Portrait Playtime: Blog

Summer Camp

Fri, 06 Feb 2015 16:12:25 GMT

Ah summer is coming and with it wonderful days of Photo Explorer Camps! I can't wait to share the joy of photography with young people and watch them explore their lives using a camera every day for two weeks this summer. I will be teaching two separate photo camps each a week long, one at Frying Pan Farm Park and the other at Oakmar. These camps are for 8-13 year olds.

Photo Explorer at Frying Pan Farm Park July 6-10 9 am to 1 pm

Photo Explorer Camp at Oak Marr July 27-31 9 am to 4 pm (includes swimming)

Campers will learn new skills while exploring their own creative talent. Topics include focusing and motion techniques, separating subjects from backgrounds, using creative modes, exposure and some editing. Campers enjoy photo scavenger hunts and taking pictures on nature walks. They will do self-portraits that tell something true about themselves and portraits that verge on fiction. And of course, they will explore the practical uses of taking photos from note taking to gathering information to showing what they know.

Campers will need to bring digital photo device/camera, snack, lunch and drink. At Oak Marr campers also bring swimsuit/towel for daily swim break.

When a Young One Knows What She Wants

Thu, 07 Aug 2014 18:11:34 GMT

My friend's daughter absolutely wanted to do photos last night and I could not refuse. I was there to do a headshot and test my new ring light. She had a vision of exactly what she wanted. They had just gotten back from the beach and she wanted to be a pirate, make a boat out of beach toys, do some fishing, all against a sunset...this is what we did.

Testing new light Testing new light Testing new light Testing new light Testing new light Testing new light Testing new light

A Girl Power Session

Mon, 04 Aug 2014 13:36:16 GMT

I had a number of conversations with a client over a few years that she wanted photos of her younger daughter, we had done a session with her son before her daughter came along and then a session with the whole family. So when her son was away at sleep away camp, I suggested we do a session all about her daughter. She agreed and talked with them about my vision, that we take photos that showed being strong and powerful, having fun and showing who she is now. She brought her bike and a jump rope. I caught her riding, talking, climbing trees and showing off a place she loves...here are the results.

Business eCard Special

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:07:22 GMT

I have a new product that may be perfect for you. It’s been nearly a year since I started working on the concept and now it’s ready for me to show you. It’s a business card for the mobile device age.

What's Great about a Business E-Card: You’ll always have your business card with you and you’ll never run out. It’s perfect for the way you use a paper business card - to provide your contact information to clients and prospects alike. It’s also great as as a way to keep them coming back to see your sales, specials, blog posts or whatever you want to feature.

Take a look and see what you think.

Jessica Wallach

Portrait Playtime

Tel: 703-860-2222

[email protected]

http://www.portraitplaytime.com

What is in a Business eCard: I hand craft each one to tell your unique story in less than 30 seconds. Each card features 2 head shots that I create for you along with 2 short video clips - the first is an introduction and the second is your personal message about what you and your company does. We then add images of your products or services. We tailor it so that people get a good sense of who you are and why pick you over someone else.

The Secret Sauce: At the very end, our special hosting site provides a set of buttons for your viewer. These make using the card simple for the recipient who can with one tap or click add you to their contacts, call you from their smart phone, email you, get directly to your web site and go directly to any other page on the internet that you want (optional). As you can tell this is a business card that delivers way more information and impact than a standard paper card ever could. For you, sending is super easy with email or texting from your smartphone.

Special Offer: For the month of May I’m running an introductory special. Regularly I will be offering Business eCards for $395 each, but for May they will be $250 and include a year of web hosting and one web-ready headshot. This service is available by appointment and during the week I can do these on Tuesday, Thursdays and Fridays.

I am happy to offer a group rate as well for three or more people. Work will all on the same day in the same location. Here are those prices:

3 people: Regularly $1000 for May $700

6 People: Regularly $1500 for May $1200

Let me know what questions you have and when I can create one for you. Just email me at [email protected]

Photography Camp this Summer

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 14:19:25 GMT

I want to invite each of you to send your children (who are going to be 2nd graders through 5th graders) to Photography Camp at the Eastern Ridge School. We are going to have so much fun exploring the meadow with our cameras.

Camp is July 7-11

from 8:30 to 3

In Vienna, VA, not far from Wolf Trap

Sign up here: https://campscui.active.com/orgs/EasternRidgeSchool#/selectSessions/583402 (it is at the bottom of page one).

More and more we are talking in pictures, both stills and moving. Our kids will be using photography skills in their everyday communications and education much more than we ever did. Campers will explore the outdoors with visiting professional photographer Jessica Wallach and an assistant while learning photography. Campers will learn new skills, have ample time for their own creative works and enjoy free play on our micro-farm and nature space. Some of the activities we will do include: daily nature walks, photo scavenger hunts, photographing water (dripping, moving fast, still), macro photography in the garden, bug hunt, things that change, and the way things work. General skills we will practice: telling a story, art for art sake, investigation/scientific process, using camera to take notes. Topics we will cover include: focusing, separating subject from background, stopping and capturing motion, creative modes in camera, exposure, low light photography, when to take stills and when to take video, composition and editing. Children will need to provide a digital photographic device. A digital camera is great, but an iPhone or iPad is an alternative.

Let me know if you have questions. [email protected]

The Arborist Inc Business E-Card

Fri, 18 Apr 2014 13:53:56 GMT

The Arborist Inc. is a top notch tree service company that I have had the honor to work with the last few weeks. I love photographing processes, people at work, doing what they do best. Check out the business e-card I did for them. I think these 35 seconds really capture what they do.

JPEG v. Raw

Wed, 09 Apr 2014 19:55:53 GMT

Today in class, I explained the difference between a JPEG and a Raw file. I used an analogy that I had not used before.

I explained that getting a photo from a file is like going to a store to get a brownie. You have two choices. You can buy a brownie or you can buy the ingredient to the brownie. Now the brownie you buy could delicious and perfect, just what you are looking for...but it is hard to change it once bought already baked...you can certainly tweak it, add sugur on top, break it up into ice cream and so on. But it is hard to make huge changes without destroying it. That is like a JPEG...it comes out cooked, any digital device can read it, but you can't change it too much.

Or you can buy the brownie mix, go home, use your cookware and oven and bake it yourself. Before you bake it, you can add things and change the recipe so it comes out better or just very different and it will look like a brownie, you don't destroy it. Just like a RAW file...it is a recipe, changing it is much easier and it takes longer to cook. Of course, you can change a RAW file time and time again, but once you bake the brownie, you can't change it and once you export you can't change the JPEG much either.

There is a time and place for both of them.

Business Ecards

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 11:48:09 GMT

Want your clients to have you in their contact list so they can email you whenever they have a question or pass on your contact info at a moments notice. Want to make sure new contacts don't loose your business card...than check out business e-cards.

Jessica Wallach

Portrait Playtime

Tel: 703-860-2222

[email protected]

http://www.portraitplaytime.com

Artbot at the NoVa Mini Makers' Faire

Wed, 26 Mar 2014 12:37:33 GMT

I photographed the Children's Science Center hands on Artbot exhibit at the NoVa Maker's Faire on Sunday March 16. Children made robots that drew as volunteers walked the children through the scientific process if they got stuck in their design or testing of their product.

Maker's Faire 2014

I went to the Faire with my daughter. We planned to alternate between both of us photographing and doing special time (where I just pay attention to her and not take photos). However she was so engrossed in the exhibits and demonstrations that special time didn't happen. She spent 3 out of our 4.5 hours there, carving...with great results.

Proud Parent Videos

Thu, 20 Mar 2014 21:28:33 GMT

Thank you for changing the world by being a parent! You do an amazing job. Every time we parents show our young people how much they mean to us and how proud we are of them, we make a difference. Every time we challenge them or read to them or simply be there witnessing what they are doing, we make a difference. Every time we take them somewhere or show them something or follow their lead, we make a difference...so thank you.

I know as parents we are so proud of our children, proud and in awe of what they do. Sometimes it's hard to put it into words or slow down enough to say something, but it is worth the time to do so...It makes a difference to them and a difference to the world.

I believe that parents telling their children how proud they are increases children's confidence. The more confidence someone has, the more thoughtful they are, the more accepting of difference, the more creative and the more they can show both their strengths and struggles. When people do all that, the closer we are to creating a more peaceful planet.

With all this in mind, I want to share with you my latest hybrid photography endeavor. I have been making these videos, where I do my regular family photo session with lots of photos of the kids, take a few moving portraits as video clips and then I video the parents talking their pride in their child. Then I use the parents talking as a voice over for the the photos. These videos are intended to live on the child's media device and for them to watch again and again. I find these pieces incredibly moving and so I wanted to share them with you...check them out here.

Spring Photo Classes 2014

Thu, 20 Mar 2014 13:45:35 GMT

Spring Photo Classes

Taught Through Fairfax County Parks and Rec

All classes are hands on and now that it is spring we will be outside a lot!

Digital Photography 1

Join our Photography 1 class where we go past using the 'automatic' settings. Classes our passed for the students who attend, we leave no one behind and teach to your interests as often as we can as covering the following topics include your camera's controls, resolution, flash, composition, stop motion, close ups and more. Course includes weekly assignments with reviews. Software and printing also will be covered. Any supply fee payable to instructor at first class.

Tuesdays 6 pm
starts April 1, 2014 10 Weeks an hour and a half
Flint Hill Elementary School
Register here

Wednesdays 10:00 am
starts April 6, 2014 10 weeks an hour and a half
Frying Pan Farm Park
Register here

Wednesdays 7:00 pm
starts April 2, 2014 10 weeks an hour and a half
Frying Pan Farm Park
Register here

Digital Photography 1 for 8-12 year olds
Have a young one in your life who loves photos, takes your phone to photograph whenever they can. Did you get them a camera for a holiday gift or thinking about it. Photography skills are a gift for a life time, it is a key communication skill of this generation. This class will cover the basics of how the camera works and how to use a camera to take photos that will delight.

Saturdays 9:30 am
Starts March 29, 2014 10 weeks an hour and a half
Oakton Elementary School
Register here

Digital Photo II

Want to take your photography to the next level, learn what you want to learn, learn in a community of other passionate photographers, then take my Digital Photography 2.

Saturdays March 29, 2014
11:00 am 10 weeks an hour and a half
Oakton Elementary School
Register here

Tuesdays 7:30 pm
starts April 1, 2014 10 Weeks an hour and a half
Flint Hill Elementary School
Register here

Wednesday 12:00 am
starts April 2, 2014 10 weeks an hour and a half
Frying Pan Farm Park
Register here

Thank you folks at Deltek

Wed, 19 Mar 2014 21:21:04 GMT

Thank you folks at Deltek

It was great spending the day photographing the good people at Deltek. We photographed 65 of you. First of all, Lauran Cacciatori, the Director of Corporate Marketing & Communications, organized a seamless day that could not have gone better. It was great to see her work with everyone. Then each of you showed up ready to be photographed and showed me something about yourself. Some people let me know know how much you hate being photographed while others how much you like being with your co-workers and many of you showed me both. All of it helped us make wonderful images. Thanks for working with me. Can't wait to share the results with you.

2014

Sun, 23 Feb 2014 18:43:43 GMT

We are excited to blog here in 2014. Come back to visit soon!