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Our Team

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Anastasiia Danylova

Graphic Designer

Anastasiia Danylova - Graphic Designer

Anastasiia Danylova, originally from Odesa, Ukraine, joined Freed in 2023 as a Graphic Designer. With a passion for creativity and visual storytelling, she brings a unique artistic touch to her work.

Outside of design, Anastasiia enjoys playing tennis, creating art, and immersing herself in video games. One of her most cherished memories is having the incredible opportunity to play in the US Open during her college years—an experience that deepened her love for the sport and shaped her competitive spirit.

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Amanda Kilgour

Photographer

Amanda Kilgour – Photographer

Amanda Kilgour grew up in Massachusetts but has called Washington, DC home since 2008. She joined Freed in 2019 as a Photographer, bringing her keen eye for detail and passion for capturing meaningful moments.

When she’s not behind the camera, Amanda enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring nature, and traveling to new places. One of her favorite school memories is her eighth-grade Nature’s Classroom trip, where she built lasting friendships and deepened her appreciation for the great outdoors.

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Bryan Blanken

Partner

Bryan Blanken - Partner

Bryan Blanken is a Partner at Freed, having started in 2001.

Born in Washington, DC, he grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, great food, basketball, and golf, but most of all, watching his kids do what they love.

One of his favorite school memories is making a ¾ court basketball shot in a regional playoff game—he swears it goes in every time!

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Bryn Truppo

Photographer

Bryn Truppo – Photographer

Bryn Truppo, a Montgomery County, Maryland native, joined Freed Photography in 2024 as a school photographer. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in Baltimore, she returned to the DC Metro area to pursue her passion for photography.

Outside of work, Bryn fully embraces her inner nerd—she loves playing video games and Dungeons & Dragons with friends. Her favorite school memory is her high school photography class, where she first discovered her love for the art, setting her on the path to her career today.

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Camie Olexovitch

Photographer and Portrait Sales Leader

Camie Olexovitch – Photographer & Portrait Sales Leader

Originally from Greenwood, Delaware, a small town near Rehoboth Beach, Camie Olexovitch joined Freed Photography in 2008. As both a Photographer and Portrait Sales Leader, she brings a keen eye for capturing special moments and a passion for helping families preserve lasting memories.

When she’s not working, Camie loves spending time with her kids, family, and friends—whether by the pool, at the beach, or hitting the slopes snowboarding. Her favorite school memories? Sneaking away with friends to the beach for some well-earned fun!

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Carla Freed

Partner

Carla Freed – Secretary, Board of Directors

Serving as a founding partner, Carla Freed has played an integral role at Freed Photography since 1994. Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, she moved to Maryland as an infant and has proudly called it home ever since.

Carla has a passion for travel, exploring the world whenever she can. She also enjoys playing golf, swimming, reading, and spending quality time with her family. One of her fondest school memories is her junior year abroad in England, an experience that deepened her love for adventure. More recently, she enjoys revisiting the Maryland schools she once attended—Sargent Shriver Elementary and Bannockburn Elementary—now as part of Freed Photography’s legacy.

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Daniela Muñoz

Photographer

Daniela Muñoz – Photographer

Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Daniela Muñoz moved to the United States in 2012 after completing film school. She joined Freed Photography in 2024, bringing her artistic vision and passion for storytelling to every shot she captures.

When she’s not behind the camera, Daniela enjoys hiking with her husband and dog and refining her handwriting through calligraphy. Some of her fondest school memories include being part of the Theatre Club and hosting on the school radio station—early experiences that nurtured her love for creativity and expression.

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David Evans Jr.

Photographer

David Evans Jr. – Photographer

Born and raised in Washington, DC, David Evans Jr. joined Freed Photography in 2021. As a photographer, he brings a strong passion for capturing special moments and creating lasting memories.

Outside of work, David loves spending time with his family, going bowling, and playing basketball. One of his favorite school memories is his trip with the snowboard club to Mont Tremblant in Canada—an unforgettable experience filled with adventure and camaraderie.

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David Scotto

Production Team Member

David Scotto – Production Team Member

Hailing from Frederick, Maryland, David Scotto joined Freed Photography in 2019 as a valued member of the Production Team. His keen attention to detail and appreciation for the art of photography help bring each project to life.

Outside of work, David enjoys exploring the outdoors and honing his photography skills. One of his favorite college memories is learning from a variety of photographers and gaining insight into the different paths they took in their creative journeys—an experience that continues to inspire him today.

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Ethan Ng

Photographer

Ethan Ng – Photographer

A Maryland native, Ethan Ng joined Freed Photography in 2024, bringing his enthusiasm for capturing moments and telling visual stories.

When he’s not behind the camera, Ethan enjoys unwinding by playing video games. His favorite school memory is the simple joy of spending time with friends after school, creating lasting bonds and great experiences.

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Jeny Benitez

Digital Artist

Jeny Benitez – Digital Artist

Originally from Washington, D.C., Jeny Benitez now calls Silver Spring, Maryland home. She has been an essential part of Freed Photography since 2004, using her skills as a Digital Artist to enhance and perfect each image with precision and creativity.

Outside of work, Jeny loves exploring new destinations and indulging in great food with her husband and three kids. One of her most cherished school memories is from third grade—sledding on cardboard boxes during recess after a snowstorm, a moment of pure childhood joy.

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Jonathan McKenzie

Production Team Member

Jonathan McKenzie – Production Team Member

Born in Washington, DC, Jonathan McKenzie returned to the area after graduating from North Carolina A&T State University in 2016. That same year, he joined Freed Photography as a key member of the Production Team, where his expertise in photo retouching helps bring images to life.

Outside of work, Jonathan enjoys gaming online with friends. One of his favorite school memories was winning 3rd place in an art contest—a moment that fueled his drive to aim for first place the following year.

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Jorge Sardinha

Production Manager

Jorge Sardinha – Production Manager

Originally from Portugal, Jorge Sardinha joined Freed Photography in 2022 and now serves as the Production Manager, ensuring the seamless execution of projects with his keen eye for detail and organization.

When he's not working, Jorge enjoys going on long hikes with his dog, exploring new restaurants, traveling as much as possible, and expanding his ever-growing plant collection. One of his most memorable school experiences was playing and singing as Ulysses in his 5th-grade play. Though it wasn’t considered the "coolest" thing to do, he embraced the challenge, learning that stepping out of his comfort zone and enjoying what he does is more important than others' opinions.

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Kristin Austin

Archivist

Kristin Austin – Archivist

Originally from Ohio, Kristin Austin has been a dedicated member of Freed Photography since 2005. As an Archivist, she plays a crucial role in preserving and organizing the company’s extensive collection of images.

Outside of work, Kristin enjoys hiking, solving jigsaw puzzles, playing video games, and diving into a good book. Some of her fondest school memories come from the many elective art classes she took, which fueled her creativity and passion for visual storytelling.

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Leah Miao

Graphic Designer

Leah Miao – Graphic Designer

Originally from China, Leah Miao joined Freed Photography in 2018 as a Graphic Designer, bringing her artistic talent and creative vision to the team.

When she’s not working, Leah enjoys drawing, building with Legos, cooking, visiting theme parks, and riding roller coasters. She’s also an avid skier—whenever her ACL cooperates! Traveling the world during the holidays is one of her greatest passions.

One of Leah’s favorite school memories is meeting her lifelong best friend in high school. She later came to the U.S. for college to study photojournalism and video editing, further developing her skills in visual storytelling.

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Lindsey Huba

Photographer

Lindsey Huba – Photographer

Hailing from Chantilly, Virginia, Lindsey Huba joined Freed Photography in 2024 as a Photographer. She brings a passion for capturing moments and creating lasting memories through her lens.

When she’s not working, Lindsey cherishes spending time with her son. One of her most memorable school experiences was showcasing years of hard work in her senior year photography exhibition in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, sharing the moment with family, friends, and professors.

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Maddie Williams

Studio Associate

Maddie Williams – Studio Associate

Born and raised in Washington, DC, Maddie Williams joined Freed Photography in 2024 as a Studio Associate. She plays a key role in keeping studio operations running smoothly.

When she’s not working, Maddie enjoys unwinding with her cats while watching The Real Housewives. Some of her favorite school memories come from spending time in the photography darkroom with friends, where she developed her passion for the art.

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Margaux Kelley-Portillo

Yearbook Coordinator

Margaux Kelley-Portillo – Yearbook Coordinator

Margaux Kelley-Portillo has spent her entire life in the Washington, DC Metro area and joined Freed Photography in 2021 as the Yearbook Coordinator. Her passion for education and storytelling shines through in her work.

When she’s not working, Margaux enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, swimming, baking, and sewing. While her own school experience was challenging, she turned it into a mission to create a better future for students. She dedicated her career to education, teaching elementary school in Montgomery County until her retirement.

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Mike "The Better" Blanken

School Production Team Leader

Mike "The Better" Blanken – School Production Team Leader

Mike Blanken, a proud Earthling, has been a key part of Freed Photography since 2007. As the School Production Team Leader, he ensures everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

Outside of work, Mike enjoys building with Legos and playing video games. His favorite school memory? Leaving!

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Monika Karnani

Director of Operations & School Communications

Monika Karnani – Director of Operations & School Communications

Born and raised in Montgomery County, Maryland, Monika Karnani spent much of her childhood on the island of Barbados, where her mother was born. She joined Freed Photography in 2023 and plays a vital role in operations and school communications.

Monika finds joy in walking under the sun, traveling, and attending live music events—especially from the ’90s. She thrives on seeing people discover their own light and happiness. Like Moana, she feels the ocean calling her.

Her favorite school memory is from 9th grade when a tough teacher recognized her talent. After reading her paper, he told the class, “You have a gift. Don’t waste it. It felt like you were telling me the story—you have a voice.”

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Neal Freed

Partner

Neal Freed – President

Originally from New York City, Neal Freed has been with Freed Photography as a founding partner since 1994. He brings decades of experience and leadership to the team.

When he's not working, Neal enjoys playing (admittedly bad) golf.

His favorite school memory? Getting accepted into an "illegal" fraternity in high school—a story that likely comes with some great laughs!

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Rachel Bedno Robinson

Session Coordinator

Rachel Bedno Robinson – Session Coordinator

Originally from Chicago, Rachel grew up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest—Washington State, the “other” Washington! She joined Freed Photography in 2022 and now plays a key role as Session Coordinator.

Rachel’s background is in medical illustration, and she enjoys artsy and scientific projects with family and students. With four teen to young adult children, she loves cooking and sharing meals with friends.

Her most unforgettable school memory? The end-of-year 5th-grade celebration was completely upstaged when Mt. St. Helens had a dome-building eruption, canceling the final day of school as ash rained from the sky!

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Rebecca Heeke

Photographer

Rebecca Heeke – Photographer

Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Rebecca joined Freed Photography in 2024 as a Photographer.

When she’s not behind the camera, she loves staying active and exploring her creative side.

One of her most cherished school memories was being accepted into the photography department at VCUArts—a milestone that fueled her passion for the craft.

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Rocky Donnelly

Photographer

Rocky Donnelly – Photographer

Originally from the DMV area, Rocky was born in Portsmouth, VA, raised in Washington, DC, and now resides in Maryland. She joined Freed Photography in 2021 as a Photographer.

Outside of work, Rocky plays guitar and bass in a band, performing at shows.

One of her favorite school memories was when her grandfather, who tested air quality from the roof of her elementary school, would wave to her during recess and toss golf balls for her and her friends to catch—turning an ordinary school day into something special.

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Shayvon Omesh

Director of Photography

Shayvon Omesh – Director of Photography

Originally from Prince George’s County, Maryland, Shayvon joined Freed Photography in 2022 as the Director of Photography.

Outside of work, he enjoys freelancing in photo and video, gaming, and serving as a Media Director at his church.

One of his favorite school memories was competing in the National Japan Bowl, a Japanese language competition. In college, he especially enjoyed his studio portraiture and studio lighting for digital film classes.

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Sipora Kogos

Systems Coordinator

Sipora Kogos – Systems Coordinator

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Sipora has been with Freed Photography since 2004.

When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four daughters.

One of her favorite school memories is meeting the Mayor of Baltimore in 5th grade.

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Tigist Ashaka

Photographer

Tigist Ashaka – Photographer

Originally from Fort Washington, Maryland, Tigist joined Freed Photography in 2023.

Outside of work, she enjoys reading and watching movies.

A proud alumna of Hampton University, Tigist developed a strong interest in Photojournalism, making it one of her favorite subjects.

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Veronica Walton

Communications & Photography Liaison

Veronica Walton – Communications & Photography Liaison

Originally from Bowie, Maryland, Veronica joined Freed Photography in 2021.

Outside of work, she enjoys trying out new restaurants, spending time with family, and binge-watching her favorite shows.

One of her favorite school memories is winning the best photography portrait award, with her work displayed at the UMD Art Gallery Exhibit. She credits her photography teacher for inspiring her and shaping her journey.

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Victoria Adkison

Director of Finance and Human Resources

Victoria Adkison – Director of Finance and Human Resources

Born on Long Island, New York, Victoria has called Cary, North Carolina home for much of her life. She joined Freed Photography in 2005.

When she’s not working, she loves escaping to the beach—whether for a quick day trip or a full week with her family.

Her favorite school memory was participating in a year-long Health Occupations elective in high school. The program involved rotations at medical facilities, working with different types of patients, and earning a Nurse Assistant Certification. Wearing scrubs and a stethoscope while mastering blood pressure readings in high school was a proud moment that helped her realize her passion for working with people.

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