my favorites from our collaboration.  

I was so excited by the image that, as soon as I completed the portrait, I rushed to enter it in the 2016 International Photographic Competition (IPC) just before the deadline.  IPC is the prestigious annual competition sponsored by the Professional Photographers of America, in which professional photographers from around the world send their best four images of the year for judging.

Every entry needs a catchy title to help the judges appreciate the photographer's intentions, so Oliver became "Big Bad John."  The judges complimented me on the composition, presentation, and beautiful portrait lighting.  Most of all, the judges loved the storytelling.  One judge stated, "I love the intensity, that fierce look on his face. The title says it all."  

Oliver is known as a man you can depend upon.  "Big Bad John" didn't let me down either!

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If you, or someone you know, would be perfect for a character study portrait, please contact me by email or by telephone 703-729-3780.  I am interested in real people with real stories to tell, as part of my ongoing personal art projects.  Participants are rewarded with artwork from the session.  

I only do a small number of complimentary art project sessions, but I'd love to have you or your friends collaborate with me on an exciting new portrait!  Call 703-729-3780 to chat.

HOW MUCH TO RETOUCH? 

Today's Washington Post contained an article about Chinese beauty apps that automatically enhance selfie photographs.  According to the article "A Billion Downloads has Chinese Selfie Start-up Looking Good" by Emily Rauhala, the Chinese company Meitu uses facial recognition and 3-D modeling software to create "beautifying" apps that automatically widen eyes, lighten skin, and narrow chins to create idealized portraits from selfie snapshots.  Raula reports that the apps are referred to by their fans as "zipai shenqi," meaning "godly tools for selfies."  

Impressive technology but a little over-the-top for my taste!

I believe that the classic portrait should be well retouched, not overly enhanced.  Some photographers prefer significant skin smoothing, so much so that the portraits can look artificial.  That look can work in fashion portraits, where the intent is to sell a fantasy; but, for most "real people" portraits, I prefer natural beauty.  In this case, the retouching is meant to produce a portrait that looks like you, on your very best day.  It is a form of flattery -- not photojournalism but not fantasy either.  

I like this candid portrait of Lisa, who has just finished getting dressed on her wedding day.  I love the emotion and the honesty of the portrait.  The retouching is minimal, emphasizing her natural beauty:  Her beautiful hair, lovely eyes, and radiant smile carry the image.  It is a timeless portrait that will still look good even when people find today's Meitu enhancements faddish and silly.  

If you are a bride-to-be, be sure to talk to your photographer about retouching and portrait enhancement.  If you understand your photographer's style and he/she understands your retouching sensitivities, the final portraits will be ones you'll enjoy even more.  

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For your wedding and family photography needs, contact Ashburn wedding and portrait photographer Roger Hammons for a free consultation.  Our professional photography studio is conveniently located in Loudoun County, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport and north of the Brambleton shopping center.  Call 703-729-3780 to chat today!

Katie and Austen at Lansdowne ResortKatie and Austen had a beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony on a perfect summer day at Lansdowne Resort in Loudoun County, Virginia.

Katie and Austen had hoped to marry in Bluemont, Virginia; but, as their June wedding drew near, their plans to marry there fell through.  Fortunately, the gracious Lansdowne Resort was able to host their wedding day celebration despite the late change in plans.    

Trouble loomed again as days of thunderstorms and heavy rains threatened to alter their outdoor wedding plans anew.   But, it was all for the best!  On their wedding day, the skies were blue, the clouds were white, and the plants were richly green.   With temperature and humidity not too high, the day was perfect for their outdoor ceremony and their lively reception in the Resort's pavilion.

At Lansdowne Resort, I love the grand vistas of the golf course and surrounding parkland forest.  And I love the tan-colored stonework pillars and walls, with the gorgeous natural light.  The family and bridal party portraits were fabulous in these locations!

Katie also wanted a few portraits in a little garden nook.  What a lovely spot!  The lighting there can be tricky -- no protection from the afternoon sun -- but Katie and Austen's luck continued to hold.  When we arrived there, the lighting was good, and we got some terrific portraits.  

This is one of my favorites.  With a beautiful touch of off-camera flash, the bride and groom just glow.

Congratulations, Katie and Austen, on a fabulous start to your married life!  May your days together be full of love and celebration.  

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Whether you're seeking a destination wedding in Loudoun County like Katie did (she lives in Dallas, Texas) or you're from the greater metropolitan DC area seeking a wedding close to home, I would be thrilled to be your wedding photographer.  Call the studio at 703-729-3780 to chat about your wedding plans today!  

SUGAR AND SPICE ... AND EVERYTHING'S NICE!

Emilia's six-month session was my first baby session since attending Sandy Puc's children's portrait workshop in Cape May.  What fun to try out some new techniques!  And Emilia's precious smiles were their own sweet reward.  

Her mom Becca had seen my work online and then contacted me to schedule a session for Emilia.  She explained, "We never got a chance to take professional infant photos but now she can sit on her own we figured it would be a great time to start!"  

I agree.  Six months of age is a wonderful time for baby portraits -- both by herself and with mom and dad.  

For the traditional family group portraits, Emilia wore a pretty-in-pink summer dress.  Her mom and dad, Kevin, wore dark clothes to keep attention on everybody's faces and expressions.  

After the family groups, we created a "bath time" series of discreet baby portraits -- so adorable!  

And, for our final set of baby portraits, Emilia wore a summer dress with a fun pineapple pattern.  It worked beautifully in a colorful set with vintage wood blocks that spelled "EMILIA."  

Of course, Emilia immediately decided to redecorate: Everyone knows a block in the mouth is better than a block by your side!

I love this panel of bath-time portraits, available in the 6-month session of my "Watch Me Grow!" Portrait Series.  I love the storytelling and the wonderful interaction between mom and baby.  

And I adore Emilia's smile.

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To participate in the "Watch Me Grow!" Portrait Series, with baby portrait sessions at 3-months, 6-months, and 1-year of age, call or email Roger today!  Only a few spaces for new clients are available each month. 

Roger Hammons Photography, 703-729-3780, Northern Virginia wedding and portrait photographer in Ashburn, Virginia, near the Brambleton shopping center

PLAY THE ABC NAME GAME CHALLENGE!

For Emilia's 6-month Watch Me Grow! portrait session, I wanted to create some photographs that included wood blocks that spelled out her name.  

I found the ABC Photo Blocks by Pearhead online.  I loved the look of this set, which consisted of nine colorful wooden blocks, each block having different letters on its six sides.  I was a little concerned as to how many children's names could be spelled using just nine blocks, but I took a chance and ordered.  Great decision!

Here are the blocks that were in my set:

Figuring out an arrangement of blocks to spell a name is a fun word game.  Sometimes it's easy; sometimes, a bit harder.   Obviously, any name with more than 9 letters is not possible, but fortunately those are rare!  For Emilia, my initial fumbling led me to suspect that her name might not be solvable -- but, as this cute portrait of Emilia demonstrates, I ultimately succeeded. 

CHALLENGES FOR THE READER:

• Can you find a solution for Emilia?
• Can you find an arrangement for your own name?  
• Can you find a name with 9 or fewer letters that has no solution?

Here are some common names and their solutions that show the versatility of the Pearhead ABC Photo Blocks:

• MARIE:  6-3-5-2-1
• ELIZABETH:  8-5-6-3-4-2-1-7-9
• ANDREW:  3-2-5-9-1-4
• KATHY:  4-1-7-6-8
• MICHAEL:  5-6-7-9-3-2-1
• JESSICA: 3-8-9-5-6-2-1
• PATRICK: 6-3-7-5-1-2-4
• KIMBERLY:  4-6-5-2-1-9-7-8
• ROBERT:  9-3-2-1-5-7
• JANIS:  8-4-3-2-1
• KATHLEEN:  4-3-7-9-5-6-1-2
• VINCENT:  4-6-9-2-1-3-7
• HAILEY:  6-3-2-5-1-8
• JAX:  3-1-7
• LAURA:  7-2-3-5-1
• LISA:  7-2-5-1
• SARAH:  9-2-5-1-6
• NATHAN:  4-3-7-6-1-2
• JESSE:  3-2-9-5-1
• CHRIS:  7-6-5-2-1
• MICHELE:  6-2-7-9-8-5-1
• DEBORAH:  5-8-2-3-9-1-6
• ARTHUR:  1-9-7-6-3-5
• ROGER:  9-3-4-1-5

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To participate in the "Watch Me Grow!" Portrait Series, with baby portrait sessions at 3-months, 6-months, and 1-year of age, call or email Roger today!  Only a few spaces for new clients are available each month.  

And be sure to bring the sequence of block numbers that spells your baby's name!  Use mine or find your own.  :-) 

Roger Hammons Photography, 703-729-3780, Northern Virginia wedding and portrait photographer in Ashburn, Virginia, near the Brambleton shopping center

LEARNING IS FUN!

As a PPA certified professional photographer, I regularly attend professional workshops to improve craft as well as to keep abreast of the latest trends and techniques.  

This past week I was pleased to study children's portrait photography with the legendary Sandy Puc.  She is a Canon Explorer of Light, and her studio work has focused on children and family portraits over a career spanning 28 years and counting.  (She hopes to photograph yet another generation of kids before retiring!)

The above is a portion of our official class photo.  The instructor is in the middle fast asleep.  (Yes, she "dreamed up" the idea for this photo shoot!)  I am on the left, reading her excellent book Bellies & Babies, about maternity and baby photography.  (And, yes, the copy is mine -- now autographed! -- and the many blue page markers are real.)  

It was a fascinating class.  Watching Sandy work with small children and then explain her technique in a small class setting over four days was phenomenal.  

As I begin to make children's portraiture a bigger part of my own photography business, I look forward to building on the lessons she taught me one dreary, rain-soaked week in Cape May, New Jersey.  

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To arrange your child's portrait, contact Northern Virginia wedding and portrait photographer Roger Hammons today!  703.729.3780 

HELLO WORLD!

The best time to capture portraits of a newborn baby is within two weeks of birth -- when the baby still looks, feels, and acts new born!

In my recent session with Hailey, she is exactly two weeks old.  

This is one of my favorite portraits from the session.  The elegant setting -- with white lace, pastel green wrap, and pink bow -- is soft and feminine.  The full-body pose, with its delicate gesture, shows off Hailey's thick hair, long fingers, and upturned toes.  Hailey's wide-open eyes and sweet curious expression are precious.  I am immediately captivated and drawn in.

What I love most about the portrait is that you can see Hailey's "newness."    

The world around her is strange and uncertain; but, amidst all the chaos, she finds an anchor:  She hears her mother's voice.      

And that is the moment I captured.  

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Isn't it time to capture your child's uniqueness?  Call Northern Virginia portrait photographer Roger Hammons today!  703-729-3780

The problem, I thought, was simple:  For more satisfying photographs, she just needed to move in much closer to the subject, or move much farther away!  The choice would depend on the setting and the story she wanted to tell.  

To try the new approach, she and I spent a beautiful April afternoon together photographing flowers and trees in our Loudoun County neighborhood.  It was great fun, the results were terrific, and the decorating project is now back on track!

Here are three of my favorite captures of the day.  Each says Spring in its own way, with a close-up or far-away composition selected to emphasize what I found most interesting and beautiful in the scene.  

Which of the three images best speaks to you?  

Father and Daughter Portrait | Northern Virginia Family Photographer

FAMILY RELATIONSHIP PORTRAITURE

I met Laura, Oliver, and their teenage daughter Caelin at a recent trade show, where I was exhibiting my wedding photography.  Laura's company Party Pals, specializing in children's wedding entertainment, had the booth next to mine.  

The family raved about how natural and beautiful my work is.  Caelin was especially excited and enthusiastic.  It turns out that she is an aspiring professional photographer who, despite her young age, already has a published photo credit in her name.  (With talent galore, Caelin is also a fabulous high school golfer!)

Our fortuitous meeting led to a wonderful family portrait session.  After welcoming the family to my Ashburn studio, I had fun giving Caelin a tour of my place and talking shop about the equipment we'd be using.  Afterwards, we began collaborating on a variety of family portraits, both casual and themed.  

I love this portrait of Caelin and her dad.  (As a father of three daughters myself, I have a soft spot for father-daughter portraits!)  Their loving relationship is evident in the comfortable, close pose.  I love the bright smiles and the way Caelin's arms gently embrace her dad.  

You can sense how much Caelin looks up to her dad.  You can feel the great pride Oliver has for his daughter.

Truly a timeless portrait celebrating a family's love!

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Please contact Roger Hammons Photography by phone or email to begin planning your own family portraits.  

Isn't it way past time to get it done?  

Call Roger today!

Portrait of Toddler with Engaging Smile | Northern Virginia Family Photographer

What a difference a year makes!  One-year-olds are still babies; but, it's almost unfair to call a two-year-old a baby anymore.  

They understand so much more about the world. They are increasing verbal and surprisingly mobile.  It's hard to keep up!  

The key to a portrait session with a two-year-old is simple (in theory if not in practice):  They love to play and act silly.  You have to keep the fun quotient high.

I love this studio portrait of Gavin at age 2.  What great presence and poise in front of the camera!  This gesture of body position, with arms behind his back, is so distinctively Gavin at this age -- his way of expressing unabashed delight.  I love it!

I also like his direct gaze, his natural smile, and that Clark Kent curl.    

And I get lost in those eyes every time.  

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To start planning your child's portrait session with Roger Hammons Photography, call or email today!

Lunging Toddler Portrait | Northern Virginia Family Photographer

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!

A portrait session with a one-year-old is always an adventure.  You might have a plan.  You might have photographs you desperately want to make.  You might have made them many times before.  But one-year-olds have their own ideas.  And they refuse to negotiate!

One-year-olds are curious; they're mobile; they're energetic.  Sometimes they're wild!  

So it was with Jax's session.  

I love this portrait of Jax.  Toddling towards my camera a bit precariously, he's bursting with energy and curiosity.  You can see, in his face, great fun and anticipation.  If he were older, you'd swear there's mischief in those eyes.  

I suspect he's thinking, "You believe the camera is yours; but I know the camera is mine!"

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To schedule your toddler's portrait session -- before his or her personality changes forever -- contact Loudoun County portrait photographer Roger Hammons today.  

Elegant Christmas

A JOYFUL START!

To start 2016, I received an exciting email from WeddingWire.com that brought a big smile to my face.  I had been awarded their prestigious Couples' Choice Award 2016, recognizing my business as "amongst the top 5% of wedding professionals nationwide."  

Many years ago, the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), the world's oldest and largest trade organization for media professionals, recognized my technical craftsmanship by awarding me their Certified Professional Photographer credential.  A few years later, the PPA recognized my photographic artistry by awarding me their highest honor, the Master of Photography medallion.  Now, in business full-time, I am excited that the WeddingWire Couples' Choice Award has recognized my dedication and service to clients. 

All I can say is that I am grateful for the recognition, and I offer my past clients a heartfelt thank you!  I enjoyed working hard for each of you, and I am thrilled that you've found my photography and personal service exceptional.

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For award-winning craftsmanship, artistry, and personal service in wedding and family portrait photography, please contact Northern Virginia wedding and portrait photographer Roger Hammons today!

SWEET SWEET 16

Autumn and her parents wanted "Sweet 16" portraits taken at their favorite bayside park.  

It was indeed an inspirational place.  I was immediately attracted to a little spot on the water's edge, with its rough rocks and mossy tree.  Such a fun area to explore in photographs!  

Autumn and I collaborated on different angles, different positions, and different looks in this unique area.  And I even got her dad involved, helping position my lighting equipment and keeping it above water.  This portrait was Autumn's favorite from the session.  

My primary challenge was the harsh lighting of the overhead sun.  My solution was to have Autumn turn her back to the sun and then use an off-camera strobe in a softbox as my main light.  (Dad was a terrific voice-operated light stand!)  I like this style of lighting for environmental portraits -- it accentuates the subject without being intrusive.  It's a natural look, suitable for everyone, but especially effective for a young woman of age 16.  

I love this portrait of Autumn.  Poised comfortably on the rocks, she seems at home in her special place.  I like her confidence, her beautiful smile.  I like the contrast in textures between her and the rocks, tree branches, and moss.  I like the sparkle in the water and the sparkle in her eyes.

The split composition, with distinct upper and lower halves, is a bit unorthodox; but the edginess works for this young woman's portrait.  A talented artist with pencil and pen, Autumn is very much into dramatic artwork; so the graphic nature of the tree limbs over the bay waters fits her personality and interests.

In fact, this portrait of Autumn was also her mom's favorite.  She too saw her daughter in this portrait.

And that I love most of all.  

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To schedule a portrait consultation and session for your family, please contact Roger Hammons Photography by phone or email today! 

Baby Portrait | Northern Virginia Portrait PhotographerBaby portraits are so adorable when the baby sits by himself, has his first teeth, and loves to interact with the world!

A BABY PORTRAIT TO WELCOME THE NEW YEAR

Life is an ever changing adventure for our littlest ones.  

This little fellow, "baby Jax," will turn 1 year old in early 2016.  He has recently learned to crawl, to sit up by himself, and to pull himself up to a precarious standing position using furniture, mommy legs, or daddy legs as leverage.  His newfound skills bring joy to his parents and grandparents -- and endless delight to Jax himself, too!      

And, of course, those new skills provide a great excuse for studio portraits.  :-)  

I love this portrait of baby Jax.  The simple styling works well with the baby's comfortable pose and engaging expression.  The lighting is very nice, creating a three-dimensional portrait true to life.  The chair itself is an effective compositional element, which adds depth and meaning to the portrait.  Its adult proportions help us realize the baby's small size, while also reminding us of his growing physical skills.  

And, setting aside such analytical considerations, who wouldn't love that jaunty hat, those chubby cheeks, and that winning smile?  The little teeth, just starting to come in, are oh so precious, too.  Not only does the portrait work, it is adorable!  

Just like baby Jax.    

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If you'd like professional studio portraits to capture milestones in your child's life, please contact Northern Virginia wedding and portrait photographer Roger Hammons to schedule your planning session today.  

http://www.gayweddings.com/real-weddings/chris-aarons-intimate-clifton-inn-dinner-party-wedding

THE TECHNICAL CHALLENGES OF BEING UNOBSTRUSIVE

I was recently hired to help photograph a convention and gala dinner in which many public figures had been invited to speak about the issues of the day.  A wonderful event, I was flattered and thrilled to be there!    

Technically, the photography was quite challenging.   The stage lighting was rather low; and the usual solution of strobe lighting (either on-camera flash or off-camera monolights) would have been too disruptive.  Only solid technique would allow professional-quality images to be taken under such conditions.  

The first requirement is professional-grade cameras and lenses*.  The cameras must have top-notch sensors to capture images in low light without excessive noise.  Telephoto lenses must be used to bring you close enough to the action.  These lenses must focus quickly and accurately, gather in as much light as possible, and provide excellent image quality (high clarity and sharpness, low aberrations).  

The second requirement is expert handling**.  Even with the professional gear, the photographer must find the best combination of camera and lens settings -- shutter speed, aperture, ISO (sensitivity to light), and vibration reduction -- to achieve the desired results.  It is a delicate compromise.  (When the lead photographer and I compared notes later, we found that we had both arrived at the same settings independently.  The margin of error was that small!)  

And the rather heavy combination of high-end camera and lens must be supported by a monopod, to minimize camera motion and the blur it would cause.  A tripod would be much sturdier and easier to use but, again, too disruptive in a crowded room.  

Despite the challenges, good technique can deliver good photographs.  Please enjoy my candid portraits of a few famous people taken that night.  Do you know -- or can you guess -- who they are?  Hint:  One was a recent contender for the Republican 2016 presidential nomination!

Notes:    *A significant investment of money!     **A significant investment of time (education and experience)!

Wedding Cake by Wanda's Cakes

SWEET VIRGINIA STYLE!

It all came together beautifully at the stylized bridal shoot I organized in Leesburg, Virginia last month!  

Rust Manor House was our gracious host, and the venue was perfect:  both elegant and inviting.  

Our theme was "Fall Colors," and nature really delivered for us that day!  With their rich warm colors, the trees in Northern Virginia were simply enchanting.  

Our lovely bride-to-be, Caitlin, was super-excited and proved to be a fearless and fabulous model.  She wore her own wedding dress, veil, and accessories; so the stylized shoot was also an (extended) bridal portrait session for her.  (Grant, your amazing fiancee looks absolutely stunning in her wedding attire.  Sorry I cannot share the portraits with you!)

Caitlin and Grant will marry at the Top of the Town in Alexandria next February.  I am excited to be photographing their wedding!

My Hunt Country Celebrations colleagues did an amazing job with the decor and other stylings.  Rusty's Hair Salon and Spa in Leesburg, Virginia, did a gorgeous job on Caitlin's hair and make-up.  Wanda's Cakes in Centreville, Virginia, provided the beautiful wedding cake.  J Morris Flowers in Leesburg, Virginia, provided lovely flowers for the wedding cake and an exquisite bouquet for Caitlin.  

And special thanks to Derek Fowler Productions for agreeing to shoot video while I shot the still photographs.  

Since Caitlin's wedding attire is a big secret until February 2016, I'm sharing just one photograph from the stylized shoot.  It shows off the beautiful cake, flowers, and Rust Manor House ambiance.  

I cannot wait to share the rest!

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For your wedding needs, please do not hesitate to call on any of these wonderful vendors.  They're all top-notch professionals and nice people, too.  

OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA CHARM

Jennifer and Willie wanted their engagement portraits to be taken in a beautiful outdoor setting, preferably one that included nature and urban features.  They planned to have their wedding in Old Town Alexandria, a half-way point for their friends and family.  They enjoy going out together to dance, to see a movie, and to have a nice dinner.  

My first idea was to do a lifestyle session at an outdoor cafe.  They said they didn't have a particular favorite in Alexandria but loved getting ice cream at Ben & Jerry's to eat along the nearby waterfront.   

I thought to myself, "Old Town Alexandria, the waterfront, AND Ben & Jerry's?" I didn't need to hear any more.  "Let's do the engagement portraits there!," I said.  Jennifer and Willie loved the idea, too!

My intuition was confirmed when I scouted the area and put together storyboards for the session.  There were many great romantic spots -- some open areas with expansive views and some hidden nooks -- all with that unique Alexandria charm.

Here is one of my photographs from the session.  It is an architectural study as well as romantic portrait.  I love the two beautiful grand windows surrounded by the deep red brick arches.  I love the color harmony between the building and the outfits Jennifer and Willie are wearing.  I love how natural the couple interact in this setting, too.  You can definitely see the love -- the way they gaze at each other, they way they hold each other's hand.  

My wedding and engagement photography is often described as timeless and romantic.  That's what Jennifer and Willie wanted.  And I believe that's the feeling this environment portrait delivers.

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To schedule your engagement session or wedding photography consultation, please contact me by phone at 703-729-3780 or by email at studio@rogerhammonsphotography.com.  

RHP_WeddingPhotoPlanner_2015.dvi

One of my tenets of wedding photography is that your wedding day should be one of joy and celebration.  But, like families, weddings are emotional affairs, and intra-family tensions can be a source of stress on the wedding day and beyond.    

Consider the problem addressed in Carolyn Hax's advice column, "The Picture of Wedding Unhappiness," in Monday's Washington Post (9/14/15).    

The letter writer "Hurt" asked for help in dealing with the slight she felt about not being included in the formal family portraits at her fiance's brother's wedding -- especially as she planned her own wedding.  Ms. Hax finished her response with the following advice:  "Love your fiance, plan your wedding with a generous heart and just keep making choices with them [in-laws] the way you wish they had with you."  

I especially love her "plan with a generous heart" advice! 

From a wedding photographer's perspective, the family formal portraits are indeed a very important part of the day.  Aside from the intra-family considerations, they are also tricky from a time-management perspective.  

The all-inclusive approach -- photograph the bride and groom with every possible family sub-group -- turns your wedding day into an extended, overly complicated portrait session instead of a celebration.  How many of these combinations do you really want in your wedding album?  

Most couples and their families would be quite happy -- even thrilled! -- with a short list of formal portraits.  Consider this list as a starting point:  bride and groom alone, bride and groom with bride's parents, bride and groom with bride's parents and siblings, bride and groom with bride's extended family, bride and groom with groom's parents, bride and groom with groom's parents and siblings, and bride and groom with groom's extended family.  

Allow plenty of time to discuss this list between the two of you and with your respective families.  Make adjustments as needed for your circumstances.  Does "extended family" include fiances and fiancees?  It's your decision.

And, by all means, work with your photographer to ensure that your plan for family portraits is both sensible and fits within your wedding day timeline.  

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For your Northern Virginia | Maryland | Washington DC wedding photography needs, please call me at 703-729-3780 or send me an email.  I love to provide personalized service to ensure your wedding is a day of celebration, captured in beautiful photographs that are deeply seen, deeply felt, deeply remembered.  

For the second engagement portrait in my 11+1 project with Katie and Thomas at the Winery at Bull Run, my idea was to incorporate juggling into the portrait.  

As my portfolio shows,  I'm not that into props, but the whole point of my 11+1 project is to try for different looks.  So I bought LOVE letters from Michael's and instructed Katie and Thomas in the art of juggling.  

They juggled like champs!  After many tries to get the timing and giggles just right, I captured the image that I had envisioned:  L in his hand, E in her hand, O and V floating in an arc between them about to be snatched by their free hands.  I loved it.  

But, to wrap up the session, I asked Katie and Thomas to pose with the LOVE letters any way they wished.  And the session got even better!

Of all the wonderful portraits we created together that session, this is my favorite, entitled "Katie and Thomas, August 2015."  It is not a pose I had suggested at all -- it's pure Katie and Thomas playfulness.  

And, I'm sure you can see the LOVE, too!

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For your Northern Virginia wedding photography, Maryland wedding photography, or Washington DC wedding photography needs, please contact me by phone or email to schedule your complimentary visit to my wedding photography studio in Ashburn, Virginia.   

Katie and Thomas booked my wedding photography services well over a year in advance.  

While thinking about their venue -- the Winery at Bull Run, where I had previously photographed a beautiful engagement session -- I had a crazy idea for a new photography project.  

What if I were to do a series of small engagement sessions with Katie and Thomas, once a month for a year, until their wedding day?  

The 11 sessions would all be in exactly the same place at the Winery, at approximately the same time of day, one month apart.  Each month there would be a new portrait idea, and all of the photographs that session would be directed to achieve that idea.  The series would end with a final portrait on their wedding day taken at the same spot.  

I wasn't sure if the idea would work, but I liked the challenge, so I pitched it to Katie and Thomas nonetheless.  They loved it!

Here's the first portrait of the series, entitled "Katie and Thomas:  July 2015."  

I love the wonderful fun in this photograph.  I love how Katie and Thomas seem to be floating on air.  I love how they're holding hands.  I love their happy smiles.    

I can hardly wait for the August session!

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For your Northern Virginia wedding photography, Maryland wedding photography, or Washington DC wedding photography needs, please contact me by phone or email to schedule your complimentary visit to my wedding photography studio in Ashburn, Virginia.   

LOVE FOR GREAT GRANDMA

I am passionate to capture photographs that are "deeply seen, deeply felt, deeply remembered."  This recent image, recording a special moment between my mother and her great grandson (my grandson), is a particularly moving example for me.  

This month, I was fortunate to help arrange a family reunion in South Carolina to celebrate my mother's 80th birthday.  This was a special get-together because it had been a number of years since Mom had seen my daughters and she had yet to meet their new babies born into the family last year.  The main gift that my mother wanted for her 80th birthday was a four-generations family portrait.  (And, despite the excessive heat wave, we all obliged!)  Needless to say, it was an emotional three-day event.  I cannot remember a time when Mom was so happy.  

This candid photograph of Mom and Gavin, a busy 15-month toddler, was taken at the end of the day, after Mom's official birthday dinner and party.  When Gavin was presented to Mom to say his "night-nights," he became unusually calm and quiet.  He studied his Great Grandma's face for a very long time before giving her several lingering hugs and kisses.  

The moment gave me chills.  

I felt as if Gavin were a little angel or little buddha, gazing upon the wrinkles of his Great Grandma's face, acknowledging the hardships she had endured in her life, and sharing with her the wonderful grace of an unconditional love.  

It was a beautiful moment I'll never forget.  Perhaps, in this photograph, you too can see a little bit of that magic.  

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To schedule your multi-generational portrait by Northern Virginia family photographer Roger Hammons, contact Roger Hammons Photography today!

WHAT'S IN YOUR 'WALLETS'?

Julian did not like what was in his!  He felt that his senior portraits, taken by the high school's contract photographer, were not good enough to send out with his graduation announcements.  To him, the poses were awkward, the expressions inauthentic.

Unfortunately, the family's do-it-yourself attempt also proved unsatisfactory; so, when other graduation announcements began to arrive in the mail, Julian's mom really began to worry.  She called me to see if I would be willing and able to arrange a quick-turnaround, high school senior portrait session just before Mothers' Day.  

Fortunately, I could ... and would ... and did! 

I met with Julian and his mom and dad for the first time on the Saturday before Mothers' Day.  After a quick tour of my Ashburn, Virginia photography studio, we headed out to a small nearby park, one of my favorite outdoor locations.  Julian was nicely dressed in a long-sleeved button-up shirt and khaki pants, perfect for the park setting.    

I love these portraits of Julian.  Strong masculine poses with Julian's confident gaze show off his handsome good looks and soulful eyes.  His patterned shirt provided a nice pop of color, helping separate him from the green backgrounds of the park, without taking attention away from his face.  

Before the session, Julian's mom told me that the best photographs she'd seen of her son had serious expressions and that she loved his eyes.  I captured that look -- so powerful for Julian -- but, delving deeper, also captured strong portraits with just the right touch of smile.  

In all of Julian's portraits, I too am captivated by those eyes.  

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To schedule a portrait session for your family, call Northern Virginia wedding and portrait photographer Roger Hammons at 703-729-3780 today!

Before you know it, your newborn baby is three months old!  

Everyone marvels at how much bigger he/she is now than at birth.  Everyone loves the sweet smiles and amazing new vocalizations.  And, isn't it great fun to watch so many new skills begin to develop?

Because so many amazing changes have taken place, you'll want to schedule a new baby portrait session at three to four months of age.  

I loved the 3-month session with Jax.  He had such adorable smiles for his Mommy and Daddy.  He especially loves Mommy's kisses and is mesmerized by Daddy's beat box singing.

This is one of my favorite images from the session.  It captures Jax's joie de vivre, which he expresses so wonderfully in that cute smile and those wild, excited arm and leg movements.  

"I'm flying!"

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To schedule your baby's portrait session, call Roger Hammons Photography at 703-729-3780 today!

I GO FOR INDIGO!  -- I only sell products that I love, and I am very proud of our heirloom Indigo wedding album, an objet d’art to be treasured for a lifetime.  

From printing to binding, the craftsmanship of the Indigo album is outstanding, because the top-notch color lab and binding company I rely upon for its manufacture are artists in their own right.  They have to be:  Their businesses depend on pleasing hard-to-please professional photographers! 

The Indigo album's embossed genuine leather cover combines beauty and durability and is available in a variety of traditional and contemporary wedding decor colors.  

The spreads within the Indigo album are designed by me to tell the couple's love story evocatively.  I select the photographs and design each spread to advance that story.  The layouts are designed with clean lines, using harmonious spacing and sizing of images.  I love designs with a compelling featured image, supported by a small number of related images, that together tell an important part of the overall story.  In the Indigo album, the photographs are presented in a style I call "museum style" -- images on white or black backgrounds.  Timeless.  

For their wedding album, Maria and Jerry chose a purple leather cover with gold embossing and page gilding to match their wedding colors.  Echoed in their wedding day photographs, the color scheme unifies the design of their album beautifully.  

For a peek inside Maria and Jerry's album, see our fusion video that uses their album spreads to tell the story of their fabulous day.  

BOOKS FOR EVERY OCCASION

I love these superb new photo-cover books!  The image quality is lovely to the eye;  the cover and paper are luxurious to the touch. 

Affordable and beautiful, these books are perfect for first-year baby portraits, family portrait sessions, engagement sessions, and intimate social events of all types.     

The samples shown above are from an in-home family portrait session in Columbia, Maryland, and from an on-location engagement session in Stephens City, Virginia.  For interior pages of the engagement session book, please enjoy the linked gallery.

Such a beautiful and affordable way to keep your special memories close at hand!  

Start designing your portraits and memory book by calling Roger Hammons Photography at 703-729-3780 today.  

Gabriel proposed to Jessica last September at the Barcroft Bible Church, where they first met.  They asked me to capture their love in photographs.  "We really like how you capture the love and how happy each couple looked in their photos," they said.   

Jessica and Gabriel love watching movies together, so I suggested we do an engagement session with Jessica's red Mustang at a drive-in movie theater.  They loved the idea!  We just needed to find a drive-in theatre, with a friendly owner.  

To our great delight, the Family Drive-In Theatre in Stephens City, Virginia welcomed us enthusiastically.  We had just missed the Drive-In's last day of the 2014 season, so we decided to wait for opening day March 13, 2015.  Our patience was rewarded:  Opening day featured the premiere of Disney's new "Cinderella" movie.  How wonderfully poetic and apropos!

We started before dusk with a series of romantic images in and about the red Mustang.  Jessica was stunning in her red dress, and Gabriel played the passionate suitor with gusto.  

We had fun creating portraits full of color and emotion; but, to my surprise, the best was yet to come!  

Unbeknownst to me, Jessica and Gabriel had brought a change of clothes and soon emerged as Cinderella and Prince Charming.  (And, yes, Jessica wore glass slippers on her feet.)  I was impressed!  I loved the look; I loved their playfulness.  

As sunset approached, I photographed Cinderella and Prince Charming dancing (of course!) -- both in front of the big screen and at the Drive-In's tented "Cinderella Ball." Then, when the movie started, I slipped away to let them enjoy the rest of their date night.  

The "sneak peek" photograph shared in this post is one of my favorites.  It is a natural light portrait taken just inside the concession stand.  I love the colorful, quirky details:  the movie signs, the popcorn, the green railing, the yellow heart!  To me, the portrait encapsulates the magic of the moment and the place.  

Thanks, Jessica and Gabriel, for letting me share in your Cinderella romance!

AT THE CLIFTON INN:  HEAVY SNOW & HEARTS AGLOW

On February 21, I drove from my studio in Ashburn, Virginia to the Clifton Inn in Charlottesville, Virginia to photograph Aaron and Christopher's late afternoon wedding.  

The day's forecast was for blizzard-like conditions, turning to sleet, freezing rain, and ice that evening.  I left early that morning, but the snow was already falling.  My envisioned two-hour scenic drive through the Virginia countryside turned into a five-hour, white-knuckle ride.

The snowplows were unable to keep the roads clear.  And, for long stretches, mine seemed to be the only car on the road.  With the snowfall heavy and my windshield wipers icing up, I had visions of sliding off the road and not being found until the next day, huddled in my car, clutching my Nikon.  Fortunately, I survived (and arrived at the Clifton Inn with a bit of time to spare)!  

Aaron and Christopher were drawn to the Clifton Inn for its small-inn intimacy and exquisite fine dining.  Their original concept was for a short ceremony followed by a quiet 5-course gourmet meal shared with a very small number of guests -- a simple affair, easy to plan, stress-free to execute.  But, as so many do, their wedding took on a complicated life of its own!  They hired Codie Burke Grannis, wedding planner extraordinaire, to bring everything together.  

It turned out beautifully!  The decor was masculine and elegant, in harmony with the Clifton Inn's classical ambience.  Codie's eclectic mix of empty whiskey bottles, used as vases for flowers and greenery, was truly inspired.  The piano music for the ceremony and acoustic live band for the after-dinner party were lovely.  And, of course, the Clifton Inn cuisine was superb.  

For me, the highlights of the celebration were the beautiful expressions of love heard throughout the day -- the ceremony performed by Claire Goodman, the deeply moving wedding vows by the two grooms, and the many heartfelt toasts from their close family and friends -- full of laughter, love, and life.   

Aaron and Christopher wrote their own vows, each so different and so obviously true to their own personalities.  Aaron is perhaps the more demonstratively affectionate, so no one would be surprised that my photographs from the ceremony often show tears on his cheeks.  But Christopher too was frequently overcome with emotion as he said his vows.  I love those photographs of him too.  

Congratulations, Aaron and Christopher!  For 10 years, you have forged a strong, committed life together as a couple.  May your wedding inspire you to even greater closeness and happiness in the years to come.

We've all been eagerly awaiting this little baby's birth, since I photographed Sarah and Nathan's garden pregnancy session last October.

In early February, almost on his expected due date, Jax "The Keeper" Greenwood made his grand entrance.  He tarried just two days, allowing Sarah to win her work's office pool by guessing his actual birth date.

We scheduled the newborn baby portrait session for Jax just six days after he was born.  To best capture that newborn smallness and fragility, I recommend bringing the baby to the studio within 10 days of birth.  Or, if you prefer, have the studio come to your home, as Sarah and Nathan had arranged.  (Portable studio equipment and camera will travel!)

I love this tender portrait of Nathan and his 6-day old son.  

The baby's fragility is framed by the father's muscular arms and torso, which provide a powerful triangular base for the composition.  Jax rests quietly, curled up comfortably against his daddy's chest, while Nathan's hands gently support and caress his beautiful son.

More love to come!

An experienced international fashion model, Nina was looking to update her professional portfolio with new images having a quiet, natural look, with classic clothing and minimal make-up.  

And she thought of me!  

Nina was inspired by a set of portraits she'd collected, of well-known actresses and models, that shared a feeling of "effortless beauty."  The style of the photographs appealed to me as well, so I happily agreed to help create similar portraits for her book.   

We decided to photograph her in her elegant country home in Potomac, Maryland.  An accomplished equestrian since she was very young, Nina loves horses, and they are featured prominently in her home's decor.  We scouted a few different locations inside her home that I thought would be compatible with the look and feel of the portraits she wanted.  I also hoped to use the horse motifs in some of Nina's portraits to show a bit of her personal passions as well as her poise and beauty.  

And, despite the bitter January cold, we also made a pact to visit the barn for a few portraits there, once the indoor sessions were done.

I love the gorgeous portraits that we created together.  I'm especially in awe of the "all-white" portraits -- what impeccable styling of hair, make-up, and clothing by Nina herself; what elegant pose, gesture, and expression; what glorious lighting -- Nina is simply radiant!    

It is a great pleasure to work with a professional model as talented and gracious as Nina is.  I am always amazed at the variety of wonderful expressions and poses that a professional model is able to conjure up that present so beautifully to the camera.  

If you are not a professional model -- and most of my clients are not! --, I would suggest studying how graceful Nina's hands are in her photos.  Posing of the hands is very difficult, but Nina's portraits provide us with a master class in technique.  If you ever hear me suggest that you "soften the positioning of your hands", think of Nina's portraits and you'll understand what I have in mind!

Thank you, Nina, for a magical collaboration.  

This photograph was taken a few years ago at the Cloisters in Maryland where I acted as the second photographer for my good friend Michael.  After Michael had taken his traditional, hanging wedding dress photograph, I was inspired to suggest adding motion to the image.  

Neither of us had seen a wedding dress photographed in this way before, but, after carefully testing the stability of the hanger, we were eager to experiment.  And, OMG, were we excited about the results!

This is my favorite image from the series I took.  I love the extra romance that the "aura" created by the motion blur imparts!

I am reminded of the black-and-white floral portraits by celebrity / commercial photographer Curtis Knapp.  His delicate pale flowers glow beautifully, surrounded by wispy auras.  

Knapp said he was inspired by the accidental jostling of his tripod during an initial flower portrait.  Creative experimentation, to balance the flower detail against the motion-blur aura, led him to those exquisite final images.  

I was fortunate to study with Knapp when he was in Washington DC, many years before this wedding.  In my wedding dress image, I wasn't consciously trying to imitate Knapp's work.  But, translating "delicate pale flowers" to "delicate pale wedding dress," I think I know where my inspiration was born!    

There are many very good reasons to schedule an engagement session with your wedding photographer. 

But perhaps, like many people, you worry that you won't feel comfortable in front of a camera.  Or, you might think that the tangible benefits of having engagement photographs -- to preserve memories of this special time of romance; to personalize save-the-date cards, reception guestbooks, etc. -- might not be worth the effort.

Most couples who take the plunge, however, find that they also benefit from their engagement session in two surprising ways:

• The engagement photography session itself was fun!

An engagement photography session is an opportunity to escape the stresses of planning the wedding, an opportunity to spend some quality time together.  What bride- or groom-to-be wouldn’t want to spend a few hours talking, laughing, nuzzling with their best friend and true love?  Or strolling together, enjoying the view, in a place special to them?  Properly planned, and with a skillful photographer as your guide, your engagement session should be a positive experience for the both of you, camera-shy or not.

A sympathetic photographer knows that, at the beginning of the session, you might feel awkward being the center of a photographer’s attention.  But, with skillful coaching by the photographer, that initial awkwardness will fade, and you’ll soon be wrapped up in -- and enjoying -- those special moments with your sweetheart.  (Moments that just happen to be captured in photographs!)

After the engagement session, you’ll likely feel much more comfortable in front of the camera, and your photographer will have learned how to bring out your best expressions and poses. You’ll be more relaxed and confident about the photography on your wedding day.   And the experience will show!

So get away, have fun, do an engagement photography session!  Your wedding will thank you.  

I believe that every bride and groom should have these three wedding photography products:  an archive of the digital image files, an heirloom album, and a wall décor portrait.

Everyone understands the value of owning an archive of high-res digital image files, given the prevalence of social media in our lives today.  The digital files are perfect for sharing online with family and friends.  And, with a personal use license from the photographer, you’re free -- even encouraged -- to create the little memento prints that your friends and family will enjoy adding to their scrapbooks. 

But, if you only receive the digital images, the enjoyment your wedding photographs bring will almost certainly be less than you deserve.  The truth is that you will probably look at the digital image files only rarely and usually only on a small screen.  You’ll miss out on the immediacy, impact, and emotion that a set of well-crafted photographic prints can provide.  

In your home, you should celebrate your marriage with the outstanding beauty and longevity of professional quality prints -- both in the wedding album and as wall décor.   In my opinion, for photographic art, it is best to avoid consumer-grade prints.  

The creation of a professional print requires skillful artistic enhancement of the original image captures as well as expert printing using only the finest materials and processes.   The color labs that cater exclusively to professional photographers provide both; the print services available to the average consumer provide neither.

A professionally designed and printed wedding album is an objet d’art that will preserve the memories of how your life together began -- an heirloom that will be treasured over the years by you and your children.  It is beyond priceless. 

An elegantly finished, wall décor wedding portrait is another must.  Its prominence in your home symbolizes your love and commitment.  And, every day, as it catches your eye once again, it reminds you of the pleasures of an enduring romance.  

As a professional wedding photographer, I love to create tangible works of art for my clients.  Let me capture your wedding memories in art pieces that will enhance the rest of your life together. 

MARIA & JERRY:  WEDDING DAY PORTRAITS DISPLAYED AT WEST BELMONT PLACE

For Visit Loudoun's first self-guided wedding tour, I was privileged to partner with West Belmont Place, a premiere wedding venue in Leesburg, Virginia.  I had a great time that Friday, Saturday, and Sunday working with Gian Carattini, the Director of Catering, and his assistant Shelby Fischer.  Just outside the Grand Ballroom, my wedding photography exhibit helped Mr. Carattini and Ms. Fischer welcome visitors to West Belmont Place.  And I was thrilled to discuss the lovely images I had taken at the venue with our visitors as part of their tour.  

My exhibit included two portraits of Maria and Jerry, shown above, taken at their West Belmont Place wedding reception in early October, 2014.  Consistent with my style, I selected one environmental portrait, to show the couple amid the signature surroundings of West Belmont Place, and one close-up portrait in which the background contributes to the story but is very subtle.  The portraits were presented as 20" x 24" lacquered canvas wrap giclees.  Absolutely gorgeous!

The architectural style of West Belmont Place is "Brutalist" which was all the rage in the 1970s when the main buildings were built.  The term "Brutalist" derives from the French "beton brut" meaning "raw concrete."  

In the portrait on the left, I showcase the beautiful aspects of this design aesthetic by placing Maria and Jerry at the focal point of a raw concrete staircase.  I loved the graphic nature of this location, with its interesting geometrical shapes, converging lines, and different textures.  To me, this portrait provides a signature look unique to West Belmont Place.  I enjoy how the hardness of the beton brut contrasts with the softness of the loving embrace and the bridal regalia. 

In the portrait on the right, I use the beautiful grounds just outside the lobby to softly frame a romantic close-up of Maria and Jerry.  I use selective focus to separate the couple from the background, thereby minimizing the building behind them. The greenery is softly present, while the building with its beton brut exterior fades gently into the background.  Your eyes go directly to the couple and their embrace.  You feel the newlywed pride in their faces.  And I love the way Maria's veil is draped so alluringly.  (Thanks, Mother Nature, for the fortuitous "just right" breeze!)    

The grounds of West Belmont Place are extensive -- including wooded trails frequented by deer -- but these portraits show that, with attractive surroundings in every direction, you don't have to travel very far to get beautiful results. 

SUMMER BEACH PORTRAITS 

In August, I had not wanted to let Summer end without posting a beach family portrait session.  But, after a busy late-Summer/early-Fall wedding season, I find that Summer has indeed ended (some time ago!) and without the aspirational blog posting.   Now it's a rush to post before Winter arrives!  

The Jelks family portraits highlighted here were taken on the beaches near their home in Swanson, North Carolina, in early July this year.  Swanson is part "North Carolina rural" and part "North Carolina resort."  The nearby small towns and country vistas are picturesque Americana, while the coastal beaches and byways offer idyllic seaside landscapes.  With so much to explore there photographically, I cannot wait to return!  

Laura and Jessie wanted portraits to celebrate their growing family.  While their new baby boy is a natural center of attention, I wanted to document the entire family -- mother, father, sister, brother -- all together and in small groupings.  I usually like to start off with a formal portrait of the family together, continue with formal portraits of different subgroups, and finish up with fun relational portraits of the family interacting with one another.  

I love the variety of images we created for Laura and Jessie.  In each of the portraits, -- whether mother and child, father and child, mother and father and children -- you cannot help but feel the love and pride of family unique to those relationships.  And, taken together, the group and subgroup portraits reveal much more about the love this family shares than any single portrait might.  

The Jelks' family portraits were taken using only natural light in the late afternoon.  I love photographing people and places at this time of the day as the light is soft and flattering.  To enhance the variety of images, I experimented with different angles and backdrops, including the sand, the water, and the sky.  Simplifying the background in each individual image keeps the focus on the family; while the variety of backgrounds, seen together, speaks of the complete beach experience.  

For me, variety is all about the storytelling.

Congratulations, Laura and Jessie, on your growing family!  And thanks for letting me share in your family's love.  

ROMANTIC PREGNANCY PORTRAITS 

Sarah and Nathan were high school sweethearts who married soon after college.  They are now expecting their first baby, a boy, in February 2015.  They are leaning towards naming him Jax.

Because babies tend to come a bit early in Sarah’s family, we scheduled the first of two planned maternity sessions at five months into her pregnancy.  We decided to photograph the couple and their baby-to-be at a few of Sarah’s favorite garden spots near West Chester, Pennsylvania.  

We were lucky that the previous day’s rains had given way overnight to cloudy skies.  It was chilly and damp, but our sense of adventure and the beauty of our surroundings kept us all inspired.  

The formal gardens were indeed gorgeous, with striking views in every direction.  Amidst the lush foliage, we captured a variety of lovely portraits of Sarah by herself and together with her Nathan.  I especially liked the romantic images in which the couple's embrace is framed by the garden's flowers and greenery.  

Even more spectacular was the amphitheater in the woods, with its dramatic stonework, wet lush grass, dark earth, and tall trees.  It was so quiet and still.  You could easily imagine it a place for fairy tales.  

We captured one of my favorite portraits there:  In front of a beautiful stone wall that provided a medieval castle-like backdrop, Nathan bent down to kiss his Sarah, who was reclining peacefully atop her sloping stone wall bed.   It was a very soft, very romantic moment, reminiscent of the “Sleeping Beauty” story.  

What a beautiful canvas portrait it will be for the baby’s nursery.

HUNT COUNTRY CELEBRATIONS ACCEPTS NEW PHOTOGRAPHER

Last night, the elite Hunt Country Celebrations group voted to accept Roger Hammons Photography LLC as one of its members.  

I am absolutely thrilled with my new status!

As stated on their website, Hunt Country Celebrations is "a premier group of wedding and special event professionals dedicated to providing unparalleled service in Virginia’s horse and wine country."  Under one umbrella, they provide access to the vital wedding services that every bride and groom will need to make their wedding truly special, including invitations, apparel, ceremony and reception venues, décor, cuisine, entertainment, transportation, lodging, and (of course) photography.  

Hunt Country Celebrations accepts only five photographers as members, so I am very proud to have met their stringent requirements and to have become the fifth photographer member of this prestigious group.  

The meeting at which I was voted into the group was held at the Historic Rosemont Manor in Berryville, Virginia.  Our host, owner William Genda, led a brief tour of the early 1800’s mansion, carriage house, and grounds.  It's a spectacular venue indeed!  

I especially love the Manor's grand entrance, with its graceful staircase and balcony, as well as its elegant porch with the lovely countryside vista.  If you dream of quintessential Southern charm and romance, Historic Rosemont Manor may be just what you’re looking for!  

The pictorial possibilities at the Manor certainly stir my imagination.  

ROMANCE AT HILLSBOROUGH WINERY

Crystal and Nate met while attending Virginia State University.  

He proposed to her on New Year’s Day.  The proposal was supposed to happen at midnight, but Nate had to wait until the next morning because Crystal had fallen asleep.   She reported, “I was totally caught off-guard and surprised.  I just couldn’t stop smiling!”  

They will have a destination wedding in romantic Jamaica.  

Crystal and Nate enjoy activities that allow them to spend time with each other.  They especially love travel, trying new restaurants and cuisines, long walks along the W&OD trail, and enjoying Virginia’s great wineries.   

We wanted their engagement photographs to showcase their life style as well as their romance.  “I love that you are able to capture photos that seem so real and in the moment,” Crystal said.  

Hillsborough Winery was the perfect setting for our session, and I couldn’t have asked for better hosts than Hillsborough’s owners and staff.   Thank you for your kind invitation!  As you can tell from the photographs, we all had lots of fun there.  

On top of a hill, the Hillsborough wine-tasting room boasts lovely views of the valley below and offers easy access to photogenic vineyard, garden, and patio areas.  I was thrilled with the variety of images we were able to create there.  

Crystal and Nate were definitely in the moment and keeping it real!   Their traditional portraits as well as the romantic environmental portraits are both beautiful and moving.  I especially love those infectious smiles.  

Congratulations, Crystal and Nate.  May the engagement portraits we took at Hillsborough remind you in the years to come of these very special days of excitement and romance! 

LYNETTE & KAMIL'S WEDDING:  THE GRAND EXIT

I am passionate about traditional well-crafted photography, but I also love to experiment with art pieces that do not necessarily abide by traditional photography rules.  

Lynette and Kamil exited the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More in Arlington, Virginia as husband and wife to a burst of cheers and congratulations from friends and family.  I captured this moment from inside the cathedral.  And, despite the extreme difference in brightness inside and out---far exceeding the dynamic range of a single photographic capture---, the image works!  

The glowing colors and quality of light inside the cathedral are glorious.  And, that burst of outside light from the sun, which washes out our view beyond the cathedral door, announces the transcendence of the bride and groom's new life together.  

For me, this photograph is an unusual, beautiful art piece.  I am proud to have captured such an impressionistic representation of Lynette and Kamil's transition to married life!  

GREAT FALLS, VIRGINIA REALLY IS FOR LOVERS!

As enthusiastic backpackers, hikers, and kayakers, Courtney and Andrew really enjoy the outdoors.  So it is not surprising that they selected Great Falls Park in northern Virginia for their engagement session.  

What a magnificent park!  Just outside Washington D.C., the Great Falls of the Potomac River are spectacular in both beauty and power, dropping nearly 80 feet over a series of dramatic whitewater cascades.  In addition to splendid views of the falls, Great Fall Park is noteworthy for its lush natural forest and its rocky cliffs above Mather Gorge.  

Since Courtney and Andrew got engaged in front of a waterfall -- so romantic! --, I knew their iconic environmental portrait had to feature them in front of the Great Falls.  

Conceptually easy, but technically a bit challenging.  

The easy-access overlooks near the picnic area provide excellent vantage points, but the high contrast between the shaded overlooks and the sunlit falls make getting the desired portrait tricky:  If you expose for the couple, the falls get blown out; while, if you expose for the falls, the couple become silhouettes.  I solved this dilemma by using a high-powered off-camera strobe to spotlight the couple.  With sun equivalent exposures on both the couple and the falls -- and great action from both subjects! --, the photographs turned out quite striking.  A lovely setting for a loving couple.

The expansiveness of Great Falls Park, however, made choosing locations for additional portraits a genuine puzzle.    

I spent two afternoons scouting the park.  During the first afternoon, I hiked along the River Trail along the cliffs overlooking Mather Gorge.  Although there are some breathtaking views from the top of the cliffs, I decided a long hike was impractical for a late-day engagement session.  During the second afternoon, I concentrated on the wooded areas near the easy-access overlooks.  While I found many promising locations, the quality of light was not necessarily guaranteed.  So ad-libbing on the day of the session would be the way to play!  

I love the portraits we created.  They have an elegant, timeless, romantic feel.  Courtney and Andrew look so sweet and happy together.

Courtney and Andrew, congratulations on your engagement.  In your journey together, may you 'fall' for each other -- and 'fall greatly' -- over and over again!

HANDFASTING ENGAGEMENT CEREMONY

It is a Polish tradition!

I love to tell love stories with my photography, and every love story is different.  When I found out that Lynette is studying Polish so she can converse with her future in-laws, I knew that the Polish heritage would always be an important part of Lynette and Kamil's love story.  

So I began my study of Polish wedding traditions.    

In one tradition, Polish couples become officially engaged to be married through a beautiful handfasting ritual.   An archived feature article in the Chicago Bride Magazine provides an excellent description of this Polish tradition and its significance:  

The engagement period:  Zareczyny or Zrekowiny.  The main event on the night of the engagement was the tying together of the hands of the couple to be married.  There were numerous variations on this custom, but in whatever form it appeared, the central elements were an uncut loaf of bread and a white towel or scarf.  Because engagement was as binding as the marriage itself, it was always done in a public act in front of family and friends who acted as witnesses.  Starosta (an intermediary) joined the right hands of the couple above the bread, tied them together with white cloth, and made the sign of the cross over their joined hands representing "the joined endeavors of the man and woman to prepare the bread" that they always have bread beneath their hands.  [Loretta Sawyer, Polish Wedding Customs & Traditions]

In addition to my customary 'American' engagement photography session, I wanted to celebrate Lynette and Kamil's engagement with an in-studio portrait inspired by the Polish handfasting ceremony.  Intrigued, Lynette and Kamil happily agreed.  

I love the result.

The flowers, the rustic loaf of bread, and the delicate floral backdrop make a wonderfully romantic setting for the portrait.  And, with their hands tied softly together in white lace, Lynette and Kamil look absolutely radiant.  A true picture of love!  

Lynette and Kamil, I wish you a wonderful life together.  May you always have bread beneath your hands!

TRADITIONAL 'LOVE LOCKS' 

In Europe, I was charmed by the hundreds of colorful locks we came upon during our city walks.  They are typically secured to gratings and fences on picturesque public bridges and walkways by lovers wanting to share a token dedicated to their enduring romance.  

I have selected a few of my recent images of love locks from Prague and Salzburg to share.  As you can see, some of the locks are elegantly engraved, some are roughly painted, and some are simply plain.  The decorated locks often have the lovers' names or initials and a date.  Others feature romantic quotes, hearts, or other symbols of love.   

If you're a true romantic, you have to be inspired by such a spectacle:  So many locks, left by so many couples, expressing so much passion! 

I think of love locks as European.  But the Washington Post recently reported that this romantic tradition has become increasingly popular in New York City and is beginning to appear in the Washington DC area.  

Have you ever left a love lock?  If so, I'd love to hear your story!  

SUMMER DAY AT MONDSEE, AUSTRIA

My wife and I just recently returned from a whirlwind two-week road trip through Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, Zurich, the Black Forest of Germany, and Nuremberg (and sites in-between!) with close friends Don and Fran.  While I certainly haven't had time to complete my edit of the many hundreds of images from the trip, I wanted to share one of my favorite images so far.   

I like travel in part because you don't know what you're going to find.  And the serendipitous "discovered" photograph is one of my strengths, and pleasures, as a fine-art photographer.  

The little town of Mondsee, near Salzburg, wasn't on our planned itinerary, but we were intrigued by views from the roadway of a large lake at the foot of the mountains in the distance, so we made a side trip to check it out.  

Mondsee is quite a jewel.  The quaint village up the hill from the lake resort is picturesque with a lively town square.  And the view of the mountains dropping so precipitously to the beautiful alpine lake is indeed breathtaking!  

I love this photograph of the little girl on the dock.  It is a quiet image that moves me in ways I do not fully understand.  

I enjoy the image as a landscape photograph:  I think it shows off the lake, mountains, and resort qualities of Mondsee in a visually pleasing manner.  

The addition of the little girl in the frame, however, adds a mysterious human touch to the landscape.  I remember times I've spent as a child on the beach, near the water.  I wonder what the little girl is thinking.  

I wonder why she is there, all alone.  

WINERY AT BULL RUN ENGAGEMENT SESSION

Carol and David chose the Winery at Bull Run for their summer-time engagement session.  And we couldn't have had a better time:  It was a beautiful day in Virginia -- full of sun, wine, and romance! 

Earlier in the week, I had scouted the Winery to create storyboards of potential engagement images.  (The sessions always go more smoothly when the photographer knows in advance what the possibilities are!)  I had two basic objectives.   First, I wanted to identify iconic features and suitable vantage points that would allow me to create environmental portraits showcasing the couple in their chosen locale.  Then, for my relational portraits, I looked for locations with beautiful lighting and pleasant backgrounds, where the couple could relax, be themselves, and have fun.  Fortunately, the Winery at Bull Run had many great locations -- and all in a relatively small area.

The sun-splashed "ruins," where the wedding ceremonies on the property are often held, were great fun to explore!  Apart from the Sunday crowd -- the Winery is very popular with couples and families --,  the main challenge was working in direct sunlight, especially as the sun would go in and out of the clouds regularly.  For these portraits, we hyped it up with sunglasses and went all in for the "sun-drenched vineyard" vibe.  

We also made use of some pretty, out-of-the-way spots for our romantic portraiture.  Away from the crowds, Carol and David could focus on each other, allowing us to capture a series of beautifully romantic images.  The weathered barn at the Winery provided lovely backdrops and amazing light for the natural light portraits.  

The session ended with Carol and David enjoying a lovely sangria together -- a romantic ending to a romantic day -- thanks to the Winery at Bull Run!

Congratulations, Carol and David, on your engagement.  May you enjoy a lifetime full of wine and romance!    

PERFECT ROMANTIC SPRINGTIME 

Sweet romance, verdant foliage, and beautiful yellow flowers graced Briana and Shaun's recent engagement session.  The small community park in Ashburn, Virginia was a perfect location to capture their relationship's fun, laid back, and loving style.    

I like the traditional portraits we did of the two of them looking at the camera.  You can see how comfortable and happy they are with one another.  (It's been that way since they first met at a work holiday party in 2010.  After Shaun introduced himself to her, Briana recalls that they "danced the night away!")  The lush greens of the park make a lovely backdrop, and the outfits Briana and Shaun wore work so well together in this setting.

Such portraits will be treasured additions to the family photo album, so I want them to be as nice as I can make them.  The secret is great lighting and expression.  Briana and Shaun's portraits were created using directional natural light, balanced with a hint of off-camera flash.  This delicate use of off-camera flash on location requires a slower, more thoughtful approach, but I think it is often worth the extra effort.  

The slower, more thoughtful approach also works well for the intimate, romantic images that I love, and which drew Briana and Shaun to me.  "Your photography captures the candid moments between two people where everyone can see the immense love between the two," Briana explained.  

And I do absolutely love the evocative relational and environmental portraits from Briana and Shaun's session!  Briana and Shaun like to cuddle, hold hands, and kiss to display affection.  They like to joke a lot and not take themselves too seriously to make each other laugh.  I believe you can see their easygoing, loving relationship in my photographs.  

An engagement is full of intimate, romantic moments.  As an artist, it is my passion to capture and interpret that love!  

ELEGANT WEDDING DECOR

What stunning decor Mehdi and Amina created for Jaynika and Boney's wedding at the Hilton Washington Dulles Hotel!  Their company Event Envy specializes in furniture, fabrics, and lighting for Indian and South Asian weddings and parties in the greater DC metropolitan area.  

In contemporary wedding photography, it is important to document the wedding and reception decor artistically, since the overall setting and details are essential to the bride and groom's story.  Skillful choice of lens, camera settings, lighting, and composition enable the storytelling photographer to create images that invite the viewer back into those memory-filled spaces.

Jaynika and Boney's wedding was a Gujarati wedding.  The bride dreamed of a special mandap design with crystals and richly textured fabrics in colors complementary to her ivory and maroon wedding dress.  Mehdi and Amina designed the mandap around authentic Indian furniture.  They created a crystal backdrop framed by ropes of hanging crystals at each end.  To match the crystal motif, they crafted a custom havan kundi with a sparkling sheen and, as a final flourish, decorated each corner of the mandap with glittering silver mesh.  Truly a beautiful setting for a beautiful ceremony!

For the reception, the bride and groom wanted decor that was simple, open, more subdued in color, but still elegant.  Mehdi and Amina chose a gold, carved, French-style loveseat as the focal point and, for the backdrop, selected a complementary, gold sheer embroidered fabric with a neutral ivory backing.  Classically draped, the elegant fabrics provided the quiet luxurious look their clients wanted.  

Mehdi and Amina also designed the romantic uplighting, which beautifully enhanced and finished the decor.  

To preserve the lovely lighting and mood, I decided to photograph the rooms using the existing light only.  To capture high-quality images in subdued light, I placed the camera on a tripod and used a slow shutter speed and relatively high ISO setting.  Taking the time to do a custom white balance ensured that the colors captured in the photographs were true to life.  

I took photographs of the overall decor using a wide-angle lens set to a moderate aperture.  This allowed sharpness to be maintained throughout the important parts of the image.  I then took photographs of the details using a telephoto lens set to a wide-open aperture.  Using selective focus techniques, I created crisp images of the details isolated against soft, out-of-focus backgrounds.  Working to get a variety of strong images, I photographed the decor from different heights, angles and perspectives.  

When the setting is so beautiful and full of meaning for the bride and groom, one photograph is never enough to tell the entire story!  

FUN COLLAGE FOR DISPLAY AT DALLAS, TEXAS WEDDING

Lisa and Chris wanted a collage of their "fun together" photographs for display during their May 30 wedding reception at Marie Gabrielle restaurant in Dallas, Texas.  

To create the collage, I worked with Lisa and Chris to select a variety of casual images showing different aspects of their personality as well as the things, places, and pets that they loved.  I then experimented with different arrangements until I found one that 'sang' to me.  Lisa and Chris adored it (as did their parents)!  

I love how the collage's clean layout, with its broad white border and brown stroke line, draws your attention to the captivating center portrait.  That lovely portrait evokes a sense of happy times and exuberant motion, symbolizing the couple's excitement about their life together.  Your eye then delights in the outer circle of sometimes quirky snapshots that reveal so much about the couple's easy-going romance and Texas lifestyle.  

The individual photographs were treated to achieve a vintage look to match Lisa and Chris' reception decor.  The softly washed colors and sepia toning feel comfortable and appropriate for a quiet Texas wedding.  

Framed in an understated white wood frame, Lisa and Chris' collage was a big hit at the guest sign-in table.  A little dream come true on a special day when so many big dreams came true.  

Congratulations, Lisa and Chris, on your beautiful wedding.  May you enjoy long and happy lives together!  

TEAMMATES FOR LIFE:  A LOVE STORY

Katharine and Hans met in high school through soccer and have been girlfriend/boyfriend since they were 17.  Each year they play together in a co-ed soccer tournament in Virginia Beach.  The previous year, he proposed to her at their team dinner, asking her to be his "teammate for life."

I loved that story!  

So we incorporated a soccer motif into the first part of their engagement session, taking photographs of Katharine and Hans in their soccer jerseys at a beautiful recreation area near my Ashburn studio.  Having scouted the area earlier in the week, I selected a location on the edge of a ballfield near rolling hills and forest.  The setting would be lovely on any late afternoon; but, late in the day in early Spring, it was incredible.  As the sun dipped below the tree tops, the still-bare trees cast shadows down the field like the teeth of a comb.   What visual interest and tremendous depth these shadows gave to the background!  

Two off-camera strobes, carefully balanced with the sunlight, provided a strong main light and accent light for the portraits.  Add in some playful, loving attitude -- which came easily to Katharine and Hans -- and you have memorable soccer-themed portraits, commemorating the role that soccer had played and continues to play in their lives.  

But, as great as the soccer portraits were, we were not finished!  The romantic part of the engagement session was yet to come.  

Katharine and Hans changed clothes, and we scooted over to another nearby park.  The new location was actually a change in plans, since I had already scouted some lovely romantic spots (a pond and a gazebo) at our first location.  On the day of their engagement session, however, I happened to drive by a little park with white tree blossoms in full bloom -- absolutely gorgeous!  I just had to do Katharine and Hans' romantic portraits there instead.  

And I'm glad I did.

The little park provided so many lovely backdrops, with soft beautiful lighting, that we ran out of daylight before we ran out of places to photograph.  All of the romantic portraits were done with natural light only.   With proper technique, this approach allows the love that Katharine and Hans feel for one another to take center stage.  The couple's kisses and embraces stand out beautifully against the soft-focus natural backgrounds.   And, by adding a few dashes of direct sunlight and flare, those romantic moments become oh so soft and sweet.  

Congratulations, Katharine and Hans, on your engagement, and best wishes for a wonderful life together!