Rosario Family | Washington, DC Family Photographer

Happy Thursday loves!

I hope everyone’s day is off to a wonderful start! While I don’t celebrate the holidays, I do appreciate the extra time with loved ones this time of year. Most folks are off today and spending time with family, so what better session to share today than a family :)

You may remember seeing Michel’s beautiful face a couple times previously (oh how I LOVE my repeat clients :), so I was really happy when she reached out for family photos! And even happier that despite the weather (it was one of those random freezing autumn days), that we were able to make it work and I’m privileged to have given the Rosario Family their first family photos in over 15 years! ♥

If you’re interested in booking a session and would like to have the DFinney Experience yourself, email me and schedule yours today! Currently booking: February 2015.

Dana | Artist Spotlight

Happy Wednesday loves!

So despite my best efforts, I kind of derailed my Daily Dose December last week *sad face*. This past week was probably my busiest back to back shooting week all year- yesterday I just wrapped up my 7th shoot in 6 days! So needless to say things were pretty busy lol. I’m going to finish the year strong though so I have a few posts lined up to close out 2014 :)

Today I have another awesome artist to share with you! Sidenote: I have even more amazing creatives to spotlight in 2015 as I will be working to make this a more regular and dynamic feature of the blog so I can’t wait until you get to “meet” everyone and hear their stories :)

Today though? It’s all about Dana! Dana aka Olive Paperie aka Pardon My Fro is an amazing designer/illustrator/all around awesomeness creator that I stumbled upon online a couple years ago. I was absolutely mesmerized by her funky illustrations and needed them in my life! I’ve been following her on social media ever since and we linked up when I was in Charlotte earlier this year for her blog feature and mini session :) I even had my very own doll made! :D

So who is this amazing lady? Keep reading to learn more about Dana!

What is your name?
Dana Dane!

Where are you located?
Queen City, Charlotte

What do you do?
Design, illustrate, help with branding of small businesses, make magic.

How long have you been a designer/illustrator?
10 years

How did you become interested in illustration and when did you know you wanted to make a career out of your passion?
I was a late bloomer… I just discovered illustration around 2007 while I working in corporate america, which I hated with a passion.

Who are some of your influences/inspirations?
Anyone who is quirky, creative, crazy about color!

What has been your favorite project that you’ve worked on so far? 
Loved working on print designs for Tresemme! That was a great project and it was my first big brand company that I worked with.

What other types of creative work do you do?
Web design, business and print media

What inspires you?
My daughter’s love for fashion, patterns, colors, music…

What keeps you motivated?
When I get satisfied customers :) 

Any advice to fellow creatives (in your industry or otherwise)? 
You hear this all the time, but’s it proven to be true, Stay true! Be you! Don’t envy someone’s talent, you are just as special!  Find your niche and run with it!

Any other fun tidbits we should know about you?
Married, I’m a foodie,  love to thrift and I am a huge Prince fan. I also love music! it’s a part of my everyday life, I can’t go without it! 

Where can we find you online?
website: www.pardonmyfro.com 
instagram: @pardonmyfro
facebook: @olivepaperie
twitter: @olivepaperie​ 

I hope you enjoyed this colorful artist spotlight! Be sure to follow Dana on social media and keep up with her projects :) Stay tuned for more amazing artists in 2015! 

-Danni

Group Mentoring: Early 2015 Dates

Happy Thursday!

As was mentioned yesterday, the mentoring programs have been updated and now you get to secure your spot if you’re interested in attending an upcoming session!

Dates for early 2015 group sessions have been set and they are as follows:

Atlanta, GA 
Session 101: Thursday, Feb 5 
Session 102: Friday, Feb 6

Washington, DC 
Session 101: Friday, Feb 13 
Session 102: Saturday, Feb 14 

Houston, TX 
Session 101: Friday, March 13 
Session 102: Saturday, March 14

Chicago, IL 
Session 101: Thursday, May 21 
Session 102: Friday, May 22

Full details and pricing for these sessions are viewable right here!

If you are interested in participating in Session 101 OR both sessions, email me we can get you secured for the date(s)! All that’s required to secure your seat is a $100 retainer. So if you’re interested in just one day, your retainer would be $100, but if you are interested in both, you retainer would be $200.

If you don’t see your city, don’t fret! These are only early 2015 dates and additional cities like Brooklyn, Charlotte, etc will be added once the dates have been confirmed.

If you have any questions, please let me know and I’ll be happy to answer them for you!

I look forward to working with you soon!

-Danielle

Mentoring & Workshops: A Few Changes for 2015

Lots of newness is on the horizon for 2015! My motto is always simplicity so I’ve implemented a new (simplified) teaching program.

WORKSHOPS

I will no longer be hosting workshops. Not to worry though! You will still absolutely be able to learn how to use natural light for great portraits and how to brand your photography business effectively, I'l just be doing it in a modified way.

Natural Light Workshop 
While this is a wonderful program, after closer inspection, I realize my mentor session is a much better investment. Here’s why: you learn the exact same thing in my mentor session, plus good client practices, more individualized attention due to the smaller group size, AND the biggest perk that’s not included in the workshop- ongoing assistance! All of my mentees are added to my private Facebook group where they continue to receive assistance as needed. Doesn’t that sound like a better deal? :)

Effective Branding Workshop
After being asked to speak about branding in 2013 at the Blink Conference, I held 2 of my own branding workshops in 2014. Through these, I’ve come to realize that although I do love a well-put together brand, that it is not something I’m passionate about teaching. I wouldn’t feel comfortable continuing to teach something I’m not passionate about when there are many qualified resources out there for how to build an effective brand. One of which is my friend Britney Jeanine! She recently began offering branding workshops so for all who are interested in learning more about that, please contact Britney! I will still touch on branding in my mentor sessions though- keep reading to find out more about that part :)

GROUP MENTOR SESSIONS

I started offering these in 2014 and they just took OFF! I’m actually really excited about how much folks seem to like them (and I’ve been listening :) so I’ve decided to add a second full day of business instruction to the mentor session! Get excited!! Lol

Business questions are never in short supply during our mentor sessions but the focus of (what I’m now going to call Session 101) is on shooting. I made that the focus because too often folks put the cart before the horse. You need to understand what you’re doing and how to do it well before you worry about owning and operating a business. So with that being said, the Mentor Session 102: Business will ONLY be available to those who have taken Session 101: Shooting or who have attended the Natural Light Workshop with me in 2014. This is to ensure that you at least kind of know what you’re doing before going out there and asking people for money :)

Check out the full details (on what will be covered) and pricing for each of the sessions here.

So those are my big changes! In the next post I’ll be sharing my early 2015 travel dates and if you’re interested in participating in a mentor session, you’ll be able to secure your spot as well.

-Danielle

Brooklyn Group Mentor Session [September 19] | Washington, DC Photography Instructor

Still rolling with me? We’re at the halfway point for the month and there’s still lots more newness to come your way :)

Today I’m sharing the recap from my Brooklyn group mentor session! I had SUCH a great time with these ladies! Our group ended up slightly larger than the normal 4 because I mistakenly thought I had an opening when I, in fact, did not! Lol 2 of the 3 participants were previous clients so it was great seeing and working with them again.

The airbnb that I stayed in was absolutely perfect! I thoroughly enjoyed my stay there because it was such a relaxing space, and the light… The light was soo beautiful! So beautiful that I had no choice but to take some of their photos in the apartment- and it was great because there was a spot to compliment everyone! Afterwards we headed outside to put into practice the natural light shooting skills they just learned, picked up lunch, and headed back to learn all about editing!

It was a wonderful day and a great group of ladies :)

So what did the mentees think of the day? Hear from one in her own words:

“While I was super excited to be mentored by Danni, I was nervous that, as a beginner, I would be lost and probably take away from the other participants who may have been more experienced with my need for extra assistance. I expressed my concerns to Danni before our group mentor session. She immediately put me at ease, letting me know that I would be able to follow- and I was!

Danni made everything so clear and understandable. Even when I had my "beginner questions”, she took the time to explain things and walk me through. I never felt uncomfortable nor was I made to feel like I was behind the rest of the class. The session was fun, laid back and professionally done. Danni made sure we had a relaxed environment for learning which helps a lot. I gained so much from the session that I look forward to putting into practice really soon!“
-Toia Barry

If you’re interested in participating in the next group mentor session and would like to have the DFinney Experience yourself, email me today! View more information on the photographer education options offered here!