Nature Visions Photo Expo at Hylton Performing Arts Center, Nov. 14, 15: Joe McNally, Acclaimed Photojournalist Will Speak

Nature Visions Photo Expo (NVPE) will showcase nature photography at its best at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, Va. Sat., Nov. 14 and Sun., Nov. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. The Expo presents nature photography exhibits from eight of the DC-area’s best camera clubs, as well as $2 classes for beginners, two free Lightroom seminars and 22 more instructional sessions on topics from the iPhone to landscape photography. More advanced lectures by notable professional and freelance nature photographers, including keynote speaker Joe McNally, veteran photojournalist of the book, Faces of Ground Zero and renowned, freelance photographer for National Geographic and LIFE magazines, do charge a fee. Also, the winner of the NVPE high school student photo contest will be announced, with the student to receive a $100 gift card from District Camera in Burke, Va. General admission is free to view the photo exhibits and visit more than 20 local and national photography vendors. Class fees range from free to $85. Merchant Hall three-day passes are also available at $160 per person and allow access to 11 presentations. Purchase passes at www.naturevisions.org.

In addition to the seminars and lectures, photographers will have the chance to focus their lenses on hawks and owls in a natural setting, just outside the Hylton Performing Arts Center. All proceeds go to the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia to support their animal rehabilitation programs.

Thirty-six local high school students also entered the first NVPE student photo contest, sponsored by District Camera in Burke, Va. Ten finalists will be chosen and receive $50 District Camera gift cards, while one student will receive the grand prize of a $100 District Camera gift card.

The Expo features a total of 18 outstanding photographer-instructors who will speak on travel and wildlife photography, creativity, technical skills, and more. In addition, more than 20 local and national vendors will demonstrate and sell the latest photography equipment, supplies and instructional tours and workshops. Before the Expo, on Fri., Nov. 13, landscape photography master craftsman, Mark Muench will give a full-day seminar at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. A list of speakers and educational presentations are available at www.naturevisions.org.

“Like painting, music and the performing arts---photography is an art-form to be enjoyed and practiced,” said Tom Shevock, president of Nature Visions Photo Expo. “We all look to capture a moment with our camera, whether it’s a professional shot or just a quick click of the cell phone, and our Expo offers something for everyone,” said Shevock.