Creative Spotlight: Danielle Finney

I’m so happy to feature Danielle Finney of Dfinney Photography + Design in today’s Creative Spotlight post. Danielle specializes in lifestyle, portrait and business photography in the Washington, D.C. metro area. I got to know Danielle at the beginning of this year when she shot two sets of images for my online portfolio and marketing materials. I was looking for someone who would be able to visually convey my identity as a creative professional and she delivered. Barely in her mid-20s, Danielle possesses a vibrant creative spirit and small-business savvy well beyond her years. I’m so thrilled Danielle was able to share some of her small-biz experience with me. Check out what makes her click.

Photo: Elle Danielle Photography

What’s your mission?

There is beauty in everyone and it’s my job to help each client see it. I want the photos my clients walk away with to be the best photos they’ve ever taken.

What makes your company unique?

I think my silly personality definitely helps put my clients at ease when I work with them, which in turn results in beautiful relaxed imagery. What sets my company apart? Attention to detail. I am fairly OCD when it comes to certain things. I’m concerned about correct color, sharpness, location, outfits, makeup, etc. — how everything fits together to create a superb final image.

How did you get started?

I was laid off from an admin position I had in 2009 and began looking for something new. Until that time, I’d been doing photography on the side but never considered making a career of it. I figured I’d try and do a little more with photography until I found a new position, but it kept me busy so I stuck with it. I just came up with the business name, got a Web site and Facebook page, looked up what was involved in owning my own business, and then got started!

Your Facebook page has more than 5,000 “Likes.” How did you get the word out?

I had a big sale early on to try to drum up business and it got the buzz going. From there I would just come up with ideas for specials here and there while adjusting my pricing as my skill and level of service increased. A few bumps and bruises later, here we are! I rebranded last April and things have been going well since.

Photo: Elle Danielle Photography

What was the most challenging part of getting your business off the ground?

Probably just the uncertainty of it all. I’m very much a planner so the fact that I didn’t have all my ducks in a row when I got started was a bit off-putting. But once I got out of my head and into learning more about my craft and growing my business, I found that I actually loved it!

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in running your own business?

Hmm … This is a big one. There are tons of lessons, but I think I’ll go with the fact that you need to be genuinely passionate about what you’re doing. You may be able to get along for a bit without it, but when the going gets tough, you will not stick with it if you’re not passionate about it. Especially in artistic careers, money is definitely not everything so it can’t be your motivator. Love for your craft is the only way.

What’s the most important business decision you’ve ever had to make?

Rebranding. Last April, I did a complete overhaul — changed the logo, colors, pricing, etc. because I wanted my brand package to be a better, more cohesive reflection of my work. I think it’s been one of the best and most important business decisions I’ve ever made.

What’s the most rewarding part of doing what you do?

Seeing my clients’ reactions once they see their photos. I love that! I feel so privileged that I’m able to create images with genuine feeling that really touches the viewer. It’s a beautiful thing.

Can you describe an instance where something happened that made you see your creative work (or your business) differently?

My grandmother passed the morning of April 1 of last year and later that same day, I had to shoot a mother / daughter session. It was bittersweet. Their session was absolutely beautiful and a great reminder of why everyone should have photos with those that they love while they’re here.

What biz tools can you not live without? In other words, what’s in your “biz bag?

1. My camera, of course! (Nikon D700 + 50 / 1.4 lens) I use that lens about 95 percent of the time.

2. Editing software (Lightroom 4 + Photoshop CS6)

3. My apple gadgets (iPhone + iPad)

4. Social media apps (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest)

Photo: Elle Danielle Photography

Can you name a couple of resources that have proved valuable along the way?

I’m very much a find / figure-it-out learner, so the resources I’ve used over the years have been many and varied. Most notably, I’ve recently found the CreativeLive courses to be helpful, specifically the Sue Bryce and Jasmine Star courses.  There are also countless blogs and online forums that hold a wealth of information.

You design your own marketing materials. Why?

Yep! I do, because I’m very picky. I think I’d probably be a designer’s nightmare! Also, I don’t have an extensive marketing budget, so I try to do as much as I can in-house. I’m very fortunate that I have a design interest because that makes coordinating my marketing materials much easier.

Mentoring is a big part of what you do. Can you tell me why you feel it’s important to devote time to mentoring others?

When I started out, I my brother, also a photographer, assisted me when I needed help. But not everyone has that. You can’t learn everything from a book, so I love that I’m able to tailor the mentor session to the needs of the person I’m working with. Though I haven’t been at this for long, I definitely love being able to help others and watch them progress.

What advice do you have for others wanting to break out and do their own thing? 

Stick with it. Try to look to others in your desired field to inspire instead of intimidate. They will push you to learn and grow that much more. I think the most valuable thing in is to love what you do. I am beginning my fourth year as a professional photographer and I’ve learned tons of lessons during that time, but it always comes back to your passion. If you’re passionate about your craft it will keep you inspired, push you to try new ideas, and always strive to improve.

One of My Favorite Parts of the Job …

… has to be photo shoots.

I love being able to watch as the story I’m writing is captured visually by a talented photographer. Seeing everything come together —the words, the visuals and the design — is what makes a story feel whole to me. And that experience is wholly satisfying. That’s probably why magazine journalism has always appealed to me: It’s the process of gathering and melding those three narrative elements over and over again, story by story.

I’ve been given the opportunity to travel all over the country for Farm Life magazine this year, most recently to cover a dairy farmer and milk and juice processor named Dale McClellan of Tampa, Fl.

Last week, I got to tag along at his farm as photographer Mike Potthast, of Potthast Studios, captured some really nice images. The early morning light on the fields was gorgeous, and sort of filtered by the somewhat muggy mist that rises each morning in the warm, humid region. Here are some highlights from the day.

Dale McClellan (left) and his oldest son, Leon (right), walk down the entrance road to their farm.

Knee high by … May? Guess so. In Florida, at least.

That little dog just showed up to keep us company. She was so sweet.

Dale (left), photographer Mike Potthast (right) and Leon (center) seek some much needed shade to discuss the upcoming shot.

Collaborating in the cow barn

Whatever it takes to get the shot …

Dale’s big Massey tractor kicks up dust working one of the largest compost piles I’ve ever seen.

That’s Dale’s son, Leon, lending a hand with one of the lights (second from right). I asked, would he consider a career change to photography? Nah. He’ll keep his day job.

Nice, soft morning light made for some great landscape shots.

In a May State of Mind

I just spent the last few days transcribing a lot, creating a lot and talking a lot. So I’m not surprised that today I woke up in need of some introversion.

So I’m shifting out of  super-verbal output mode and into intake mode. And when I do that, I find that the best therapy is sifting through old photos. This morning, I came across some shots I took around this time last year, when spring seemed ready any second to burst into summer. This spring has proven a bit more shy than last, but my window box daisies have finally announced that it’s fully present. So here’s to spring, sitting quietly and taking it all in.

Happy weekend!

“When words become unclear …

“When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.” – Ansel Adams

When Getting Down to Business Seems Absurd

It’s tough to resolve to go on with business as usual today. It seems strange to pursue innovation when others are struggling to pick up the pieces of broken lives and hearts. At times like these, creativity feels like a luxury, not a necessity — one that those most hard-hit by current events cannot afford.

When happenings throw me for a loop, I find it helpful to focus on something simple. I try to find motivation and inspiration in things that are available to me.

In the past couple of weeks, I’ve been lucky enough to take in some nice sights as spring has taken root on the East Coast and in the Midwest. I’ve also spent some time in the past few days choosing my favorite images from the past year for a photo project I’m doing at home. I thought I’d share some of them here. I hope that, whatever you’re doing to process yesterday’s tragedy,  you’re buoyed by simple, clear thoughts like these.

The pure abundance of an Indiana summer harvest

Business as usual for a butterfly in August

One of the first signs of spring: Forsythia on the National Mall

A reminder that there’s beauty in even the moodiest of days

The first Cherry Blossoms of 2013 to burst from their buds

Hugs

A good angle

Everyday household items beautifully arranged

Subtle light playing on old glass bottles

A normal object becomes more interesting when viewed differently.

Bright canoes ready to charge against the wind

A gentle friend

A delicious meal

All my best to my readers today and of course, heartfelt wishes for eventual peace and recovery to those reeling from yesterday’s heartache.

Creative Spotlight, Linny Morris: 10 Tips for Photo Shoot Success

Today’s guest post is from Honolulu-born Linny Morris. She has photographed professionally for more than thirty years. A graduate of Parsons School of Design, she has also lived and worked in both Manhattan and Los Angeles. Linny enjoys the variety inherent in what can loosely be called lifestyle photography, but confesses a newly renewed passion for architectural, interior and garden photography. Her most recent published book is The Hawaiian House Now from Abrams, but a major book about the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum’s Hawaiian Hall – both the architecture and the collections – is currently in production. Morris has also shot for such magazines as Dwell, Coastal Living and Honolulu magazine.

Here, Linny dishes on 10 key ways editors can help photographers get the most out of every photo shoot.

1. When agreeing to a fee, think beyond the shoot.

A photographer’s fee includes more than just that day’s work. Whether you’re hiring for a day rate or a flat feel based on budget, remember there is so much more involved than just the photography. You should factor in expenses for equipment rentals, assistant’s fees and digital editing, processing and optimization.

2. Experience counts for something.

A starting photographer may have a good eye and impressive Web site, but may not be able to hit the mark every time. As with any professional field, hiring an experienced photographer costs more than hiring someone fresh out of school but the results are often more reliable.

No matter what the price, though, don’t go into an agreement blind. Check any potential photographer’s references and talk to other creative professionals who have hired him or her for jobs in the past. Your colleagues are your best source of referrals and they’re interested in helping you make good investments.

3. Photographers have expenses, too.

In addition to providing our own gear, we must pay out of pocket for repairs, which are shockingly costly. Any good business must build cost of production into their pricing structure, photographers included.

4. A good stylist is my best friend.

Stylists are indispensable, especially on residential shoots. They have developed prop resources and show up with a carload of carefully curated items that often make all the difference in whether the photos appeal to the viewer and make them want to read the article you’ve written, buy the product you’re advertising or put themselves visually in the space you’re describing.

Stylists can also help save valuable time and money. The photographer and photo assistant have their own specific set of problems to solve regarding lighting, composition and mood. Running back and forth tweaking flowers or pillow arrangement shouldn’t be the photographer’s primary focus.

5. “Scouting Shots? Yes, please!”

For a commercial home shoot, I like to do a walk through of the home ahead of the job and make a tentative shot list, observing the path of the sun in relation to the home and how much I will be able to use available light. I charge additionally for this fee, but feel it is worth every penny for the client in time saved the day of the shoot.

6. Let’s touch base.

True, long drawn-out meetings can be a waste of time. However, a phone call or two between key team members discussing the coordination of the sometimes-complex aspects of the job are essential.

7. Edit your shot list down to what’s possible.

I ask clients to make their own shot wish list and to prioritize the shots in order of importance to them. That way, we can manage expectations ahead of time. It’s important to know the editor’s must-haves in case the budget limits the amount of time we can spend on location.

Note: Sometimes, images that are important to the story may not actually make good photographs. Or, that same image might not work in context with the rest of the images. I’ll do my best to make sure the editor gets what he or she needs. But flexibility and a plan B are important. That’s where the prioritized shot list comes in handy!

8. Trust is important.

I often get requests by magazines to shoot a setup horizontally and vertically or to try a specific shot in multiple ways. I do this with reluctance because, when looking through the camera’s viewfinder, a shot is almost always clearly stronger on way or the other. I adore art directors who trust me to make that choice myself and will then do their part during layout to make a beautiful story with what I provide.

9. Look through the viewfinder (but don’t overthink it).

Collaborating with a talented team is pure pleasure. By sharing images as we go along, we get a better end result. However, it’s important to avoid “too many cooks in the kitchen.” Multiple directors with opposing viewpoints produce either a watered down image or one in which there are clashing elements.

10. Make sure your photographer understands how to process images for print.

I can honestly say I have never once been asked up front if I understand how prepare digital files for print. However, I really think this should be a part of the conversation between photographer and the editor who is considering hiring them for the first time. This is something I’ve learned mostly by trial-and-error, but now consider to be crucial. And I know editorial staffs of magazines evaluate photographers based on this. I recently overheard art department people talking about this exact subject. They actually rejected one photographer for an assignment saying that his files always needed lots of extra work to be ready for press.

Whatever your subject matter, remember, you get what you pay for! A photographer willing to do the careful, complete work necessary to ace the job might not be the least expensive option. But experience speaks volumes, and so will the images.