Behind the Lens Bio: Karalyn

Every photographer will shoot a variety of subjects in their career. I have photographed men, women, children, couples, families, groups. I have probably photographed 1000 subjects but I have to say my favorite subject to shoot is my dog Mya.

Mya is my black lab that I have had for 4 years. Ever since I brought her home from the pound, I have loved photographing her. What is great about Mya is that she can be really calm and still and other times will be very active, allowing for some awesome action shots.

Every photographer has their favorite place to photograph or favorite subject to shoot. For me it is Mya. I have included some pictures below so you all can see how cute and wonderful she is!

Potomac Photographer Karalyn 

What to Wear to a Photo Shoot Tips

Potomac Photography offers great portrait packages and we would love for you to book your next photo shoot with us! But after you do schedule the shoot, your next question becomes, What Do I Wear?! Most people struggle with what to wear. Casual or Dressy? Matching or Individual Style? There are many options to choose from and we want to help you make the right choice!

Below we have included some tips for what to wear or not wear during a photo shoot. We hope these help you decide on your next portrait’s style. And of course, we are always here for advice!

Senior Portraits:

One good example is most High School Seniors want to do high fashion looks for their senior pictures. And who can blame them? But chances are some family members, probably including Mom, would prefer some more traditional portrait pictures so make sure to bring multiple outfits. Then you have the advantage of choosing the ones you like after they are done. 

Family Portraits:

For family portraits, choose clothing that will not look ‘dated’ in 5 years. If your family is laid back, chances are you might choose jeans. You can always dress up a little by adding button down shirts. If you are more formal try sport jackets and dresses. If you are having trouble getting your kids ready for the shoot, make a compromise with them. They choose one wardrobe and you choose the other. 

The Basic Dos and Don’ts:

Do pick clothes that are comfortable

Do try on all the clothes before the photo shoot

Do remember to coordinate nail colors (both hands and feet), 

   especially if you wearing open toed shoes

Do remember you want some contrast

Do have a bright light on when picking clothes so you know what 

   they will look like on camera

Don’t worry about bringing too many clothes

Don’t forget to get your nails down, chipped nails will show on 

   camera

Don’t bring clothes with busy patterns 

Potomac's 6 Month Anniversary

Today marks the 6 month anniversary since Potomac Photography opened our studio in downtown DC! We cannot be more pleased and happy with the decision to open our doors and have been so thankful for the wonderful response we have received. Our clients have welcomed us into the DC community and we would like to say Thank You to everyone who has helped us along the way.

As a thank you to the DC community, we want to share with you our top 10 places for photography. Maybe you will discover a new place to visit!

1) Eastern Market

2) The Tidal Basin

3) Georgetown

4) The Phillips Collection Museum

5) Arlington Cemetery

6) The National Mall

7) The Newseum

8) Theodore Roosevelt Island

9) Iwo Jima Memorial

10) Nationals Stadium

For more ideas, read this Article by Frommer’s and their favorite places for photography in DC.

Our Customers Have Spoken: Our New Facebook Logo!

To help illustrate to our clients that Potomac Photography is a customer-centered studio, we asked you, our clients, to help us choose our new Facebook Logo. For the past week, people would vote in our Facebook poll for their favorite logo and our customers sure loved this opportunity. We had an outstanding response, showing us, and other businesses, that customers love to be involved in decisions that affect their bottom line.

And our customers have spoken. The favorite and new Facebook logo for Potomac Photography is the Forest Film! We love this new logo and feels that it exemplifies the Potomac brand of creativity and photojournalistic style, as well as showing our dedication to the DC community. We also love it because our customers love it!

We want to thank everyone who participated in this poll. We are happy our customers care about Potomac Photography and want a say in our business!

Behind the Lens Bio: Laura

When I was given my first camera I fell in love. The smooth, rounded edges, the noise of the shutter, the light of the flash. All the buttons and dials and knobs. Each making the camera accomplish something different. For years I took photography classes and lessons after school and when I was finally old enough to be on my Middle School newspaper staff, I jumped at the opportunity.

At first I wasn’t even allowed to have a school camera but as my experience grew, I was given more opportunities. When I was 14 my picture from the boys basketball game was on the front page of the newspaper. The sight of seeing my picture on the front page is a feeling I will never forget. And that feeling has stayed since, motivating me, inspiring me.

As I once had my picture on the front page of my Middle School newspaper, I dream that one day I will have another front page picture. This time with the Washington Post.

Here is to hoping and hard work,

Potomac Photographer Laura

Photography Tips

As Photographers, we understand the difficult and complicated facets of photography. We have studied, practiced, and experimented with photography for over 10 years each because our studio thrives when our clients can see our level of knowledge and skill. We hope that people see these skills and recognize the wonderful memories they are cherishing buy hiring Potomac Photography. But we also know people love taking pictures during everyday moments. Whether you are taking the dog for a walk, cooking with your kids, or playing games as a family, we understand people want the basic photography skills to take some good photos.

To help equip everyone with some basic photography skills and knowledge, we have posted an article with great information from BetterPhotography.com. They offer ten great tips for taking better photos:

1.       Get in closer

2.       Be quick

3.       Compose with care

4.       Be selective

5.       Focus on your subject

6.       Experiment with time

7.       Look at the light

8.       Watch the weather

9.       Keep it simple

10.    Be bold

Be sure to read the article because they discuss each tip in depth so you get a great understanding! Good luck!

Photography Tip Article

Help Make Potomac More Personal to You!

We cannot tell you the number of businesses we deal with that are supposedly ‘customer oriented’ yet make policies and decisions that make everyone’s life more difficult. If the customer is paying the business, then shouldn’t the customer have a say? Shouldn’t the customer feel included and important in business policies that affect their service?

At Potomac we feel just that. We truly value our customer’s opinions and to illustrate this core mission of our studio, we want you, our customers, to help us create our identity. For the next week, Monday – Friday, we will be holding a poll where we want you to decide our next Facebook Logo. We value your opinion because after all, you are the ones hiring us! All you have to do is view our Facebook album, ‘Facebook Logos,’ and then vote for your favorite in the poll on our Facebook Wall. The winning Logo will be uploaded on Saturday.

Below are the logo choices for you to view but do not forget to vote on our Facebook Wall!

"The Forest Film"

"The Capitol Canvas"

"The Flag Frame"

Or the current "Memorial Memory"

Thank You for DC FotoWeek Support!

DC FotoWeek 2012 is officially over and we could not be happier with this wonderful experience. The entire event was a great opportunity for Potomac Photography to show the DC community what we offer and the raw talent our photographer’s have.

When we first received the news we were invited to FotoWeek we were so excited. This is such a great, prestigious event and we really wanted to represent ourselves well as a new DC studio. It took days of preparation and hours of unpacking and hanging frames but the result was quite worth the work. Our gallery in the Corcoran received great reviews and we had wonderful feedback from people we talked to.

Our two days at the gallery were really great opportunities for us to meet wonderful Washingtonians. We even had the privilege of meeting Pete Souza, Official White House Photographer, when he viewed our gallery!

From Potomac, we want to thank everyone who visited and supported our gallery at FotoWeek. The support and wonderful feedback we received was amazing and it really showed to us the great community DC has to offer. We also would like to thank DC FotoWeek for inviting us to be a part of this wonderful event. We hope to continue the tradition next year!

Thank you to everyone for such a great DC FotoWeek,

Potomac Photographer’s Laura and Karalyn

Behind the Lens Bio: Karalyn

As a photographer, you make many creative choices in deciding a photo shoots direction and theme.  You always have to take into consideration the location, the subject and their personal style, the type of photography they are looking for, and props, all while balancing these elements with your own design ascetic.

As you learned today in ‘Guess Who,’ my favorite photography style is black and white. Although there are thousands of composition styles possible for a photograph, I find that black and white has an impact that captivates the audience. It grabs your attention and draws you into the details where the black and white blend to a variety of shades.

As a photographer you blend your style with that of your client so obviously I do not just shoot in black and white. I do enjoy shooting in full color, as well as other composition styles. Also, because photography is such a creative medium, I really enjoy playing around and testing different styles. I hope that any photography lovers reading this appreciate my design preference and the fact that photographer’s have to balance their design ascetic with the client’s ideas. After all, at Potomac Photography we believe in capturing everyone’s memories in their personal style.

To perfectly merging styles,

Potomac Photographer Karalyn

Behind the Lens Bio: Laura

It all started in college. At first the late nights would get to me but my next night sleep would recuperate my body. But after more difficult classes and more all-nighters, it became clear that what I truly needed was caffeine. Lots and lots of caffeine. After college the all-nighters ended but my caffeine addiction continued.

Today you learned in ‘Guess Who’ that I drink Diet Coke before every photo shoot. Yes that is true and yes I drink a lot of Diet Coke. Actually, while I am writing this blog I am drinking Diet Coke. To me Diet Coke is my morning coffee; my pick-me-up; my favorite drink. Come into our studio sometime and you will probably see me with Diet Coke in hand.

To all caffeine lovers,

Potomac Photographer Laura

Potomac Photography at DC FotoWeek 2012

Yesterday we received the news Potomac Photography would be featured in DC FotoWeek 2012. We could not be more honored to be a part of this prestigious event. This is an amazing opportunity for Potomac to showcase our work and further integrate into the DC community.

DC FotoWeek is a weeklong exhibit that features nationally recognized and award winning photography. They showcase a wide variety of photos including portrait, photojournalism, commercial, and landscape. Exhibits will be featured for the week of March 16^th – March 23^rd and will be shown around the city at different museums and galleries including The Corcoran, The Art-O-Sphere, The National Gallery of Art, and The Phillips Collection. The entire event is free and open to the public, beginning Friday, March 16^th at 9:00am.

Our gallery will be featured at the Corcoran, located at 500 17^th St. NW in DC. As a new business in the DC community, we are so pleased and excited to be included in this wonderful event. To further assimilate into the DC area, both Potomac photographers will be at the Corcoran Gallery on Sunday, March 18^th and Wednesday, March 21^st to introduce ourselves and to answer any question people may have about our gallery or studio.

Please visit DC FotoWeek 2012 for more information on the event and we look forward to seeing you at DC FotoWeek 2012!

Behind the Lens Bio: Karalyn

When I was little, I wasn’t the most careful child. There are numerous accounts of me losing things or accidentally breaking objects. For awhile, my family’s nickname for me was klutz.

As you all learned yesterday in our game ‘Guess Who’, my first camera was disposable. When I was 9, my older cousin received a digital camera for her birthday and after seeing how much fun it was, I wanted one too. I begged and pleaded with my parents for 6 months until finally it was my birthday. When I opened the present, I can’t say that my parents didn’t give me what I asked for. But instead of a nice digital camera like my cousin’s, I received a disposable one. I guess the joke was on me.

Although the camera probably cost my parents $10, it was a wonderful present. I used all 30 pictures on the film the first day and after, my parents continued to buy me more disposable ones. After seeing that I didn’t lose any of them, my parents took the risk and purchased a real digital camera for my 11^th birthday.

I hope that parents will read this story to their children because I believe it is important for children to be active in photography. Photography is an activity that many believe is only for adults and those who have money and that is not true. Even if you can get your child a disposable camera, do it. The act of photography helps grow your child’s creative nature and teaches them valuable lessons like responsibility, just like me.

To wonderful children photographers,

Potomac Photographer Karalyn Kester 

Behind the Lens Bio: Laura

Yesterday I admitted my most awkward family portrait was when we all held up our musical instruments. I hope everyone is picturing this photo right now: My dad with a saxophone, mom with a flute, me and a guitar, and my two sisters, one holding a clarinet and the other a bongo. And just in case you couldn't picture that, just think how the Partridge Family would look in the 90s and you have it.

I hate to admit this horrifying memory but I want to share it so everyone understands my love for photography. It was through family portraits like these that I slowly began to understand the power of a photo. Yes that picture is embarrassing but as a family, that picture holds a special memory for us.

When I became a photographer, I wanted to let everyone share in that special moment of remembering memories forever. Photographs capture a second of time, and at Potomac Photography, we hope the second of time captured will give you a lifetime of happiness.

Hoping your family portraits aren't as embarrassing but still memorable,

Potomac Photographer Laura Dunford

New Online Contests!

At Potomac Photography, we want our clients to be just as excited about photography as we are! We believe photography allows everyone to capture special memories and events to be treasured for a lifetime. As a facet of Potomac Photography’s mission to spread our creative imagery and to take a personal investment in all our clients, we will be holding two online contests: ‘I Spy’ and ‘Guess Who’ for six weeks!

Every Tuesday will be devoted to ‘I Spy’, a contest where a photo will be posted taken somewhere in the DC Metro area. Until 5pm on Tuesdays, everyone who comments or re-tweets with the correct answer of the photo’s location will be entered into a drawing for a collage of DC pictures by Potomac Photography! Someone will win every Tuesday so stay connected and remember to ‘spy’ some great places in DC!

In addition to ‘I Spy’, Thursdays will be dedicated to learning more about the photographers of Potomac in the online contest, ‘Guess Who.’ Every Thursday morning, a fact about one of Potomac’s photographers will be posted and tweeted. Until 5pm on Thursdays, everyone who comments or re-tweets with the correct photographer’s name will be entered into a drawing to win a coupon for 10% off their next photography package! Winners for both contests will be announced Fridays. Remember to check out the ‘About’ section of our blog to learn background information on our photographers!

We hope ‘I Spy’ and ‘Guess Who’ show clients our creative style and give everyone a personal connection to our studio. As a local company, we hope to connect with the community and provide an affordable studio for all DC residents wishing to treasure their memories forever!

Tuesday will begin our ‘I Spy’ contest so please check out our Facebook and Twitter pages tomorrow for the first week of ‘I Spy’ to see if you can discover where this picture was taken in DC. And don’t forget to check back on Thursday for the first fact about one of Potomac’s photographers and the chance to win a 10% off coupon! 

Hello DC!

Hello DC! We are Potomac Photography! A local DC Photography studio that specializes in photojournalism, portrait and special event photography. Our studio began when two great photographers and lifelong friends, Laura and Karalyn, decided to take creative control of their lives and open their very own studio. And so Potomac Photography was born! We are pleased to serve the DC Metro community with a studio that offers nationally award-winning photographers at a local price.

This blog will be used as a way for us to share important information with you like discounts, photography packages, online contests, photography tips and of course, as a way for you to view our galleries! Just by clicking on the tabs above, you can discover more about the creation of Potomac Photography, the creative and talented duo behind the brand, a list of awards received, and much more!

Please check back as we blog frequently about fun and exciting topics. For more information on Potomac Photography, as well as contests, coupons, and fun, creative photos, like us on Facebook, http://ow.ly/9g9Lp, and follow us on Twitter, @PotomacPhoto.