"I would not use anyone else to take my wedding pictures. I HIGHLY recommend Philip Kent. He is talented and a nice person to work with!"
-Laura Simons, Washington, DC
"Very Pleased with your work.
Most courteous and efficient.
Prices fantastic!"
Kristen Brown, McLean, Va.
"Excellent, if I had need of a photographer I would definitely hire you again!"
-Lindsey Donohue, Ashburn, Va.
Introduction:
I appreciated at a very young age the visual beauty of the world and my desire to preserve moments of it for myself and others. So it was easy to decide on a lifelong career in Professional Photography by attending a top college for photography and starting a business soon after.
I achieved my goal of becoming a top photographer with a leading business specializing in the highest quality wedding and portrait photography.
Today, with a lifetime of photography experience, I believe I have one of the most unique and extensive list of credentials of anyone in the area. I am also involved on a regular basis in professional associations to stay on the cutting edge of technology and techniques to offer you the very best in Professional Photography.
Philip Kent, Master Photographer
Biography and Credentials
Professional:
Upon graduation from high school in southern New Jersey where I grew up, I served as a Photographer in the U. S. Army in Germany. After military service, I attended and graduated with honors from the renowned Brooks Institute, School of Photography & Filmmaking in Santa Barbara, California. With a B.A. Degree in Professional Photography, I have a double major in Commercial Photography and Color Technology. Shortly thereafter I started Philip Kent Photographers, a business that grew rapidly in the 1980s & 90s, resulting in the studio’s expansion to its present commercial location near Tysons Corner in 1991.
In 1994 I was awarded the coveted title of Master Photographer by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). This is the PPA’s highest honor, based on years of awards and accomplishments, awarded to only the top 1% of Photographers nationwide. I was also invited to membership in the American Society of Photographers (ASP), open only to the top Photographers in the U.S. who are also Master Photographers.
Over the years my work has been selected by Walt Disney World and Eastman Kodak Co. for EPCOT Center’s Professional Photographers Showcase, a display of some of the finest Professional Photography in the world. Along with state & national awards, my work was chosen for the PPA’s Loan Collection, a selection of the most outstanding photographs created by Photographers worldwide, out of thousands considered. I have also contributed to the profession as a Seminar Speaker teaching other Professional Photographers and as a Print Judge at statewide photography competitions, judging professional portraits and wedding photography.
My travels have taken me to Australia to photograph the America’s Cup yacht races, and to Kenya and Zanzibar in Africa. In association with the noted educator Joseph Lekuton, now a member of Parliament in Kenya, my photography of the people of tribal Kenya was published in local and national media such as Washingtonian, People and Readers Digest Magazines, Time-Warner Books & McGraw-Hill Publications.
"Philip Kent is talented, flexible, affordable and so nice! Very hard to find all those qualities in a Photographer!"
Kristin S. Ashburn, VA.
"The pictures were fantastic and beautifully done. I will recommend you to anyone who asks!"
Katie P. Centerville, VA
Personal:
In addition to photography, my main passions are skiing and boating, especially sailing, along with the associated travel and photographic opportunities. An avid skier every year for the last 35 years, I have skied throughout most of the western U.S. as well as locations in Canada and Europe. Talk to me for information on these subjects!
As an accomplished sailor for over 25 years, I have cruised and raced throughout the Chesapeake Bay and the east coast to Florida, the Bahamas, offshore, and throughout the Caribbean to as far as Grenada. I participate every year in the annual Caribbean 1500, an ocean race in the fall sailing from Hampton Va. to the British Virgin Islands, and in the Atlantic Cup, the return trip, in the spring. My photography of some of these events has been featured in marine publications. As a certified scuba diver with an interest in underwater photography, I enjoy photographing marine life and other wonders of the ocean.
My wife Karen and I reside in Vienna, Va., and we have two sons, Colin and Ryan. Colin is a recent graduate Florida Institute of Technology and Ryan is a student at Wake Forest University.
Professional Memberships:
- American Society of Photographers (ASP)
- The Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
- Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPA)
What is a Master Photographer?
Most experienced and established Professional Photographers are members of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). Its purpose is to enhance the skills of those in the profession, maintain high business and ethical standards, and recognize those who have made significant accomplishments in and contributions to the Professional Photography Industry.
One of the most challenging and prestigious goals a photographer can aspire to in his or her career is the PPA Masters Degree Program, where Professional Photographers can compete in state, regional and national print competitions. First, through extensive study and testing, the photographer becomes certified, a beginning step towards becoming a Master Photographer. After competing in state and national print competitions for a number of years, which are judged by qualified Master Photographers, the photographer may improve to the point where his or her work is accepted into the annual national exhibit of the PPA.
After years of study and challenging competitions the photographer, if successful, will have satisfied the criteria required to be awarded the coveted and prestigious title of Master Photographer by the PPA. This is recognized as one of the most significant achievements in any photographic career and the public, when utilizing the services of a Master Photographer for a wedding or portrait can be assured they have hired an individual who is capable of the very finest in Professional Photography.
-Philip Kent
The best way to reach us is by phone at 703-790-1020 during our normal business hours,
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm
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