Easterling Family | Washington, DC Family Photographer

Trying to jump back on the blogging bandwagon as I’ve been on an unintentional hiatus these past few months :)

We are now in the beautiful Spring season so I wanted to share my fun spring family session with The beautiful Easterling Family!

I had such a great time with this energetic bunch! I love when I’m able to capture kids just being their awesome little selves :)

Check out their fun spring mini session!

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: May and June 2016.

Truthy... Thursday? | The Truth About My Absence

This post originally appeared here.

I wanted to wait. 

I was (and still kinda am) unsure of the “right words”… But, I told myself eventually they would come and… they seem to be flowing, so I won’t let my fear be a hindrance any further.

I mentioned earlier this year that I was dealing with health issues and as a result, scaled back on work and travel. But I purposely didn’t go into detail… And honestly, the more time passed, it wasn’t so much that I felt like I “owed” anyone an explanation, but it was that I felt that my silence was further feeding into the stigma surrounding mental health and I didn’t like that.

For some reason in our society, physical illness is treated a lot more sympathetically than mental illness. I guess because it’s often accompanied by symptoms you can see. Mental illness on the other hand is often manifest in ways that can be (and often are) misinterpreted. Sometimes as laziness, simply not trying hard enough, just being pessimistic… personality “flaws” if you will. While the cause of such symptoms is actually rooted in abnormal brain function.

Just as physical illness can be hereditary, caused by injury, or simply develop over time, the same is true for mental illness. I feel like I have a combination of all three honestly lol. I may have been genetically predisposed already, but who knows. I’m dealing with it now and that’s all that matters. 

Living with depression and being on the bipolar spectrum is interesting… to say the least. It is really difficult dealing with mental illness in a society that constantly tells you to “just try harder”. It is really difficult dealing with mental illness and running your own business. It is really difficult being depressed and literally being unable to do the things that will make you feel better.

I don’t know what writing this means… I’m not writing this just to say how hard it is. And I’m certainly not writing to say that I’m all better. 

A lot of posts I see where someone’s struggle with depression is shared, it’s from an “I overcame this” perspective. And while that is certainly encouraging, I know a lot of people are still in the midst of their struggle. It’s a lot more complicated than just feeling bad for a little and then being all better.

I guess I wrote this as more of a “hey this is a little of what’s been (and is) going on”. 

Honestly, I felt compelled to write because I often hear how inspiring I am to fellow photographers and business owners wondering how I “keep it all together”… well the truth is that I don’t! Lol I literally do not have it all together. Maybe it appears that way, but it certainly was not an intentionally crafted facade. I thoroughly appreciate transparency so if this helps in any way, I hope it helps you see past what appears to “be all together”. 

I am human, just like you. A human trying to manage and navigate this space as best I can.

I also want to say that if you too are dealing with mental illness (or suspect that you may be), please don’t feel bad about getting help. It’s important to find out what you’re dealing with so that you can learn how best to cope with it. Whether it’s therapy, eating better and exercise, supplements, medication, meditation, or a combination of all of the above, it is so important. Your mental health… your brain’s health is the root of you. Your decision making, your mood processing, your emotional balance… If that’s off, you’re off and there should be no shame in getting the assistance required to help you be your best you.

Even if you may not suffer personally, please remember that everybody is dealing with something. So try to be a little kinder, supportive, and understanding when you can.

Til next time,

-Danni ♥ 

2016 Spring Minis | Specials

Happy Wednesday beautiful people! It’s that time again :)

The much anticipated Spring Mini Special is back!

Those who signed up for the mailing list got exclusive access to book beginning Monday, March 14- a full 2 days before anyone else- and as a result, only 2 slots remain!

Please please don’t wait because if Monday was any indication, these will go fast as well! So grab one while you still can!

For full details please visit: http://dfinneyphoto.co/specials

A dedicated page where you can find full details for this season’s spring mini special!

I look forward to working with you and creating beautiful images ♥

-Danni

NOLA 101 Group Session [November 20] | New Orleans, LA Photography Instructor

Good Monday morning to you and welcome to the first Mentor Monday of 2016! (Just two months late lol) I hope your new year is off to a great start and that you’re making the most of February’s bonus day today :)

So I finally found a moment to blog my New Orleans session from November and I’m excited to share it with you. We had such a great time together and a wonderful model! 

Check out the photos from our practice session.

What did the attendees think of the session? Hear from them directly on their DFinney Mentoring experience:

The mentor session was impactful! I now understand how to use kelvin!! I also was able to view Danielle’s client engagement and learn techniques to get comfortable and keep my client confident throughout the shoot. Danielle’s personality and temperament were also really welcoming and that helped me feel comfortable engaging in discussions.

-Kimberly 

I had a very positive experience! I have never worked with other photographers before- I’ve learned everything I know through books, videos, kelbyone, ppa, and trial & error. The information was not complex, but it helped me focus (no pun intended) on the areas where I can make significant improvement in (e.g., in camera adjustments). Also, it helped me to visualize the potential I have as a photographer.

-Eric

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 or scheduling your own one-on-one session!

2016 Travel Cancellations | News & Updates

Good Monday afternoon to you!

Just wanted to drop in with an important update-

Thank you SO much for your support over the past few years as I’ve incorporated travel into my business! It has been an absolute joy to meet and work with so many beautiful people around the country! Recently I’ve been dealing with some things that have made it necessary for me to pare down my schedule to focus on my health. As a result, I will be canceling the remaining 2016 travel dates after Atlanta in February.

The updated travel calendar is as follows:

Orlando, FL

Mentoring Session 101: Friday, January 29

Atlanta, GA

Mentoring Session 101: Friday, February 26

Mentoring Session 102: Saturday, February 27

(Photo Sessions will be held on February 23 & 24)

The remaining scheduled dates for 2016 (Charlotte in March, Brooklyn in April, Chicago in May, and Houston in June) have been cancelled and will be rescheduled once my health allows.

If you were interested in attending (specifically the Charlotte or Houston sessions), I do have one spot left available for each of the 3 remaining travel dates (101 in Orlando and 101 & 102 in Atlanta) so you’re more than welcome to attend since I’ll be closer to you there than I am in DC :) Just shoot me an email if you’d like to secure your seat.

I do plan to incorporate a modified travel schedule once I’m a little closer to 100% (or even 80% lol) but I don’t have a date yet, and won’t for another few months I’m sure. If you are interested in working together and visiting DC, you are more than welcome! I will still be taking photos and teaching, just closer to home and on a more limited schedule.

Those who were booked for the cancelled dates have already been contacted and refunds have been issued.

My sincere apologies for the date cancellations but I want to make sure I’m giving my best, so to do that, I have to BE my best :) I look forward to working with you as soon as I’m better ♥

-Danni