Message for Military Brides and Grooms

Happy Valentine's Day to all U.S. Military--Photo by Tracey Attlee & Todd A. Smith

Happy Valentine's Day to all U.S. military!  Thank you for your service, your sacrifices and for keeping us safe.
Military brides and grooms, come see us at the Ft. Belvoir Wedding Fair & Bridal Show, Saturday, February 23, 2019 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.@traceyattlee https://www.traceyattlee.com/weddings  
Attlee Photo Video has a special offer for active duty and retired brides and grooms upon presentation of your military ID: book with Attlee Photo Video and we will work an extra half hour for you on your wedding day at no additional charge, with our thanks for your military service!

New Disney Contract for our Client!

Angelique Jackson, Stained Glass Artist, Structural Drafting Expert   Photo by Tracey Attlee

Congratulations to our client Angelique Jackson, CEO of Jancik Arts International, Inc. Atlanta, GA and Ocala, Fla. who is already at work on a newly won contract with Disney!  The contract is to design and produce a 15 foot by 53 foot stained glass ceiling and curved canopy for the Gaudi Bar Lounge at the Coronado Springs Resort now being built outside the entrance to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.  Jackson, a stained glass artist and expert in structural drafting, and her company have designed and created large stained glass ceiling dome installations for luxury hotels and cruise ships across the globe for the past 38 years including for 24 cruise ships in the Princess Cruise line.

Jackson’s company also accepts private commissions and recently completed a stained glass ceiling dome project to embellish the ballroom of a New Jersey estate.

Whither in Rain, Sleet, Snow, Heat They Go

Thank you to our military for your personal sacrifices as you grace Honors Ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery no matter what the season. The broken hearted families travel from so far to witness these Honors for their loved one’s service to our Nation. You create a marvel they will never forget. Video by Tracey Attlee Photo Video

Army Officer's Cap and Gloves on his Wedding Day   Photo by Tracey Attlee

Military brides and grooms, come see us at the Ft. Belvoir Wedding Fair & Bridal Show, Saturday, February 23, 2019 11:00a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  @traceyattlee https://www.traceyattlee.com/weddings Attlee Photo Video has a special offer for active duty and retired brides and grooms upon presentation of your military ID:  book with Attlee Photo Video and we will work an extra half hour for you on your wedding day at no additional charge, with our thanks for your military service!

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For Rose Loving Brides in DC

Franciscan Monastery Rose Gardens in Washington DC   Photo: Tracey Attlee

Are you a DC bride who loves roses?  How about wedding portraits in the Franciscan Monastery rose gardens in Washington, DC and a reception in St. Francis Hall on the Monastery grounds? Plenty of beautiful settings here.

A Fun DJ Makes the Party

DJ Adam Mason of PartyCentralRocks  Photo by Tracey Attlee

Isn't it great to work with fun people?  This is DJ Adam Mason of PartyCentralRocks. His is one of the familiar faces Attlee PhotoVideo sees when photographing and filming weddings and mitzvahs throughout the DC area.  This guy has a passion for music and does he keep the guests dancing!  http://www.partycentralrocks.com/events/wedding-events/ 

Beautiful Still Lifes on Your Wedding Day

Wedding Candy Still Life by Tracey Attlee

We look for beautiful still lifes to film on your wedding day-wherever we find them! @traceyattlee
https://www.traceyattlee.com/weddings 

Tracey Attlee PhotoVideo is based in Alexandria, VA, films elegant wedding videos and photographs distinctive weddings from Alexandria, VA to Washington, DC to Spring Lake, New Jersey (Tracey's hometown before she covered official Washington for the Associated Press Washington, DC bureau).

Kick Up Some Fun on Your Wedding Day!

When Hannah and Caleb requested outdoor wedding portraits at their beautiful ceremony and reception site The Cosmos Club in Washington, DC we suggested the front steps as a great place to begin.  With a wink of his eye, a flip of his French cuffed wrists and a toss of her glittering high heels this couple got their DC wedding photography off to an excellent start! 

Tracey Attlee is a wedding and portrait photographer/videographer in Alexandria, Virginia with 30 years experience covering official and social Washington from the White House to DC's finest weddings.

Welcome the Wind in your Wedding Veil!

The romance of a lace-edged veil in the wind!  Hannah and Caleb celebrate their wedding at the Cosmos Club in Washington, DC. Photo by Tracey Attlee with thanks to second shooter Todd A. Smith @toddasmithphoto who backs me up and inspires me onward.  
Tracey Attlee www.TraceyAttlee.com offers wedding videography and wedding photography for military and civilian brides and grooms throughout the Washington, DC NoVA and MD regions.

Ideas for Best Head Shot Portraits in DC

Corporate business photos in DC are generally shot on one solid color backdrop.  It makes publication on the company website easiest by adding uniformity to a page full of executive portraits showcasing current staffers.

The challenge of only one color of backdrop necessitates hiring a photographer who knows how to light.  Why?  Think of what will happen if the person's hair color matches the background.  Someone with dark hair is going to melt into a dark backdrop unless the photographer adds accent lighting to the hair and shoulders of the subject to create a sense of distance between the person and the background.

Start with good lighting and then if there is session time and you are game for variations why not try your portrait on an environmental or natural background that contrasts with your hair color?  Add in a few props that describe what you do and how you look on the job and you'll have a modern portrait with some of the best head shot photos in DC.

Here is a recent portrait by Tracey Attlee of Angelique Jackson, the CEO of Jancik Arts International, Inc. Atlanta, GA and Ocala, Fla.  Ms. Jackson is an internationally acclaimed artist who for the past 38 years has designed stained glass ceiling domes for cruise ships and luxury hotels across the globe.  Since she is an expert in structural drafting who also designs in wood and metal we thought a natural background would be great for her business portraits.  The wood contrasts well with her hair which we lit for definition.  Then we added a few props including her favorite purple pen and here is what she looks like on a typical day of work.

Top DC Real Estate Videos

It's all in the smooth panning!  DC luxury real estate videographer Todd A. Smith at work.

Have a DC area luxury property for sale?  Consider using a professional real estate video walkthrough of your property to help you get the word out fast, generate trust and attract attention!

Statistics show 60% of people retain more information when shown how to do something.  So why not entice them with a professionally filmed video walkthrough of your DC luxury property?

What does a video walkthrough look like?  For inspiration, take a look at this high resolution 1080p DC luxury real estate video walkthrough we just shot and produced for Kathy LoGuidice Fong of Shepard Fong/Keller Williams Luxury:  https://vimeo.com/288574354

You'll see it displays cinematic videography plus a voiceover of the realtor, explaining the features of the property.  This works fine for a long, high resolution version of the video that you can link to your website and your Zillow site.  

We also make a shorter version of real estate video walkthroughs that are optimized for social media.  Your social media video will have a total run time 59 seconds or less so it can have a brief introduction with the realtor's voice if you request it with background music for the duration.

Both are popular, effective ways to market luxury properties and you can get them from us, veteran architectural photographer/videographer Todd A. Smith and me, his trusty second videographer and post producer Tracey Attlee!  We have a combined 30 years behind the lens and always work as a team so clients always have two pairs of expert, professional photo video eyes on their DC, NoVA, MD luxury real estate properties.

Call us today on Todd's office line 703-751-1688 to schedule your next cinematic real estate video walkthrough.  The first scout is free and we will meet you at your property to discuss your wishes and help you find the best, most effective filming angles.

Want the Best Head Shot Photos in DC?

This corporate hallway provided us with great space for location business photos in Maryland.

Business owners, have you really thought about how to make your executives happy?  One way is to commission an experienced photographer to take flattering business portraits of your people. 
No one wants to live with a business portrait that embarrasses them. And yet so many have told us just that.  It ranges from "I hated my portrait at the other firm where they made us look at the camera deadpan without any smile."  "Tracey your portraits are vastly better than what we had previously."  "Tracey this is the best picture of myself I have ever had.  You really know what you are doing."
What's our secret?  Thirty years behind the lens for one.  Next is good lighting that we customize for each shape of face so it sculpts and flatters.  Third is attitude.  We are there to make you a portrait that will define your reputation as a business person and bring you success.  We'll show you how to make it great. 
You'll see your pictures right away while we are onsite with you because our camera is tethered to a laptop.  We'll help you review the proofs and choose the best image for publication.  Then Tracey will personally hand retouch your portrait back in her studio and email it to you for approval. 
For DC location business photos with multiple executives needing individual portraits we arrive 1.5 hours in advance to set up and test our camera, lighting and backdrop.  Most firms put us in a conference room or unused space.
We suggest scheduling one portrait every half hour so we have plenty of time to photograph each person, show them the results, reshoot as necessary and help them choose their favorite one.
"You make it so easy Tracey," is what we often hear.  You'll see we have a selection of combs, hair spray, face powder, blotting tissues, even a hand mirror set out for your comfort and a last minute check of your look before and during the photo session.
Attlee PhotoVideo photographs executives on location at your place of business or by appointment in our studio.
Please call Tracey Attlee PhotoVideo in Alexandria, VA today at 703-751-1778 to schedule your employees for a portrait they will be proud of. 
See us online at https://www.attleephotography.com/portraits 

Props Make a Great DC Head Shot Portrait

DC architect Robert Nichols - Photo by Tracey Attlee

When Robert Nichols an award-winning DC architect recently came in for a studio portrait session he arrived prepared.  Not only was his wardrobe, a neatly pressed shirt and suit, selected to set off his summer skin tones but he brought props to tell the story about his life as an architect: a scale model of his latest custom home design, plans and equipment he uses on the job.
Todd A. Smith created a lighting strategy that complimented the subject and revealed detail in the whites of his scale model and plans.  Lighting white for detail is not an easy thing to do but Todd has many years of experience lighting architecture.  Thank you Todd @toddasmithphoto
We experimented with different backdrop colors to find the best for publication. His portrait will be published and marketed widely owing to his recent award.  We liked the contrast of his hair and skin tones on this pearl gray backdrop the most.
For the best head shot photos in DC please call Tracey Attlee for location business portraits at your DC, MD or VA facility or to make an appointment for a session in our spacious Alexandria, VA studio with plenty of free parking.  We have over 30 years experience behind the lens and offer customized lighting just for your particular face and figure.  Tracey Attlee Portraits will help you put the best face on your business!

Behind the Scenes of a DC Business Portrait Session

DC Business Portrait Session Setup, photo by Tracey Attlee

Walking on the set of a business portrait session in a professional studio for the first time?  Here's what ours looks like.  
In this picture we're getting set up for a Washington DC architect's portrait session in our studio today.  We arrived an hour early to be sure to get everything settled and tested so when the executive arrives we are ready to go.  
We like to shoot with the camera tethered to a laptop in the studio.  That way our business person can see their pictures right away.  It feels a lot more relaxing and pretty soon we're all having fun and the pictures just get better and better.
Thank you Todd A. Smith for assisting with lighting and helping Tracey Attlee Portraits earn recommendations for top location business photos in DC!

Take Time for Art on your Wedding Day!

This intimate moment between newlyweds Kristin and Nick came about in the few minutes after the family and Wedding Party group shots at their Virginia wedding.  The couple invited us to use our imagination on a few shots before the reception and this is one of the results.
Our tip to brides: allow a minimum of 45 minutes for the group photography of both families, yourselves and the wedding party, then add in a few more for art.
Time passes so quickly on your wedding day.  If you organize your time the way these two Army officers did you'll have beautiful memories like these and the best wedding photography in DC to enjoy for a lifetime!
Tracey Attlee of Alexandria, VA has photographed military and civilian weddings for 30 years between DC and her original hometown of Spring Lake, New Jersey and is a recommended wedding photographer in DC private clubs Chevy Chase, Columbia, Congressional, Cosmos, Kenwood, Metropolitan Sulgrave and Virginia's military Ft. Myer, Army Navy Country Club, Ft. Belvoir and the Clubs at Quantico.