don_harper_the_edge

<p>I have to say that Chris Court has a great off-camera high speed image. Very well done!</p>

<p>This image is from an engagement session on Sunday as we walked past the movie theater I couldn't resist the the colors, light and theme.</p><div></div>

<p>This is a firing party at Arlington National Cemetery in the early morning fog.</p>

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<p>Great photos this week, I'm a bit late to the game but this is at Arlington National Cemetery with the late afternoon sun peeking into the columbarium during an internment. The time change in the fall is a challenge that means more work to get good pictures but also a chance to make great images.<br>

Don Harper</p><div></div>

<p>This is from a high-energy wedding at the Washington DC W hotel.</p><div></div>

<p>This is a from a wedding earlier this season. Bird's Nest headpieces are so cool to play with.<br>

Great bride and groom.<br>

In contrast I photographed a soldier's viewing at a funeral home prior to burial at Arlington National Cemetery on Friday and than an intimate maternity session on Sunday.<br>

One thing about my job is I never know what's going to be in front of my lens and what kind of emotions I will need to portray.</p>

<p>Don Harper<br>

The Edge</p><div></div>

<p>A solo performance played on the Australian <em>Aboriginal didgeridoo at DC wedding.</em><br>

Washington DC Saturday Oct 15 was about Occupy DC, Martin<br />Luther King March, more than the normal road closings, great weather for<br />tourists, and what was even for us an unusual wedding.<br>

The ceremony at the historic New York Avenue Presbyterian<br />Church where our bride from Oklahoma slid into her dress in the room where<br />President Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation.<br>

The St. Matthews Bell Choir provided music during the wedding ceremony as well as a solo performance played on the Australian <em>Aboriginal didgeridoo.</em><em>Outside the carriage awaited our bridal couple with an arch of military sabers.</em><br>

<em>Our bridal couple met in Afghanistan and our groom provided an international<br />contingent </em><em>of UN military attaches from across the globe. The groom who found his bride in Afghanistan is South Asian Indian by heritage but an Air Force officer in Australian Air Force. Being a photographer is the best job in the world if you don't need money. Don Harper at the Edge.</em></p><div></div>

<p>This was an image taken at the W hotel in D.C. of a bride and groom. It's one of those situations that required off camera lighting to balance out exposure over the distance of the stairwell.<br>

Fun bride was also the subject of my Wednesday photo last week.<br>

Don Harper at The Edge</p><div></div>

<p>This is an image of a high energy bride during her wedding reception at the Washington DC W hotel last month.<br>

Busy week processing 1000's of photos with three funerals at Arlington National Cemetery and this week and three weddings this weekend.<br>

Wife says it keeps me out of trouble.<br>

Don Harper<br>

The Edge</p><div></div>

<p>This is from a recent wedding at the W hotel in DC.<br>

Here we have the ringbearer!</p>

<p>The Edge</p><div></div>

<p>Nadine has prettty much nailed the current situation.<br>

The other thing I've discovered over time is the severe disconnect between what people show me from their portfolio and what they can produce at a wedding.<br>

Also personality and appearance is critical in creating a positive impression. If I bring an assistant to a wedding they are representing my company and image to not just the bride but also the venue and other vendors.<br>

If making cold calls I would suggest asking to meet and ask for a review of your work to get face time with the photographer you want to work with.<br>

Remember there are a lot more photographers (some recently releaesed from media jobs that allowed them to win major recognition) than there are client jobs available.<br>

The Edge </p>

<p>Marine Honor Guard preparing for memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery<br>

Nikon D3</p>

<p>Don Harper<br>

Arlington-Photographer.com</p><div></div>

<p>This is from a recent wedding reception and reminded me of the old "His Master's Voice" commercials for RCA records.<br>

On another note, many thanks for the emails and kind comments about my photo from last Wednesday.</p><div></div>

<p>Thanks to everyone for the kind comments and emails.<br>

I Love looking at your photos each Wednesday.</p>

<p>This is from a memorial service at Arlington last week. I loved the reflection of the flag's stars in the widow's sunglasses.<br>

We will simply call this Reflections. A moment at Arlington National Cemetery to reflect about the deceased, his family and service to his country. For me the best photography is always about relationships.</p>

<p>Don Haper<br>

Arlington-Photographer</p><div></div>

<p>As stated by others, when this issue comes up on photography forums it's because the venue has problems regarding lawsuits, no insurance, failing to perform their functions, etc.<br>

I would google the venue and see what you can learn about them.</p>

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<p>This photo is simply about the sacrifice of our military families.</p>

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<p>This is one of the ceremonial maces used by the Navy drum majors at Arlington National Cemetery. Actually, it's a very plain unit that was used while repairs were made on a more ornate orb. I was attracted by the mirror reflections that let me view the honor guard in the distance preparing for a full honors ceremony at the cemetery.<br /> The news this week brought to mind that it's going to be very busy there the next several weeks. Many great losses.<br /> Don Harper</p><div></div>

<p>This is a simple still life at the Ft. Myers Old Post Chapel. It's the belt and hat for one of the members of the honor guard.<br>

Nikon D3 with 70-200mm f2.8 at f5 75mm and ISO 1600.</p><div></div>

<p>Last Friday was hot here is DC with a new record, but<br />despite the afternoon 105% the funerals at Arlington National Cemetery<br />continued on schedule as always.<br>

The honor guard wear their wool uniforms with the appearance of cool detachment.<br>

This is more of a snapshot photo than I usually present, but<br />as we waited for the arrival of the family to the Old Administration bldg one of the stable<br />hands made the trip from the barn with buckets of water to cool the horses. One<br />of those things that's over and above what's expected of them but they are<br />devoted to the well-being of the horses and their job honoring American<br />veterans.<br>

I spoke to the family members traveling back to Oklahoma<br />Monday night and the widow told me she spent the night in the hospital<br />afterwards from a combination of the stress of heat, humidity and grief.<br>

<br />This was the first burial I've photographed in section 1 which<br />is one of the oldest parts of the cemetery between the Lee mansion and the Fort<br />Myers Old Post Chapel. The family has gravesites there for 4 generations of<br />family members that have served in the U.S. military.<br>

Don Harper</p><div></div>

<p>Here is a view of Washington DC from Crystal City as a commercial flight comes in for a landing at National Airport.<br>

This was taken from the rotating resturant at the top of the Double Tree hotel. I spent some time there on July 3rd weekend with a group of 12 ladies having a class reunion class of 68 from Hoboken, NJ. Fun ladies, very modish and up for a fashion shoot type session around DC. I think I must really have one of the best jobs in the world. A camera gives me access to people and places I would never otherwise encounter.</p><div></div>

<p>You want to become a full time photographer in an industry that's shedding jobs like crazy.<br>

If you look at professional sites for photographers you will discover that a large number of very good (outstanding) photographers are throwing in the towel and this includes all photographic disciplines.<br>

The least important part of being a successful wedding photographer are the images, the most important skill is knowing how to run a small business in a very competitive contracting market.<br>

Wedding photography is very different than landscape photography as you are working under time contraints with large numbers of people based on a time line that frequently isn't what you would chose for best lighting.<br>

I would suggest joining a forum like DWF to find out the challenges and possible solutions that wedding photographers face to keep their business viable.</p>

<p>Last week on July 3rd we had a terrific storm move through Arlington and Washington DC.<br>

As the storm moved from behind me and down the Potomac river you could see boats racing down the river to safety. I was at a wonderful vantage point on the roof at Top of The Town in Arlington waiting for a bridal party to arrive as the storm moved through downing trees and cutting power. The only elevator lost power while I was taking these photos trapping some of the wedding guests for a few minutes. When the storm hit the building the windows were awash with rain and I couldn't show the more dramatic clouds. Stepping outside with the lightning wasn't a wise option. The storm blew through very quickly and we were able to get pictures of the bride and groom with the sunset clouds behind them as well as the Washington Mall.</p><div></div>

<p>I took the 4th easy after a heavy schedule of photography over the past week and weekend but this is an image from Arlington National Cemetery that has a bit of pyro effects.<br>

Somtimes I catch up to three muzzle flashes from the firing parties and others where the ejected cartridge casings are all in the air at the same time from the seven rifles.<br>

Don Harper with Nikon gear of course.</p><div></div>

<p>It's amazing how things can change when you hear from both perspectives.<br>

My first question was why the Utah Kate has higher rankings because I would assume she generates more genuine traffic. As Josh stated it's hard to game the system. It takes hard work, longevity and quality content. I hadn't yet looked at the respective sites but just reading the thread and thinking about it that was my first thought.<br>

Our studio name The Edge has a number of counterparts around the world some of which I believe have outstanding work of which I would be proud to claim as mine and others not the case. However, I've not thought about changing the name but making it easier to know who we are and what we do based on content.</p>