The creative force behind locally based DFinney Photography & Design is Danielle Finney. She is a natural light photographer, who specializes in creative and modern lifestyle, fashion and editorial photography.
Stepping out from behind the lens for a moment, below Danielle shares her person hair story, advice and the inspiration behind DFinney Photography & Design.
Her hair story …
I've been natural whole life basically. When I was 11 my mother tried a kiddie perm but she didn't like what it did so I never got another... from that point I got press and curls for convenience.
Around 2005/2006 I began to experiment with different natural styles but my texture was still quite frizzy (which I later learned to be heat damage) so when my real curls began to show themselves I was excited - lol.
I decided to stop straightening my hair and stick with styling it naturally because I liked my natural curls.
I wore my hair in lots of different natural styles, before I decided to cut my hair in 2011... I found myself having less and less time to care for my hair.
I'd really just disconnected with it so at that point I said, why not? And it was the best decision ever! I seriously love having short hair. It can't get any simpler.
Advice to those contemplating wearing their hair natural …
Try not to compare curls. With the abundance of natural hair inspiration everywhere, before you know it you can start to become dissatisfied with your own tresses.
The beautiful thing about natural hair is the versatility so try to embrace what's unique to you.
There's a major learning curve when it comes to going natural because what works for someone else doesn't always work for you and you don't know until you try it- so patience is very important.
Inspiration for becoming a photographer ...
My interest in photography came about really because of graphic design and digital art.
I loved making things on the computer and I got into editing other people's photos for fun... then I figured maybe I should take my own to edit.
Things were every primitive at first because I was taking photos with the sole purpose of editing them so I didn't care about getting things right in camera.
But the more I did it, the more I realized if I get it right in camera I'll have less editing to do - lol.
Inspiration behind DFinney Photography & Design …
I always said I never wanted to have my own business because it was too much work and that I would stop liking it as much if I had to do it for money, but I'm glad to say that that hasn't been the case.
I was doing admin work for about 3 years but was laid off in 2009 - and that was the best thing that happened to me.
I had been doing my photography on the side while I was still working full-time, so when I was laid off, the plan was to do a little more with it until I found another position but it kept me busy so I stuck with it.
The name came about because I started out offering both portrait photography and design services (biz cards, flyers, programs, invitations, etc) but over the years I scaled back on the design work because I found my time was being filled with the photography.
Services offered by DFinney …
I specialize in natural light portrait photography (families, couples, seniors, maternity, etc), fashion/editorial, wedding photography which I didn't early on, and I also offer business photography.
All of the different types of photography I offer still can be classified as creative lifestyle photography because I have a more relaxed shooting style with an emphasis on light and color.
On the design side, I now only offer custom invitation design.
Advice to others considering photography as a career path …
I would really say take time and try to develop "your eye" for seeing things creatively.
Don't get so caught up in getting the latest equipment or trying to emulate another's style because your own creative vision may be clouded.
Let others' photography work inspire you... but examine what it is about it that inspires you- the light, the framing, composition, editing, pose, model, etc and from there you'll better be able to know what elements you'd like to improve on in your own work.
What the future holds …
Honestly, I take it one day at a time and try not to get too far ahead of myself because tomorrow is never guaranteed.
I do know that I plan to continue offering quality photography service and products to my clients for as long as I'm able to.
I'm not really interested in expanding to the point where I have a huge staff because I enjoy what I do so I always want to give my clients the time and attention they deserve.
I truly feel blessed to make a living doing something that I love so much.
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