Color Harmony Rocks Senior Portraits

What fun we had with Jessica Ehret who chose the Jersey shore as the setting for her senior portrait.  Jessica selected a wardrobe of blues and whites for her location portrait on the beach.  Her colors harmonized well with the sky, sand and surf, and her fabulous blue eyes.

The colors you choose for an environmental portrait are so important.  They help direct the portrait viewer's eye to your face.  Select just two main colors so as not to confuse the viewer's eye.  Play off smaller touches of an accent color.  Jessica did this with yellow.

Tap into the power of color and you'll have a senior portrait that will please for generations.

Attlee Weddings and Portraits owner Tracey Attlee is a location senior portrait photographer in VA, DC, MD and NJ.  She specializes in photographing portraits and weddings from VA to NY on a full time basis.

Attlee Interviews with CBS News Business Network

Nell Minow of Bnet, the CBS Interactive Business Network, has just released a compelling article "How to Avoid Humiliatingly Awkward Business Portraits."  She asked a series of questions about our business portraiture approach and developed her article from our responses.  Thanks for your interesting article, Nell!  Read it in full here:   http://www.bnet.com/blog/corporate-governance/how-to-avoid-humiliatingly-awkward-business-portraits/774?tag=content;drawer-container

Tracey Attlee is known for her DC corporate photographs on location.  An Alexandria, Virginia commercial photographer who has photographed DC, VA and MD executive portraits for over 20 years, Tracey Attlee is a former White House photographer.  With a second office in Spring Lake, NJ, Tracey Attlee also photographs weddings from Virginia to New York on a full time basis.  Please visit http://www.traceyattlee.com/ for further wedding information.

Behind Military Honors Ceremonies at Arlington

Marines in winter at a full Honors ceremony, Arlington National Cemetery   -  Photo by Tracey Attlee

Anyone who professionally photographs full military Honors ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery will tell you it is among the hardest two hours of work a photographer can ever have, physically and emotionally. In fair weather, Arlington is a lovely nature preserve with impeccably tended gardens and grounds. But when icy winds howl as rain, hail or snow rage down from the skies Arlington becomes quite another place.  For the photographer, it becomes a fight just to work.  The first problem becomes keeping your electronic cameras dry. You've got to hold a golf umbrella over your digital cameras while you shoot so they don't short out.  Try that in gusting winds when its raining sideways.

Meanwhile, the military escorts, teams and firing parties have their own demons while making a beautiful, lasting tribute of each Honors ceremony. Once Navy personnel arrive in their gleaming whites they must stay on the grounds all day long. Yes, they have a bus, but that is their only refuge. No going back to the barracks to get dry or thaw out. Just stay on the bus and shiver until the next ceremony. And those sharp looking Marines? They have a bus too. And that is where they stay all day long in between ceremonies. Standing up! They even eat their lunch standing up. Yes, Marines are ordered to stand up all day long so their dress slacks and tops do not wrinkle. That's how they stay so sharp looking.  Freezing temperatures during the ceremony? Ear muffs might be nice but you'll never see them on a Marine. Impressed with the gleaming tack and shining coats of the horses in the Army Caissons? Army Caisson personnel arise every morning at 4:30 a.m. in order to groom the teams of horses then shine, polish and prepare tack, boots, hooves and uniforms for a day of Honors ceremonies.

This note is to say Thank You to all military personnel who make each Honors ceremony special, beautiful and unforgettable for grieving families.  Your sacrifice and efforts are noticed and appreciated!

Tracey Attlee is a professional No. Virginia corporate, wedding and portrait photographer.  Tracey Attlee is also a photographer of full Honors ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and Columbia Gardens, Arlington, VA.   Tracey Attlee is recommended by Murphy Funeral Home, Arlington, VA, Columbia Gardens, Arlington, VA and Demaine Funeral Home, Alexandria, VA.

Coordinate Business Wardrobe for Photos

So often when we photograph groups for business or family the question is "What should we wear?"  Tracey Attlee of Attlee Photography suggests wearing combinations of up to three colors but no more. 

Color harmony in group portraits matters!  It attracts the viewer's eye and keeping it moving through the image.  If one person has stripes and one person has plaid and someone else is covered in polka dots what is created is "visual confusion".  The viewer's eye is confused and distracted by too many patterns and colors.  In that situation the faces of the people in the composition become secondary and the whole point of the group shot is lost.

For business, the best way to solve this issue is to bring a few wardrobe choices for the photographer to see.  Gentlemen, this includes bringing several neckties to select from.  Ladies, bring an extra suit and blouse or two.

Congratulations to the executives at TRINITY Group Construction for doing all the above and looking sharp for their recent executive group shot.  TRINITY was founded in 2002 and has become one of the top commercial construction companies in the DC region. 

Tracey Attlee is a former White House photographer.  As a DC business photographer Tracey Attlee specializes in DC, MD and VA executive portraits on location. 

Try Executive Portraits on Location

Attlee Photography salutes TRINITY Group Construction in Herndon, VA who recently commissioned us for environmental portraits on location. They opted for portraits in and around their corporate headquarters rather than on a backdrop. 

Susan Caudle, the dynamic new marketing director at TRINITY Group Construction, helped us plan and shoot with clear requests and great ideas.

Successful environmental portraits require creativity, skill in balancing light sources and good planning.  Our solution was to scout the interior in advance, plan several locations for portraits and then build shooting stations at each of three locations.  That way we had the lights ready and waiting at each stop and could photograph and return the busy executives back to their offices quickly. 

Attlee Photography's tip to companies thinking of environmental portraits:  have the photographer in for a consultation before the shoot.  That way they will be visually prepared for your space and know exactly what equipment to bring on the shoot day.  And, they can help settle wardrobe questions so your executives will know what to wear.

Tracey Attlee is a former White House photographer whose commercial work as a VA, DC and MD corporate photographer includes executive portraits and high level events.  If you need a DC, MD or VA commercial photographer Attlee Photography is located in Alexandria, VA at 703-751-1778.  Her social photography as a DC, VA, MD, NY and Jersey wedding photographer is also highly regarded throughout the region.

Make Time for Creativity in Bridal Photos

Photographers are used to thinking quickly on their feet but if you give them a little time to use their creativity you'll be amazed with the backgrounds, light and compositions they see.  Why not leave a few minutes in the schedule just for creative shots? 

While waiting for her ceremony to begin and again before departing for her reception, our recent Washington DC bride Melissa Kuba did just this. "Take whatever shots you want, " she said, giving Todd and me the green light to use our cameras with imagination.  We came up with this lovely bridal portrait of Melissa and the beautiful image of the wind in her veil as her new husband kissed her on the steps of St. Matthew's Cathedral. All because Melissa gave us a little extra time to work.

Wedding days speed by. Every moment of them is precious. Empower your photographers with time to think and create.  Oh how they'll surprise you with what they see if you'll just give them the chance.

Attlee Weddings and Portraits has offices in Spring Lake, New Jersey for brides needing a local NY or Jersey wedding photographer. We're also in Alexandria, Virginia for brides needing a good wedding photographer in VA, MD, DC, PA and DE! Please call us at 703-751-1778 to let us know your wedding details and wishes. We'll be happy to create beautiful memories just for you.

Attlee Wins International Award, Again

Attlee Weddings and Portraits, owned by Tracey Attlee, Alexandria, VA and Spring Lake, N.J., has just been chosen to receive the Bride's Choice Awards 2011. The award recognizes the top 5 percent of wedding photographers throughout the U.S. and Canada determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 newlyweds. The award is presented by a network of leading wedding planning sites including Martha Stewart Weddings, Weddingbee, Project Wedding and Wedding Wire. Attlee Weddings and Portraits offers services from Washington, D.C. to New York and is on the web at http://www.traceyattlee.com/. For corporate portraits and head shots services please visit http://www.attleephotography.com/

Props Add Fun to Engagement Sessions

Engagement portrait sessions are an opportunity to have fun together. Choose a setting such as your favorite park, beach, garden, DC monument, waterfront or urban setting. Walk the dogs, lounge in a field of flowers, tell jokes and whisper sweet nothings to each other. You'll forget the camera is there and your faces will have great natural expression.

Jen Vassil and Craig Knouse brought a picnic basket, flowers, popcorn, toasting glasses, something bubbly, even funny hats and glasses to their recent engagement portrait session in Washington, D.C. With a few simple props they created an imaginative expression of how they enjoy life together. So, here's a tip from Attlee Weddings and Portraits: bring a few props to your engagement session and have fun being yourselves!

Take Time for Your Portrait on your Wedding Day

Although many brides plan their wedding day activities a full year in advance, the actual wedding day just flies by. Here's a tip: getting ready may take longer than you think so don't forget to build in extra time for your own bridal portrait! All that effort you've put into selecting your gown, veil, hairstyle, accessories and makeup needs to be translated into a graceful, unforgettable portrait. Make time for it on the wedding day and you'll have a beautiful memory for your family and yourself to enjoy for years.

Our lovely bride Lori Rulapaugh did one thorough job of planning her wedding day memories, right down to a computerized checklist of the groups and individuals she wanted photographed at her Alexandria, Virginia wedding. It made her day a pleasure to photograph because she planned her time carefully. Now she has memories for a lifetime, including this portrait of herself which will be in the program for the Mrs. Virginia America Pageant, February 5! Lori has been selected Mrs. Greater Alexandria, Virginia, and now goes on to vie for the title of Mrs. Virginia. Attlee Weddings and Portraits wishes her every success!

Washingtonian Magazine Names Tracey Attlee to Best DC Wedding Photographers List 2011

It's official! Washingtonian magazine confirms Attlee Weddings and Portraits is voted onto their list of Best DC Wedding Photographers again in 2011.

The results were tallied from a sweeping survey conducted by the magazine of local brides and grooms, top DC wedding industry vendors and the magazine staff.

Anna Spiegel of Washingtonian called us yesterday with the news and to check facts for the writeup she will produce about us in the January issue of Washingtonian's new magazine Bride and Groom. "I'm on your web site now," she said. "It's beautiful."

Attlee Weddings and Portraits is based in Alexandria, VA and has a second office on the Jersey shore in Spring Lake. To see our recent weddings, portraits and corporate photography please visit http://www.traceyattlee.com/

Tip for Bridal Couples: Take Time to Play!

How you look in your wedding photographs will be with you and your family through the ages. So why not build a photo schedule with some great opportunities to look your best? One strategy is to make sure you have planned a little time together just to play. Work with your photographer to decide where and when. Time it so you'll be together without any other obligations.

We love spending ten minutes with the bride and groom at a special location we've selected in advance. We encourage them to laugh and look into each other's eyes. Then we go to work with our cameras to show how they relate to each other. Its always special and the pictures sing with personality and romance.

My tip this time is give yourselves a break to be together and let your photographers make the best of it for you. You'll enjoy the memories for years to come!

Tracey Attlee is a wedding photographer in VA with a second office on the Jersey shore in Spring Lake. She has professionally photographed weddings for over 20 years throughout VA, DC, MD, DE, NJ and NY.

Ladies: How to Stand for a Portrait

This tip is for brides, bridesmaids, mothers, in fact any woman in a dress or suit who is standing for a portrait. The prettiest way to stand is to place your feet in a T shape with one foot in front of the other. Point your front foot at the lens; place your back foot perpendicular to the front foot.

The very first time I ever photographed Hillary Clinton when First Lady she immediately placed her feet in a T stance without any suggestion from me. I was quite impressed because most women do not know what to do with their legs and feet in a portrait. She knows how to stand for the camera and now you will too.

Standing with your feet in a T will give you a long, lean line for the camera whether you are wearing a full length gown or a short dress. Line is so important in a portrait and it starts with how you present yourself to the lens. Try standing in front of your mirror to see how nice you'll look standing this way. Most women who are not used to facing a camera stand with their feet apart as if readying to catch a football or hop on a motorcycle. When you are dressed up and wearing elegant shoes, the T stance will add style to your legs and feet and set off your dress. Try it!

Tracey Attlee is a wedding photographer in VA with a second office in Spring Lake, NJ, making her a popular wedding photographer throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

Florist's Secret to Pinning the Boutonniere

Kevin Canfield, owner of K Aubrey Flowers in Alexandria, VA, has the best method of pinning on a gentleman's boutonniere we know at Attlee Weddings and Portraits. Not only does it secure the boutonniere very firmly but it hides the sharp end of the pin. Kevin's tips are as follows:

Center the boutonniere on the gentleman's left lapel so both are parallel. Hold boutonniere with left hand and pin with right hand. (1)

Gather fabric of lapel and push pin through lapel and through stem of boutonniere. Go through two layers of fabric, the lapel and the jacket front. That is Kevin's secret for pinning the boutonniere securely. Illustration shows pin on the underside of the jacket front. (2)

Weave the pin from the inside of the jacket out to the lapel. For safety, tuck the tip of the pin into the fabric of the lapel. Notice in the illustration, only the pearl end of the pin is visible from the front. (3) "This gives a sophisticated, finished look," Kevin says, "And, with the pin tip hidden, you won't hurt someone when you hug them."

K Aubrey Flowers, 1401 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 Tel: 800-308-9808
Local Tel: 703-548-9808 Web Site: http://www.kaubreyflowers.com/
E mail: kaubreyflowers@verizon.net

Tracey Attlee is a wedding photographer in VA with a second office in Spring Lake, NJ. She is a top wedding photographer in DC, NJ and NY.

Tracey Attlee Wins Brides Choice Award 2010

WeddingWire and partner Martha Stewart Weddings have just selected Attlee Weddings and Portraits to receive the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for photography. The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ recognize and celebrate excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.

Attlee Weddings and Portraits is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada!

Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. “We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”

We are happy to announce that Attlee Weddings and Portraits has placed among the very best photographers within the WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings. We would like to thank our past newlyweds for nominating Attlee Weddings and Portraits for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™.

Tip for the Beach Bride

Todd and I photograph lots of New Jersey beach weddings. Its easy being a Spring Lake wedding photographer because I grew up there and know the area well.

Here is a word about how to look your best in MD, VA and NJ beach wedding photographs: Time the photographs for optimum light. Sand is a fabulous background for wedding gowns and veils but the problem is it reflects sunlight very harshly. The brighter the sun, the harsher the glare off the sand. Glare makes people squint and squinting cannot be hidden. You just can't force yourself to look natural when sun is glaring off the sand into your eyes. The muscles in your face contract into a frown and your eyes start watering.

Relax your eyes and face in your bridal portraits and group shots by timing the beach photography for early evening. The light will be kinder, much more romantic, and you'll have more of the beach to yourself since the crowds will have left.

It is said that when viewing a portrait, the viewer looks first at the eyes of the subject. To make a great first impression in your beach wedding bridal portraits, take advantage of evening light. You'll love the results! For more information on New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland beach weddings please visit our website www.TraceyAttlee.com