A Note from Hope, publisher, Inkandescent™ Women magazine — Hilary Schwab has been an editorial and event photographer in the DC area for decades. She started out as a staff photographer for American University in 1986, and launched her freelance business in 1992. In the last three decades, she has taken cover photos, portraits, and worked as a photojournalist for dozens of clients, including Washingtonian, Bethesda magazine, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Humane Society, and dozens more. She also has continued to work with American University’s publications staff, in addition to many prominent DC-based law firms and real estate agencies.

“When I’m on a photo shoot I observe the people and their environment, and watch as they move around and interact with others. Then I find the angle and moment where they are most relaxed and comfortable, and then I start shooting. Whether it’s a public event or a portrait, I do everything possible to bring out the best in their photos.”

For years, she has been selling her handmade cards based on photos she’s taken around DC — and the country. The cards, as well as larger prints of the wonders of nature, are for sale in the Inkandescent Shop. Be sure to check out the Hilary Schwab Collection for your holiday cards this year! 

What’s Next? At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that began sweeping across the US in March 2020, Hilary had a new idea. She’d been gardening in her backyard of Poolesville, MD for years and knew the produce she’s been carefully tending to was something that almost anyone could do — be it zucchini or squash in the yard, or flower pots with herbs that grow in the kitchen, living room or den. Once it’s time to harvest the beautiful fruit, veggies and herbs, you have to make a beautiful dish, right? That’s when Hilary had another idea.

#BeInkandescent: In the fall of 2020, this Edible Garden Girl reached out to InkandescentPR to help her find ways to spread the word about the business she was growing. We knew exactly what to do! Coming this year will be a TV series of cooking shows and gardening tips to help you create your own home garden, and whip up delicious meals for your family. Also on the way is Hilary’s 2021 Edible Garden Calendar — complete with her gorgeous photos — where you can learn, practice, and take notes as you tend to your Edible Garden.

That’s not all! You can get a glimpse of what will be blooming soon by purchasing a package of Hilary’s hand-crafted cards: Zinnias, Wild Flowers, Lillies, Butterflies — as well as scenic shots of Washington, DC, Monocacy in Winter, the C&O Canal, and more — all for sale in the Inkandescent Shop.

Hilary’s Gift to You: Make Peanut Butter Zoodles

What you’ll need:

• 2 medium zucchini
• ½ cup snow peas, julienned
• ½ cup carrots thinly sliced
• ½ cup red peppers, julienned
• 1/3 cup sliced green onions
• 1/3 cup chopped peanuts

For the Peanut Sauce:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 T Sriracha sauce
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 T sesame oil
• 2 T grated fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic finely minced
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar ¼-½ cup water — as needed to thin the sauce

Here’s how:

1. Spiralize zucchini with a spiralizer and cut up the vegetables. Add them all to a big bowl.
2. Combine all of the sauce ingredients in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk.
3. Add the sauce and the chopped peanuts to the bowl with the vegetables and the zoodles.
4. Toss the zoodles with everything to coat and enjoy!

Click here to learn more about the Edible Garden Girl — and be sure to sign up for her newsletter!

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Like many photographers, Hilary’s photos speak for themselves. See a few of the famous folks she’s photographed, below. Click here to view her entire portfolio: hschwabphotography.com.