↑

February 2018 archive

Ballroom Dance, Event, Photography, Travel | 0 comment

10 Years of Ballroom Dance Photography

It has been 10 years since the first ballroom dance event that I tried to capture with my camera. At that time weddings were my main photography subject. Dance was a hobby that we enjoyed 2 to 3 times a week for exercise, and be social! The Arthur Murray dance studios in the DC area hold Freestyles and Showcase events that allow their students and staff to show off what they have been learning. We participated and supported them, but I did not try to photograph them since I was busy having so much fun!

Arthur Murray Ballroom Dance photography - Leisa and Joe Howard

Arthur Murray Ballroom Dance photography – Leisa and Joe Howard

Arthur Murray Ballroom Dance photography

Arthur Murray Ballroom Dance photography

We then attended a special Dance-o-rama event held in Atlantic City, New Jersey. While the event was run much like the local ones that were used to, there were some other elements that made it stand apart. For me, it was the Open Professional competitions that capped the entire weekend. Not only were professionals dancing with each other to show their talents, but they were competing with other professional couples. It was a lot to take in as an amateur enthusiast. With so many great dancers on the floor, you wanted to see everything that was happening, but it was impossible to keep up!

Arthur Murray Ballroom Dance photography

Arthur Murray Ballroom Dance photography

Arthur Murray Ballroom Dance photography

Arthur Murray Ballroom Dance photography

Luckily, our studio had some entries of our staff in the competition. Now our group that we traveled with had people to focus on, to root for, and to follow with my camera! I really enjoyed seeing people that were teaching our classes at home on the big stage going up against the best from around the region. I learned so much from that first experience. There as setup for the camera, positioning myself to the dance floor, and thinking about how I could improve the images. I have been working on that ever since, and I have enjoyed the results along the way!

2017 Pennsylvania Ballroom Scrimmage

2017 Pennsylvania Ballroom Scrimmage

2017 Pennsylvania Ballroom Scrimmage

2017 Pennsylvania Ballroom Scrimmage

Speaking of ballroom dance events, we have one from 2017 that is expiring at the TimeLine Media proofing site. It was our first time covering the Pennsylvania Ballroom Scrimmage in Lancaster, PA. What a very nice group of dancers from the area. We saw some familiar faces, and Barbara and Leraunt were amazing hosts. Here is the link to the photos:

http://proofs.timelinedc.com/gallery/17PABS/home

2017 Pennsylvania Ballroom Scrimmage

2017 Pennsylvania Ballroom Scrimmage

2017 Pennsylvania Ballroom Scrimmage

2017 Pennsylvania Ballroom Scrimmage

We look forward to even more ballroom dance photos this year! The challenge is still there with dancers continuing to push their craft to new speeds, and better technique. I will have to try to keep up!

Personal, Photography, Sports | 0 comment

Goals and Reaching the Top – Super Sunday

What is your goal?

Today is the last day for American football fans around the world to see teams compete on the field. It is clearly defined after a 7-month season which teams overcame the most obstacles to win. After today a best team will be crowned champion, and they will enjoy that feeling for the next 6 months before they start a new season. This clear black and white demarcation of sports defines the parameters, and gives the competitors the ultimate goal for which they strive to accomplish.

American professional football player

Benchmarks

What trophy, status, or accomplishment would define you at your best? Luckily as entrepreneurs, we define that for ourselves. It is one of the lessons I have learned as I continue to work as a photographer. There are those that make more money, or shoot cooler assignments. Are projecting what they want us to see? Maybe they have the same insecurities as you. Maybe they have set different goals for themselves at different rates or times. This is very personal and unique to each individual, so it would be impossible to know. 

Parade of colonial patriots

Parade of colonial patriots

Going Forward

Do i pretend to know that this is the case for everyone? Of course not. But in talking with other photographers and business owners, this is a hot topic of discussion. Watching any documentary on championship sports teams, you will see that it is not a straightforward, walk-in-the-park for them either even during a Championship run! You may think this discouraging that even the best team did not have an easy road. However, it is comforting knowing that I share the same feeling as I find my way. There are ups and downs, but having photos to review over time, i can see my progress, and I am more than proud of what i have done. Considering I have come from making my own assignments to now being more choosy on what jobs I take, i am satisfied with what I have done so far. Now, I just continue the hunt for more challenging assignments, more visionary collaborators, and happy clients!

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

Personal, Photography | 0 comment

Hello 2018 World! My Photography Blog is Back!

Tysons photos by Rassi G. Borneo
Me in front of a wall of Tysons Corner Center photos – similar to a printed photography blog in poster form

Shame on me.

I can not believe I have not updated this photography blog in so long! It used to be a daily ritual for me to go through my photos, find some to share with everyone, then post. I have not gone anywhere! The blog did help my SEO, and many people found me by search. I am also involved with other projects that have helped me to grow as a business person. Meeting people face to face has opened even more doors for me to practice my photography. Although the blog remained dormant, I note ideas that would be good posts along the way.

Photography – Tysons, VA

The biggest change for me is that I am making an effort to get out in my business community. Since many of my photography projects have been in the Tysons, Virginia area, I am trying to become more known in the area as a go-to person for commercial photography projects there. Social media is a hyper local resource too!

It has been a fun challenge to see all the varied things happening in the area. We have some amazing architecture reaching for the sky in Tysons. On the ground, where I like the be, exciting things are happening that make it a constant source for fun images. In restaurants they hang antique photos of the old Tysons Corner area of Virginia. They are sepia toned, and patrons will stare at them trying to see where are those locations in the present day. It is my hope that my images may document this time in the early 21st century. The area is attempting to be a home and workplace for the Millennial generation of families coming into the area. 

Let me know if you see some of my images used on social channels. I gave access to some media channels and clients to use and as a result, some are already becoming classics! It is awesome to see them retweeted, reposted, and shared! I am proud to show them off as my own as they become part of a collective library images. In 2018, I look to have the opportunity to make many more. Finally, I am done with my first post back – please hold me accountable!

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

1 2