Louise Krafft is the award-winning chief photographer for the Connection Newspapers and has been with the papers since 1997.
Since 2009 alone, Krafft has won eight first place photography awards from the Virginia Press Association and 16 other top honors for her outstanding work in news, entertainment, portrait and special sections. In her years, Ms. Krafft has brought the paper back almost 100 awards of excellence.
In addition to her keen eye for photography, Krafft is blessed with a near-prefect photographic memory for the people, places and history of Alexandria and Northern Virginia.
Born, raised and educated in Alexandria, she began her career in a home dark room with her grandfather teaching her the patient technique of developing film. Following College at American University, Krafft worked for six years in a black and white photo lab, Washington House.
A lucky phone call to the lab from the magazine editor of American Banker landed Krafft her first professional free lance job to photograph the chairman of the Federal Reserve testifying before the House Banking Committee.
Within a short time, Krafft’s photos found their way into the business and A sections of the New York Times, Time Magazine, The New York Daily News, The Washington Post and numerous other trade publications.
Her outstanding freelance work allowed Krafft the flexibility to raise her son Shannon and several cats
Before joining the Connection Newspapers, Krafft covered Washington events for both Puerto Rican newspapers, El Nuevo Dia and the San Juan Star and worked for seven years as a photographer for the governor’s office of Puerto Rico in Washington.
In describing her photography, famed Washington journalist Bill Mayhugh said her photos “showed all subjects with dignity, regardless."
Recent Stories
Evening Star Takes Top Honors
Competing at Taste of Del Ray.
Chef Jim Jeffords of the Evening Star restaurant received top awards at the annual Taste of Del Ray on Sunday afternoon, June 9. Jeffords’ creation was a tomato sorbet with orange zest and a basil and banyuls vinaigrette.
Historic Alexandria Foundation Hosts Garden Party
The Historic Alexandria Foundation held its annual meeting and garden party on Sunday afternoon, June 9, in the garden of Sally Murray.
Wheel Day in North Ridge
North Ridge Citizens' Association hosted the Annual Wheel Day parade on Sunday afternoon, May 26 on Old Dominion Drive in Beverly Hills.
Celebrating Progress
A 200-person event, organized by the community organzation VOICE, brought together Route 1/Mount Vernon/Lee area youth, parents, and faith leaders to celebrate progress to improve youth recreation facilities and programming in the area on Monday evening, June 10, at West Potomac High School.
Educators Receive CARE Awards
Mayor William Euille and Del. Rob Krupicka set the stage for a lively and warm gathering of Commonwealth Academy parents, faculty, and friends at the 2013 CARE Awards (Commonwealth Academy Recognition of Outstanding Educators Awards) on April 25 at The Westin Alexandria.
Farewell to High School
Thomas S. Wootton High School’s graduation ceremony is held on June 4 in D.A.R. Constitution Hall.
Gunston Hall Celebrates 51 New Citizens
“Hoan nghênh, Ahlan'wa sahla, Bienvenido …and welcome” said First Regent of Gunston Hall Wylie Raab in her closing remarks on May 25 at Gunston Hall.
Yard Sale Season
Dozens of families participated in a multi-family yard sale on Saturday, May 4, in Mount Vernon. From Waynewood to Collingwood Road, signs blossomed on light poles directing shoppers to the next sale.
21st Annual Alexandria Armenian Festival
Market Square was filled with music and dance as the Alexandria Armenia festival got underway on Saturday afternoon, June 1.
Calling All ‘Alex Babies'
Inova Alexandria Hospital hosts Mother's Day event.
The call went out to all ‘Alex Babies;” 650 responded. On May 4, the babies and their families gathered for a Mother’s Day Party at Inova Alexandria Hospital.