People take photos all the time, whether it is a selfie or a picture of their loveable pet. However, some have created an entire career focusing on capturing moments in time and bringing out someone’s beauty. One such person is Erica Land, founder of Erica Land Photography in Rockville and specialist in headshots and teen portraits. Her company is well known for its “Teen Model Ambassadors”, composed of middle-school and high-school girls who are eager to help the community. Every year, the ambassadors participate in themed photoshoots to raise money for different causes.
Erica Land was not always a photographer. Previously a lawyer, she switched careers seventeen years ago to focus on her hobby and be able to spend more time with her family.
“Before I left law, I went back to school for photography,” Land said. “I learned that if I left the legal field, I wanted to do something I loved. I like taking photos, especially portraits. I have the ability to connect with my models and bring out their personality with their photos.”
Running her own business is no easy task, as she is constantly learning something new. When she first started Erica Land Photography, she had no experience working in business, so the first thing she did was enroll in some classes. Soon, she became a classified photographer. Although she is experienced, she still believes that she can grow her business.
“I take classes every day. I am enrolled in 10 courses. When I am editing photos, I am listening to a recording of the classes. I am always learning something new whether it is about cameras, lighting, fashion trends, social media, or marketing.”
Most recently, she took classes to learn how to build a rain machine. She was inspired at a conference and spent a lot of time and money to build it. She was able to photograph dancers and athletes in a unique and breath-taking style.
Erica Land Photography is always expanding. The model team now comprises two subteams: the “Senior Team” and “Dance Team”. The Senior Team focuses on capturing the last year of high school and her Dance Team is made up of teen dancers, with some modeling for dance apparel. Her company has collaborated with non-profits to organize fundraisers and events; for example, every autumn, Land hosts a fashion show with Dance Hope Cure to raise money for childhood cancer research. The teens model in dresses from companies such as Dress Lab and sales go towards the organization. Her models lead fundraisers with the local food pantry So What Else to sell popcorn, which raises money to help battle food insecurity in low-income families.
In addition to helping the community, Land is passionate about letting her models’ inner beauty shine through. Through Project Beauty, she takes photos of her models in a natural light – no makeup, no editing, no retouching.
“My goal is to raise self esteem through photos and empower people and bring out inner beauty,” said Land. “Everyone is nervous getting their picture taken or walking down the aisle. Later, people will come to me and say that they felt special. When people can look at their photos and say they are beautiful, I feel like I did my job.”
Through Erica Land Photography, Land has inspired the girls on her modeling team to grow beyond her company. Many have started modeling professionally and have even walked for fashion shows in DC and New York Fashion Week. She believes that everyone has the potential to be a model.
“Everyone I photograph is beautiful. People who work with me don’t realize that I help bring out their inner beauty through my shoots. Confidence is important in modeling.”
Through seventeen years following her passion, Land has created a successful business through her determination and creativity, helping countless teens grow their confidence by channeling their inner beauty and inspiring them to help the community.
Written by Natalie Kiene of Thomas S. Wootton High School
Graphic courtesy of Erica Land Photography