STEPHANIE GROSS PHOTOGRAPHY – Photographer in Charlottesville, VA

Ph: 434-962-2019 • Email: pix@stephaniegross.com

stephaniegrosspix

Telling stories, having adventures
Please contact me for projects & ideas!

From the Spring. LOVED working w/ Alyssa💕 When

From the Spring.
LOVED working w/ Alyssa💕 When my subject becomes a partner the shoots are the BEST!
Many years ago she was in a photo class I taught and has a wonderful eye herself!
& congratulations on graduating and heading off on your next adventure @sapphic_verse 💕

(& What do you think? First or last version?)
.
.
#seniorpictures #seniorportraits #portraits #nelsoncountyva

At home, sitting on my sofa in the cool morning dr

At home, sitting on my sofa in the cool morning drinking coffee & regrouping after an incredible, intense week in Puerto Rico.
I’m posting this picture to give you the false impression of my week..!
😂
However, I DID actually sit here for an hour or so to write for the talk I gave “Through the Lens of Gratitude” (or something like that… but in Spanish.. it sounds better!)

What I have taken home with me, besides hours and hours of editing, is the thought that I wouldn’t have been able to do ANY of the work I did with out an absolutely FANTASTIC crew around me!

(I’m posting this picture instead of them, as I need to be sure I have permission from everyone to share their image on Social media)

My friend Vanessa came w/ me as support, chief reflector holder, cheerleader (to the women I was photographing) and translator both during the shoots but also her beautiful and careful work to translate my thoughts into Spanish & being my tag team partner for my presentation.

But again I could NOT have accomplished this project without the FABULOUS team from CEMI (Central de Estudios Materno-Infantiles) Cecilia, Andrea , Hector & Angel (mi Profesor de Español) Lourdes & Martha 💕
I’m SO grateful for you all & feel so blessed to have met you and been able to spend that time with you all..

And of course a HUGE thanks to the wonderful Dr Zorrilla, for her brilliant idea and making it all happen!
¡Gracias por todos!

Pictures to come…

I’ve been spending the last few days thinking ab

I’ve been spending the last few days thinking about and talking about making pictures and how by choosing what you show you control the narrative.
So I’m going to show you this picture of a remote and empty beach and let you imagination run wild about the deserted island I spent the day on..
Or I could tell you I carefully left out the signs and the crew cleaning up trash from what is basically a City Park, and that we walked a mile and a half along a street full of busy rush hour traffic to get here?
It ALSO happens to be beautiful.
.
.
#escambronbeach #sanjuan #sanjuanpuertorico

Before this last year I’d never been to Puerto R

Before this last year I’d never been to Puerto Rico, but crazily this is the 3rd time in the last year, (twice for work, including this trip)
I’m incredibly excited for this job.
I’m expecting it to be challenging but I’m hoping to bring my best self and work to this project over the next week!
I’ll keep you posted!

Well.. there have been ups and downs over the last

Well.. there have been ups and downs over the last two weeks..
Thanks for those who documented the documenter!

It’s been a long an intense 4 days.. lots of lov

It’s been a long an intense 4 days.. lots of love and some deep pain.
Still so honored to sit in the room w/ people struggling to make the world a better place!💕
Grateful for a moment of peace and rest and a chance to enjoy the beauty before I travel.

Alora…! And as part of the “catch-up series, t

Alora…!
And as part of the “catch-up series, this must seem like Old News.. she’s just wrapping up her first year of college!
It was so fun to photograph her with her friend Aven, they were a perfect fit.
We shot on the farm, which I’ve done before.. ith the river & field and woods.. but they both wanted pictures in the shop where they’d come to parties my son had thrown In high school.
It’s been so fun to watch her “becoming”💕 looking forward to seeing where she goes..
.
.
#seniorportraits #seniorpictures #seniorportrait #portraitphotography #portraitphotographer #centralvalleyphotographer #nelsoncountyva #tyeriver

OMG! It FINALLY came! (They screwed up the deliver

OMG!
It FINALLY came! (They screwed up the delivery & some how, 2 months later.. I was sent 2!? So I have one to sell if anyone is interested please PM me!)
I rarely hang prints of my own work, but I was just in love w/ this image & the memory of the place & the work SELC is doing to protect places like this! 💕
.
.
#southernenvironment #southcarolina #charlestonsc #wetlands #wildlifephotography #egret

Again, my gratitude for where my job takes me. Lis

Again, my gratitude for where my job takes me.
Listening to Mr Stevenson talk reaffirmed my faith in humanity and reminded me of the vision of the sort of world I want to live in.
I’ll be honest, often when I hear someone talk about “Christian Values” my stomach sinks a little because what may come next is a bigoted, homophobic, anti-woman or condemning statement about how alternative beliefs will consign you to eternal punishment, etc.
Somehow “Christ” and his teachings of inclusion & compassion seem to have left the conversation or at least been drowned out by louder voices.

I actually found myself weeping as I was making these images, at his words, his injunction and reminder of Micah 6:7 “Act Justly, Love Mercy & Walk Humbly”, his humanity and the deeply important work he has dedicated himself to against the suffering of so many.

For more information about this incredible man and his work follow the link below.

https://eji.org/bryan-stevenson/

I just got handed this piece from a shoot last sum

I just got handed this piece from a shoot last summer. (I love to see how my pictures are used, ESPECIALLY when they’re used WELL💕)
Again, one of the perks of my job is getting to sit in on really incredible events and to meet amazing people.

The Presidential Precinct brings “change makers” in the Charlottesville to support and hone their skills.
Read more about them here https://presidentialprecinct.org/about-us/

Looking for something else I came across these por

Looking for something else I came across these portraits of Jim Coan I’d shot for the APA (American Psychological Association) several years ago.
We had a wonderful time talking about his research (one of the perks of my job for the nosey & nerdy like me!)

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/06/power-love

And his Podcast #circleofwillis
.
.
#portraitphotography #portrait #portraits #portraitphotographer #uva #apa #americanpsychologicalassociation

Sometimes what is needed is a little silliness and

Sometimes what is needed is a little silliness and to celebrate a long needed new car!

(Bear with me..This is a repost/replacement. I’ve been looking at the picture I posted, and like this better..)
.
.
#mysubie #subaru #subarucrosstrek #subarulove #subarulife #subaru #newcarlove #woolenmills #myadidas #adidas #workoutgear #godox #godoxlighting

I really like having all my time to concentrate on

I really like having all my time to concentrate on one person for their portrait, but sometimes it’s fun to do two close friends at the same time, ESPECIALLY if it’s some place special like the incredible @swannanoa_on_aftonmountain
I love the pictures of Elmira, but the first one, as the light was waning was just about the coolest background I’ve ever shot in.

Thank you @_elmira.rahmani_ for playing!
.
.
#seniorportraits #seniorportrait #nelsoncountyva #swannanoa #godox #godoxlighting

I always take my job of photographing Seniors seri

I always take my job of photographing Seniors seriously, but when I am photographing the daughter of another photographer it’s easy to feel the bar get higher.
I understand why one might not want Dad to make your Senior Portrait, not because he wouldn’t do a beautiful job.. but because there’s that first step away from childhood and a desire to explore who you are in that space.
I loved Avens willingness to hike through the woods and wear her fabulous dress at the river!
I think we did well!
And that the Fall leaves were nearly the color of her hair..?!
I couldn’t have planned it better!
.
.
#portraitsinnature #seniorpictures #seniorportraits #nelsoncountyva #portraitphotographer

From this Fall, USCHA in San Juan, Puerto Rico, I

From this Fall, USCHA in San Juan, Puerto Rico, I photographed the incredible Carmen Zorilla who I have had the privilege of knowing through the WRI for well over a decade.

When I returned to PR in the Spring we had more time to visit and I was able to see her clinic in person!💕

Carmen is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the UPR School of Medicine, certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Academy of HIV Medicine. In 1987, she established the first longitudinal clinic for women living with HIV in Puerto Rico. She participated in the PACTG 076 as one of the first 10 pilot sites and was instrumental in making AZT available to pregnant women living with HIV in Puerto Rico. Her clinic, in which more than 600 infants have been born to HIV-positive women, has had a nearly zero transmission rate during the past 16 years!
.
.
#uscha #hivresearch #thewellprojecthiv

I’m the next installment of “Playing catch up” with Senior Portraits, Ella, who’s off in NC this year.
If you’re in Nelson you might have caught her in one of the Musicals, or seen her play soccer, but I’m telling you, not only is she talented but also she is HYSTERICALLY funny!
She’s had me laughing so hard my glasses fogged up & I couldn’t see to shoot!
She was also such a pleasure to work with, willing to explore ideas, and so many “moods”.
I’m sharing several from this shoot, since there were so many good ones.
@ellaamanthey
.
.
#seniorpictures #seniorportraits #nelsoncountyva #virginiaportraitphotography #virginiaportraitphotographer

I’ve been having such fun posting my “Senior P

I’ve been having such fun posting my “Senior Portraits”, but suddenly it looks like I only photograph people under 25, where as the majority of the people I photograph are actually quite a bit older.
& I was thinking about this Winter shoot with the lovely & talented Carol McAvoy, because just recently someone bemoaned “having to shoot in the winter when there are no leaves on the trees”.
When Winter makes the BEST backgrounds for portraits! Gold & silver, copper and purples.. the woods are a-glo with that late low light!💕
This project was extra fun because it was a business card project & I had to do what I call “practicing Graphics w/o a license”, but luckily I have brilliant friends who “lend me their eyeballs”, and take my ideas & show me what needs to be done.
I was please with the outcome of the whole thing and just loved working with a pro!
.
.
#portrait #portraitphotography #portraitphotographer #winterwoods #winterlight #silverhair #nelsoncountyva #centralvalleyphotographer

Next up on the “catch up list”… Russell is h

Next up on the “catch up list”…
Russell is half way through his freshman year at George Mason!
I photographed his sister Anna 4 years ago and was so happy he wanted to make his Senior pictures with me.
I often ask people to choose places that are meaningful to them and so it seemed appropriate that we made these pictures in the beautiful late afternoon light around the lake where he grew up.

@allrussnomoney
.
.
#seniorpictures #seniorportraits #nelsoncountyva #virginiaportraitphotographer

Slowly, slowly getting there! (Trying to play catc

Slowly, slowly getting there! (Trying to play catch up)
Maddie was a rockstar! It was SO cold but the light just got better and better and she hung in there with me!
I’d photograph this girl ANY time! I had so much fun w/ her & she’s SO game!
@madisonbaileyyyyy
It makes my job easy & fun when you want to PLAY!💕
.
.
#seniorpictures #seniorportraits #seniorportraitphotographer #seniorportraitphotography #seniorphotos #nelsoncountyva #pharsalia

I’m SO behind posting my Seniors, so I’m going

I’m SO behind posting my Seniors, so I’m going to try to play catch up.
I love this moment between child and adult as they explore who they are, who they were and who they are becoming.
It’s such a delight to explore with them and to get to know some TRUELY incredible people!
Please meet Vanessa!
.
.
#seniorportraits #virginiaportraitphotographer

In 1988 I and a few of my Photo classmates shot th

In 1988 I and a few of my Photo classmates shot the portraits for that year’s RISD yearbook.
They were shot on 4x5 Polaroid PN (positive/negative) film which is no longer made.
I haven’t gone to look for the negs but I assume I have them somewhere.
In the process of cleaning out my files I came across the original Polaroids and have offered to send them to the subjects, but scanned them first.
I thought I’d share a few of my faves.
.
.
#risd #risdalumni #risdphoto #risd #blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhiteportrait #blackandwhiteportraitphotography #oldschool #oldschoolphotography #polaroid #polaroidphotography #polaroidpositivenegativefilm #polaroid4x5 #studioportrait #studioportraits #risd1988 #rockingthe80s #80sstyle #80snostalgia #80sdesign

Yay Liberty!! Oh! How I love these Senior Portrait

Yay Liberty!!
Oh! How I love these Senior Portraits!
This moment.. between child and adult!.
Savor and celebrate it!
I can’t get over how perfectly she embodied it.

Times of transition intrigue me.. this moment of BETWEEN and the step forward!
It’s not JUST for HS Seniors!
What is YOUR moment of transition that you’d like to celebrate?
.
.
#seniorpictures #seniorportraits #transitions #charlottesvillephotographer #charlottesvilleportraitphotographer #virginiaportraitphotographer #virginiaphotographer #swanannoa #badassgirls

I do NOT consider myself a wildlife photographer b

I do NOT consider myself a wildlife photographer but I just needed to share this fave!
Last week in Charleston SC we went by boat to see a wetland area where there is a proposal to infill and build 9,000 homes.
I know the developers think this will be ideal, as people love to live on the water, but I was blown away by the density of current inhabitants.
The other thing to keep in mind as we heard stories about downtown Charleston flooding w/ the last hurricane, is the the wet lands also as the as buffers and sponges, dealing w/ storm water in a much more efficient way than hard, man made impermeable surfaces.
It’s an honor to be shooting for the incredible folks at Southern Environmental Law Center and getting to hear about their good work.
Grateful for those fighting the good fight!
.
.
#selc #wetlands #southcarolina #charlestonsc #egret #wildlifephotography

After watching me shoot for a few days a friend co

After watching me shoot for a few days a friend commented that I probably needed a set of knee pads in my shooting gear kit. I told the story of when I got my first official newspaper job my mom wanted to buy me a cute grey wool “Lois Lane” skirt & jacket.
I asked her if she knew what I ACTUALLY did for a living & pointed out that it often involved climbing on 3rd graders desks & lying in the street.
I dig out this picture & thought it would be fun to share.
Taken by the wonderful Chuck Moran of @baldguystudio
.
.
#onthejob #portraitphotographer #dowhatyougottado #charlottesvillephotographer #rivannariver

Oh the danger of excavation! What will be in-earth

Oh the danger of excavation!
What will be in-earthed?
How about a photo from 1994, Shantou China w/ Operation Smile & a pile of cameras?
A Polaroid Land, a Nikon (F3?) & my first Leica!
(Not to mention that incredibly hip leather “Fanny pack” & what appear to be Mom jeans!)

Some Senior portraits just take a bit longer than

Some Senior portraits just take a bit longer than others.
We were going to make a picture when he graduated from HS, but suddenly it’s his college graduation, and the oppressed was just too good.
You’ll have to ask him about his Kracken tattoo.. but it just seemed appropriate to celebrate all that he’s accomplished. (And the chilly water of Lake Champlain at 5 am was no easy feat either!)
The first image is his fave, the second is mine. Bon Voyage Quinn! @moonb1ight
.
.
#launched #seniorportraits #kracken #lakechamplain #adventures

IAD to London! . .

IAD to London!
.
.

Part two of the marathon.. After a really great ni

Part two of the marathon.. After a really great night last night, everything went smoothly, so good to see everyone in person again, I’m off to Atlanta!
Excited for the next two days of work!
(First time traveling w/ a light & stands! 😳 cameras are bad enough!)

Continuing the theme of out-takes or perhaps “Mo

Continuing the theme of out-takes or perhaps “Moms”, Livi (daughter) assisted & “styled” for my portrait of Dori (her mom), so of COURSE we need a picture of the TWO of them together & not a moment too soon as Livi took off for the West Coast shortly after.
Check them out as they’re both amazing and talented women! @hahabluefish @livcoyote & hair by Rox Cruz!
.
.
#portraits #virginiaportraitphotographer #motheranddaughter #motheranddaughters #labrynth #mothersday

I’m working on a little project and thinking abo

I’m working on a little project and thinking about this.. my mother’s hand from her 70th birthday and the butterflies we released to celebrate. My nieces tiny hand (she graduates from HS this year!)
Looking at it now, with her passing last year has me considering it in a whole new way..how time moves and how we move through it..

Sometimes in the middle of something routine.. som

Sometimes in the middle of something routine.. something happens..
Thank you Maddi Franklin & @nelson_drama
.
.
#portraits #portraitphotography #highschooldrama #studioportraits #godox #nelsoncountyva #nikon #portrait_mood

..and another version… the defender of the heart

..and another version… the defender of the heart..?
Again.. thanks to the ever so talented @nicolalstewart for the hair styling
.
.
#portraitphotography #fantasyportrait #womenportraits #virginiaphotographer #virginiaportraitphotographer #knight #womenknights #nelsoncountyva #blueridgemountains #blueridgeparkway

IS there anything better than making a dream come

IS there anything better than making a dream come true? Is there anything more fun than a subject w/ an idea, who wants to take you on an adventure to tell their story?! 💕
@nicolalstewart for the fabulous hair!
What could you dream up?
.
.
#portraitphotography #fantasyportrait #womenportraits #virginiaphotographer #virginiaportraitphotographer #knight #womenknights #nelsoncountyva #blueridgemountains #blueridgeparkway

Sometimes my work takes me to just incredibly beau

Sometimes my work takes me to just incredibly beautiful places. Even better when they’re so close to home. I feel so grateful to live here!
..and of course a mountain top is my happy place! 💕
.
.
#nelsoncountyva #sunset #brp #blueridgemountains #blueridgeparkway

So that was just OUTRAGEOUS fun! THANK YOU to ever

So that was just OUTRAGEOUS fun!
THANK YOU to everyone who came out today to support “the Ladies”! Lots of beautiful work & catch up & telling stories & LOTS of prints went to new homes today for REALLY good prices!

Lots of old frames were left at the free shed & nasty old mats & moldy paper were thrown away. My office (both at home & in town) are a bit emptier (thank goodness!) & more organized.
There’s still a nice collection of prints that are ready to go so I think I’ll continue my “yard sale” as long as there’s interest.
These are odd one off or extra prints only.
NOTHING new or custom or requested, so the prices are WAY below what they’d normally be sold for.
EVERYTHING I’ve printed myself, Giclee, silver gelatin, & C-print.
Keep an eye out for the next offering!

From a few weeks ago.. scouting locations

From a few weeks ago.. scouting locations

This year I think I’ve made more Senior Portrait

This year I think I’ve made more Senior Portraits than I ever have (& I’m WAY behind on posting!)
It’s such a privilege to make these portraits with these lovely kids, just on the verge of “launching”.
This one was extra special because it was my beautiful & talented niece!
(Can you tell she’s a dancer?)
She even brought her sweet & well behaved cat along!
The weather was NOT well behaved, but I think we did ok despite it.
Enjoy!
.
.
#seniorpictures #seniorportraits #virginiaportraitphotographer #aftonmountain #swananoa #portraitphotography #godox

SUCH a deep and heartfelt thank you to everyone wh

SUCH a deep and heartfelt thank you to everyone who purchased a print of “Monticello in the Snow”, in honor of my Mother.
I will be able to send the National Capital Chapter of the Parkinson’s Foundation a nice check! 💕

Some nights are just cooler than others!

Some nights are just cooler than others!

Climate change Rally, Day 5 (only Day 2 for me) Th

Climate change Rally, Day 5 (only Day 2 for me)
Thanks for the picture!
.
.
#climateprotest #peoplevsfossilfuel #landbackbaddie

Load More Follow on Instagram