Ruthi is a portrait photographer serving Northern VA and the DC metro area. She is married with three children, who serve as her mostly willing (if bribed) guinea pigs for her always-evolving concept shot ideas. Ruthi’s specialty is natural light portraiture and sunset silhouettes. Over the past year, she has enjoyed shooting political events in the DC area, and has especially enjoyed serving as a volunteer photographer for a presidential campaign. In the coming year, she plans to add a division of women’s “fine art glamour portraiture” to her repertoire, and will also be involved as a member of the photographer’s guild at the Lorton Arts Foundation in Northern Virginia. (image taken by Samara Hutcheson)
How long have you been in business? 2.5 years
Do you have a favorite type of photography? Portraiture/character studies
Share your favorite tip for relaxing subjects and getting great shots during a shoot? With kids I sing theme songs. I ask them their favorite show or movie, and then break into its song. Since I live in a house with a tv and small kids, I guarantee I know them all.
What is your absolute favorite photoshop action in the whole world? I have too many to count. My various black and white actions are probably the most important. I also like Mama Shan’s Powder (http://www.photoshopmama.net/) for smoothing out blotchy skin.
Favorite clothing store? Please tell us why so we will know why we should shop there, too! Anthropologie or Ralph Lauren. I could never choose. Anthropologie has sort of a polished Bohemian flair to a lot of their stuff, but nothing beats Ralph Lauren for beautifully classic style.
Share three things most people do not know about you:
As a kid, I was a state freestyle and butterfly swimmer.
I have ridden on a dolphin’s back.
I ride hunter/jumper horses. Or I did, when I used to have free time.
What is your favorite thing about being a photographer? Working from home, setting my own schedule, and getting the first peek of the card after a great session. I love that feeling where you see a special image for the first time and your heart skips a beat.
What is the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you at a session?
I fell through a boardwalk. Really. There was a broken board, I was walking backward and didn’t see it, and I fell straight through up to my thighs.
What is your favorite lens? My 85 1.4 without a doubt.
Who is YOUR favorite photographer? Such a cliche, but really, Annie L.
Favorite non photography related item? A computer with internet access. Wait, is that photography-related??
Is Elvis really dead? Define dead?!
Decaf or regular? REGULAR
If you had a million dollars how would you spend it? I would pay off EVERYTHING and be completely debt-free, travel a bit, and do more volunteer/charity work.
Favorite book? To Kill a Mockingbird
Show us your most FAVORITE image ever! Oh this is so hard. Favorite EVER? Assuming you mean my favorite image that I took myself, overall probably this one:
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