Chelsea | Washington, DC Lifestyle Photographer

Next up, is Chelsea!

This was actually a “just because” session I did back in the Spring at a cookout. Chelsea was visiting from Indiana with a mutual friend and I had to photograph her!

I absolutely loved her big hair and bright blue green eyes! Believe it or not, I did absolutely NOTHING to the color of her eyes in these photos, they’re just that radiant. We caught some nice evening light and had fun capturing her beauty :)

So without further ado, enjoy Chelsea!

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If you’re interested in a “just because” session and would like to have the DFinney Experience yourself, email me and schedule yours today! Currently booking: November & December 2014.

Shanta & Mark | Washington, DC Engagement Photographer

Next up this morning? The most perfect engagement mini session in the history of perfectness! Lol Why you ask? Because my love for symmetry, lines, light, and color all came together exquisitely for this session.

How do I get all of my clients to coordinate with their surroundings so well? The big secret (not really ;) is that I simply ask to know what they’re wearing ahead of time. This, in addition to other pre-session communication, helps me to make sure that their location is a perfect fit.

Now in Mark & Shanta’s case, I had absolutely no idea that this would be SO perfect! I about lost my mind when I got them in front of this wall and the light was perfect, and the colors were perfect, their styling was perfect… and just everything! Lol

Okay, I will stop rambling now and let you check out the photos from their session :) 

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THIS. This photo is what made me lose my mind.The symmetryyyyyyy is soo beautiful! And their outfits, and just… I could go on, but please. Enjoy this with me lol. 

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If you’re interested in a session with your hunny and would like to have the DFinney Experience yourself, email me and schedule yours today! Currently booking: November & December 2014.

Allen Family | Washington, DC Family Photographer

Happy Wednesday!

I’m on a blog blitz today! 5 new posts coming your way as I attempt to catch up and share what’s happened over the past few months :)

First up is the beautiful Allen Family who came down from New Jersey for their mini session! We had a bit of a rain delay at the beginning but thankfully it let up and we got to take these awesome pictures!

I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed working with these guys- they have personality for days and made my job super easy because they were just being themselves :)

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If you’re interested in a family session and would like to have the DFinney Experience yourself, email me and schedule yours today! Currently booking: November & December 2014.

Giveaway | Something BIG! [CLOSED]

UPDATE 10/13:

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Thank you guys sooooo much for participating and making this a truly awesome giveaway! I was so emotional last week reading the blog comments when I announced the giveaway and then randomly selecting winners today made me so sad and happy at the same time. I wish I could extend myself to all of you, I truly do. (I even picked 2 extra names because I actually have space at the venue for 12) So while I’m bummed for those of you who didn’t win, knowing that this small gesture will help a few makes me very happy. I am beyond thankful for your support over the years and I look forward to sharing more with you in the years to come :) The winners have been emailed and they are @nicolemondestinphotography @fotomephoto @rubyellaphoto @mosaicbymg @debonaire_20 @sarahmazza @stylistkailaj @jayshep5 @aprilrboller Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who participated and shared this giveaway!!

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So! What is this “something big” I’ve been teasing you about?

Last month, DFinney Photography’s official 5 year anniversary passed with little fanfare. Though I’d planned to do something really big, life got in the way and I never did. I actually don’t have a specific September date for my anniversary, I just use that month as a marker because I remember that I was laid off in September 2009 just before my 22nd birthday.

Last year I was so eager to reach a “5” milestone that I actually held a 5 year giveaway, but it was actually in celebration of beginning year 5 and not completing it lol. So! Here we are at the close of year 5 as I begin another and I have SO MANY reasons to be thankful.

The past two years have been nothing short of amazing. That’s such an overused word, but I really have no other way to describe it! This teaching thing has taken on a true life of its own and though it’s been a dream of mine, I would have never thought that I would be traveling for work. For ME! I actually thought I wanted to be a meeting planner like one of my girlfriends so I could travel to different places like her. But now, all these years later, thanks to the magic of social media, I am able to on my terms!

Well, reaching an official milestone like this deserves something big… And that something big is:

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> > > > I AM GIFTING THE NATURAL LIGHT WORKSHOP TO YOU! < < < <

Yes, you read correctly… ALL seats to the workshop will be absolutely FREE!

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Those who have secured their seats already will be issued refunds and the remaining seats will be won by means of the largest giveaway I have ever done!

10 seats… at $495 each! So this is kind of a 5 year, $5k giveaway!

That’s pretty big right?! Worth the hype!? ;) Lol

I understand that everyone can’t afford the investment required to work with me, so this a gesture to say a HUGE thank you for supporting me over the past 5 years! So many of you have been both active and inactive supporters, but you are appreciated just the same.

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WORKSHOP DETAILS
This opportunity is open to anyone! You don’t have to be a professional photographer to enter this giveaway. You simply need to semi-know how to operate your own DSLR camera and have an interest in natural light photography. That’s it!

However, this workshop is not for someone just taking their camera out of the box. It’s geared more towards those with an intermediate level understanding of their camera (those who at the very least have played around with the different modes and don’t JUST shoot in auto :)

You must be in (or willing to travel to) Washington, DC for the workshop to be held on October 18, 2014. Full details for the workshop are viewable here. It is a full day workshop and meals are included. Please do not enter if you are not absolutely certain you can attend.

Tired of reading and want to win already?! Lol

HERE’S HOW TO ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A SEAT:
1. Simply leave a comment below sharing what winning a seat to the workshop would mean to you!

BONUS ENTRIES:
2. Follow @dfinneyphoto on instagram & twitter
3. Post your best selfie with your camera on instagram and hastag #dfinney5kgiveaway (your account must be public to be visible)
4. Share this blog post on your favorite social media platform(s) and mention @dfinneyphoto 

You can do one or all of the above for a chance to win, but it’s recommended to do all 4 (because why wouldn’t you want all the chances you can get to win a seat?!)

The winners will be chosen at random from the comments left on this blog post. For every bonus entry completed, that will be counted as an extra comment for you. Leaving multiple comments does not increase your chances of winning. Winners will be chosen and announced on Monday, October 13, 2014 so you have one week!

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I can’t wait to work with all of you! And some of whom would not have been able to attend if it weren’t for the giveaway! I truly look forward to helping you improve your natural light photography skills!

Looking forward to reading your comments :)

-Danielle

Chicago Group Mentoring [July 17] | Washington, DC Photography Instructor

Next up for today? Chicago! :D

This one brings back so many great memories! Well not that all of my sessions don’t, but I especially loved this one because I got to work with my family :) My extended fam Kayla & Steve came down from Grand Rapids for the Chicago session and we had so much fun!

Also: All of this color?! I can’t take the awesomeness lol

We had such a great mix of personalities, skill levels, and experience that it made for a really enjoyable session.

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First up, headshots for my cousins Kayla & Steve! A husband and wife photography team :)

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This picture makes me so happy! I love how bright we all are ^_^

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Next up Aleka & Morgan! Aleka is also a Michigan photographer and Morgan is here in Chicago :)

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

If I had to put my experience with DFinney in one word it would be Amazing! It is clear that Danielle is dedicated to her passion and it not only shows in her work it show is her mentoring sessions. Danielle was well organized and willing to answer every question. My headshots from the session literally brought me to tears of joy!”
-Aleka Thrash

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!