As a kid, my babysitting money was spent on film, not candy

(2 minute read) 

With almost three decades of experience as a photographer,  I can help you look great and feel confident in front of the camera. If I learn that you are camera-shy, I invest extra time and work with you to achieve great results. 

My personal history with photography goes back to age 9. After getting my first camera, I spent most of my free time walking around my hometown of St. Louis, taking photos of everything and everyone. By age 16, I was processing and developing my own photos in a darkroom at St. Louis Community College. Photography's blend of chemistry, math, science, and art is endlessly intriguing to me. 

My immersion into professional photography began at age 18, after I'd joined the US Navy. Assigned to the remote Alaskan island of Adak, during my free time away from my regular duties, I befriended the journalists at the base newspaper. In their studio, I asked a million questions about lights, portraiture set ups, and backdrops. Many of my off-duty hours that year were spent pestering those Navy photographers, and absorbing as much knowledge as I could. I am so grateful to them for that opportunity. 

While traveling the world in the Navy, I met and married a British photographer while living in England. Relocating to DC, we co-founded Hilsdon Photography in 2005, at 601 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.  I worked with my (now former) spouse as Creative Services Director and photographer. Our studio's strategic downtown location grew our business to include commercial, music industry, film festivals, events, weddings, and headshot work. A highlight of my five years there was getting to know musical legend Chuck Brown through many projects. I am proud to say I was part of taking several iconic photos of Chuck featuring DC landmarks and hotels. 

In 2011, I was accepted to attend Georgetown University.  In order to focus on my rigorous academic program, I accepted just eight photography assignments during a two year period. Graduating from Georgetown (S'13),  I did follow-on graduate level professional studies at the US Army Command and General Staff Officers College, completing the rigorous military program as a civilian in 2017.  

In March 2018, as I was ramping up to reopen a new photography studio, my world changed in an instant. I sustained a head injury in a bad fall, and wasn't sure I'd be able to take photographs again. For over a year my camera sat idle, and during concussion therapy I experimented with other art forms like sculpture, painting, and jewelry making. Thanks to the wonderful care I received during a half year of vestibular therapy at INOVA Concussion Clinic, I was able to return to photography in June 2019, working with the American Film Institute covering AFI Docs in Washington, D.C. 

In 2020, I remarried, joyfully entering the wonderful Elliott family of Potomac, MD, becoming a wife, new mom, and stepmom. Family is first and foremost, so I curate time spent doing photography thoughtfully, and carefully choose all my projects. 

Professional associations I am a member of include the Professional Photographers of America and the Maryland Professional Photographers Association. I am a member of the American Business Women's Association. I teach, mentor, and guide aspiring photographers. I proudly use Nikon’s flagship professional grade mirrorless cameras, the Z9, the Z7ii, and Nikon's superb Z Mount S-Line professional lenses in my photography work. 

It would be my honor to serve you! 

Warmest Regards,

Theresa Elliott