C King Media

10/08/2026

Last night I photographed Shenandoah Conservatory’s production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and the full gallery was edited and delivered the same day.

Live theater is one of the most demanding environments to photograph. Light shifts every few seconds, the best expressions last a fraction of a second, and there are no second takes. Turning that around quickly matters too. Images published while the show is still running help promote the remaining performances and give the cast, crew, and families something to share right away.

Always great to be back with this talented team. Congratulations to the cast, crew, and pit orchestra on an incredible show.

See the full gallery and mini playbill on the blog:

Production photos of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at Shenandoah Conservatory, directed by Kevin Covert. Full cast, crew and mini playbill.

10/08/2026

"Charles, how much space do you really need to do headshots at my office?"

I get this one a lot. A good rule of thumb is about 10' x 15'. But most of the time, we make it work with whatever you've got.

This shoot was a tight one. 8x10. Still fit a three point lighting kit, a reflector, and the camera on a tripod, and the client walked away with the same uniform studio look as everyone else on the team.

You don't need to rent a studio or shut the office down for the day. We come to you and make the space work.

Got questions about headshots at your location? Drop them below.

10/07/2026

Happy Birthday Marijke! 💃

10/07/2026

Your headshot works exactly like a dating app. A few seconds, then a decision. Here is how to make sure yours earns the swipe, and why you should see every image before your photographer leaves. Share this with someone still using a 2015 photo.

10/05/2026

Taking a couple of days to recharge.

Which, statistically, means the client who's gone quiet for a month will decide today is the day to reply. That's just how it works. I've made peace with it.

The laptop came with me. I'm not going to pretend otherwise. But it's staying closed as much as I can manage.

Here's the part a lot of people in creative work don't want to hear: you can't grind your way into good ideas. Creativity runs on being inspired. New places, different light, a few hours where nobody needs a revision by end of day. Go day after day after day without that and the work still gets delivered, it just gets flatter, and your clients feel it even when they describe it.

It's sad when I talk to my peers or even friends and they only talk about how busy they are or just work, work, work.

Life is meant to be more than that.

So for now a little R&R with some ASMR of a waterfall, and back at full speed later this week, and yes, I'll answer that email.
...and also yes, I also did these photos 😀

10/05/2026

One of the most common questions we get is how long a headshot session actually takes. The answer depends on the type of session you book, so here is a quick breakdown.

Branding sessions usually take about an hour if we stay in one location. If you want to change locations or add environmental shots, plan for closer to a couple of hours.

Express headshot sessions are built for people on a tight schedule. These typically run under 30 minutes, and many clients are in and out in under 15.

Standard headshot sessions are a good middle ground if you want a few different looks, outfit changes, or angles without a full branding shoot. Expect these to run around an hour.

Knowing what to expect ahead of time makes the whole process easier, whether you are squeezing a session into a busy day or setting aside time for a full branding shoot.

C King Media offers headshot and branding sessions for professionals across the DMV area. Based in Fairfax, Virginia, we serve clients throughout Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Learn more or book your session at ckingmedia.com

09/28/2026

Booking a headshot session soon? A little preparation goes a long way in making sure the final photos actually look like you, at your best.

As a Washington DC based headshot photographer, I want the focus to stay on your face, not your outfit or accessories. Here is what I recommend before your next session.

A headshot is not a fashion shoot. Keep your outfit simple whether you are going business or business casual. Loud suits, big patterns, and bright colors can pull attention away from your face and distract from the final image.

Keep jewelry minimal. Unless it reflects your specific profession, large or excessive pieces can catch studio lighting and become distracting. The goal is to look effortless and authentic, not overdone.

Makeup should look natural and seamless. Avoid anything extreme or out of character for you. Using powder helps reduce shine under studio lights and makes post production much smoother. Men can benefit from powder too, or a light foundation to cover blemishes.

Learn more or book your session at ckingmedia.com

09/24/2026

As a hybrid shooter covering both cinema and photography, having the right gear bag makes a real difference on set. In this video, I break down why I chose the larger Roadie 24 over the smaller options in the series, and how it changes the way I prep for local jobs.

Carrying multiple camera bodies, audio gear, and a laptop tech bag means space adds up fast. The Roadie 24 gives me room to work without repacking or micromanaging every inch before a shoot. For local jobs where carry on restrictions are not a factor, that extra space is worth it every time.

I still keep a smaller bag in the lineup for air travel, since the spinning wheels and compact size make flying with gear much easier. But for day to day local production work, the larger bag wins.

If you are a photographer or videographer building out your kit, this breakdown should help you think through what size bag actually fits your workflow.

C King Media is a photography and videography company based in Fairfax, Virginia, serving the DMV area with commercial media, real estate media, headshots, event coverage, and more.

Learn more at ckingmedia.com

09/14/2026

What's your budget? No, seriously, what's your budget.

We're not asking so we can magically hit that number. We're asking so we know what level of production to put in front of you.

A $2,000 project and a $50,000 project are both real work we do. They are not the same conversation, and they do not produce the same thing.

Tell us the range up front and neither of us spends a week building toward something that was never going to fit.

What's the most awkward part of hiring for video on your end?

09/10/2026

Bright and early back with my MedStar family this morning for team group shots.

Today was interesting. MedStar is a huge organization, and I'm humble enough to know I'm one of many photographers and videographers they work with. I actually bumped into another one earlier today, out there shooting his own team photo. Two of us in the same building, both doing the work, both taking care of the same entity.

There's something good about that. It's a reminder that the room is bigger than any one of us, and that getting invited back has less to do with being the only option and more to do with being reliable when it counts.