Thankful | Washington, DC Lifestyle Photographer

Can I be real for a moment? Today has been one of the most stressful days I've had in a long while. 

Well... when I think about it, maybe it hasn't, but it sure felt like it.

I had an eearly early flight back home from Atlanta, and I lost my phone on the train :/

Although an inconvenience, that wouldn't have been a huge deal if I wasn't already sleep deprived and cutting it close getting to my gate. But that, combined with the busyness that was my last 4 days in Atlanta, knowing that I had a lot of work to do when I got back home, the Spring Mini Special opening tomorrow, texts, DMs, and emails to respond to, plans to finalize for this weekend's sessions, and... well, really I could go on... But, all of that settled squarely on my shoulders as I asked my gate agent for a printed boarding pass, trying to hold back tears.

I'm a pretty private person so crying in public is not something I tend to do. But that was all I could do in that moment because the brokenness I often feel, felt too heavy to bear in that moment.

Thankfully after a smooth flight and a beautiful sunrise, the flight landed safely. And after a long nap, I got a new phone (yay!). Although today (and this past week) have been extremely stressful, tonight, I'm making myself take time to count my blessings because I truly do have a lot to be thankful for.

I am thankful that Denni and I had a safe trip to Atlanta, wonderful clients to work with, beautiful weather... Thankful that I made it home safely... Thankful that despite my mental illness, I am gifted with the ability to capture genuine moments for my clients, work with fellow photographers, and make a living doing what I love... Thankful for dear friends and family who love and support me... Thankful to my God for life, and for showing his love for me, even when I feel undeserving...

This blog post ended up being quite a different one than I'd planned for today. I was all about sharing beautiful spring images with you this week, but sharing happy images when I felt anything but, just didn't seem right.

Tomorrow at 10a, booking for the Spring Mini Special opens exclusively for subscribers, so if you haven't already, you should totally join.

Thanks for hanging with me and reading about my crazy day! I'm looking forward to getting a long night's rest and starting this week on a better note 🧡

Mommy & Me: Spring Edition | Washington, DC Photographer

So... it was a pretty ambitious goal to blog every day until the start of Spring, and I gotta tell you, it hasn't been easy! This post is technically arriving on Saturday (in my time zone) but it'll still be Friday elsewhere so I'm going to make this my Friday AND Saturday post. Boom, problem solved lol.

Now, on to the goods:

Can I tell you what an honor it is to be able to document mothers with their children? No matter how old you get, those will always be photos that you treasure- ones with your mom :) So to be able to capture moments that will bring my clients enjoyment for years to come is a real privilege.

Check out a quick recap of a few mommy & me sessions!

I hope you enjoyed these sweet mommy & me photos! Stay close because there's a few more posts left to share in the days leading up to the start of Spring next week!

Interested in a Spring Mini Session? Booking opens on March 19 at 10a- for subscribers only! Join the mailing list to book yours first! Not interested in a mini? No worries! To schedule a maternity session this Spring, shoot me an email! Currently booking: April, May, and June.

Story: LaToya + Johnny | Chicago, IL Photographer

One of the busiest weeks I've had in a long time, and this would be the week that I choose to blog every day 😩 . It's late (literally the 11th hour) BUT it's happening! Lol

I am so happy to share the Wright Family story with you this evening! I briefly mentioned yesterday that we have a long history with rain affecting our work over the years, and today you get to hear the story!

I first met and worked with LaToya & Johnny in 2014 when I was contracted to photograph their Spring 2015 wedding in Chicago! Prior to that though, they were going to travel to DC for their engagement session!

And wouldn't you know it... The entire day of their December 2014 session was a chilly and rainy one. But not just light rain. Dark, 100% cloud cover rain 😩 . Because they were flying in for their session though, we didn't have an option to reschedule, so we shot their entire session in and around their hotel! At the very end of their session, we were able to sneak in a few shots outdoors, and in the end, we had a great time together :)

It's May 2015 and the day of their wedding arrives! But what's in the forecast again? Rain! Oh, and more rain! 😩  Fortunately they had awesome venues and decor for both their prep and ceremony/reception, so we were able to capture their day beautifully despite the weather being a drag. 

The ONLY day that rain hasn't threatened our work together was in August 2015 for Toya's 1:1 mentoring session! Lol. And we are going to see if we can repeat this success with our upcoming session in Chicago this May! 

Fast-forward a few years to September 2017, and baby makes three! I was so looking forward to photographing Toya & Johnny with their new baby girl Amaryah, but it wouldn't you know it... It rained the entire morning of their session. But, we're kind of pros at this now (lol) shooting indoors/making whatever we have work- and doing so beautifully :) This was no exception! 

I absolutely love and appreciate LaToya & Johnny for trusting my artistic vision regardless of the circumstances we're presented with. It's been an honor to document their love story and I can't wait to continue document their beautiful family's growth for years to come!

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Want to start documenting your family's story with DFinney Photography? Let's start with a Spring Mini Session! Booking opens on March 19 at 10a- for subscribers only! Not interested in a mini? No worries! To schedule a lifestyle session this Spring, shoot me an email! Currently booking: April, May, and June.

But What If It Rains? | Washington, DC Photographer

That is a very valid question! And it's one that sits in the back of your mind when you book a shoot with an on-location photographer, whether you realize it or not. Because although beautiful, outdoor sessions mean that we are depending on unpredictable weather! Since the Spring season can sometimes be a rainy one, I thought it would be fitting to write this blog to help allay those fears!

So what happens if it rains the day of your shoot? In short, the show will go on :)

Sometimes this means that the shoot is moved to a new date, other times we simply do a venue change! The decision is made depending on each client- if they are unavailable on another date, then we will move forward with the session at a suitable indoor location -OR- if we discuss that a reschedule would be feasible, then a new date is scheduled. That's it! Easy, right?

It seems that way in theory, but there can still be a bit of anxiety about shifting to an indoor session when you were planning for one outdoors. Unless there's a planned location that my client would like to use, I typically select a suitable location to make sure that the final image is a cohesive one, so no need to worry there- I got you!

What does this look like in practice? Take a look! Below are several real sessions that had to be shifted to indoor locations due to rain :)

Storms threatened Ron & Imani's maternity session and with their baby boy on the way, we couldn't reschedule! So we shifted their session to a beautiful indoor location.

Traci came down for the day from Philly for her 102 Mentor Session and it rained alllll day! We shot her headshots indoors and even snagged a few outdoors underneath the building awnings :)

Sean & Marcia planned their anniversary session to fall exactly on their anniversary weekend, and... it rained! We were able to take some gorgeous photos in their hotel and even snuck in a few outdoors when the rain let up.

The Powell Family session was supposed to be an outdoor session, but... rain. Not just light rain, heavy steady rain. ALL DAY! We couldn't reschedule because mom & dad were moving to Hawaii the following week, so an indoor location came to the rescue!

Gina's brand session was altered due to rain as well, but we rocked her business photos indoors!

The Wright Family! We have serious history with rain affecting our work together over the years lol (stay tuned tomorrow for that :) But on this day, it was a gray and misty day that only allowed us a few shots outdoors (just under the entryway), the rest were sweet family photos in their lovely home!

So there's no need to fear rain on the day of your session! I watch the weather like a hawk lol, so I'm always prepared either way we'll need to go. 

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I hope you enjoyed these photos! Stay close because I'll be blogging ALL WEEK in honor of the return of Spring next week! 

Interested in a Spring Mini Session? Booking opens on March 19 at 10a- for subscribers only! Join the mailing list to book yours first! Not interested in a mini? No worries! To schedule a maternity session this Spring, shoot me an email! Currently booking: April, May, and June.

Story: Dre + Bianca | Washington, DC Photographer

Happy Tuesday to you!

I'm still getting into the swing of this daily blogging thing... I'm not sure just yet if it's going to officially be a "thing", but we shall see :)

Today's post is the start of a series I'm beginning, where I highlight my wonderful longtime clients/turned friends 💙 So every time you see a post titled "Story: Name Here", know that it's an awesome one!

First up are my dear friends Bianca & DeAndre, you may remember them from yesterday's post :)

Bianca and I met at an event back in 2009, while DeAndre and I actually went to HS together! Fast-forward a few years and they were engaged- I was thrilled (and a little nervous to be honest) when Bianca ask that I photograph their engagement session in 2013. I always seem to get nervous when I shoot for friends, I want to make sure everything is perfect! 

Although unusually cold for November, their engagement session was so much fun! So I was definitely looking forward to photographing their wedding in Rock Hill, SC in 2014! The weather was so off and on that day, and we were worried that their outdoor ceremony would be rained out; Fortunately the clouds cleared and it turned out to be an absolutely beautiful day!

Dre & Bianca's family was growing! We did an early morning family maternity session in May 2017 and the light was soft and beautiful :)

Little Logan is here! In August 2017, we did a sweet in-home family newborn session with the whole gang :)

I realized about halfway through this post that I can't talk so much or these posts will be toooo long! Lol! I am so incredibly thankful to Dre & Bianca for allowing me to document their love story. It has been a joy seeing their family and love grow over the years, and I hope to keep adding to their story for years to come!

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Want to start documenting your family's story with DFinney Photography? Let's start with a Spring Mini Session! Booking opens on March 19 at 10a- for subscribers only! Not interested in a mini? No worries! To schedule a lifestyle session this Spring, shoot me an email! Currently booking: April, May, and June.