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A photographic valentine to Washington

From Michelle Obama to a Lafayette Square regular, from Kennedy Center honoree Meryl Streep to kids in a back yard, Post photographer Marvin Joseph, born and bred in Washington, uses the city as his canvas. Here are a few of his favorites, with the stories behind them, as told to The Post’s David Beard.

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The plunge

It was the first of June, and this high school group was standing on the boardwalk in Georgetown. They had an idea, and Joseph was there to capture their heat-beating descent into the Potomac.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

“Just like Andy Warhol” is what Joseph thought when he saw Tom Story. Story was playing the celebrity-obsessed artist in the musical 'Pop!'' at Studio Theatre. <br>

Just like Andy Warhol

“Just like Andy Warhol” is what Joseph thought when he saw Tom Story. Story was playing the celebrity-obsessed artist in the musical "Pop!'' at Studio Theatre.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Joseph was shooting a portrait of the author of 'Bel Canto'' for a national story on Patchett’s efforts to buck the tide and open an independent bookstore. He asked her to make herself at home. She did. <br>

Ann Patchett

Joseph was shooting a portrait of the author of "Bel Canto'' for a national story on Patchett’s efforts to buck the tide and open an independent bookstore. He asked her to make herself at home. She did.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Joseph spent two weeks getting to know the women in a <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/survey-paints-portrait-of-black-women-in-america/2011/12/22/gIQAvxFcJQ_story.html'>Post series</a> in January on black women in the age of Michelle Obama. Part of the story focused on high self-esteem, reflected in his portrait of a confident quartet.

The Black Women Project

Joseph spent two weeks getting to know the women in a Post series in January on black women in the age of Michelle Obama. Part of the story focused on high self-esteem, reflected in his portrait of a confident quartet.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

'I was hanging around for an assignment, and I saw this, and I thought, why not?'' Joseph said of the sculpture 'The Awakening,' normally buried only in the ground but here submerged at high tide. <br>

National Harbor sculpture

"I was hanging around for an assignment, and I saw this, and I thought, why not?'' Joseph said of the sculpture "The Awakening," normally buried only in the ground but here submerged at high tide.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Joseph was at Howard University when he saw fraternity brothers circling a sundial and performing a ritual. It was a part of the fraternity’s 100th anniversary. <br>

100th anniversary of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity

Joseph was at Howard University when he saw fraternity brothers circling a sundial and performing a ritual. It was a part of the fraternity’s 100th anniversary.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

“When I first walked by Elijah in Lafayette Park, I thought he was homeless. But that turned out not to be the case at all,” Joseph said.

Elijah Alexander by the tree

“When I first walked by Elijah in Lafayette Park, I thought he was homeless. But that turned out not to be the case at all,” Joseph said.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

”Instead he turned out to be the coolest guy on planet Earth, a classic case of ‘looks can be deceiving,’ “ Joseph said. “Tourists schedule return visits so they can meet this man who passes his days in the park across from the White House.”

Elijah Alexander getting photographed by a Russian tourist

”Instead he turned out to be the coolest guy on planet Earth, a classic case of ‘looks can be deceiving,’ “ Joseph said. “Tourists schedule return visits so they can meet this man who passes his days in the park across from the White House.”

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

This choir was singing for Michelle Obama and South Korean first lady Kim Yoon-ok in the hours before a state dinner at the White House. Something about the joy in the photo stood out.

Choir

This choir was singing for Michelle Obama and South Korean first lady Kim Yoon-ok in the hours before a state dinner at the White House. Something about the joy in the photo stood out.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

The poet was finishing a senior exposition visit. “She didn’t have much time. I grabbed a lamp and shot. I think this gives you a sense of her dignity,” Joseph said.

Maya Angelou

The poet was finishing a senior exposition visit. “She didn’t have much time. I grabbed a lamp and shot. I think this gives you a sense of her dignity,” Joseph said.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Joseph was in Northwest Washington when he encountered trick-or-treaters. “This is the kind of photograph my aunt could make, not a professional photographer’s photograph, but I liked it,’’ Joseph said. While there, he found . . .

A spidey sense

Joseph was in Northwest Washington when he encountered trick-or-treaters. “This is the kind of photograph my aunt could make, not a professional photographer’s photograph, but I liked it,’’ Joseph said. While there, he found . . .

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

. . . This costumed lad passing in a car . . .

Scream

. . . This costumed lad passing in a car . . .

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

. . . And this charming girl as well. “Scream” made Page 1 of The Post; “Witch” made the front of the Metro section.

Witch

. . . And this charming girl as well. “Scream” made Page 1 of The Post; “Witch” made the front of the Metro section.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Joseph was shooting a series on Muslims in America. Joshua Blackwell was a Washingtonian who grew up Baptist and whose parents didn’t like his conversion to Islam. “I play with edges of light when I shoot,’’ Joseph said. “And I love red.’’

Joshua Blackwell

Joseph was shooting a series on Muslims in America. Joshua Blackwell was a Washingtonian who grew up Baptist and whose parents didn’t like his conversion to Islam. “I play with edges of light when I shoot,’’ Joseph said. “And I love red.’’

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Photo editor Michel du Cille recommended that Joseph photograph the retired two-star U.S. Air Force general by the Air Force memorial, framed by the soaring arches. “I wanted to photograph him in the Pentagon,’’ Joseph said. “But Michel was right.’’

Gen. Aldred Flowers

Photo editor Michel du Cille recommended that Joseph photograph the retired two-star U.S. Air Force general by the Air Force memorial, framed by the soaring arches. “I wanted to photograph him in the Pentagon,’’ Joseph said. “But Michel was right.’’

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Joseph was shooting a “so-so” session with the Hollywood star before the Kennedy Center Honors, and he knew he needed to try something different. So he demonstrated the pose he wanted her to make for the portrait. “I broke down two things for her. . . . I told her, ‘Before you sit down, I want you to know that I’m the black Annie Leibovitz.’ She laughed, just like that.”

Meryl Streep, the star in repose

Joseph was shooting a “so-so” session with the Hollywood star before the Kennedy Center Honors, and he knew he needed to try something different. So he demonstrated the pose he wanted her to make for the portrait. “I broke down two things for her. . . . I told her, ‘Before you sit down, I want you to know that I’m the black Annie Leibovitz.’ She laughed, just like that.”

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

”. . . Then I said, ‘Only I’m not as good as [Leibovitz].’ And she laughed again,' Joseph said. After he told the story later that day to deputy director of photography Sonya Doctorian, Doctorian suggested another place he should visit the following day. . .

Meryl Streep and Marvin Joseph

”. . . Then I said, ‘Only I’m not as good as [Leibovitz].’ And she laughed again," Joseph said. After he told the story later that day to deputy director of photography Sonya Doctorian, Doctorian suggested another place he should visit the following day. . .

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

He found himself before the famed photographer, who was visiting Washington. And got a picture with her.

Annie Leibovitz

He found himself before the famed photographer, who was visiting Washington. And got a picture with her.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Joseph found himself shooting a portrait for a story of the former Clinton and Obama administration official, now president of the Center for American Progress. “I loved the light in her office. I said, ‘Sit here and look like Bette Davis.' '

Neera Tanden

Joseph found himself shooting a portrait for a story of the former Clinton and Obama administration official, now president of the Center for American Progress. “I loved the light in her office. I said, ‘Sit here and look like Bette Davis.' "

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Joseph had scouted this backyard pool in a Southeast Washington neighborhood during a summer day. He saw the makings of an ambitious dive. The Post published this photograph, but . . .

The backyard diver, Part 1

Joseph had scouted this backyard pool in a Southeast Washington neighborhood during a summer day. He saw the makings of an ambitious dive. The Post published this photograph, but . . .

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

“I was by the photo desk the next day, and I got a call from a radio station,' Joseph says. 'I was on the air. They were dying to know: Did the kid make it?’’

The Backyard Diver, Part 2

“I was by the photo desk the next day, and I got a call from a radio station," Joseph says. "I was on the air. They were dying to know: Did the kid make it?’’

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

“When I said that he did, one DJ yelled at the other, ‘You owe me money!’ They were taking bets!’’ Joseph says.

The Backyard Diver, Part 3

“When I said that he did, one DJ yelled at the other, ‘You owe me money!’ They were taking bets!’’ Joseph says.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

When Joseph photographed Hitchens in May 2010, the writer was not yet in the final stage of the illness that would claim his life a year later. Joseph loved his spirit — and his irreverence. “Now this is in the morning,’’ Joseph says, looking at the photograph of Hitchens at home. “See the scotch? The cigarettes?’’

Christopher Hitchens

When Joseph photographed Hitchens in May 2010, the writer was not yet in the final stage of the illness that would claim his life a year later. Joseph loved his spirit — and his irreverence. “Now this is in the morning,’’ Joseph says, looking at the photograph of Hitchens at home. “See the scotch? The cigarettes?’’

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

The former Al Gore campaign manager rarely wears hats, but she did on this day, a remembrance of the civil rights leader Dorothy Height.

Donna Brazile

The former Al Gore campaign manager rarely wears hats, but she did on this day, a remembrance of the civil rights leader Dorothy Height.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Photographing a parade in Greenbelt, Joseph noticed the jump-rope team. They had to set up, do stunts, break it down, move along and repeat it, a cumbersome task — much like Woody Allen’s gag when he played an upright bassist in a marching band in the movie “Take the Money and Run.’’

Double Dutch

Photographing a parade in Greenbelt, Joseph noticed the jump-rope team. They had to set up, do stunts, break it down, move along and repeat it, a cumbersome task — much like Woody Allen’s gag when he played an upright bassist in a marching band in the movie “Take the Money and Run.’’

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Joseph took this photograph at 2003 at Betts’s Silver Spring home, two years before Betts’s death. William Thomas Betts, nicknamed Keter, played with Dinah Washington and Oscar Peterson, and helped introduce bossa nova to American audiences with Charlie Byrd and Stan Getz. “He played with Ella Fitzgerald. He pulled out his records, and we listened to them for most of the day,’’ Joseph says.

Bassist Keter Betts

Joseph took this photograph at 2003 at Betts’s Silver Spring home, two years before Betts’s death. William Thomas Betts, nicknamed Keter, played with Dinah Washington and Oscar Peterson, and helped introduce bossa nova to American audiences with Charlie Byrd and Stan Getz. “He played with Ella Fitzgerald. He pulled out his records, and we listened to them for most of the day,’’ Joseph says.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Joseph photographed a coming-of-age moment in suburbia between Guransh Singh, 14, and his grandmother, Surinder Kaur. Singh was pledging to live his life as a Sikh.

The call

Joseph photographed a coming-of-age moment in suburbia between Guransh Singh, 14, and his grandmother, Surinder Kaur. Singh was pledging to live his life as a Sikh.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

This shot looks like something from the ’60s, but it was taken a few weeks ago near the Occupy D.C. camp in McPherson Square.

Angry Occupy guy

This shot looks like something from the ’60s, but it was taken a few weeks ago near the Occupy D.C. camp in McPherson Square.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Another Occupy photograph captures a more mellow moment.

Sleeping dog

Another Occupy photograph captures a more mellow moment.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Joseph in the frame again, at the State Department with the British actress. 'I didn't shoot this picture,'' Joseph says. 'Emily Blunt did.'' <br>

Emily Blunt and Marvin Joseph

Joseph in the frame again, at the State Department with the British actress. "I didn't shoot this picture,'' Joseph says. "Emily Blunt did.''

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Joseph shot this photo of veteran Francis Stueve, 94, who survived the Japanese attack that began the United States’ involvement in World War II.

Pearl Harbor

Joseph shot this photo of veteran Francis Stueve, 94, who survived the Japanese attack that began the United States’ involvement in World War II.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Two teams of veterans were playing softball when Joseph caught a spontaneous push-up challenge. 'Who do you think won?'' Joseph asks. 'The man with one arm.'' <br>

Push-ups

Two teams of veterans were playing softball when Joseph caught a spontaneous push-up challenge. "Who do you think won?'' Joseph asks. "The man with one arm.''

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Light and darkness. Joseph photographed the music legend at a concert in Baltimore in 2007. <br>

Stevie Wonder

Light and darkness. Joseph photographed the music legend at a concert in Baltimore in 2007.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Joseph estimates he's photographed the first lady 50 times. This is his favorite shot.<br>

Michelle Obama

Joseph estimates he's photographed the first lady 50 times. This is his favorite shot.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

President Obama and former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton at the White House, just after the Haitian earthquake in 2010. <br>

Used to be their town, too

President Obama and former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton at the White House, just after the Haitian earthquake in 2010.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

Covering a snowstorm, who does Joseph see by the Washington Monument but a kite-surfer? Out of place? Or perfectly in place? Joseph's photograph ran on Page 1 of The Post. <br>

Free spirit

Covering a snowstorm, who does Joseph see by the Washington Monument but a kite-surfer? Out of place? Or perfectly in place? Joseph's photograph ran on Page 1 of The Post.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

What were we saying about free spirits? Why, that's how Marvin Joseph describes himself, too. <br>

Polar bear plungers

What were we saying about free spirits? Why, that's how Marvin Joseph describes himself, too.

Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post

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