Dear clients and friends,

I’ve mentioned a few times in the last couple weeks on my facebook page that I will be announcing some big NEWS, a big change for DLR Photography! So, here it goes.

Firstly, NO, I am not pregnant. ( Quite a few of you thought this… Haha definitely was good for a laugh. ) However, the many of you who were concerned, messaged me to ask… Are you moving?! This, my friends, with great sadness – yet excitement, I must say, is true. I will be re-locating in November 2014. I always knew my time here in New Brunswick had an expiration date, but now, the time has come, the date is real… and it’s coming fast.

I mean, I moved across Canada, on a whim, started my own business, on a whim, knowing virtually no one, because, well… I’m a bit of a gypsy who follows my bliss… To put it simply! No, it’s not always easy, but that’s not what bliss is about. It’s not about joy, it’s about sustainable happiness. Following your heart. My philosophy, when faced with new opportunities or life decisions, has always been…” Why not?”. What is the worst that can happen? If things don’t work out exactly how I want, will I still have had a new adventure, have met new people, and had learning experiences in a new spot in the world? Most of the time… The answer is yes. I’ve lived in 2 countries, 2 continents, 3 provinces, 8 ish cities, and traveled to many many more. Though my decision to make the move to Ontario is greeted with both a  happy and sad reaction, I know that it’s an opportunity I must take. For my business, for my personal life, for me. It probably won’t be easy, but hell, it will be worth it!

I cannot even begin to say how amazing my time in New Brunswick has been. I have built a business from the ground up, been able to sustain this business, full time, learn about myself, learn about others, and meet so many incredibly individuals along the way! I can honestly say that so many of my clients, have turned into friends. I have had some of the best experiences of my life, sharing in the life of others. I cannot say with any more sincerity or love how thankful I am to ALL of you! You have all given me such unique gifts, that I will treasure for the rest of my life! So many tears have been shed knowing I will be leaving behind such wonderful people. Know that, just because I am moving, doesn’t mean I won’t be back to visit, book, and keep all my “lifers” happy! I will most certainly be planning 1-2 work trips back here a year, and most definitely taking weddings, regardless of my location. ( Side note : I love Christmas cards from clients… And to make this Christmas less sad without all of you, please message me for my address so I can be so fortunate to be on your mailing list! )

Now, if anyone has been holding off on a shoot with me, please book in before I leave! I am booking up FAST for the summer and the fall. I recommend booking 4-6 weeks in advance for weekends, and 2-3 weeks for weekdays, though the sooner the better!

Thank you again to everyone for always been so supportive and encouraging! Without all of you, I most certainly wouldn’t be able to continue on the path I am on.

All my love,

Dani

 

Photo by my talented friend and fellow photographer : Maggie Hood | Mag Hood Photography

Buckle up folks, this is our documented 5 day trip to New York City. My first real vacation in years and our first time in the big city, ever!

Night One: After a long day by bus ( from Portland- Boston ), then train ( from Boston to NYC ), I exited the station like a kid walking down the steps on Christmas morning. A little unsure of what to expect, slightly cautious, but excited non the less. I walked the 5 blocks to the hostel and checked in.  It definitely felt more like an apartment than a hostel. It was almost directly below the Empire State building ( Ted Mosby would be pumped!)  First of all, it was the most secure building I’ve ever seen in my life. You needed a key to get into the building itself, then a key to get onto your floor from the elevator, then a keycode to enter the floor after the elevator, and THEN a keycode to enter your bedroom! We most certainly felt safe, that’s for sure. I unpacked, looked around, chatted to some other people staying in the hostel then decided it was time for the first supper in the city. I walked a few blocks and ate at S’MAC. A gourmet mac and cheese restaurant which cooks and serves your gourmet MNC in a skillet… Delicious. Though I barely finished half of the meal. I then walked home, showered up, looked over the plans for the following day, and fell into a much needed slumber on the world’s comfiest beds!

Day Two: After a pretty good sleep, I woke up, got ready and headed out for the day. I walked up 5th and ventured into the Public Library, which was incredible. For one, I don’t know how anyone studies in there, two, I would go every day if I lived in NYC. I wondered around, then decided to go grab an espresso on the way over to Grand Central Terminal. It was exactly as expected. Tons of tourists, but also tons of travellers running, dashing, sleeping, and zoning out. The building itself was pretty fascinating to be inside. Then I walked back to Bryant Park, made my way through the crowds and ended up in Times Square. SO MUCH HONKING. I don’t know how anyone has the patience to drive in NYC. I could never. Especially when parking in spots is 30$ per half an hour  SO MANY LIGHTS. SO MANY PEOPLE.  Every one wants to sell you something, and when you say no politely, they insult you, and if you ignore them, they insult you. AND if they say it’s free and you take it, they then expect you to pay for it. I hung around and bought discount tickets for the broadway musical, Matilda. Headed back to the hotel, had a glorious nap, then saw the show! ( Biggest highlight of the trip. ) I then walked to one of the best food trucks in town, grabbed some grub, and walked home. It only took one day to fall in love with this city…But it also only took one day to make me feel more exhausted then I’ve ever felt in my life.

 

The image below was published on Vogue Italia’s website!

Day Three: It was blistering cold this day with winds that almost pushed you over. I decided to buy a hop on, hop off bus. Do the full downtown loop on the bus, then make our way back to Wall street, to see the American Museum of Native Indians, Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. I enjoyed seeing the sights from the bus tour and braved the cold and the wind as we walked around down Wall Street. The museum, was meh, I jumped on the ferry and passed by the Statue of Liberty, but decided to take the ferry to Ellis Island to explore there instead. I search on the database our last names! Was pretty cool since my last name is so uncommon and I’m certain I’m related to everyone with my last name, in some way! I ate one horrible meal that cost 15$ at a restaurant on Wall street ( for a panini ), the luck was no better with dinner. I checked google, checked yelp, and trip advisor for almost everything in NYC. With mostly good reviews, I decided to try our luck at a buffet restaurant in Koreatown, just one block up from us. Sadly, the majority of the food was terrible, which made me a little sad, so I bought a chocolate bar and went to sleep. Only two nights in…and I was exhausted!

Day Four: Weather was slightly less frigid today. I grabbed my morning muffin and bagel at the vendor outside my place. Seriously, the best muffins ever, and by this time, he knew my order and my face before we even reached the cart. I jumped on the bus and headed down to Chinatown and Little Italy to do some exploring. A lot less busy than the rest of the city, but with some amazing cafe’s, restaurants, and vintage stores. I had some espresso at a pretty fantastic little cafe, then headed to NYC’s first and oldest pizza resto! Lombardi’s. I got the small pizza…About a large, here in Canada. It was simple, yet delicious. I walked down to the Brooklyn Bridge and admired the view from the city. Headed down to City Hall, watched some street performers, jumped back on the bus, and took a nap! I headed midtown to jump on the uptown bus tour, did that, then after a delicious meal in times square, I headed on the night tour! The bus makes for a great napping spot.

Day 5: I took our time getting out of bed on the last morning here. I was so so so tired. Even though I was in bed by 10pm every night, up by 8, napping 1-2x a day, I was tired. My eyes were shaking, the brain on overdrive, and my stomach’s aching from all the delicious carbs ( pizza, muffins, bagels, gyro’s ) I ingested over the last few days. I took it easy and decided to head up 5th avenue and do some window shopping. I admired, from afar, all the expensive stores and had to quickly duck into Tiffany’s when the downpour started. It was my first time in Tiffany’s and I was pretty curious about the costs. The first three rings I saw were between 500-700,000 $. Yikes.

I was up near Central Park, when I slipped into a small cafe for a coffee. I took my seat in this aisle of booths and sipped on my espresso, once again escaping the rain. I remember saying that just to see one celebrity before I left would make NYC complete. ( I mean, how can you go to NYC and not see a celebrity! ). As I am sitting, sipping away, and the slightly dunge-y, but busy cafe, I heard a familiar voice from behind me. Who was it, you ask? Of course, non other than Sarah Jessica Parker. Yes… I saw THEE Carrie Bradshaw in a small cafe, in Manhatten. Now, being the polite Canadians, I decided not to bother her and just let her attempt to enjoy her coffee. ( While tons of girls kept approaching her for photos, she politely declined. ). Though I was excited, and my trip to NYC was NOW complete, I have met her before when I was about 10 years old. She filmed a movie in my hometown on a friend’s property, and I was lucky enough to hang out on set most of the time! Still… Seeing Carrie Bradshaw, in a cafe, doing work while she sipped her coffee…in NYC… pretty fantastic.

As the rain stopped, I walked into central park and headed down to the Dakota, Strawberry Fields, and the Museum of Natural History. Museum of Natural History was pretty incredible.  I faced my fear of dinosaurs and came face to face with the massive t-rex. It was absolutely fascinating to see I spent a good chunk of time in there, then grabbed a delicious gyro, and ventured on the metro for the first time since being there. Bombed my way back to the hotel, got ready and headed to our Isolation Tank appt. ( Google it!). It’s supposed to be incredible good for both mind and body. Though the first 15 minutes I panicked… ( You’re basically naked, in a giant pod filled with body temperature water and 1000 pounds of epsom salts – so you float. It’s completely dark and silent, you can’t tell where your body ends and the water begins.) Complete sensory deprivation… sounds scary, but it was an incredible experience! One hour inside is equivalent to 5 hours of sleep! After the anxiety hump, the deep sense of calming meditation was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I somberly made my way back to the hotel, got dressed up, and headed to Ayza – Chocolate and Wine bar, right next to the hostel. Food was amazing, the chocolate wine was delicious, and my last night couldn’t have been better!

I headed back on the train to Boston, then bus to Portland, then I drove back to Fredericton! All in all, it was a busy, but amazing experience! Definitely not what I’d call a relaxing vacation, but I was never really fond of those anyway! I love to explore and we did just that. We conquered NYC in 5 nights! I didn’t take as many photos as I thought I would, but to be honest… I just wanted to be in the moment and not be behind the lens the entire time! Definitely can’t wait to go back to explore more!

Where I stayed? Urban Oasis Hostel.

Best places I ate? Ayza Chocolate and Wine Bar. Biryani car – Best lamb gyro’s of all time. Any breakfast cart.

Most memorable experience? Matilda, the Musical.

Tips?
-Know you aren’t going to see everything you want to see in the time you are there. Be flexible and just go with the flow!
-Also, take naps! It definitely helped us enjoy more of NYC by being well rested.
-Wear good shoes for walking.
-Bring ear plugs, it’s ab absolute must to get a good night’s sleep downtown. The honking…the yelling…all the time.
-Don’t be afraid of the street meat, some of our favourite meals were from carts.
-Don’t look like a tourist, try to blend in.
-Don’t take any photos with the characters in Times Square, they want money in return and when you refuse to pay then, they chase after you and can get violent. ( Luckily my sister gave us this tip before we went ).
-Buy a hop on, hop off bus pass. Either 24-48 hours.( Don’t buy the green bus, find a bus tour that does all the loops and a night tour – we did the Big Bus )
-If you are bringing Travelers Cheques… Be prepared to have people at the banks not understand what they are or deny you. Almost every bank did this to us. We finally just kept going to the same Chase bank because other’s would say no. It was pretty hilarious, as a huge city, that they don’t understand the traveler’s cheques are just money…
-Eat as much pizza as possible.

2013 was great. By far my best year professionally. I shot a modest 8 weddings, I watched a beautiful baby girl be born, I surrounded myself with tons of in love couples, beautiful boudoir ladies, and incredible families. I’ve met some of Canada’s finest and experienced moments of their lives through my lens. I was published by Vogue Italia and A Bicycle Built for Two. I was humbled by so many incredible photographers that I get to see in the industry. I worked hard at completing every session before or by deadlines. I’ve tried ( still working at it ) to not take things personally when people think I do this as a “hobby” or ” part time”. I’ve stood up for myself and my quality of work. I feel as though I’ve grown as a person and a professional. I have so many people to thank for that. For trusting in me, supporting me, and most importantly, encouraging me to keep at it! I accomplished a whole heck of a lot in 2013, which means I couldn’t be more excited for what 2014 has in store for me!

I set myself a list of goals last year to accomplish, and guess what? I was able to cross off all but one. ” Shoot a surprise/secret engagement “. Didn’t I mention that the first one is free, gentlemen?

Okay 2014, let’s do this!

1. Shoot, upload, blog, way more personal posts.

I don’t think I emphasized the WAY enough. One thing I find hard at times is a balance between work and personal life. I can never really turn my phone off, there isn’t a set number of work hours per day, so even when I’m enjoying time away from the computer and spending time with the ones I love, I still feel the need to answer that email asap! So I allow work to press into my personal life, why am I not projecting more of my personal life into my work? Balance. This is the year of it! In my down time, I love to cook, bake, knit, and travel. So be prepared you food photo haters, because this blog will be filled with it!

2. Try out new things! ( Lighting, subjects, etc )

Off camera flash setups, landscapes, slow shutter speeds, night photography… That’s a start!

3. Book 10-15 weddings.

I say this as a minimum. Honestly, if I could shoot a wedding a weekend, I would. Winter, summer, spring, fall. Anytime of the year. I absolutely love weddings. I am lucky enough to be traveling to BC, twice this spring/summer for weddings, though I’d love to go somewhere tropical… HINT HINT people.

4. Shoot a secret engagement shoot! ( First one is freeee )

Men…Imagine how incredibly thrilled your lady would be if you proposed, then afterwards you let her know you hired someone who was capturing those precious memories as a keepsake! Alternatively, hire me for a “couple’s” shoot, then, propose halfway through, turning the last half of our session into an engagement shoot!

5. Make enlargements of my favourite shoots to date for the house.

I did make prints to put up in my house this year. Though, I didn’t really make huge enlargements of my work nor did I cover my walls with it. For me, it’s really hard to pick favourites. But this is the year I do it.

6. Create photobooks. ( Weddings, families, engagements )

Yes, I have online albums, blogs, and tons of photos for clients to look at. But maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to have albums for my clients and myself to look through during consultations, meet and greats, and for any other circumstance. Maybe I’m a bit old school, but I always feel like having something of substance to hold and look through helps more times than not.

7. Shoot more stylized engagement sessions!

I have an entire album of photos I admire and things I want to try. I would love to create retro inspired shoots for all different eras, that’s number one on my list.

8. Do a 30 day in April.

April is my birthday month, so it seems appropriate to do 30 days in the life of Dani. Take photos everyday and blog about my month. My camera will be attached at the hip for this entire month.

9. Do a self portrait once a month.

I often look back on my photos from the last few years and I’m hardly in a single one. Why? Well, that’s obvious. Generally, I’m the person taking the photos. Though this year, I want to create 12 portraits of myself, taken by myself, so I have them to look back on each year of my life!

10. Stay on top of my bookkeeping.

You don’t even want to know how behind I am. This year? Catch up… A LOT.

11. Blog more.

I said this last year and I didn’t do too well. There is tons of sessions I never had time to blog, as well as blogging more about my personal life month to month. ( see goal 1 & 8 ) It needs to happen in order to have a better SEO for when clients are trying to search photographers in the area.

12. Read more business related books, articles, forums, blogs, etc.

Though I do read up on a monthly basis, I feel as though I need to start reading on a weekly basis. Tune out netflix and read more.

13. Be published at least 3 times this year!

Yes please!

That’s it, that’s all folks. I’m super excited and eager to get my goals rolling for this year! I predict, my best year yet!!

 

It dawned on me the other day…That I would be 25 in 4 months. I’m not quite sure how I feel about it just yet…Joyful to reach such a monumental age or dreading the day where I must tell someone I am…Twenty FIVE? Sigh…Only time will tell. For now, in honour of this quarter of a century birthday, I’ve put together a list of 25 things to do before I turn 25!

25 things to accomplish before 25:

1. Lose that last 10 pounds that I have been trying to lose forever! / I want to ring in year 25, feeling great about my body and self image!

— Though I’ve decided against weighing myself and only measuring myself from now on. I can say I feel great. I did the 30 day shred level 2 for 10 days and level 3 for 20, on top of that I did hot yoga 2-4 x a week. I have gone done in sizes, all sizes. I am now consistently grabbing smalls , sometimes XS , size 4’s and size 27’s. I feel strong and healthy. I mainly wanted to cut body fat, not weight. And now that I’ve taken my focus off the scale and more so into how I feel and look, I am happier.

2. Learn to cook/bake 5 new dishes really well! / I love to cook and really want to master certain dishes so I can have “go-to’s” when needed.

–Bolognese sauce from scratch ( crock pot ), gluten free chocolate chip cupcakes, lasagna ( crock pot ), the most perfect scrambled eggs ever ( Chef Ramsey would be proud ),

3. Read 5 books I should have read by now! / Must find a list of books I should have read.

Read :

4. Travel to some place new! / I love taking weekend trips to tiny little towns or big cities, where should I go?

— NYC !

5. Stop biting my nails. / Hate that I still do this. I have an amazing nail polish collection that I’d like to use on pretty long nails!

— It’s a slow process. I don’t really bite them anymore, but I have brittle nails, so when they break…I pick at them. But at least i’m not biting them!

6. Learn how to make bread. / Hmmm… bread. ( Probably not the best thing to learn to make when I’m trying to lose 10 pounds! )

— Gluten free bread, to be exact. And it was delicious!

7. Volunteer somewhere. / I’m thinking SPCA…Though I’ll probably adopt them all.

8. Refurnish a piece of second hand furniture! / I recently bought an old frame, painted it and turned it into a chalkboard. I want to do this again on a larger scale.

9. Get all my favourite prints framed and hung up around the house. / Which ones to choose?

— I’ve definitely started. I have 6 up so far. But there is more to come!

10. Attend 2 creative live workshops online. / Love these.

11. Try a sensory deprivation tank for deep meditation. / Namaste.

12. Get a tattoo! / Ah priorities!

13.  Learn to play and sing 5 new songs! / Nothing like picking up the guitar and singing your heart out!

— I was given a ukulele from Stephane for Christmas, so naturally I’ve been playing that more! Songs I’ve learned to play and sing :

I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You – Elvis Prestley, Everyone – Ingrid Michaelson,

14. Buy a plant for the house. / One that can handle a little neglect here and there!

15. Pay for someone’s meal at a restaurant or in the drive thru. / Always wanted to do this!

16. Own a real pearl necklace! / Hint…hint.

17. Make homemade jam, pasta sauce, and soup. Then jar it! / I made my first batch of delicious freezer jam a few weeks ago and now I am hooked!

18. Improve my french… Enough to have a basic conversation without shying away! / How I wish I kept up with my french after high school.

–I’ve bought Rosetta Stone levels 1-5. I will be semi bilingual by 26, I swear!

19. Find the perfect pair of jeans. / Being short with wide hips often proves impossible to find the right pair.

–With inches cut, I have more jeans than I have ever owned in my life… All different colours too. Green, teal, purple, grey, black, regular!

20. Start stretching every day. / Want to be able to do the splits again!

–Started hot yoga at Dynamic Fitness 2-4x a week. I honestly did not think I would enjoy this as, well, I don’t fare well in the heat. But alas, I am hooked. My butterfly pose is now a complete butterfly ( knees all the way to the ground ) with no effort whatsoever. It feels amazing to gain so much flexibility and core strength back that I’ve lost over the years.

21. Grow my own herbs. / Nothing like fresh herbs.

22. Start saving for retirement. / I really need to organize my finances for when I want to retire…Yes it’s a long way away.

23. Pay off all debts! / Serious debts be GONE!

–Completed! Can’t tell you how good this feels…Now the serious saving begins!

24. Have a picnic in the park! / Sandwiches, sunset, blankets, books!

25. Plan my dream trip to NYC for my 25th birthday! / Broadway shows, sightseeing, pretending to fit in, in a big city!

–It’s PLANNED! March 24-29th in the Big Apple with my sweetheart! Broadway shows, Hell’s kitchen, tattoos, the works. We are hitting the big city!

APRIL 7th, HERE I COME.

I also wrote a list of 25 things I’m proud I’ve accomplished before 25, maybe to help ease the pain, or really just to commemorate my last 24 years.

25 things I am proud to have accomplished by 25:

1. The amount I’ve traveled. –  Many more trips to plan.

Australia. Germany. ( I actually lived there for 10 months ).The States. ( Maine, Florida, California, Washington. ) Drove across Canada and have visited every province except NFL. ( Still need to do the territories! ) Italy. Ireland. England. France. Mexico.

2. The fact I am self employed and own my own business doing what I love to do.

3. I went white water rafting years ago…Even though I’m terrified of drowning.

4. I’ve successfully made two turkey dinners!

5.  I learned to meditate.

6. I learned to knit. Thanks youtube!

7. MC’d a wedding.

8. Sang at two weddings and two funerals. ( Two were songs I wrote. )

9. Learned to cook, pretty well, if I do say so myself.

10. Was the lead in a play. ( More than one actually! )

11. I’ve rescued a dog from the SPCA, an eight year old american staffie! I had him for three years. I’m happy I gave his last few years the best years of his life!

12. Modeled for many photographers… Despite feeling totally insecure about it!

13. Learned to do hair and makeup quite well, a service I can now offer my clients!

14. Taught myself how to play guitar. Thanks youtube!

15. Started a pretty good savings fund for traveling, camera equipment, and emergencies.

16.  Watched and documented a birth… One of the most incredible days ever.

17. Have stood up for myself numerous times on a personal and business level in the past two years. Though I dislike confrontation.

18. Donated my time and efforts to several silent auctions, fundraisers, photo sessions. This I feel so proud of.

19. The fact I have lived on two continents, three provinces, and 10 cities.

20. The fact I’m not longer scared of change nor do I hold material possessions close to me. There isn’t very many things that I would be devastated to lose. People are what matter most.

21. Loved someone with my entire being.

22. Have seen shows on Broadway in London. Bucket list? Check! ( Wicked, The Tempest with Patrick Stewart, Les Miserables )

23. The fact I’ve helped make countless woman look and feel beautiful during my boudoir shoots with them! Such a great feeling.

24. I continue to follow my heart.

AND

25. That I followed and continue to follow my dreams.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what I want to accomplish this year as a photographer. I’ve decided to write down ( publicly, so I will stay on top of it ), my photography goals for the year 2013. I will be updating this blog throughout the year to cross off or re-vise certain goals.

What I’d like to accomplish by the end of 2013?

1. Book/Shoot 5 weddings. ( I shot 7 weddings this year ! )
2. Move Boudoir Marathons that are currently held in the Moncton area and bring them to Fredericton. (April 21st, 2013. Shot 5 girls! )
3. Reach 1000 facebook likes. ( Hit that mark in August! Thanks guys! )
4. Get my photography published. (March 18, 2013- Bicycle Built for Two published an engagement session I did! )
5. Build a network of hairstylists, makeup artists, models, and stylists.
6. Shoot between 100-200 photo sessions.
7. Start making prints of my work to hang in my house. ( I have slowly begun the selection process and have four prints up and a folder waiting to be sent off! )
8. Shoot a “secret engagement shoot”. ( First one is FREE )
9. Book a destination wedding. ( It may not be the Mexico or Italy…But I am flying across Canada next summer for a wedding in exotic Chilliwack, BC and another in Langley, BC. )
10. Shoot a “birth story”. ( First one is FREE )   ( November 4th, 2013 )

That’s all I can think of for now! Though I will be adding more as the year goes by!!

DLR Photography | Fredericton Wedding and Portrait Photography