Hello there!

I'm Jonathan Messenger and I am a senior portrait photographer from Callaway, VA.

I began my photography journey as only a sports photographer for the first few years.  I soon realized I needed a photography class so my family signed me up for a class that was in Washington DC.  I knew from that class I was in over my head at the time but it did change my photography life.  After that class I wanted to do more than just sports photography.  I wanted to take pictures of people. So that's what I set out to do.

Let's be real though.  It has been a struggle over the years getting people to trust me enough to take their pictures.  Some I have excelled at and others I have failed at. Photography is so much more than pushing the shutter button and hoping for the best possible picture.  The good pictures take planning and some creativity. 

I am constantly learning and applying new techniques when I am on a photo shoot.  Now here more recently I have taken a course or two in editing my photos to make them really stand out.  I've changed my editing software to include Photoshop and it has really paid off so far. 

Lighting is something I have really, really struggled with.  I'll admit that I don't always look for the best light or use it to enhance the photo.  I get in too much of a hurry and forget about it.  That's something I have to work on if I want my work to jump out and say look at me.

My goal now is to have photo shoots that are more controlled by me so I can make better use of the time and the light.  I've got a lot of good ideas in my head.  Now I just have to do it!

Jonathan

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