Roy Sewall, Washington DC

Roy Sewall is the Lead Photographer for BEST OF DC. As you browse through these pages, you’ll note his spectacular photographs of the Natural Treasures of the National Capital Region. He captures not just the imagery, but the soul of the scenes. You can almost hear the roar of the whitewater crashing over Great Falls, hear the chirping of the birds basking in the serenity of the Potomac River, and feel the spray as the kayakers dip their paddles in the water.

Roy spent most of his youth in India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and the Philippines, although his diplomat family’s home base was the Washington, DC area. After earning a BS in Physics from Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland and a MS in Engineering Science from Penn State in Valley Forge, Roy returned permanently to the Washington area in 1969.

He worked for several major defense, space, communications, and transportation corporations, and in 2001, Roy started his transition to full-time photographer.

His interest in photography evolved from extensive travel in North America, western and Eastern Europe, eastern Africa, Central America, and China. However, he always found the Washington area to be one of the most photogenic locations in the world. His book ‘Our Potomac’, from Great Falls through Washington, DC led to numerous lectures, presentations, and engagements with local organizations.

Roy is the Chair of the Board of Directors for the C&O Canal Trust, a non-profit friends group for the National Park Service. He has done extensive pro bono photography work for river and C&O Canal-related organizations including the C&O Canal National Historical Park, US Park Police, The Nature Conservancy, C&O Canal Trust, Potomac Conservancy, Potomac Riverkeeper, Friends of the Historic Great Falls Tavern, and Cabin John River Rescue. Roy also has Potomac-related commercial clients. He was a featured guest in WETA’s program Great Views of Washington DC.

Roy frequently judges local camera club competitions and also presents programs about making photo books. He is a member of the North Bethesda Camera Club.