Here is the May issue of Washingtonian Magazine, with the latest episode of "Behind The Scenes," a feature I started doing for them back in 2011. It is one of the mag's most prominent photo features -- a two page spread of a single image. The premise is it has to be someplace the public cannot typically go, or that is off-limits in general, in some cases even top secret. In the process of producing the feature, we've been to some amazing places. Below is inside the private, appoint-only, "play house" of porcelain designer Anna Weatherley. It's in Roslyn!
There have been so many incredible BTS, and I've enjoyed working on each one. It is just about the best possible local media assignment in Washington. The places I've been, the things I've seen! Most often working with architectural photographer Dan Chung. We're a good team. Here he is, capturing some Maryland crabs.
The various BTS include the bowels of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, where the money is made; the conservation lab at the National Archives; the elaborate Smithsonian storage warehouse where artifacts were being collected for the new African American museum; the tiny studio at Fort Belvoir where the presidential seal is hand made and hand painted; the private dining room of Hillary Clinton when she was Secretary of State; the subterranean lab at NIH where the deadliest viruses are incubated; the lockers of the Washington Nationals and the Washington Redskins; a legal DC marijuana grow house; the sewing, linen and flower room at Susan Gage Caterers; inside Potomac Floral, the wholesale florist that provides the blooms for the White House; the secret FBI facility in Sterling VA, where deadly spent IED's are catalogued and stored; Joe Biden's ceremonial office at the EEOB; the vault of the Folger Shakespeare Library; the vault at Mount Vernon (wait till you see the June issue!), the Naval Warfare Research Center's amazing, underground canal where model warships are tested; the launch facility at Wallops Island; the fox hounds of the Potomac Hunt; a wholesale crab operation on the Eastern Shore.
This image is Dan setting up for a photo we did of a party at the French ambassador's residence, capturing that moment "backstage" just before the guests arrive.
And here's our set up as we shot a photo of the new Dupont Underground, as its plans were just coming together.
Washingtonian has aggregated a lot of them at one link. So, give them a look. I think they should be a book or a calendar -- so many amazing places from around our local area. Here's the link: Behind The Scenes. Please let me know what you think, or if you have an idea for a BTS. We love good ideas. For every BTS that makes it into print, I scout about 4-5 contenders. It takes a lot of leg work, time, but most of all good ideas.
Overall, though, I am very proud of this bit of work, and grateful for the agreeable collaboration I enjoy with Dan.