Life, lately | Truthy Tuesday... on a Thursday

It has taken me WEEKS to get this blog written and shared.

I’d jot down thoughts here and there, but getting them together in a cohesive format felt impossible!

A couple weeks ago, I sat down to try again with no distractions (okay there were a few lol). And while it still wasn’t easy, at least I got SOMETHING down. Then it sat for 2 weeks 🥴

Sharing that snippet to let you know how hard productivity (outside of direct client work) has felt lately...

My winter break ended just before the close of Q1 and I gotta be honest, I was not ready to get back in the swing of things. But honestly though, who really wants to go back to work after a break? 

This year (for what feels like the first time) I didn’t completely waste my time off. I’d been working on a few things and just needed a bit more time to gain my footing before things got rolling again. That didn’t happen. 

But that’s life, right? 

How often do you have the opportunity to get things JUST SO with zero distractions or life interruptions? If your answer to this is “well, actually… I can do that quite often”, good for you! The rest of us don’t know what that’s like lol.

Because I have a tendency to want to do the most, one of the (multi-part) things I’d been working on was making a greater effort to incorporate simple healthy habits into my daily life. Literally the basics- drinking more water, moving my body, eating more veggies and protein, less screen time, getting better sleep… you know, the things we don’t think about until we feel like trash 😓

Initially it felt a little too simple, but I stuck with it. And while I didn’t make much progress on outward facing projects like I wanted, I was SO proud of the personal progress I was making! I actually felt better and it was so nice to see how those small adjustments were making a difference.

Then… life.

I got thrown off and it has been such a struggle getting back on track. The silver lining here is that at least I don’t feel like I’m just throwing things at the wall to see what sticks. I know what worked before and it’s just a matter of getting back in rhythm!

So that’s kind of where I am now. I haven’t been showing up much online because I really want to get back to how I was operating at the start of the year. Hopefully I can achieve a tad more balance and share more with you soon.

To switch gears a bit, I do want to share a couple things that have been really helpful to me lately. Maybe you may find one of them helpful as well 🧡

APRIL SHARES

  1. As most of us know, health care in this country can be a real hassle to navigate at times… One thing I found immediately helpful earlier this year was LabCorp On Demand.

    Instead of waiting for a doctor to schedule your bloodwork or specialty test and explain the results, you can order your own and get fast (mine came back in less than 24 hours!) easy to understand results. Because this service is for patients, you don’t receive a list of numbers that the doctor needs to explain to you- your test results are explained in layman’s terms with helpful graphics. I really love that part because clear understanding is so empowering and gives you more ownership of your health.

    In my case, I was able to gain a better understanding of some key numbers and start making changes to better my health almost immediately.

  2. BetterSleep has been the single most helpful app for me over the past few months. If you are like me and need white noise to fall asleep, this app is a game changer.

    We got white noise, green noise, brown noise, pink noise… rain, thunder, wind, trotting horses, city sounds, forest sounds, birds, frogs, cicadas, drums, bamboo chimes… you name it! I absolutely could have kept going but you get the point lol.

    In addition to an extensive sound library, there are also a host of musical options, stories, and guided meditations to help you sleep, relax, meditate, or focus.

    Oh! I almost forgot- my favorite feature is that you can layer sounds and create your own soundscape! I can’t say enough good things about BetterSleep. Definitely give it a try and see if it works for you!

I hope to get back to sharing more regularly, but life is so busy these days, I’m grateful to share what I can when I can 🥲 I would LOVE to hear from you if any of this resonated or was helpful 🧡

I hope you have a beautiful week!

-Danni

2022 Recap | Part 1

Before we get too deep into the new year, I have to give my 2022 clients some shine!

I didn’t get a chance to do many client features in real time last year, so I’m going to do a two part recap and eventually share some full galleries as well; there are just too many gems to sit on a hard drive somewhere!

The first half of 2022 was FULL of brand sessions! There were a few family and graduation sessions sprinkled in as well, but we had such a great time creating together 🧡

“My experience with DFinney Photography was just that- a whole entire experience! Her process has both finesse and years of experience woven all throughout. She gives advice on everything from how selecting the proper undergarments can affect your photos, to reminders on not forgetting to eat the morning of so that your energy stays up! She really has come across almost every scenario and in turn, uses what she's learned to help better her client's experience. Until you are a client, you only see the finished product, but once you book, you truly understand that her consistent high quality photos are no accident.”

-Vanessa Atuboyedia

“From start to finish, the process is fun, organized, exciting, and professional. Danielle is welcoming and reassuring. Her help was priceless and necessary for my outfit selection, and at the shoot, she even gave me tips for styling my hair for the best on-camera "lewks." The makeup artist was friendly and talented and did a great job. The shoot itself was playful and easygoing and we really had a ball. Above all else, the photos are amazing! I've been in public relations for over 20 years and I book a LOT of photographers for clients, usually accompanying them to shoots. This was the most fun, calm, organized, professional shoot I've ever been on and the best part was that it was for ME. I can't say enough good things about my DFinney Photography experience!”

-LiRon Anderson-Bell

“Danielle’s images are clean, crisp and timeless- exactly what I wanted for my branding. I have my own insecurities about being in front of the camera, and even though I tell my clients to relax, I have the same feelings that they do. Danielle helped keep me calm, gave me clear instructions, and just made the experience just amazing. I trusted her completely.”

-Samantha Davis

“I knew that I wanted a Black women to capture my 50th Birthday milestone because it's was important to have someone safe to capture this very special life event, and I knew DFinney would be the perfect match. I had the BEST experience. I felt cared for and valued.”

-Racquel Bruton

“I never felt like I photographed well partly because I'm a little shy and awkward...lol. But working with DFinney was easy, fun, and relaxing. She put me at ease from the very beginning and I enjoyed every moment of the experience.”

-Melissa DeShields

“Danielle was fantastic and very personable to work with! I was nervous about having to pose and look professional, but Danielle did a great job of helping me feel at ease by making everything very natural, giving good prompts, and engaging me in conversation.”

-Hannah Wang

“I found my experience with DFinney Photography to be absolutely amazing, from start to finish! The level of detail and communication was not only thorough, but it relaxed me about the process as well. It is abundantly clear that Danielle put time and thought into her client experience. During the session itself, Danielle impressed me with her ability to bring my natural light and confidence out. She encouraged me to simply be myself and more importantly, ENJOY myself. I felt beautiful and Danielle brought that confidence out in the most magical way.”

-Cherise Bernard

“My experience was great! From start to finish, her communication was everything and you can tell this is her passion. She over delivered. I have been telling so many people about Danielle. This was my favorite photo shoot thus far!”

-Lacresia Williams

“Danielle has a vision and just gets it every time! Sometimes I don’t know exactly what I want to get out of each shot but when I see the end results I’m beyond pleased!! I’ll continue to use DFinney Photography to capture all of my special moments.”

-April Van Overbeek

You see all these beautiful people! 😍

It was such a joy to create with them, and I’d love the opportunity to bring your photos to life too!

Books for Q1 are closed, but priority access for Q2 (Spring) opens on February 28!

Booking is done via waitlist so when you click the link above, you’ll receive an email with next steps 🧡

Thanks for checking out today’s post, I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and let me know what you thought of our recap!

-Danni

Do I need a Deluxe Brand session?

The short answer: maybe.

If you are looking to do a full brand launch, a full rebrand, or just want a ton of photos 😅, then yep- the Deluxe Brand session is just what you need!

But… you know what I realized? I don’t think I’ve ever shared what a full Deluxe Brand session looks like! Today, that changes :)

Let’s take a look at a Deluxe Brand session from last fall with my client Samara ❤️

For a quick background- Samara has been a mental health professional for nearly 20 years! Her private practice opened in 2005 and since then, she has helped many to gain clarity, move forward with confidence, and she’s also poured into various organizations as a consultant, coach, and facilitator. Her new brand, Full Grown, was created specifically to empower black women over 40 to live boldly so we needed photos to convey the full scope of what that means!

Samara booked the Deluxe Brand session because this was going to be a full brand launch. The vision was to capture the black girl magic of fully grown, mature women. To show internal joy, fulfillment, wisdom, and the essence of them living their best life.

So how did we bring the vision to life? Check out her full proof gallery below! You’ll also be able to see which images Samara selected for her final gallery as well.

Disclaimer: Although no password is required to access this gallery, all client proof galleries are password protected.

Once Samara’s final gallery selections were retouched, her images went right to work! Check out her website! Note: Although you can view the site on mobile, you'll get the full experience on a desktop or laptop :)

Samara worked with The Chloe Brand for brand development and she did such a beautiful job incorporating the final photos into her design. Here are just a few additional graphics she created for instagram!

Ya’ll. It made me sooo happy to see everything come together so beautifully!

But let’s be honest, how I feel about it isn’t important lol. Check out Samara’s feedback re: her DFinney Experience:

“Where do I begin? Everything about my experience was above and beyond. I’ve worked with several photographers throughout my 18 years as an entrepreneur and never have I’ve been able to see how the systems are in place to ensure a successful shoot. Danielle has literally thought about everything and it gives you a sense of comfort in knowing that she’s already a step ahead of you in helping you to make key decisions to improve the outcome of the shoot.

On the day of the shoot I was so so at ease in her presence; I loved how she made sure that she was getting the shot her eye envisioned, and the result was absolutely amazing. She did such a good job with the photos that was compelled to purchase double of what I originally expected to buy. I’m just glad that I had the coin to invest in my own brand because her pictures knocked it out of the park!

I can honestly say that there was not one aspect of this experience that I would change. DFinney even welcomed to my two longtime best friends into the shoot to make sure that we could capture group dynamics that really fit with Full Grown’s brand. Thank you DFinney for everything that you do to help entrepreneurs, families and women feel beautiful and well represented visually.”

-Samara Stone

I was BEAMING after receiving her feedback! It really makes my heart happy when my clients enjoy themselves DURING the process, not just when they receive their final photos 🥰

So what does this mean for you? Well, if you’re in need (or want :) or new brand photos, you have the option of booking a Mini, Signature, or Deluxe session! BUT I have just 2 remaining dates for the year 😳 and my books will be closed for the start of 2023 (Jan and most of Feb).

Booking is done via waitlist so when you click the link above, you’ll receive an email with next steps 🧡

If you enjoyed today’s post, leave me a comment! I’d love to hear from you :)

-Danni

I'm not photogenic! | Truthy Tuesday

Today is a big day. After a 3+ year hiatus, Truthy Tuesday is back!

I feel like I’m bursting at the seams with excitement lol. I have so much to share with you, so let’s dive right in!

Last week I posed a question on the gram: “if you are interested in taking photos, but haven’t, what’s holding you back?” and got some great feedback. Here’s a quick list of the responses:

  • Not sure I’ll photograph well/weight gain

  • Haven’t found a photographer I like

  • Budget/can’t afford it currently

  • Scheduling conflicts

  • Waiting for a special occasion

  • Not sure what to wear/need styling help

  • Don’t know my best angles/how to pose

  • Session planning anxiety/ time & effort required


All totally understandable concerns, right?

I’ll be honest- when I asked the question, I kind of figured that money would be the top answer, so I was a little surprised (but also encouraged) by the range of responses because a lot of these are things I can help with!

So let’s tackle the first one:

Not sure I’ll photograph well/ concern re: weight gain

This is easily one of the top concerns of just about everyone taking photos or thinking about taking photos. But let’s work through it… if this is an obstacle for you, how can we overcome it?

I have 6 tips- 3 for you and 3 for the photographer because you are not in this alone!

Let’s start with you:

  1. Book a photographer you trust
    You have to be confident that your chosen photographer will be the best to bring your photos to life. If you have any doubts or concerns about their ability or don’t feel like your personalities will work well together, don’t do it! Keep looking until you’ve found someone you’re confident in.

  2. Share your concerns with them
    Your photographer won’t know if you are feeling self conscious about weight gain or anxiety about not photographing well. Let them know! This gives them an opportunity to reassure you and also be aware of how best to direct you to a great final product.

  3. Be open to your photographer’s feedback
    Once aware of your concerns, your photographer may make suggestions re: wardrobe and/or session planning. Please be open to their feedback. Know that they’re pulling from years of professional experience and they want you to have an amazing final product!

For the photographer:

(I’m sharing these from my perspective :)

  1. Be helpful, kind, and encouraging
    It’s super important to me to be kind and reassuring to every client of course, but even more so when my client has expressed uncertainty re: feeling awkward in front of the camera, weight gain, or feels they’re just not photogenic. This gives me the opportunity to be encouraging right from the start and aware of how I can support you through the planning process and during the shoot itself.


  2. Photograph flatteringly
    Because I’m aware of my client’s concerns, I am alert to potential issues and address them in real time. This can look like a lot of different things during the course of a shoot- reminding you to make slight adjustments (lower chin, relax shoulders, smooth out clothing, etc) and also requires that I do my part to place you in the best light, help you feel comfortable, and photograph you from the most flattering angles.

  3. Retouch mindfully
    Awareness of client concerns doesn’t end after the shoot! When retouching, I keep those things in mind as well. Worried about a double chin? All good, I can bring that up a bit. Worried that your arms look a tad larger than you’d prefer? Got you, I can bring them in a little. When editing, I consider the image as a whole and make slight tweaks to ensure a flawless final product- a gallery of photos that show you in your best light 🧡


What does this look like in practice? Let’s consider a real life example with Lakeya!

In her initial inquiry, Lakeya shared that she felt really awkward taking photos, but she was open to feedback and suggestions. This was huge! Right from the beginning, I knew the support I needed to provide. During the planning process, Lakeya also let me know when she was feeling anxious and having wardrobe challenges- as a result, I had the opportunity to reassure her and we worked through it together! That helped to calm a bit of her anxiety and on the day of her session, I checked in throughout and encouraged her to make sure she didn’t get stuck in her head thinking about being awkward or uncomfortable.

What was the result? She can tell you!

Now, this blog is running long (and it could honestly run even longer because I have a TON of client experiences I could share!) but let me tie things up a bit.

If your reason for not moving forward with taking photos is because you’re not sure you’ll photograph well or you’re worried about weight gain, please let me assure you that it’s worth it to work through the discomfort. Allow your photographer to guide you through the process and you’ll come out on the other side with an amazing set of photos to remember this time in your life 🧡

I have just a few spots left for Q4 and this week only, the gates are open so to speak :) You don’t need to be on the waitlist to book, just shoot me an email if you’d like to snag one of the remaining spots for 2022 and we’ll get you all set!

Let me know what you thought of today’s Truthy Tuesday!

It's fall ya'll!

Fall is officially here and so am I with an overdue check in! How was your summer?

Mine was pretty low key, nothing exciting to write home about… I did start working with a personal trainer at the start of summer and although I don’t have a new chiseled physique to show for it lol, I am happy to be making small healthy adjustments and feeling a bit stronger day by day :)

Things have been really up and down for me, but this time of year always seems to feel a bit like a renewal, so I’m leaning all the way in to that :) Today is my attempt to catch you up on all the things!

First up? Truthy Tuesday is coming back! 

If you’ve been around for a while, you may remember that I used to blog quite a bit more than I currently do. In 2013 I started a recurring series called Truthy Tuesday (originally posted on tumblr) where I shared a more of the personal side of DFinney Photography… and next Tuesday it’ll be back!

I’m really excited because I’ve missed writing and sharing… Often I hold back because I tend to be really self critical, but part of “the work” I’ve been doing has been making a real effort to not overthink and to show up imperfectly vs opting out.

This week on the gram, I posed a question: “if you are interested in taking photos, but you haven’t, what’s holding you back?” and I got some great feedback! The responses helped realize that I have really helpful tools I need to share. The first Truthy Tuesday will speak directly on how to overcome those obstacles to taking photos!

Next up: Scheduling.

So… I’m not sure what’s been going on lately, but I can tell you this much: I have never had as many cancellations as I have these past couple months! Granted that’s not saying a lot because I rarely have them, but it’s definitely been noteworthy so… I’m going to give something new a try :)

From now until the end of the month, if you’d like to book a fall session, just shoot me an email- no waitlist required.

Now the fine print here is that the waitlist has already scooped up most of the available Q4 dates so this is definitely a time sensitive opportunity, but I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with you if you haven’t been able to secure a session yet!

And finally, something that has absolutely nothing to do with photography but it brings me joy and I want to share it with you :) If you aren’t already on the Abbott Elementary bandwagon, I’m scooting over to make space for you! This is easily one of my favorite shows- ever. It’s warm, funny, relatable, endearing, and just plain feel good TV- something you don’t get too often these days. And as of last week, Abbott Elementary is now an Emmy winning show! The second season started yesterday and they picked right back up with an amazing first episode. So this is my note reminding you to sprinkle some joy in your day and watch Abbott Elementary 

That’s it for today’s update! I know I packed a lot in here, but it was all good stuff lol.

I hope to have the opportunity to work with you soon, but even if I don’t, I look forward to catching up with you here on the blog more often :)

-Danni