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"Pictures invite the eye not to rush along, but to rest a while and dwell with them in enjoyment of their revelation." - Joseph Campbell

Getting Started

"Everything starts with your clients: getting to know your clients, their looks, their expressions, their moods. Caring about your clients also means that at no time should you cut corners rather than striving for the utmost quality." -Charles Jablow

Charles was introduced to photography during the analog years, being given his first camera by his father at the age of 4. Intrigued back then and still today, Charles has toyed with, experimented with and explored the possibilities of the craft ever since.

Those who saw his work at an early age noticed his natural ability to create stunning photographs that stood out from the rest and encouraged him to pursue his experimentation. He would constantly try out new photographic techniques while experimenting in the darkroom.

After more and more exploration, at the early age of 12 he decided to take it up a notch and pursue a career as a professional photographer. The artistic process opened his eyes to the possibilities, exploring the art to see what could be done. He gave up the darkroom work he had done for so many years in favor of learning more about artistic vision. He wanted to create brilliant, breathtaking, eye catching, unique and creative pictures. He was not interested in the ordinary.

Early Professional Experience

His first professional job was in college, where for 4 years he worked for the Lehigh University Alumni Bulletin while earning his degree in Electrical Engineering. The publication hired him, this providing him national distribution of his work.

At about this time, he was extremely fortunate to run into the renowned guru of lighting, the respected San Diego photographer, Dean Collins. People used to refer to Dean as the "Dean of Lighting". Charles studied for three years with Dean, learning everything possible, including the details involved with composition, positioning, posing, effects; all while developing a refined artistic sense.

As Charles' photographic skills began to receive more attention, many of his friends began asking him to photograph their parties, weddings and affairs.

It's So Much More Complex Than It Seems

What consistently amazed Charles about photography was the complexity of the craft. There are so many different possibilities and concepts for exposure, composition, lighting, posing, color, emotion, expression, framing, etc. The challenge to the photographer is to craft the proper mix of these elements to create the perfect photo. Then, there is the challenge of consistency and timing. Therefore, although it might seem easy to take pictures, there is a high degree of skill required to be able to photograph things well. This skill is the key to taking great pictures and is the reason why there are many good photographers, but so few great ones. Yet, it is so important to find a great photographer, because when you need one for your wedding, party or event, you only have one chance to capture that moment. If you miss it, you miss it!

"Photographers should not be learning their craft at your expense. They should be perfecting it, creating each image as if it was the most important one of the day, and creating each image artistically for the client's benefit." -Charles Jablow

More and More Learning From The Best

Shortly after college, Charles found a higher level of artistic instruction from other nationally known professionals. He looked up two of the finest landscape photographers in the country (Galen Rowell of National Geographic and Charles Campbell - an independent photographer) and flew west to study with them. On the side, Charles was branching out, working model photography for people seeking agency representation. He joined the renowned Bachrach Studios in Boston, where he focused on the study of wedding photography and received top-flight instruction in this art, eventually being hired to photograph weddings for them.

Years later, Charles had the honor of assisting world-renown photographer Clay Blackmore, who enjoyed Charles' work so much he kept him on for two years. Although Charles was already seasoned, Clay mentored him, bringing his skills to an even higher level of expertise, teaching him even more about the art of capturing great expressions in people. Clay taught and imbued Charles in a variety of advanced techniques, including working the uses of lighting that you almost never see in photographers today.

 

"Everything in an image should be an artistic element of what you are trying to convey: the subject, the expression, the background, the lighting, the clothes, everything. Then it all comes together in an emotional overload which floods the viewers emotions and causes that intense reaction we call 'art' Being consistent at capturing these moments for every client, we call being an artist." -Charles Jablow

Charles Photographs President George Herbert Walker Bush

While Charles was working for Bachrach studios, the studio was contracted by the Catholic Archdiocese to cover the visit of President George Herbert Walker Bush to the Catholic Lawyers Guild. This assignment was very different from those involving weddings, and because of the challenges involved, Bachrach picked Charles from all their staff photographers to work this special assignment. When Charles arrived on site, he found that many of the details of the shoot Bachrach had provided were incorrect. For example, the film and flash provided were inappropriate for the job at hand. Thinking on his feet, he drove to the nearest professional photography shop, rented a special exotic lens that would work with his camera and bought slide film. Carefully measuring the ambient light with an incident meter, Charles saved the session and created gorgeous photographs - photos that were so amazing, they were demanded by the printer for publication the next day. Bachrach loved the results and the Catholic Pilot Newspaper was extremely satisfied.

Years later, history repeated itself when Charles was one of the select group of photographers chosen to cover the Black Tie and Boots Inauguration Ball of the second President Bush. Charles thought it was just as much fun as the first time.

People Love the Way Charles Makes Them Look

Charles loves people photography, and this is his primary focus today. With all of his experiences throughout the years, from the child photography to family portraiture to the wedding photography to the individual portrait photography to the food photography, he has gained the respect of the many who have seen his work. Although he still loves working with these many subjects, Charles has chosen to focus his work on the photography of people. He knows how to make people feel comfortable in front of his camera, regardless of age or background. And the results are obvious.

For you the client, I can guarantee you that if you work with Charles Jablow, you won't have to worry about the quality of the work, or if you will end up throwing away a third of the pictures taken (as with most photographers). They will be good - in fact, they will be great! Your biggest problem will be that there are too many great images to choose from. And that's a nice problem to have. Keep in mind that Charles often books up quickly.

Certification and Experience + Great Customer Service = Assurance for You

Charles has earned the designation "Certified Professional Photographer" from the Professional Photographers of America. Fewer than 3% of all professionals have earned this degree (that's fewer than 2500 worldwide), which attests to consistent quality under all conditions.

Charles himself has photographed hundreds of families, children, business portraits, weddings, bar mitzvahs, and advertisments, earning admiration and praise from a wide variety of clients.

Please feel free to call or visit with any questions you have! Come see our beautiful studio in Tysons Corner!

By phone: (703) 216-8878

By e-mail: charles @ charlesjablow.com