Valeta Davisson
Director of Wedding Services
Senior Wedding Coodinator
Tessmer of Fairfax Wins Accolades at International Competition
Three photographs by Joseph Tessmer have recently won at the Professional Photographers of America's 2011International Photographic Competition
Tessmer's work will be on display at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, January 15-17, 2012, in New Orleans, La. A panel of eminent jurors from across the United States selected Tessmer's photographs from more than 4,000 total submitted entries. Just over 600 (15 percent) were selected for the esteemed Loan Collection. Tessmer's loan collection photographs Light and Symmetry and Green Prickles along with his best of show photograph Sunset Sail will be displayed.
Tessmer of Fairfax Named Best Social Event/Wedding Photographer
The Virginia Professional Photographers Association honors Tessmer of Fairfax
It has often been said that Tessmer of Fairfax has lots of laurels they just don't rest on them. To prove the point the Virginia Professional Photographers Association has awarded JoeTessmer one of the highest awards a photographer can receive. Best social event photographer. Social events include weddings, anniversaries, parties and funerals.
Joe Tessmer Prints Selected for Exhibition at Dulles Airport:
The Arts Council for the Dulles Gateway Exhibition chooses Concentric Angles by Joe Tessmer for their current display.
Concentric Angles, a photograph that has won at the state, regional and national level was among the images chosen for the curent display of Washington images that awaits arriving passengers at Dulles airport. Jonathan Zuck reports "Looks great...". To see the photograph click on Honors & Awards at the top of this web page.
Valeta's Biography
I got into the wedding coordination/wedding photography business quite by accident. Shortly after high school, I started coordinating my friends' weddings, bridal showers, and baby showers. I found that wedding and event planning was something that comes naturally to me and it is something that I truly enjoy.
After moving to the Northern Virginia area to work as a software engineer, I continued coordinating weddings and social functions as a leisure pursuit. The opportunity to turn my labor of love into a paying profession came when I planned my own wedding in 1993. I hired Joe Tessmer, of Tessmer of Fairfax to photograph my wedding and the rest is history!
During that same time period I coordinated several of my friends' weddings and on my recommendation they also hired Joe. After the third wedding, Joe commented that I was better than the professional coordinators that he had worked with and he asked me if I would like a job working with him. I had just completed my Master's Degree in Information Systems Management from Virginia Tech, and had been wondering what I was going to do with all my new free time. Little did I know that besides capturing some truly unique and beautiful photographs of my wedding that I would end up spending most Saturday afternoons with the guy doing something that I absolutely love!
As part of the award winning Tessmer of Fairfax team approach, I focus on the personal touches. I make sure that the bride and groom are relaxed and having fun, that the groom's tie is straight, and that the lace on the bride's dress is lying just right. I hold your hand, calm your nerves, and help get that spot off your dress. I help organize the family and large groups for photographs and act as the liaison between the photography staff and other wedding vendors to ensure good communication and flow of services. I also assist with set-up of our equipment, and I make sure that Joe has the correct lens and that he doesn't run out of film.
Joe and I always feel honored whenever we are asked to participate in a couple's wedding. I love helping the bride and groom realize their dreams. But most of all, I look forward to the end of the wedding when the bride and groom have huge smiles on their faces and with an enormous, warm hug, tell me that they couldn't have done it without me. That warm feeling stays with me for days!
