#NoShameDay | Mental Health Monday

Happy Monday to you  💚 

Today is #NoShameDay, an initiative launched by The Siwe Project- a global non-profit dedicated to promoting mental health awareness throughout the global black community, founded by writer Bassey Ikpi. #NoShameDay is a campaign that focuses on stigma reduction through storytelling and community building.

I became familiar with Bassey's mental healthy advocacy a couple years ago, prior to my diagnoses, and I was always drawn to her writing. Since being diagnosed earlier this year, I relate a little more fully to her and I deeply appreciate how she is able to beautifully articulate this not-so-beautiful struggle. It is incredibly helpful because not only am I able to understand where she's coming from, but I sincerely appreciate her sharing in the first place.

Which leads me to #NoShameDay. I can absolutely say that Bassey's mental health advocacy has encouraged me to do the same and I am so very thankful, and even happier to support her initiative!

Living with bipolar depression, ADD, and some OCD tendencies has not been (and will not be) an easy journey, but I can say that sharing and talking about it, has definitely helped. The stigma surrounding mental illness is damaging. Damaging because it keeps people from seeking help. Damaging because it causes unnecessary silence and lack of support for those suffering... And it can only be remedied by TALKING about it! So I'm doing my part.

If you're new to the blog, you can check out my previous posts on this topic from the past few months:

The Truth About My Absence
Originally appearing here.

Don't Stop Talking About It

May is Mental Health Month

Progress

This past week was a tough one and I had to reach out for some positive reinforcement. The idea to even do so came from a post Bassey made the week prior, and it really resonated with me. Why do we feel like we need to do this alone? I don't know, but it's a mental block I have to actively work at overcoming constantly. 

In light of the tumultuous world scene, my work seems so trivial. But I have such a tenuous grasp on sanity these days as it is, and I realize that I need to engage in intense self-care to stay afloat. Including but not limited to prayer, reading my bible, spending time in nature, and creating... 

It's kind of fitting that I've been drawn to being in and shooting more greenery lately. I didn't realize it, but green is the color for mental health awareness! 

I keep saying that I'm going to stop making these posts novel length, but I guess I should just learn to embrace my wordiness lol.

That's it for today.

If you haven't, please visit The Siwe Project's website to learn more and check out the #NoShameDay hashtags on the various social media platforms to read the stories and to share your support as well!

-Danni

Blog Newness! | News & Updates

Happy Friday and welcome to July!

I'm kicking off the half-year mark with a brand new blog! Do you like? :)

It's literally been sitting for the past 6+ months, but this week I finally managed to get it finished! I still plan to add a few things and tweak a few others (in addition to giving my site itself a facelift, and editing photos, and, and, and...) but one thing at a time. And I'm happy to finally have the new blog up and running!

It can still be accessed via http://blog.dfinneyphoto.co, it will just no longer link to http://dfinneyphoto.tumblr.com. Squarespace is awesome btw if you were unsure- importing my existing Tumblr posts was so seamless! Of course the comments were left behind, but everything else is perfect!

So take a peek around!

Everything is pretty similar, just a bit cleaner design and bigger pictures (when viewing on a desktop). I'm phasing out the use of my gray and white striped graphic that I introduced 4 years ago when I rebranded, but everything else will be the same. I still think my brand colors and logo fit me just fine, so I didn't need an overhaul, just a slight refresh :)

Speaking of refresh, things have been verrrrry slow thus far on the blog this year (mainly because I've been having a not so great year) and blogging took more time than I had the energy for, but this new platform is so easy to use so I'll definitely be blogging more and sharing the 6+ months of photos and mentoring recaps I've been sitting on (a few images are below), in addition to WRITING more!

I changed the URL of the blog to dfinneyblog.co because I will not only be sharing my client work, but I want to speak more about life and things other than my work (when I find the energy to do so :)

Oh! I also have a DC group mentoring session coming up in 2 weeks, and we need a model!
Check out the casting details HERE and email me if you'd like to participate!

I hope you'll join me on this new blogging journey! Let me know what you think of the new digs!

-Danni

NOLA 102 Group Session [November 21] | New Orleans, LA Photography Instructor

Am I really 8+ months behind on blogging my recaps? o_0 

Gonna try and change that in the coming weeks so I can catch up on the late 2015 and early 2016 recaps :) So get ready for lots of beautiful photos!

First up is the recap from Session 102 in New Orleans this past November. 

It was actually a pretty discouragingly rainy day but we made the best of it and found some great spots for Ashley and Reggie’s headshots. Once we made our way back inside, it was all business and I was able to help both Ashley and Reggie revamp their pricing, go over website adjustments, and much more!

Check out the photos from their headshot session!

If you would like to have the DFinney Experience yourself and participate in the next group mentor session, check out full details here! Travel dates are currently on hold, but I am still holding sessions here in DC. Interested? Email me today if you’re interested in attending the next group session on September 16 or scheduling your own one-on-one session!

Progress | Truthy Tuesday

Good Tuesday morning to you! And welcome to Summer ❤

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a Truthy Tuesday actually ON Tuesday, but today I finally managed to do so :) It’s been a rough 2016 for me so far, but I’m still here and some days, that is an accomplishment in and of itself! 

Last week was one of the first weeks in a long time (6+ months) that I didn’t feel acutely aware of my depression. I’m not sure what’s making the difference (a combination of things that I’ve been trying to do differently, I’m sure), but I’m so thankful for the progress, no matter how small. This improved mental state even regenerated a little creativity that had been lost.

Having to re-learn this whole life thing is teaching me a lot. I’ve been a little quiet (or a lot quiet sometimes) during this time while I sort out things because it’s hard to be present in the world when you’re not even fully present within yourself. But I wanted to write today because number one, I had the energy to do so, and also because I really want to keep this mental health dialogue going. 

You often see success stories of people who have “overcome” their depression or other mental health issue, but what got them there? What was it like on that road to being “better”? Everyone’s journey is different no doubt, but one thing is for sure, it is NOT an easy one.

What’s been helping me? Honestly I’m not 100% sure that I can pinpoint exact reason(s). But I have been trying to do several things differently. Awareness really does help. So I sincerely encourage you to get help if you think you may be suffering with any kind of mental illness. It’s amazing how many things we may do to unintentionally sabotage ourselves, just by simply being unaware. Since being made aware of how my brain works, it really has helped me to be more careful with what I feed it. Because I am more prone to negative spirals, I have begun to really pay attention to what triggers the shift to a negative mental space, and conversely, what helps me to feel better, if even for a moment.

One thing that I can say for sure that has helped (and this totally deserves its own post) is spending much less time on social media. For a highly sensitive person, already prone to depression, too much social media is the worse. Not only is it a time-waster, but in addition to the passage of time, I was feeding my brain with things that only made me feel worse. 

You should be doing more.

Why aren’t you doing xyz with your life.

Why aren’t you working out.

Why aren’t you eating healthy.

That’s why you’re fat.

Why are so xyz.

You’re not good enough.

You’re not good enough.

You’re not good enough. 

Writing that was hard, but that is exactly what was going on in my mind. So limiting the time I spend there, the amount of people I follow, eliminating certain platforms, and not joining others, has definitely helped. So if you notice my inactivity/non-responsiveness, there’s your reason why :)

There are so many articles out there with helpful tips for coping, but the fact remains that nothing is 100% effective across the board. Which sucks. There will always be an element of trial and error in everyone’s case and that’s where I am. Some things have been helpful, others have not. But I’m trying, and honestly, that is the most important thing. I haven’t given up and I’m thankful to my family and friends for their support.

I didn’t really have a true point to today’s post, I guess it was more of an update… There’s always so much more to talk about on this topic, but I need to stop making these posts novel length lol.

Please feel free to comment and let me know what has helped you if you are also coping with depression.

I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday  ❤

-Danni

DFinney Photography | Giveaway May Week 4 [CLOSED]

Goood Monday morning to you! It’s a new week and the sun is (finally) shining here in DC! And what better way to celebrate the sun’s return than with oneee last giveaway for the month :)

Before I share this week’s prize, I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has participated in the weekly giveaways since the month began! I really enjoyed seeing your photo entries each week!

So what’s the prize for this week? The biggest one this month: a mini session with DFinney Photography! ^_^

What can this be used for? Anything! Well, almost anything* :)

This is perfect if you would like updated family photos, photos of your adorable children, photos with you and your beau, or a just because session to celebrate YOU! This is a great opportunity to do so!

It’s been a pretty rainy spring, but I think we may FINALLY be turning a corner this week and I would love to get you in front of my camera :)

Would you like to win a mini session with DFinney Photography? Enter this week’s giveaway for your chance to win! 

HERE’S HOW TO ENTER:

Leave a comment below- that’s it!

(biggest giveaway of the month- easiest giveaway of the month ;)

BONUS ENTRY: On instagram, share of one of your favorite photos! Be sure to mention @dfinneyphoto and hashtag your photo with #dfinneymaygiveaway!

NOTE: Your instagram account must be public for your photo to be seen. Your photo doesn’t have to be taken with a DSLR camera, it just has to be one of your favorite photos- it could be a favorite photo that you’ve taken (of something/someone else) or one that has been taken of you! 

*Mini session fee valued at $225. Giveaway not applicable to mentoring or standard session fees. No newborn or event photography. Photo session must take place within (in DC area) 2 months of winning.

I look forward to a photo-filled week with you and I look forward to announcing the winner at the end of the week!

Have a beautiful Monday  ❤

-Danni

UPDATE (5/27): The winner for the 4th and final week is Luli Luatupu Archer Congratulations Luli! ✨ Thank you soooo much to everyone who participated, not only this week, but every week his month! I really enjoyed seeing your beautiful images and reading your touching comments on the blog ❤️ I hope you all have a beautiful weekend and a wonderful (unofficial) start to the summer season 💕