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:

1. 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.
2. 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!!!

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

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

Over the weekend I took my youngest daughter Taylor on a Mother Daughter date.    I wasn’t 100% sure what to do after but figured we could talk it over at dinner.

As we drove to Red Robin we passed a sign for the Hillsboro High School Play, Beauty & The Beast.  PERFECT!   I had yet to see a play even though my oldest daughter, Breanna, attends Hilhi.

We arrived early to get good seats.  It was amazing how many people we ran into:  Taylor’s teacher from last year, clients I had photographed, softball teammates, and friends we hadn’t seen in awhile.

I brought my camera unsure if pictures would be allowed.  The conductor instructed the audience to turn off cellphones and no flash photography!  Got it! No flash!

The kids did a fantastic job and the singing was amazing!  I can’t wait to attend the next Hilhi Play.

What are you up to this weekend?? Hopefully something fun!

My husband, step dad, daughter, her BFF, and I are participating in the Warrior Dash out at Hornings Hideout Saturday Morning. I can’t wait to see all the crazy costumes and other like minded participants.

The pictures below are of  my husband & I participating last year. You go through crazy obstacles but it gives you such a sense of accomplishment when you cross the finish line full of mud.   I couldn’t have completed it without my partner in crime. It was a great bonding experience as a couple and I couldn’t have asked for a better day.

Thanks to my daughter and her best friend who followed us to random obstacles capturing the images above. This year I’m excited to have them on the course with us sharing in the experience.

Obviously the nature of this course isn’t mild by any means. I purposely didn’t schedule any shoots on Sunday just in case I’m too sore to move!  Haa Haa “just in case” who am I kidding! I’ll be icing my knees the rest of the weekend!

Good times & an amazing adventure in life!  Who wants to sit on the couch and watch life pass you by!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Yesterday I held an amazing 7 model editorial shoot (images to be posted at a later date). It was incredible. Lots of food, beautiful models, super star hair & makeup artist. All in all an amazing day.  14 hours I was back home and surely ready for bed.

When my alarm went off this morning I knew there couldn’t possible be enough snoozes. None the less I got up, sore body and all, and started my Monday. Sifting through emails I found this great quote and found it very fitting.  Great words to live by!

Have a wonderful Monday and an even more amazing week!