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!

Miami Group Mentor Session [September 6] | Washington, DC Photography Instructor

Happy [late] Mentor Monday! Lol

I didn’t forget about my Daily Dose December! Just running a bit (a lot bit lol) behind today but I wanted to make sure I got this post up on Monday so I could technically still be on schedule :)

I have 4 group mentor sessions to share with you, two of which I will share this week ahead of announcing the 2015 travel dates and mentoring programs! First up is Miami!

I visited Miami this past September for a mini getaway but while I was in town I did a mentor session with these lovely ladies!

The weather worked out beautifully for us and we had a great time together!

All of us! Thanks Lakiya for snapping this! (Ya’ll see my tan?? I was so pressed to have some color lol)

I was visiting Miami with my girlfriend Lakiya (who tagged along for the session!) so Fran snapped a few shots of us together :)

After the session, we had our own little mini shoot because there was so much awesome art around and Lakiya did a great job putting into practice what she just learned :)

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

“Though I was a little nervous the morning of our mentor session, that quickly changed when I reached our first location and everything got started. Danielle is so down to earth, and her warm personality and genuine smile made me feel super comfortable. Her teaching style was very thorough and she really made sure to give each one of us individual attention throughout the day. She helped me to discover functions on my camera that I didn’t even know were there, and showed me various tips and techniques for shooting and editing which have made things so much easier for me…and it has only been a week! I’m so glad that I was able to participate in this mentor session and would definitely attend future workshops with Danielle.”

-Latoya Osborne

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!

Richardson Family | Washington, DC Family Photographer

It’s Friday once again and I have yet another gorgeous family session to share with you! 

This time it’s the Richardson Family! I cannot get over how adorable this family is. Mom and dad are SO in love and baby girl is just as cute as she can be ^_^ 

I really enjoyed this session because I worked with Morgan earlier this year while I was in Chicago for our group mentor session so I was super happy when she reached out for family photos! The day of the session came and weather had other plans :/ Our morning time had to be pushed back to the afternoon but I’m glad we did because the light was delightful :)

So sit back and enjoy the beauty that is the Richardson Family!

This picture kills me every time i see it lol. 

Ok now these next ones make me laugh too. She has the best expressions lol.

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