Jan Hanus aka “Papparazzi” is an Award-winning and internationally published Photographer and Art Director with 20+ years of experience in digital/classical photography and desktop publishing and printing technologies. Praised by clients for exceptional knowledge and skills, from idea generation through rollout, and calm demeanor under deadline pressures. Considered expert in most advanced Photoshop techniques, including manipulation, retouching and montages.

Jan was born in then-communist Czechoslovakia into family of photographers, he showed a talent and interest in drawing and painting at a very young age. Jan studied printing and design at the Printing and Publishing Training Center in Prague where he was one of the first students to utilize new computer-based printing technology. After completing his studies and a year of obligatory military duty, Jan worked as a Graphic Designer for several advertising agencies, a travel agency, and a telecommunications company, and as a Photographer for a top Czech advertising firm. In 2000, Jan ventured out to start the company H Design International, Ltd. with his father, Jan Hanus, Sr., where he worked on all stages of design, photo and print work. After relocating to Washington, DC in 2008, Jan worked at Hoon Designs (Hoon Photography) as a Senior Graphic Designer and Photographer. Jan is currently working as an Art Director at District Photo Inc. - The world leader in digital imaging fulfillment services. He lives in Reston, Virginia, with his wife, Alison and three kids Annabelle, Imogen and son Oliver. When he is not working he enjoys spending time with his family, charity work as a President of Pile of Smile - Wish fund for kids with cancer, taking photos and videos and fly-fishing.




What some of my clients say:

"My experience with Jan was excellent; very professional and very 'exacting' in terms of wanting the shot to be 'as requested'. He is meticulous with the finishing of the photos, and wants customer satisfaction. He delivers an exceptional work product and is very easy to work with; I would recommend him highly."   

—William E. Kaye

 

“Jan is one of the best photographers I have worked with.  He is very customer oriented working with one’s needs for portrait view and environment. He scouted out the perfect setting for my Christmas photos near King Street in Alexandria. The photo shoot was quick and on point. Jan’s photo processing is outstanding. He takes the time to review every detail of the photo and make it outstanding. He captured my personality and spirit. Any photographer can take a picture but processing and capture reaches an entirely different level. I highly recommend Jan and will use him for future events.”   

—Melanie Koontz

 

“Jan is an artist! The camera is his palette. His care in his interactions is equally balanced with his creative photography. He is gifted at finding and capturing those unique endearing moments that are forever engrained within life ceremonies and celebrations. You would never know that there was a construction crew behind us at the Supreme Court! Our smiles portrayed our joys that were so skillfully grasped. Thank you Jan for the wonderful work you do!”   

—Susan F. Carson

 

"My husband and I had the amazing fortune of working with Jan Hanus for our engagement and wedding photos. To say he is an artist would be an understatement. Jan was absolutely amazing, by far more hard working and dedicated than I could have imagined. What I treasure about the experience working with Jan is that he not only captured the emotion of our marriage beautifully, but he enriched the experience by being such an important part of it. He was a joy - constantly smiling, actively engaged in the festivities and capturing the small details that so much work had put been dedicated to. The photos themselves are something I will forever treasure. His creative eye brought out our love and the fun of our relationship in our engagement photos. For our wedding rehearsal, he brought our families’ interactions to life, capturing smiles, and the type of hugs family members exchange after years apart during a special occasion. As for the wedding day itself, I cannot rain enough praise on how perfectly he captured that day, the happiest day of my life. Jan captured a priceless image of my mother and I holding hands at the hair salon, the immense care my mother took buttoning up my wedding gown, my sheer elation throughout the preparations, my husband’s face when he saw me start to walk down the aisle, my mother watching as we said our vows, and a thousand other moments that only someone truly in love with their art could bring to life in a picture. There were so many wonderful things about our wedding, and Jan Hanus Photography is unquestionably among the best!"  

—Anne Marie C.

 

"Wow! Any time I see a caption that a photo is by Jan Hanus, I know that when I look at the attached picture, I am in for a treat. Invariably I see love, joy, happiness, poignancy, beauty: sheer emotion captured on film. Love!"

—Amy Freeman