The Browne Family

For many years now, I've been very closely connected Washington Dulles International Airport based on my time working for the Airports Authority, which continues today as a private business.  It has only been over the past several years that my photography has brought me to directly know Dulles' Airport Manager, and come to know him and his family.  With their son headed off to the Marine Corps, and the rest of the family soon busy with work and school, Chris' family asked me to take some pictures while everyone was still in town this Summer. This wasn't the first time I have photographed the Browne family (and certainly not the first time Chris has been in front of my lens) - the Brownes love having a great time, and will always make you feel welcome, both in their home, and going out... perhaps to a vineyard...

01

02

03

04

05

06

Chase and Briana: Reunited

Engaged couple Chase and Briana have spent the past year apart while Briana has worked in Japan, but were finally reunited at Ronald Reagan National Airport's beautiful Terminal Building.  Chase eagerly awaited Briana's arrival, anxiously watching for her flight to be marked as Landed on the flight information display.  On first sight of each other in a year, Briana broke out into a sprint and jumped into Chase's arms, all unaware Chase had secretly brought me along to capture the palpable emotion of their reunion.

01

02

03

Aliena: Corsetry and More

Aliena is a stunning model, entering her senior year of college studying graphic design.  She began modeling as a child, and has continued to do so up through college.  Today she collects and models corsets, and has exceptional taste and class in wardrobe.  This shoot was especially fun not only because Aliena and I share an amazing artistic connection given our backgrounds, but also because I was photographing a beautiful woman modeling attire which I find outright breathtaking - I always have wished that corsets were more widely worn in our modern day; I think they are some of the most gorgeous garments a woman can wear, and I'm glad that there are still others who appreciate their sensual glamour.

Corsets of course aren't all we shot.  Aliena has a vast and classy wardrobe ranging from sweet to sultry.  Photos on the table started as as warm-up, but creatively became a story we fabricated about a girl mourning the death of her man.

Rupeng for Mason

Sometimes it's important to have fun!  Rupeng is a friend of mine who is running for Student Senate at George Mason University; these photos are going to be turned into Meme Posters for his campaign at Rupeng for Mason.  I shot some fun photos of him (in addition to some serious ones... but the fun ones are what he'll be using more of in his campaign) during a VERY quick photo sesh.  I've also been giving him a bit of campaign advice, which is more marketing than campaigning; you have to be able to market yourself (something I admit I'm still learning to do myself). This post may be updated in the future as Rupeng creates Memes from these images - I will update with his usage as he goes!

RupengBlog

Dulles GEM Awards 2012

Washington Dulles International Airport's GEM (Going the Extra Mile) Customer Service Program promotes good character among employees at the airport.  When a passenger has a good airport experience it often goes unnoticed, but when employees give exceptional service, the traveler is often compelled (and encouraged) to write in, and nominate the employee for a "Gemmie." I recently photographed the first four awardees of the GEM Customer Service Award, for inclusion in a new GEM Portrait Gallery.   You can view the gallery (and my employee portraits) by visiting Dulles' South Finger, which is located beyond security on the Arrivals level overlooking the Main Terminal AeroTrain station, just before the Exit for Baggage Claim.  Or for more advanced Dulles travelers, the Gallery is underneath the new TSA Pre-Check.

Photography, lighting, and retouching are by J. David Buerk.  Final Graphic Design and Printing was accomplished by CSI in Falls Church, Virginia.  They did an amazing job with the text overlays!

Here are my portraits of all four GEM awardees which are now on display.  See the bottom of this post for the original portraits without graphic overlay.

CLICK HERE TO VEIW ALL EVENT PHOTOS.

01_1

The award ceremony itself was mid-day, but free food and prizes were provided for all Dulles employees the entire day.  Food was catered in part by Chick-Fil-A, and many employees posed for pictures with the cow!

02

The awards were presented by Airport Manager Chris Browne, who then hung the portraits in the newly formed Portrait Gallery.

04

05

03

Randomness: In one of the offices I dropped in on during some behind-the-scenes event planning, I found there are proud Browncoats at Dulles!  I am an leaf on the wind...

06_2

And finally, the Choir from Stone Bridge High School performed for employees and passengers stopping by.

07

Be sure to check out all the day's photos, including all employee pictures with the Chick-Fil-A Cow, right here.

Strobist:

Here are my portraits, before graphic design by CSI.  Since this is a photography blog, I'll give you some background info on how I shot these lovely portraits.

First, I was photographing some of the friendliest people the airport has to offer!  That means every one of these folks were very fun and easy going; that's why they were recognized, after all!

The first two images, of Linda and Jack, I used a single 600EX-RT with 1/2 CTO gel in a 48" Softbox, and broad lighting.  These photos were taken in Dulles' Main Terminal AeroTrain Station, atop one of the passenger bridges.  There was enough ambient lighting that I used as fill.  The softbox was about 7 feet off the ground to eliminate glare from Jack's glasses.

The next image, of Hailu, was the only image shot outdoors.  Due to the extremely bright sunlight, I positioned the car with the sun behind, and got the remainder of Fall colors in a sunlit tree in the background.  I then used two bare 600EX-RTs at full power and zoom aimed directly at Hailu and the driver's door.  As the car was angled 45 degrees, the reflective Washington Flyer Taxi logo and car number didn't noticeably reflect in the final image.

The final image of Dave was shot in the United Airlines 1st Class Lounge, and I used a 600EX-RT in my 48" Softbox camera right as key, and another 600EX-RT into a 30" umbrella camera left as fill.  Both lights were about 7' in the air to avoid reflections in the glasses, but careful placement of the lights was needed to ALSO avoid reflections in the two windows behind Dave.  Additionally, I made sure to keep the United Airlines logo visible on the tail, just outside the lounge's window.

All photos were shot using my EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM.  It's my all-time favorite lens!  Strobes were triggered via the PocketWizard Flex system.

01