Tausha | Washington, DC Lifestyle Photographer

Happy Wednesday and welcome to a brand new month!

Three posts, 3 days in a row? *I told you guys the blog hiatus was over!* :D

It’s finally Spring and the weather is TRYING to get warm, but winter isn’t going without a fight! The slightly warmer weather has me in mind of Spring Minis! Which are actually happening later this month :)

So I want to share a Spring Mini session that I never did from last year!

Tausha is a very talented model in the DC area and wanted some new lifestyle commercial photos for her portfolio and I think we did a marvelous job bringing her idea to life and capturing that look for her :)

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: May and June 2015.

Inspiration or Imitation? | Truthy Tuesday

Happy Truthy Tuesday!

I wasn’t planning on doing Truthy Tuesday today, but I read this post by Krystal on The Feisty House that inspired me to write :) 

This will by no means be a rehashing of that because truthfully, she writes on this much more eloquently than I could have so I encourage you to go read her post. As a blogger, she writes from the blogging perspective, but it can absolutely be applied it to photography style, business structure, design decisions, etc… That’s kind of the mindset I read it in.

Last week, I posted this on instagram:

Along with this caption: “I truly want nothing more than folks to honor *their* creative vision… Yes, nothing is new, but *you* haven’t done it. Be the best YOU you can, not the second best imitation of someone else.”

Because I was tired of seeing the same things… where you can tell absolutely where someone’s “inspiration” came from because it’s nothing more than an imitation. But over the past week, and after reading Krystal’s post, I completely agree with her sentiments: 

What I had to learn about copying and blogging was (1) inspiration belongs to us all, and (2) what is for you is for you. 

110% Agree.

If we are moved by the same things, we will inevitably end up pulling inspiration from similar sources, so although it’s hard, we should try not to feel slighted if someone does something similarly to us. 

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Why? Because no one can be you. No one can be me. And what an empowering thought that is! You have something that NO ONE ELSE has- your ability to be YOU! So despite my initially being bothered by seeing imitators, it’s a comforting thought to know that in the end, no one can do me, like me :) 

And truthfully this is why imitation should be avoided, because in doing so, you’re stifling your ability to be yourself. You’re shutting off that thing which sets you apart from everyone else!

So how do you deal with it if you find yourself with imitators?

This is how to deal with copycats in blogging: remain authentic. Continue to blog in your unique voice. No one can copy your passion. Keep writing from your passion place and you won’t even notice the copycats anymore. Stay true to your own uniqueness.

This is how to deal with copycats in ANYTHING lol. Continue to be your fabulously unique self :)

That’s all for today! ‘Til next time ♥

-Danni

ATL 101 Group Session [Feb 5] | Washington, DC Photography Instructor

*peeks in*

Happy Monday beautiful people!

I have been on an unplanned haitus from the blog this month, as it ended up being way busier than anticipated! But I’m back with loads of newness to share :)

So since it’s Monday, let’s make it a Mentor Monday post :) I have so many recaps to share with you guys because this year kicked off way more teaching than ever!

This session from February in Atlanta was my first group session of 2015 and I had SUCH a great time with all of these ladies! Here are a few snaps from our
day together :)

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Photo by Mecca Gamble

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Photo by Mecca Gamble

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Photo by Mecca Gamble

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So what did the mentees think of the experience? I’ll let them tell you in their own words ;)

“The experience was invaluable! it was a relaxed atmosphere where all participants could not only ask Danni questions but also learn from one another on a professional level. There is nothing that compares to hands on experience- I loved It!”
-Tracey White

“My experience with this workshop opened my eyes to a new technique for shooting and editing, and gave me the courage I needed to continue learning and growing. I’m excited about putting these new skills to use for all of my future sessions. I totally appreciate how willing Danielle is to share her knowledge and techniques to help us become better photographers, and I look forward to investing in her future workshops!”
-Mecca Gamble

If you would like to have the DFinney Experience yourself and participate in the next group mentor session, check out full details here, upcoming cities and dates here, and email me today if you’re interested in attending!

Mae | Atlanta, GA Maternity Photographer

Happy Maternity Monday!

I’m super happy to share these photos with you guys today :) Last month while I was in Atlanta, I got with Mae (better known as Natural Chica) for a maternity session and it was absolutely wonderful!

It was great to link back up after our first shoot together back in 2013 and the weather was perfect! Which is definitely noteworthy because just prior it was freezing cold for a quite a few days, but we had beautiful temps for the day AND gorgeous LIGHT! The evening light was amazing :)

I’m so happy I was able to get with Mae to capture this beautiful time in their lives! Congratulations again and I look forward to the arrival of their new bundle of joy :)

Weee found the most perfect wall ever! ^_^

That evening light!

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: April and May 2015. 

Aliana | Washington, DC Lifestyle Photographer

Happy Friday loves!

According to weather forecasters, we just need to make it through this oneeee last frigid day and temperatures are making a turn upward towards Spring! Which is certainly awesome news because it is FAH-REEZING outside currently lol.

Today though? I wanted to share one more person with you who helped make the relaunch possible earlier this week :) Our lovely model Aliana!

Aliana is an artist (who will soon be featured on the blog’s artist spotlight!) but I couldn’t wait until then to introduce you to her :) She is sweet and funky and fierce, and amazingly talented! I’m so glad she was able to participate and I had a blast working with her :)

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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: April and May 2015.