Look who's joining the board now! It's Jared Soares! 🎉
Jared Soares photographs community and identity. Through portraiture and longform essays he examines how sets of people relate to each other often through the lens of sports and contemporary culture. His fine art prints and books are held in the permanent collections of the Portland Art Museum, Cleveland Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Sloane Art Library at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University. Jared’s images intimately connect readers with subjects for clients such as Adidas Originals, Adobe, Airbnb, The Atlantic, ELLE, The Fader, GQ, National Geographic, Nike, The New Yorker, The New York Times, Square, TIME and WIRED among others. His work has been recognized by the Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize and he contributed to The Marshall Project’s 2020 investigation of K-9 units and the damage that police dogs inflict on Americans, the report earned the 2021 Pulitzer Prize, staff recognition for National Reporting and he was named a prize winner of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery's triennial 2025 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. When he is not making photographs, he can be found kicking a soccer ball or walking his pet terrier, Holly.
Welcome aboard, Jared! Glad to have you on team APA|DC! 🥳
Hey everyone, meet another addition to our board, Taylor Monet!
Taylor Monet is a Washington, DC–based commercial photographer specializing in corporate events, conferences, and brand imagery for organizations producing high-visibility events, campaigns, and brand experiences.
As the founder of Taylor Monet Photography, she works with Fortune 500 companies, national nonprofits, policy institutions, and high-growth brands to create strategic visual assets that support communications, marketing, and brand positioning. Her work spans high-level conferences, executive portraiture, brand campaigns, and large-scale live events, with a focus on producing imagery that is both visually compelling and immediately usable across platforms.
Taylor approaches photography through a commercial and storytelling lens, shaped by her background in film, media, and advertising. She is known for her ability to anticipate key moments, navigate fast-paced environments, and deliver work that aligns with both creative direction and business objectives. Her clients range from global corporations and nationally recognized institutions to emerging brands and founders building their visual identity.
As a member of the APA DC Board, Taylor brings firsthand understanding of how community and relationships shape careers, as well as a commitment to ensuring more photographers, particularly those underrepresented in the commercial market, have access to both.
Welcome aboard, @taylormonetphoto ! 🎉
We've got some more experience coming to the APA|DC team! Please welcome, Julie Skarwecki!
Julie Skarwecki is a photography consultant who helps commercial photographers refine their positioning, strengthen their portfolios, and attract better clients. She works at the intersection of creative and business strategy, helping photographers translate strong work into consistent opportunities.
Looking to explore the next steps in your photographic career? Get in touch with @julieskarweckiconsulting !
Welcome to the board, Julie! 🎉
Please join us in welcoming @tomsandner to the APA|DC board!
Tom Sandner is a photographer currently living in Richmond, Virginia with his wife and daughter. He's driven by his natural sense of wonder, which carries into his work. Tom's photos have been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Inc. Magazine, and other notable publications. Ask him about his beloved hometown of Buffalo, New York and he'll happily strike up a conversation.
We're so happy to have him on the team and can't wait to see what he brings to the table!
Welcome aboard, Tom! 🎉
APA DC takes a road trip! If you are in Richmond or the surrounding area, come on out and join us for happy hour at @ardentcraftales on May 13th from 6PM to 8PM. This event is for all ages and open to the greater photography and creative community. APA DC members are encouraged to attend!
Are you an APA DC member outside the DMV area? Let us know where you want to see future APA DC events to take place!
Come hang out, network, and enjoy getting to know the local photo community! Ardent has a variety of non-alcoholic beverage options and outside food is permitted if you're hungry! Ardent has parking behind the brewery for anyone arriving by car, bike racks for those on two wheels, and is also easily accessible to the Pulse bus and rideshare.
Registration isn't necessary, but we would love to know if you plan on joining us! You'll find the link in our bio.
📍 3200 West Leigh Street Richmond, VA 23230
After nearly 8 years with APA|DC, Katie Dance (@katie_dance ) has stepped down from the board. We want to take a moment to thank Katie for the extraordinary impact she’s had on our chapter and the broader DC photo community.
Under Katie’s leadership, our membership grew by over 50%. We raised $12,000 to fund four recipients of the LGBTQIAP+ Photography Grant, launched our Focus on Wellness program with Hannele Lahti, and curated private museum tours featuring Gordon Parks, Devin Allen, Dorothea Lange, and the Photography and the Black Arts Movement exhibition. Katie spearheaded the relaunch of our portfolio reviews, nearly 400 over the past two years, opening doors for our photographers at the LA Times, NBC News, WIRED, and beyond. She led the development our Assistant & Crew list, secured national and local partnerships with PhotoMechanic, Union206, Aperturent, B&H, Think Tank, and ProPhoto DC, and helped launch the Expert Series with Carleen Mitchell that will guide our programming this year.
Katie, thank you for your vision, your dedication, and your friendship. You’ve left a legacy here, and we’re so excited to see what you do next. 📸✨
Great photo assistants don’t just know gear.
They help make the entire set run smoother.
Your attitude matters more than your tech knowledge!
Save this for your next shoot and add any more tips in the comments! I ran out of time 😆
@apa_dc hosted their annual photography assistant workshop @atyolk and it was great to reconnect and meet new peers in the industry!
#photosetlife #photoassistant #photographyeducation
There is still time to register for this year's assistant workshop on Saturday! Come join us as we share what it's like to work on shoots and how to get started in the photo industry! Learn the skills, make the connections, and step confidently onto your next set! Registration link is in our bio. See you there!
One week away from our 2026 APA|DC Assistant Workshop!
As you embark on a career in the photo industry, learning the role of Digitech can be a great way to expand your skill set, attract more clients, and generate more income! As part of our assistant workshop, we welcome veteran digitech @chris.birck.digi to discuss what a digitech does on set and how he got started.
Come join us next Saturday, April 25th! Link to registration and information is in our link in bio. See you there!
Director/DP and photographer Mohamed Sadek (@mosadek ) started in photojournalism but has expanded to tell stories across commercial and editorial spaces. Working in the states and abroad, he’s collaborated with brands including the NY Times, United Airlines, NPR and Victoria’s Secret.
On our Expert Series, Mo will discuss how he’s adapted to the evolving market. Join us tomorrow, April 7, at 7pm ET for Mo’s talk followed by a Q&A. Link in bio.
Note: please register to gain access to a recording of the discussion, even if you can’t join us live.
Are you looking to break into the photo industry or gain valuable experience? Working as an assistant can be a great way to learn skills quickly and earn money along the way!
That first step can be daunting, but @apa_dc is here to help! Our annual Photo Assistant Workshop is coming up this April 25th, at @atyolk studio in Hyattsville from 9:30am to 3pm.
Join us for a hands-on crash course in lighting, grip, best on-set practices, and valued roles, as well as networking and a Q&A session! Tour one of the DC areas top creative studios! Coffee and lunch are included. Tickets are discounted for APA members, but open to anyone 18+.
Additional information and registration is available at our link in bio. See you there!
For next week’s Expert Series, we’ll go behind the scenes and into the nitty gritty with director, DP, and photographer Mohamed Sadek. Learn how Mo captures both stills and motion maintaining quality across both disciplines.
Join us on Tuesday, April 7, 7pm on Zoom for Mo’s talk followed by a Q&A. Link and additional information in our bio!
@mosadek@carleenmartin.co@americanphotographicartists@apa_dc
