Commercial Photographer in Frederick, Maryland
Experienced Commercial Photography for Frederick Brands, Businesses, and Professionals
If you’re a business in Frederick, Maryland looking for commercial photography that elevates your brand, you need more than attractive images — you need photography that communicates value, credibility, and purpose.
I’m Steve Whysall, a commercial photographer with over 25 years of experience creating professional imagery for brands, businesses, and individuals throughout Frederick and the surrounding areas. My work combines intentional lighting, clear direction, and an artistic eye to produce images that are both visually compelling and strategically effective.
Commercial Photography That Works for Your Business
Commercial photography isn’t just about looking good — it’s about getting results.
Whether your images are used for advertising, websites, social media, or marketing campaigns, they need to immediately communicate professionalism and trust.
I work closely with Frederick-based businesses to create images that:
Strengthen brand identity
Build credibility with clients and customers
Stand out in competitive markets
Feel polished, intentional, and authentic
Every shoot is planned with your end use in mind, so your images work across multiple platforms. the Founder
Commercial galleries include fitness, food, headshots, advertising photography and more…
I create brand-driven imagery for products, fitness, food, and professional portraits. Every shoot is carefully crafted with lighting choices that highlight your story—soft when the mood calls for it, bold when you need impact. Your vision guides the approach, and my experience ensures results that elevate your brand.
I use soft lighting when it fits. Bold lighting when it matters. It’s always intentional.
Commercial Galleries
Fitness & Athletic Photography
As a certified physical trainer, I bring a unique advantage to fitness and athletic photography. I understand movement, form, and physique — and I know how to pose and direct athletes and fitness professionals to highlight strength, agility, and confidence.
Ideal for:
Gyms and fitness studios
Personal trainers and coaches
Athletes and fitness brands
Marketing, branding, and editorial use
Lighting can be bold and dramatic or clean and approachable, depending on your brand’s message.
Branding, Advertising & Marketing Photography
From small businesses to established brands, I create commercial imagery designed to support advertising and marketing campaigns. Every detail — lighting, composition, and expression — is intentional and aligned with your brand goals.
This includes:
Brand storytelling imagery
Website and campaign visuals
Lifestyle commercial photography
Editorial-style branding content
Your images won’t look generic or stock — they’ll feel tailored and purposeful.
Corporate & Professional Portraits
Strong professional portraits are essential for businesses that want to project confidence and credibility. I specialize in creating portraits that feel natural, polished, and professional — even for people who are uncomfortable in front of the camera.
Perfect for:
Executives and leadership teams
Corporate headshots
Small business owners
Website and LinkedIn profiles
I guide you through posing and expression so you look confident, relaxed, and authentic.
Product & Food Photography
Clean, compelling product and food photography helps businesses stand out and sell more effectively. I focus on lighting and detail that highlight quality, texture, and craftsmanship.
Ideal for:
Restaurants and food brands
Product-based businesses
Advertising and packaging
E-commerce and web use
Why Frederick Businesses Choose Whysall Photography
Expert Lighting — Soft When It Fits, Bold When It Matters
Lighting defines the mood and message of an image. I use soft lighting for clean, approachable branding and bold lighting when drama and impact are needed — always intentional, never accidental.
Clear Direction & Calm Presence
Most people aren’t professional models — and that’s expected. I provide calm, clear direction throughout the shoot so you always know what to do and feel confident in front of the camera.
Artistic Eye with Commercial Purpose
Educated at The Corcoran Gallery of Art, my background in fine art and photography ensures strong composition, flattering angles, and images that feel refined while still serving a commercial goal. clarity, and connection, we're here to help you make an impact that lasts.
How I Became a Commercial Photographer
Educated at The Corcoran
I was educated at The Corcoran Gallery of Art, where rigorous training in art and photography taught me how to see—how to build strong compositions, shape light, and guide the viewer’s eye. That foundation directly informs my portrait work today, allowing me to pose people with intention and confidence, always emphasizing flattering angles and natural presence.
For my senior thesis at The Corcoran, I volunteered with the Kensington Fire Department, immersing myself in their world over the course of two years. The project included high-intensity action photography during emergency calls, including a three-alarm fire in a commercial building where I worked so close to the flames that I nearly burned my hand and melted my camera. At one point, a firefighter shouted, “Get that photographer out of here!”—a moment that perfectly captured the raw intensity of the experience.
I completed the thesis with environmental portraits of firefighters throughout the station, as well as documentation of life-threatening emergency situations requiring ambulance services. The work demanded calm under pressure, technical precision, and the ability to tell a compelling story in unpredictable conditions—skills that continue to shape my approach today.
While portraiture remains a passion, my training and experience extend naturally to still life and product photography. Whether photographing people or products, my goal is the same: to create images that are purposeful, visually strong, and designed to connect—and sell.
Trained by National Geographic
Art school taught me composition—but professional photography is defined by lighting. I refined my lighting expertise while working alongside National Geographic, assisting renowned photographer Richard Nowitz on editorial assignments across the country.
That experience taught me to control light with intention and adaptability. At times, I create even, shadowless lighting by bouncing light throughout a space for a clean, natural look. Other times, I deliberately shape the environment—gelling the room to produce dark, moody, and dramatic imagery.
Whether subtle or bold, my lighting choices are never accidental. Each setup is designed to support the story, define form, and deliver commercial images that feel purposeful, polished, and visually compelling.
Client Praise
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--Clare
“He was able to translate our vision (which was admittedly vague at times) into gorgeous photos that we are very excited to showcase on our new website..”
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--Tee
“Steve is not only an artist, a visionary, a professional and a perfectionist when it comes to his craft, he is a genuinely nice and caring human being.”
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--Beth
“Wow! Walking around in the studio feels like being inside of a National Geographic magazine.”
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--Devi
“Steve was wonderful to work with! His creativity really brought our products to life.”
Great photography is an equal balance of creative vision and technical mastery.
The artistry comes from knowing what to leave out—recognizing when a frame feels clean, focused, and intentional rather than crowded.
The craft lies in shaping light, controlling exposure, and working decisively under pressure.
Whether I’m lighting a portrait or elevating the appeal of a commercial product, I approach every shoot with a single goal: to tell your story through imagery that is purposeful, artful, and unforgettable.
You will see a lot of vibrant colors in my portfolio galleries.
Serving Frederick, Maryland & Surrounding Areas
I work with clients throughout Frederick, MD, Frederick County, and nearby communities, as well as the greater DC, Maryland, and Virginia region. Many Frederick businesses choose to work with me because they want high-end commercial photography without traveling to a major city.
What will this cost?
Not as much as you May think
Some Commercial Reviews
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![The Perfect Gourmet Review]()
The Perfect Gourmet Review
I was searching for a local photographer to do food photos for our website, and talked to several before deciding to work with Steve— whom I chose because he was the most pleasant, had the most experience, and was a former chef! I definitely made the right decision. I’ve worked with him on three separate occasions now, and have had nothing but wonderful experiences. He is professional, accommodating, and super fun to work with— as is his assistant. He was able to translate our vision (which was admittedly vague at times) into gorgeous photos that we are very excited to showcase on our new website. Cannot say enough good things, and would definitely recommend his services. Thank you, Steve
Clare
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![Advanced COntracting Review Photo of Bathroom Remodel]()
Advanced Contracting
We hired Whysall Photography, LLC numerous times to photograph our completed remodel projects. They have proven to be professional, experienced, timely, FUN & affordable. They are able to provide quality photos for not only large remodeled spaces, but also very small spaces. Their experience, equipment and lighting have produced beautiful photos for our website and advertising material! We will be hiring them again in October for another photo shoot. Thank you Whysall Photography, LLC!
— Patricia
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![Headshot Review]()
Headshot Review
I needed headshots for work that are not too stiff and show my personality. I also wanted some for family. Steve was a joy to work with and HE MADE ME LOOK 10 YEARS YOUNGER. Of course, I’m shouting! I’m 52 and his lighting was beautiful. No airbrushing, just lighting. If you look close, you can tell I’m starting to get wrinkles, but the lighting really diminishes them. And Steve had me cracking up so he got some laughing shots my family members love. The one you see here <<< that tiny head shot, that is the one I chose for work. I think you can click my link and see a few more. You can also see how this one looks in full length. They were not all identical and it was a very hard choice. When you go to Steve’s full web site, take a look at the commercial, travel, weddings and architecture shots. Wow. Walking around in the studio feels like being inside of a National Geographic magazine.”
— Beth
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![Frederick Cheesecakes]()
Frederick Cheesecakes
When I Googled “gourmet food photographer in Frederick MD”, Whysall Photography was the first to pop up. I read through Steve’s website and thought this guy sounds too good to be true. But I took my chances and gave him a call to see if he would take photographs of my cheesecakes for my small start up business. We spoke a few minutes on the phone. He was kind and accommodating and instantly I felt confident he was the guy for the job. We met that same week to discuss my vision. After just a few minutes of consulting with Steve, and seeing samples of his work, I knew that he was more than qualified to meet my needs. His credentials are impressive, but he exceeds them on a personal level. Steve is not only an artist, a visionary, a professional and a perfectionist when it comes to his craft, he is a genuinely nice and caring human being. He will not rest until he gets it just right. He created images that exceeded my vision. Without hesitation, I recommend Steve for any and all of your photography needs.
— Tee
See where I’ve been published
Some publications include National Geographic Traveler Magazine, Condé Nast, Greenpeace, and more…
Why hire a fancy New York photographer, or an expensive Washington, DC photographer to shoot your products when you can get that high-end quality right here in Frederick, Maryland?
Send me your products and I will shoot them and return them to you
Find out........
How long it will take to photograph your products
When you will get your finished images
How much your photos will cost
Bring your products to life
For small, delicate products, such as jewelry, you want the entire piece to be in focus. There is a method to doing this that only a professional photographer understands. Shooting your piece so every stone shines, and every area is tack sharp cannot be done just because you sit next to a window, and shoot in a natural light scenario.
You Need A Photographer who feels how to show your products vision
When I photograph products I have to feel my vision of what to include in the sales message. I keep tweaking and thinking about the message and what to include for the sales message. You want to include enough elements to share your message, but not too many that it looks cluttered. Once it’s designed to my high standards, then I begin shooting.
For example, I have a client who just wanted his beef jerky bags photographed professionally for his website. I was happy to do that, but as he was in my studio we began talking about his sales message, his unique proposition. I sent him to the store to get a few ingredients while I photographed his bags.
HERE IS HIS PRODUCT VISION:
Now there's nothing wrong with this photo. It's clean, and professionally lit. But does it convey the sales message like my vision?
My Product Vision
Commercial Products Photographer
I use proven photography techniques that show your products with deep, rich colors, and tap into my unique feeling to make your products pop in the frame. Sometimes I use clean even lighting, like with my client’s Genius jerky photo, and sometimes I choose a more dramatic, colorful lighting. It depends how the product feels. His cost of adding my ingredients? About an additional $50. I think it was worth it.
Some of my commercial clients:
National Geographic
Advanced Contractors
Aretech Zero Gravity
Cameron’s Seafood
Impact Graphics
Encore Construction
Epling Landscape
Frederick Arts Council
Greenpeace
Washington Hospital Center
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services
Media General
The perfect Gourmet
Greater Washington Plastic Surgery Associates
Genius Jerky
Greenmake Food
Harpers Ferry Magazine
Jefferson Magazine
NRA
Occasions Catering
Creative Impressions Catering
3 Citron Caterers
Windcurrent Technology
Women's Bar Association
Washington project for the Arts
Corcoran School of Art
Sandler Sales Training
The Red Cross Frederick Bachelor Raffle
The Frederick Tourism Council
The Frederick Magazine
Bozzuto Homes
Gallegher Real Estate
Greenberg & Bederman - a law firm in Silver Spring, MD
Joseph Greenwald + Lake - a law firm in Greenbelt, MD
Wampler & Souder, LLC - a law firm in Frederick, MD
Zoe’s Chocolates
Let’s Create Commercial Images That Represent Your Brand
If you’re searching for a commercial photographer in Frederick, Maryland who understands lighting, branding, and how to guide real people through a professional photoshoot, I’d love to talk about your project.
Whether you need fitness photography, professional portraits, branding imagery, or advertising visuals, we’ll create images that align with your goals and elevate your business.
Contact Whysall Photography today to discuss your commercial photography needs in Frederick, MD.