Alexandria: Dressed for the Holidays and the 22nd Annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights!

As usual, Alexandria is kicking off a festive Holiday season with the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade and the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights! WPS will visit historic Old Town on the afternoon of December 3 to photograph the beautifully decorated shops and homes. There is always plenty to photograph and businesses and residents really put on a show for the Holidays with lights, garland and plenty of vibrant color, especially along King Street!

By 5:30, we’ll be in place along the Alexandria Waterfront to photograph the 22nd Annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. We’ll work on the best settings for photographing the moving decorated boats and experiment with freezing motion as well as panning to create motion in our images. There may be time after the Parade of Lights for additional photography.

While the safari will start later in the afternoon, you might want to come to Alexandria earlier in the day to photograph 51st Annual Campagna Center Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, which is at 11 am, with dozens of Scottish Clans dressed in colorful tartans, joined by pipe and drum bands from around the region, in addition to terriers and hounds. It promises to be a morning filled with “photographic opportunities”!

What equipment do you need?

Your favorite lens – if you have one, a versatile zoom would be best; tripods are optional (if you bring a tripod, don’t forget the remote release!)

Here is what one client had to say about the safari: “Lots of patience for a beginner. The instructor took time to explain the basics for me and provide more stylistic advice to those more experienced in my group. I would do another tour in a heartbeat.” Devin T.

Photos courtesy of Sherryl Belinsky & Visit Alexandria