Here’s proof that the early bird photographer gets the worm.
These two shots of the Washington Monument were taken only minutes apart, but the results demonstrate the difference between good and spectacular lighting. I just needed to be there to capture the drama. Thanks, Mother Nature!
If you’ve ever wondered why photographers are out so early, I can’t give you a better example of how a few minutes can make a huge difference. The low angle sunlight reflecting off the thin layer of clouds really adds to the depth and impact of the top photo.
If you’re like me and have lived in Northern Virginia through the years, albeit off and on in my case, there have been many changes to the landscape around Tysons Corner. When I first moved to the area as a child in the 1970s, coming from St. Albans, West Virginia, Tysons Corner was the first mall I had ever seen. It was huge, and dominated the crest of Route 123 and Route 7.
Of course, it’s nothing compared to what Tysons Corner has become, surrounded by a growing number of tall commercial and residential properties.
Tysons Corner’s growing skyline.
The new buildings not only change the look and feel of the area, they also offer spectacular views.
Recently, I had the chance to get on the rooftop of one of the newest buildings, 7900 Tysons One Place, owned by Macerich and couldn’t resist taking some photos. My husband works in the building, and coincidentally in commercial real estate. So, I’m no stranger to discussions involving the marvels of price per square foot, and ground leases that lull me into a coma-like state. I just like the photo opportunities.
Tysons Tower rooftop patio.
Besides creating video content, my professional attention has turned more and more to commercial and residential property photography, and time lapse videos. I recently completed a project for Oak Hill Properties, a subsidiary of Lerner Enterprises.
Looking north towards DC. You can see the tip of the Washington Monument.Rooftop greenery at Tysons Tower, 7900 Tysons One Place.
I had the pleasure of stumbling into St. Augustine, Florida just prior to its 450th Anniversary last week, while I was in the process of college tours with my daughter. The town is the oldest permanently occupied European settlement in the U.S. I am a graduate of Flagler College, situated in St. Augustine, and was happy to see my daughter include it on her list of potential schools.
The town was putting last minute touches on preparations for its scheduled weekend celebrations, which includes a visit from King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain and a series free concerts including Aaron Neville, Emmylou Harris, and Rodney Crowell.
I had time to get a few photos of this beautiful town and unique college setting while we were there.
Nighttime photo of Lions Bridge and Anastasia Island in St. Augustine, FL.Nighttime photo of Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, FL.Dawn at Lions Bridge and Matanzas River in St. Augustine, FL.Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine, FL.Castillo de San MarcosSt. George Street, St. Augustine, FL.St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime MuseumFlagler College, formerly Ponce de Leon Hotel, courtyard built by Henry Flagler.Flagler College courtyard, sundial, fountain.Flagler CollegeFlagler College gargoyle drains and tower.Flagler College courtyard.
The town has only improved with the passage of time. As a tourist locale, there’s no shortage of things to do and see.
Stroke is the #1 cause of long term disability in the U.S. and #3 cause of death. Often it is a silent killer whose signs and symptoms go unnoticed until it’s too late.
I know this all too well. My mother suffered two strokes as a result of Arteriovenus Malformations (a.k.a. AVMs) which caused ruptures in her brain. Luckily she survived and leads a normal life, but the second stroke could have been prevented had we known about advances in treatment.
Dr. Eric Eskioglu is the neurosurgeon who saved my mother’s life. Please watch and share this video with everyone you know and love, so that they may know the warning signs. Bleeding and blockage strokes have very different symptoms.
A beautiful day in DC today, and the Cherry Blossoms are in peak blossom. The crowds were out early to take in the beautiful scene. There’s always a little jockeying for position involved–especially in the hotspots. The scene isn’t as majestic as some of the photos might make it seem.
Likewise, Pawpro is enjoying a full bloom of projects. In the hopper I have projects with Griffith Properties, LLC, a Boston-based commercial real estate company, Langley High School’s Girl’s Lacrosse, and RDB Running. April also has Pawpro preparing a stroke prevention and awareness video featuring Dr. Eric Eskioglu of Physicians Regional of Naples, FL. This is a topic near and dear to me since my mother has suffered two strokes.
Sure pal, that framing works for me!
There is a lot of information and advice online about choosing a media company and whether to go large or small. My take on it is there’s plenty of room for several levels of video production quality. There is an entire industry of do-it-yourself (DIY) video production material which is truly effective. Some video veterans are critical of new media because new technology has made it possible for novices to create high quality material, perceived as a threat to longtime media experts. What’s humorous to me is that bad video is now an actual genre. A, make it bad, so it get’s noticed, approach which is the ultimate contradiction by mainstream media.
Photographers looking for new angles on Cherry Blossoms
The truth of the matter is that a video professional should always provide good quality audio and video. If you’re DIY then that’s not necessarily possible because of budget restraints. The most important thing is the goal. Marketing is about perceptions, impressions, and sometimes education. I can show many examples of effective videos that have horrible audio or camera work. For most business video content, striving for viral success really shouldn’t be the goal, nor the barometer for success. A video should compliment and coordinate with other marketing efforts, and it should strive for the best video and audio possible. The best videos are usually well-thought out and planned, not haphazard. I’ve certainly watched videos and thought, “Shoddy video, shoddy company.” Might not be true, but that’s the impression communicated. Conversely, I’ve seen $20,000 videos that could have achieved the same for less. Similar to house painting, most of the work is in the prep. The goal of the video should never be compromised by “the plan”. If it is, then think again.
Video testimonials are a great way to utilize the draw of video on a Website, and they are especially effective when a product is demonstrated in the process.
Here’s a testimonial I put together for 2012 Race Across America (RAAM) competitor, Len Forkas and RecoFit, a compression gear company, that sponsored him. This is an appealling use of video because it’s not only visually compelling, but it effectively shows the product in action without being verbose or overly produced. It also serves as a substantial cross marketing tool because Forkas was able to both thank his sponsor, while communicating with his social media audience as he pedaled across country raising money for his charity, Hopecam. The end result is great marketing material for RecoFit, Forkas and Hopcam, which was utilized across multiple social marketing platforms simultaneously.
It’s also important to mention that this was produced in constant motion. I shot and edited 24/7 as I followed Forkas in his 12 day trek across the U.S., and the production quality remained high. Relatively speaking, this is a very economical and effective use of video. Just another example of how video doesn’t have to cost a ton to get the marketing job done. In other words, it didn’t take a large production house or a big budget to create this media.
Here’s proof that the early bird photographer gets the worm.
Amy Linn Doherty 
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