Case Study: Joy-Ann Reid & Eric Holder — A Legacy of Leadership at March On! Festival

Washington DC Event Photography | Civic Engagement | Editorial Portraiture

Overview

At the March On! Festival in Washington DC, Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and MSNBC Host Joy-Ann Reid delivered a powerful message on leadership, legacy, and civic responsibility to the next generation of changemakers.

CreeseWorks was commissioned to capture the emotion, energy, and purpose of this high-profile event through editorial-quality photography that could serve both press and promotional needs by working the Canady Foundation of the Arts.

Client Goals

The March On! Festival team needed photography that would:

• Go beyond basic event coverage to tell a story of legacy and connection.

• Reflect the festival’s brand values of justice, equality, and youth empowerment.

• Deliver editorial-ready images for national media and digital platforms.

The Challenge

Working in a high-security, time-limited environment, the challenge was to:

• Capture two nationally recognized figures with minimal intrusion.

• Balance available lighting with professional exposure control.

• Maintain a visual tone consistent with editorial outlets such as The Washington Post and The New York Times, where CreeseWorks’ work has also appeared.

Our Approach: The WORKS Method™

CreeseWorks applied its signature WORKS Framework — a proven creative process for brand-aligned storytelling through imagery:

W — Widen the Vision

Align visuals with purpose. We studied March On!’s civic mission to design a visual direction centered on empowerment and continuity.

O — Optimize the Scene

Design for composition and light. Pre-scouted the stage to identify lighting zones and angles for maximum narrative impact.

R — Refine the Story

Capture authenticity. Focused on gestures, laughter, and the human connection between speakers and students.

K — Keep It Human

Emotion over perfection. Worked unobtrusively to let moments unfold naturally.

S — Show the Legacy

Create lasting visual narratives. Delivered imagery that continues to promote March On!’s educational mission.

Technical Execution

Camera Systems: Sony Alpha bodies paired with Sony G Master Series lenses.

Lighting Strategy: Primarily flash light enhanced with modifiers to enhance exposure.

Post-Processing: Editorial tone with balanced skin tones, refined contrast, and timeless color grading.

Turnaround: Instant delivery of key photo for media readiness.

Results & Impact

• Editorial-quality image set used across March On!’s social and promotional platforms.

• Positive audience engagement — visuals resonated deeply with youth participants and educators.

• Brand amplification — photos positioned the festival as a serious platform for civic leadership.

Why This Matters

This project highlights CreeseWorks’ ability to:

Produce high-end event photography in Washington DC with narrative and editorial intent.

Operate seamlessly within civic, governmental, and media environments.

Transform mission-driven events into visual assets that communicate legacy and leadership.

About CreeseWorks

CreeseWorks is a Washington DC-based creative studio led by Christopher Creese, specializing in:

• Commercial and editorial photography

• Brand storytelling and marketing visuals

• Corporate and civic event coverage

• Creative direction for mission-driven organizations

Our work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.

Hire CreeseWorks

If your organization, foundation, or media team needs editorial-quality event photography that reflects your values and story — let’s connect.

📧 christopher@creeseworks.com

🌐 www.creeseworks.com

📸 @creeseworks on Instagram