We are always hardest on ourselves especially when we see ourselves in pictures. Looking in the mirror saying “I wish my nose was smaller!” or “I wish I wasn’t so fat” or “I wish I looked like that other girl she’s so pretty“! I’m guilty of it myself, but I’m trying to be more gentle with myself and accept and love who I am.
A beautiful mother!
A beautiful wife!
A beautiful friend!
I recently did a photo shoot with an amazing photographer here in Portland, Mike Long with the Portland Pinups. People asked me why I was doing it. The real question is WHY NOT??? Did it make me nervous to be in front of the camera? HECK YA! Did I have butterflies for weeks as it came closer? SURE DID! I spend countless hours behind the camera and decided to be brave and put myself out there. I was so glad I did!!! I had a wonderful time. It will be something I’ll cherish forever. Thank you Mike!
Sitting at my own sales session I did exactly what every other person does when they view their images.
Am I really that fat even after losing 15 lbs? Look at that double chin and those thighs!
*** this image has been edited by the photographer using his creative skills ***
Did I order a huge print of myself? NO, but I did invest in a 12 page album with a variety of images of each outfit to document myself at 38 years old. I liked some images better than others only because of my own body issues, however I still put them in the book and here’s why:
- I’m getting older (shocker I know) and one day the reflection will be altered with a lot more wrinkles, a lot more gray hair (I may or may not be coloring blonde), and it won’t be trendy for me to wear the same outfits. I’ll still be beautiful but in a different way. Future Danyel can look back and admire 2013 version of herself and see just how foxy she was.
- There will come a time when I won’t be here any longer hopefully in the very far future, but the time will come. It could be tomorrow or it could be 50 years from now. It’s just the fact of life. What I do know is this album will be around for years past my time. It’s something my children will pull out to remember their pretty mom back in the day. For their kids and their kids after that to see how beautiful (great) grandma was.
I’m not saying this to be conceited. Truly the opposite. My point is some of those portraits I had a hard time seeing the full beauty because of my own self doubt, BUT someone else looking at them can instantly see it.
Stop making excuses why you shouldn’t get your portraits done! YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Schedule them today! With me or your local photographer, JUST DO IT!
A friend posted this video on Facebook and I think it’s a great watch.
“LIKE” my DRP FB page if you haven’t already!
NO more dusty CDs! NO more junky prints from Walgreens! Will it be an investment, YES…but SO worth it!!!!
Danyel Rogers Photography offers Boutique Imagery for the Modern Client!!!
THANKS FOR READING!
CALL TODAY to get your beautiful family up on your walls displayed the way they should be!!!
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I’ve been thinking about how far I’ve come as a photographer and how my business has evolved into so much more than I thought possible.
I went from a Mom With A Camera (MWAC) to a Sears Photographer (not actually just more like an amateur) to a Boutique Photographer.
My DRP Life STORY of 5 years (I apologize for the length):
I purchased my first SLR camera in 2007. A Nikon D80 with a basic kit lens. I was so excited to really start a hobby in Photography without needing to wait for the film to be processed. This same year I was working as a FT Bookkeeper for a small home builder, Noyes Development. We all know the market tanked and business was not good. Unfortunately due to the economy my hours got cut in HALF. I panicked! What was I going to do? I have a mortgage to pay, kids to raise, and a car that wasn’t paid off yet. What am I going to do? Get a PT job at a coffee shop for minimum wage?
I KNOW!!!! I have my new camera. I’ll create a photography business! I won’t charge too much since I’m just starting out. Off I was… I bought a domain, some business cards through Vista Prints, and a $20 website through yahoo. I’m going to rock this!
***Shaking my head at past Danyel*** {{{Girl being a PROFESSIONAL photographer is HARD work}}}
My first paid shoot was the amazing Mr. Ryder. He will forever hold a special place in my heart. This is where my business started, as bad as it was. I charged $50 for ALL the images on a disk. Looking back on those images today….DEAR LORD I was bad. Bright sun, horrible lighting, barely in focus, and don’t get me started about the white balance! No problem though just turn it Black & White. *fixed* Now at this point I’m just learning Photoshop as well so even that is sloppy. Check out that leaf selection! OMG It’s scary and downright embarrassing, but I had to start some where right?!?!?!? Thank you Heather for being patient with me while I learned my skills!
Here’s what sets me apart from being just another person saying “I’m a photographer” and ACTUALLY being one.
- I spent (and continue to spend) countless hours/days reading books, watching videos, going to seminars, asking questions in photography forums, etc.
- My business is registered with the state and I pay taxes!
- I’ve slowly been getting professional equipment speed lights, strobes, reflectors, backdrops, light stands, additional lenses, better camera bodies, a better website, a blog…
By 2011 I was slammed. I was back to FT at my day job and was shooting 2-5 shoots a week + editing. I raised my prices to $140 (watch out I’m getting expensive). By now I was basically working 2 FT jobs. I was barely seeing my family and at one point I was actually schedule family time. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT PICTURE???
I also started noticing I had ZERO pictures of my family on my own walls (just stock photo I had framed). I had been perfecting my skills for 3 years but NOT ONE had landed on my walls! I forced myself to get 3 portraits hung for me to see daily. I splurged and got them printed on luxurious 16×20 METAL prints! WOW they were stunning! Why hadn’t I done this sooner?
I thought of the hundreds of disks that stored THOUSANDS of clients and family images. Where were they you might ask???? On a shelf, behind a room divider, collecting an inch of dust being unloved, unseen, and basically forgotten about. Is this where my clients images are sitting as well??? On a shelf collecting dust too saying I’ll print them later?? Was that worth all that time away from my family, learning my craft, and perfecting each image???? HECK NO!!!
There was a reason I was working like crazy. I was creating amazing images and was basically PAYING people to get their portraits done by me. Yes, you heard me right. I WAS PAYING MY CLIENTS to enjoy images I took of their family. Time is $$, right???
By the end of 2011 I knew something needed to change. I MUST stop devaluing my art, the industry as a whole, and get paid to create what I do.
In 2012 I made the announcement that my business structure was changing.
- SESSION FEE: Any client hiring me as their professional photographer will pay a Session Fee. This fee is a retainer for my photography services. It covers my knowledge and wear and tear on my professional equipment to shape you into the most flattering pose and capture your stunning images.
- THE EXPERIENCE: My clients are known to receive fresh baked cookies, cupcakes, fresh veggies, DRP Bottled water. My client get their own music to listen to while you rock out your portrait session. No top model experience is done until the fan has been used.
- HAIR & MAKEUP ARTIST: I have 4 lovely hair and makeup artists I use as an add on to sessions. Why not make yourself feel & look like a million bucks?
- EDITING: After your portraits have been taken my work is not done!! I edit every image to perfection. Pimples gone, dark circles lightened, skin tone adjustments, bloodshot eyes erased, etc.
- ORDERING SESSION: Around a week after your portrait session you’ll come over to my home. At this time you will arrive to view all the breathtaking images of you and your family. You’ll watch your personalized DVD created just for you. Afterwards I will help guide you through the process of ordering amazing art pieces. Items you can hang in your home to enjoy on a daily basis!
- DIGITAL IMAGES: I do sell digital images but I find the main reason people want them is to share on Facebook. I know online sharing is big and don’t want my clients to miss out on that. Any image you order will be posted on Facebook in a low resolution format w/ my logo. This allows my clients to tag themselves and share your amazing images with your internet family. =)
“LIKE” my DRP FB page if you haven’t already!
NO more dusty CDs! NO more junky prints from Walgreens! Will it be an investment, YES…but SO worth the Nordstrom price!!!!
Danyel Rogers Photography offers Boutique Imagery for the Modern Client!!!
THANKS FOR READING!
CALL TODAY and lets get your stunning family up on your walls displayed the way they should be!!!
If you’d like to stalk me see below!
{Follow me} on Twitter: DRPLife
{Follow me} on Instagram: DRPLife
{Follow me} on Pinterest: DRPLife
{Follow me} me on Facebook and “like” My DRP page
Meet Arden, a beautiful HS Senior from Scappoose, OR. I photographed her brother, Andrew, a few years ago and now it was her turn for the spotlight. She was super nervous in the beginning but we got her out of her shell in the end.
The first thing I noticed about Arden was her complete mustache outfit: Shirt, Belt, shoes, necklace, etc….. Loved it! After Kat, my lovely hair and makeup artist, had completed her look we were off to our first destination.
We started out at the Portland Rose Test Garden up by the Zoo. She looked stunning. To help ease her into the shoot we did some fun silly pictures with her and her sister. Such an amazing bond they had. The other visitors couldn’t help but watch the action.
Near the end we moved to a very quiet one way road (completely safe mind you) for a few shots. At one point we moved to the side as we heard a motorcycle coming. Funniest thing ever!!! The motorcyclist finally becomes visible fully decked out in black riding gear, tinted black helmet, driving an old Vespa Moped. Arden gave her best princess wave as he drove by. We got the shot(s) and moved onto the next location.
Downtown Portland was a place she frequently visited so it seemed only fitting to use that as our second shooting location. The waterfront was the perfect setting for our final location.
I know it was difficult for her to be the main focus but she did fantastic. I know it’s hard to view ourselves and not be critical but it makes me so excited when a model loves their portraits.
Such a stunning young lady! Show your support and comment below.
Boutique Imagery for the Modern Client
Contact DRP today to book your portrait session.
503.330.7669
info@danyelrogersphotography.com
www.danyelrogersphotography.com
In my profession, having a model that is willing to try anything to get that perfect shot is always a nice treat to have. If that model also happens to be stunningly beautiful, that helps too! Luckily my latest target, Megan Granum, is both! On a cloudy and occasionally rainy day in downtown Portland, we had an amazing time moving, posing and generally being silly. Megan was willing to try just about anything with an unbelievable enthusiasm.
Her quirky attitude made for some interesting and funny poses. She brought with her a pretty colorful collection of outfits and we managed to get shots in each of them. The wind was not working in our favor while changing but was certainly appreciated when posing (who needs a wind machine when you have the real thing right?).
Megan is a smart young woman who is going to achieve great things in life. She is passionate and quiet the go get’er. I mean come on….this girl has already achieved getting her pilots licenses before she’s even graduated high school! Not to mention holding down a PT job at a law firm. AMAZING!
Today I wanted to honor two loving parents, Kim & Phil! Tomorrow will be a very hard day as they prepare to say goodbye to their furry boy Ike. We love our pets as if they are our own children. Saying goodbye is never an easy thing. Ike was so blessed to have amazing dedicated parents providing him with such a great life where others may have given up. He has lived a wonderous life because of it.
Ike faced a long battle in which he spent several years without the use of his back legs. To help him lead a more normal life he was fitted for his very own wheelchair. I was lucky enough to photograph their family in 2011. Ike looked very dapper that day! It was clear he still had lots of life in him and his parents knew it!
In honor of Ike I’d like to ask anyone reading this to take some time out of your day and play with your fury kids. Toss the ball, go for a walk, or scratch that favorite spot.
