DC Nightlife Interviews: Photographers
Written by: Anna Pineapple
These are the people who never stay in one spot at the club and are usually recognized more for their camera than their face. Here’s what they have to say about photographing DC nightlife:
Danilo Lewis, the house photographer for Lima: Mute|Teka|Fujimar and EDM DC and has been in the game for the past 3 years. “What first drew me into it was the music. I have taken photos at almost every major club in DC and for some of the best promotion companies in the area and what I love most is the constant change and diversity this cities nightlife has to offer.” He hopes one day to be director of media for a major label/artist.
As the scene keeps growing, the influx of aspiring nightlife photographers will continue. 
Many photographers are extremely frustrated with the amount of amateurs looking to shoot in exchange for an event ticket and press pass. “Too many venues in the city put so little value into great photography, that they settle for just a GWAC (guy/gal with a camera) and not a professional photographer. If your putting so much time, effort and money into your business it would only seem logical that you would want to hire a professional to properly showcase and capture your venue with great photos.”
With photography, like many things in life, you get what you pay for.
Producing great photos isn’t the only requirement for a nightlife photographer. A good 
attitude and patience is key, especially when the shooting conditions consist of large crowds, drunken people, loud music, and unpredictable lighting. Going with the flow will ensure you do your job well and actually enjoy it! David Nguyen is a freelance photographer who got his start by bringing his camera to house parties. “As far as nightlife goes, communication and people skills are a must. Be engaging and respectful. Proper photo etiquette will go a long way. If you don’t like it, delete it. Overall, have fun!” What is his least favorite part of the job? “Not enough drink tickets.”
Shooting for major EDM artists, Echostage, Made Event NYC, and SoundGarden Hall in Philly, has made Doug Van Sant a household name in EDM photography. Go to any Echostage event, and you’ll likely see Doug walking around with two huge cameras strapped to him and fans clamoring to get a photograph. Watch out though, Doug isn’t afraid of the delete button and chooses his photos wisely. “I’m not a fan of obnoxious people who do stupid stuff on camera. If you flip the bird at my camera, I will delete the photo immediately. Sorry, our nightlife scene is about having fun and that’s what I’m trying to capture.”
Being in the right place at the right time is the name of the game when photographing the 
constantly changing lighting conditions. “Poor lighting conditions are awful. Once you shoot on stage at Ultra and other major festivals that have over-the-top production, a dark club can be incredibly frustrating. [However] Nothing is more satisfying when kryo is blasting and hands are in the air and you look at your camera and see everything is exposed perfectly. That’s priceless.”
For those interested in photographing nightlife or music events, keep shooting. It will help you evolve your craft and also may help you land jobs. “For me, I just did as much shooting for myself as possible before it started to get noticed. Once people saw I knew what I was doing and I took it seriously, the job offers came in.”
Kathy Vitkus has been shooting in the EDM scene for many years and is a testament that you really can do what you love. “My favorite part of the job is being a part of it all, that I still never take it for granted and that I hope I never do. I am often consciously aware of this great party going on while it’s happening and the fact that it’s so open and welcoming and I’m a part of it (participant). I am so grateful for all of these opportunities over the years and it’s still very surreal. To be able to capture the history-in-the-making is a bonus!”
Check out their photo pages here:
Kathy: https://www.facebook.com/EDMforLife
Doug: https://www.facebook.com/dougvansant
Fujimar: Late-Night Sushi & Ceviche in Washington DC
1401 K Street,
Home of Lima Lounge Welcomes Fujimar
Take an open second floor space,
infuse Latin and Asian flavors.
Mix Sake and Tequila. Sushi and Ceviche.
Drop some downtempo music.
Here is DC’s newest Restaurant
and evening seafood bar.
Fujimar is the product of combining and renovating Lima Restaurant and Vetro Lounge. Focusing solely on the culinary experience, the second level of Lima Lounge has adopted a more open layout, added a drink bar, sushi bar, and created a menu drizzled in Japanese-South American fusion.
While Lima Lounge remain’s one of DC’s top nightlife destinations, Fujimar will become a choice amongst DC foodies for sushi, ceviche and select items from the former Lima Restaurant menu.
Entering Fujimar from the familiar entrance at 1401 K St. NW, patrons are greeted by an inviting, modern layout. Stainless steel accents at the new drink bar compliment the hardwood floors. Comfortably firm white leather couches, chic velvet-like chairs, minimalist table seating washed by a chroma light display creates a relaxed, high-end atmosphere. Moving further inside, large HDTVs add to the ambience while stone-top tables fit for kings await.
The menu features a combination of Asian and Latin food without the standard con-“fusion” experienced at similar style restaurants. Fujimar instead recreates the unique culinary experience achieved only when two foreign cuisines blend naturally. The result is an interpretation of cuisine forged when Asian immigrants relocated to Latin America.
These inspirations will result in a menu of sushi and ceviche alongside a selection of fish (including unusual options such as Tasmanian Kin Salmon, and Hapu’up’u), caught and shipped the same day from Hawaiian waters.
Owner Masoud Aboughaddareh ensures the fish will be “hooked, line-caught or speared by divers within American waters to ensure strict fishing regulations” and “chosen with great care, knowledge and sensitivity
for preserving the environmental heritage of the world’s most coveted seafood.” Other options such as braised short ribs and barbecued chicken with butter and soy sauce will be available as well.
Fujimar’s drink menu features wine list with imports by artisan winemakers, an extensive Saki collection and a hand-crafted beverage program. No thirst will go unquenched.
Sushi and ceviche served until 1AM M-Th and 2am F/S enhance an already gratifying experience. Fujimar hopes to infuse something fresh into DC restaurants and the K Street neighborhood.
CLOSED: Lima Lounge
- Venue Type: Intimate Club
- Estimated Size: 800
- Amenities: 2 Floors/Bars, Outdoor Patio, Kitchen open late, Bottle Service, Restaurant, Valet, Coat Check
- Cover Charge: $20
- Hours: M: 11:30am – 2:00am, Tu: 11:30am – 11:00pm, W: 11:30am – 1:00am, Th: 11:30am – 2:00am, Fri: 11:30am – 3:00am, Sat: 6:00pm – 3:00am, Sun 12:00pm – 8:00pm
- Dress Code: Upscale. Strictly Enforced.
- Age Requirement: 18+ Tuesday and Thursday. 21+ Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
- Location: K Street
- Address: 1401 K Street NW Washington DC 20005. (202)789 2800
- Website: www.limaloungedc.com
- Atmosphere: Swanky, intimate and primed for dance floor action. Whether it’s dancing in front of the DJ under a flashing spectrum, bottle service, low-key mingling or a conversation outdoors; this 3-floor (2 dance floor) venue provides multiple club gradients. Fujimar, its newly opened 2nd floor restaurant, provides fine-dining, late-night seafood options
Venue Overview
Lima’s upstairs Restaurant, known as Fujimar, is overseen by Executive Chef Reynold Mendizabal. A menu highlighted by fresh ceviche and sushi and select entrees has earned the restaurant high praise from patrons.
Upon entry, one is generally met by an attractive, European style crowd. The people may be diverse but the style is consistent; blazers, shoes, mini-skirts and high heels. Lima’s 20s & 30s crowd looks good and parties hard.
Spacious and fully equipped, the various gradients of Lima Lounge boast state-of-the-art sound systems, intelligent lighting, plush seating, ample dance space, digital projectors and intimate nooks to satisfy all moods.
Lima’s lounge provides two seating areas, a bar and projectors; the perfect place to get away from it all. With colorful lights and atmospheric pieces hanging from the ceiling, a dance floor with a 40 ft bar on one side and roped off VIP on the other, and a raised DJ booth; the main floor has hosted some of the world’s biggest acts.
Parties
- Happy Hour: Monday – Friday, 4pm – 7pm
- Dinner: Monday – Thursday 6pm – 1am, FridaySaturday 6pm – 2am
- Sundays: football brunch
- Mondays Salsa night
- Tuesdays College night
- Wednesdays extended happy hour
- Thursdays house music DJ bookings
- Fridays Teka – techno DJ bookings
- Saturdays rotating line up of DJs catering to DC’s high-end, international crowd.
Latest Updates from Lima
Photo Tour: Main Floor
Photo Tour: Patio
Photo Tour: Lounge
Video Tour: Lima Lounge DC
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