I’m Steve, a professional photographer with 25+ years of experience behind the lens.
My photography style is moody, artistic, and grounded in documentary truth — whether I’m capturing the energy of a mitzvah, the intimacy of a wedding, or the story behind a commercial brand.
No matter the story — personal or professional — I tell it through light, mood, and authenticity.
My photography career has taken me on a 25+ year marvelous journey from a graduate at The Corcoran Gallery of Art in Photography, to a 5 year stint as an Assistant Photographer for Richard Nowitz, a famous National Geographic photographer, to opening my own photography business.
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Mitzvahs
The Bar and Bat Mitzvah Ceremony is a milestone event culminating years of study. It is only the beginning of a lifetime of learning.
I capture tradition, joy, and connection — without interrupting the moment.
Whether you want to capture only the ceremony, or only the after party, I have a mitzvah photography package for either or both.
Let me show your story as it unfolds.
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Weddings
Through my wedding photography, I provide each couple with a beautiful documentary of their very special day.
Using a photo journalistic approach, I shoot the intimate moments throughout the day along with the personality of the couple and your guests, to provide a rich pictorial and a life-long memory of your important, once in a lifetime wedding day.
Each wedding comes with two photographers, to capture the event from two unique perspectives.
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Commercial
Whether you’re building a brand or updating your family album, I create purposeful, elevated images that connect.
Commercial Photography includes Fitness, Gourmet Food, Headshots, Products, Real Estate, and Advertising
MY EXPERT LIGHTING WILL SHOWCASE YOUR WEBSITE WITH POWERFUL IMAGERY
Sometimes I use soft, even light when photographing. Sometimes I gel the background and use an edgy lighting to make the product or person pop out into the frame. You will see a lot of vibrant colors in my commercial portfolio.
This was Photographed for Audubon Magazine
The photos below were also shot for Audubon. Watch the landscape change with the light changing.
THERE'S NO SUBSTITUTE FOR GOOD LIGHT IN PHOTOGRAPHY
Lighting matters whether it’s for commercial photography OR Wedding photography
When it comes to lighting, I have learned when to use artificial lighting, or whether to go with the natural light. Strobes are great, but why use them when there’s a beautiful, natural, golden sunlight? Artificial lighting techniques can’t compete with glowing, natural sunlight. It’s so important to understand when to come in and light something separately, or when to use the better natural light around you.
Professional photography is a blend of art and science. It is important to understand both to take your work from mediocre to extraordinary. You need art to create good compositions, and science to understand how to get a correct exposure.
I teach my photography assistants how important the technical information is in photography, such as F-stop for exposure, shutter speed, and how to create depth of field, when creating images. Lighting is the foundation of professional photography. You need to feel the light as if you’re submerged in it. You need to feel it in your heart and see it with your eyes.
I emphasize learning to look more at the light around you under all circumstances on a daily basis. Sometimes just returning to a site with a different sunlight will yield a more powerful photograph with drama. Look at how the light touches a subject, and what the effects are that it has on the subject.
Some Wedding Reviews
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868 Estates Vineyard
The most under-rated and perhaps brilliant photographer within the D.C. Metropolitan area. I simply cannot recommend a better or more talented individual for any of your photography needs. Whysall Photography is hands down, the best kept secret in Northern Virginia. Your pictures will turn out remarkable, trust me! ((:-”
— Amy
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Breaux Vineyard
Steve is absolutely fantastic. He will give you art. I honestly want to hang his pictures everywhere. I was completely surprised at how quickly he took pictures after the wedding. This guy knows what he is doing. His assistant Patrick is great as well. I wanted someone who wouldn’t just take still shots of everyone, and more candid, and he gave me exactly what I wanted. The moments he caught are magical.
— Cathleen
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Bluemont Vineyard
Steve is AWESOME! He is edgy, creative, and far from your traditional photographer! He has an amazing eye and great vision! Great traditional pictures and breathtaking edgy pictures with flair, but still family appropriate. Such a true pleasure to work with! We would recommend him to all our friends and family! Best photographer EVER!!!!!
— Suzy
Shot for Frederick Magazine
Why hire a fancy New York photographer, or an expensive Washington, DC photographer to shoot your commercial or wedding photography when you can get that high-end quality right here in Frederick County, Maryland, and the surrounding areas?
Published Photographer
At the Corcoran Gallery of Art. My final thesis was published all over the DMV news outlets including the Washington Post, at local TV stations and other newspaper outlets. My work with NATGEO photographer Richard Nowitz landed me in some publications, and my wedding photography rounded out my publications including Bridal Magazine.
I am proud to be a published photographer, and make it my mission to shoot everyone like they will be in a magazie photo shoot.
A few Commercial Reviews
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![The Perfect Gourmet Review]()
The Perfect Gourmet
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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![GWSPA REVIEW Doctors photo]()
GWSPA REVIEW
I can’t quite remember how I happened upon this photographer, but I am so very glad that I did! We hired him to take photos of our staff and facilities for our Doctor’s office and he definitely exceeded our expectations.
The work that he does with lighting alone is simply incredible. He gave us amazing corporate head shots, group shots, and action shots to name a few.
His patience and professionalism during a day long shoot with almost 20 women was extremely admirable. Take a look through his amazing portfolio and see his work for yourself. I would definitely recommend him for anyone’s big occasion.
— Alexis
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![Head Shot Review]()
Head Shot
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
