What's In Your Camera Bag | Photography FAQ

Happy Monday guys!

Last week was probably the most I’ve posted on this blog in a while lol. But I’m going to try and keep up (not that many posts!) but I do have lots to share with you :) Guess what’s back today? Photography FAQ! 

I came across this amazing site a couple months ago and spent way too much time there.

It is full of amazing work from great photographers where you get to see exactly what they use to bring to life their various projects! I’m always impressed when photographers are able to produce a striking image with just a few items. 

This site gave me an idea to do one of my own, but then I forgot lol. Then I received Maryam’s message and it was perfect timing :) So here’s our Photography FAQ for the day! 

“I keep seeing posts about different photogs and "what’s in their bag” and I would like to know what’s in Danni's camera bag! So Danni what’s in your bag and why is that your equipment of choice?“

-Maryam

I absolutely love this question Maryam because I love sharing how little you need to make a great portrait :)

Here’s what I take for portrait sessions:
Kelly Moore Posey Bag
Nikon D700 + Scarf camera strap (via Etsy)
Nikon 50mm f/1.4
Sigma 35mm f/1.4
Step ladder

My recent love is my 35/1.4… The 50/1.4 used to be my go-to fave, but I fell in love with the 35 when I needed to get my 50 serviced and now I think I may use them both equally. Initially I used my 50 almost 95% of the time, but since I’ve been using my 35 more, I am IN LOVE! In my head I used to always complain that I wanted to get more of the scene without having to be so far away and the 35 lets me do that beautifully, while still maintaining the beautiful background blur (I hate the word bokeh lol). So that’s it! Just my cam and the 35 & 50 lenses. And my trusty ladder/step stool. 

Here’s what I take for weddings:
Kelly Moore B-Hobo Bag
Nikon D700 + Scarf camera strap (via Etsy)
Nikon 50mm f/1.4
Sigma 35mm f/1.4
Nikon 85mm f/3.5
Nikon SB-900 Speedlight
Step ladder

And my brother Adrian shoots with the following:
Nikon D700
Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8
Nikon 135mm f/2.8
Nikon SB-900 Speedlight

I pretty much use the same thing but with just a couple additions. As you see, I’m a fan of fixed lenses and my brother shoots with the zoom. The last wedding I shot, I almost shot the whole thing with my 35! Previously it would have been with the 50. For weddings I bring my macro lens for the ring shots only and my 20mm f/1.8 (not pictured) in case I want to do any creative wide angle shots but generally they just take up space because I rarely switch lenses. I also use the speedlight for weddings, but only when necessary because I don’t like flash… mostly because I don’t understand it honestly lol. I’m learning though, with the help of my brother :) Which is why shooting weddings with him is the only way I’ll do a wedding.

That’s it for today! 

I hope you guys found this helpful :)

-Danni

Alonzo & Tiffany | Mitchellville, MD Wedding Photographer

Happy Friday guys!

We made it! It’s Friday and we made it through my first ever WEDDING WEEK! Well maybe I should say “I” made it lol. I had a couple unexpected super busy days earlier this week, but I stuck with it, thanks to my amazing assistant Nahshon and here we are with the last post for the week :)

I’m so happy to share this gorgeous wedding with you guys! There are so many pretty details! This was our first wedding of 2014 and one that I was heavily involved with. My good friends Tiffany and Alonzo got engaged back in October and I’ve been along for the entire ride! Their planner, Bella Underwood, is the absolute best planner I’ve had the privilege to work with! She is as sweet as she is hard-working and efficient and did a marvelous job planning and orchestrating this beautiful day!

I was doing double-duty this day, so a huge thanks goes to Adrian for being awesome as always and to Nahshon for stepping in my place when I had to go and be a bridesmaid lol. It was a pleasure capturing Tiff & Zo’s love and I look forward to seeing their love blossom even more in the years to come ♥

Going into “bridesmaid mode” :)

Check out the full wedding recap here via their slideshow! Set to their first dance song "Mirrors" by Justin Timerlake. 

If the video embed doesn't work, you can view the slideshow HERE.

Congratulations again you two and happy almost two month anniversary lol!

-Danielle

Ali & Clare | Virginia Beach, VA Wedding Photographer

Really excited to share this wedding with you guys this afternoon!

I’ve known Ali for the past 6 years- we were former co-workers at the investment firm I was laid off from back in 2009. Ali moved to Cleveland with his fiance right around the time I was laid off, but we kept in touch over the years, so I was super happy when he reached out and inquired about my availability for their December wedding last year!

I traveled to Cleveland to shoot their engagement session in November and Adrian, Nahshon, and I traveled down to Virginia Beach for their wedding. It was absolutely beautiful! The day was PERFECT- it was one of those unusually warm winter days before the polar vortex temps of Winter 2013-2014 set in and we couldn’t have been more thankful!

The day was full of family, love, and a mix of Afghan and Filipino traditions. They had guests from all over to celebrate with them and we enjoyed capturing the goings on of the day.

Ali & Clare’s wedding ceremony was full of both Afghan and Filipino wedding traditions.

So this was a funny moment. The priest wanted the parents to bless the rings but ended up dropping them unintentionally! A brief moment of panic ended in laughter as the rings were located soon after the mishap ;)

Introducing the brand new Mr. & Mrs. Sarwari!

This was the most dancing I’d ever seen at a reception and I love that everyone had such a great time!

There was a beautiful traditional Afghan Knife Dance prior to the cake cutting.

Hear directly from the bride on how her wedding day went!

“Since your wedding is an irreplaceable experience, Danielle wanted us to just soak up the moments and enjoy ourselves. She came with her team and they were flexible, respectful, and prompt. With so much going on that special day, she did not want to add to the stress. I appreciated that. Danielle let my husband and I live in the moment and she quietly captured those priceless memories, which we will always look back fondly.

When we started looking for a wedding photographer, we knew we wanted someone that listened to our requests and let us be ourselves. Not to mention we wanted awesome photos! Danielle definitely exceeded our expectations because she is talented, kind, artistic, intuitive, and a professional photographer – she is a premier photographer! Her work turned out stunning! I would definitely recommend her to someone looking to take beautiful photos, be themselves, and have tons of fun at the same time! We look forward to working with her again when we move on to the next phase of our lives and start a family!”

-Clare Sarwari 

Check out the full wedding recap here via their slideshow! Set to their first dance song “Somos Novios” by Andrea Bocelli & Christina Aguilera 

If the video embed doesn’t work, you can view the slideshow HERE.

Congratulations again you two and I wish you many more years of happiness!

-Danielle

Rymy & Zo | Washington, DC Wedding Photographer

Guess what weee have for you today?? Weddings!! Lol

I tried to go in order this week so we’re going to end the week off with weddings, weddings, and more weddings!

2013 ended on a busy note with two weddings and here is the first we shot that month!

Rymingtahn & Zonie were married early December and despite the rain (thankfully not snow!) on their wedding day, it was still an absolutely beautiful day! These two are such a sweet couple and we really enjoyed our time with them. 

THIS ONE BELOW IS WAY TOO SMALLTHIS ONE BELOW IS TOO SMALL

Check out the full wedding recap here via their slideshow! Set to their first dance song “Adore” by Prince.

If the video embed doesn’t work, you can view their slideshow HERE.

Congratulations again you two and happy almost 5 month anniversary! :) Wishing you many more months and years of happiness!

-Danielle

Don't Underestimate the Importance of Makeup

Happy Thursday!

Back in action today with three WEDDING WEEK posts today to make up for my super lateness yesterday :/

So to kick it off today, we’re going to talk about makeup!

This hasn’t been too much of an issue in recent years since I began including makeup with my standard sessions, but sometimes it still comes up, so I figured it was worth sharing this WEDDING WEEK especially since it’s very important for your engagement and wedding photos :)

Here to chat with us today on this topic is one of my fabulous makeup artists: Denyelle of Makeup Art by Denyelle!

Hey guys!

Professional makeup is essential when it comes to your engagement and wedding photos because you want to look like a refined version of yourself. A professional makeup application can help you achieve that picture perfect photo that you’re paying for. Once your makeup is applied, it may seem heavy, but the camera will balance out your look and you’ll look perfect in your photos!

Unless you’re makeup savvy, don’t attempt to do your makeup yourself. A professional makeup artist has been trained to create the perfect look for your specific eye shape, skin tone, and preference. Also, you are most likely a ball of nerves on your wedding day, so the last thing you want to worry yourself with is makeup. So go ahead, get pampered!

It’s always a good idea to schedule your trial run with your chosen makeup artist the day of your e-session. In doing so, you will have an idea of how your makeup will look on camera. In addition, if you want to add anything you can tell your makeup artist to ensure your ceremony look is the perfect representation of you.

When choosing a makeup artist for your wedding there are a few deciding factors that come into play. Know your location (where makeup will be done), your budget, and head count before contacting a prospective makeup artist. Not sure of where to find a makeup artist? Ask a friend, surf Instagram, Facebook, or ask your photographer to refer a trusted MUA.

Hopefully this helps!

-Denyelle