Meet Rebecca Danzenbaker; a newborn, maternity and family photographer based in Ashburn, Virginia. Danzenbaker is an excellent example of a "small town photographer" making her way to the top. Danzenbaker's work has been featured in numerous publications, such as Arlington Magazine, Bethesda Magazine, The Slideshow blog, Macaroni Kid and French Kiss Connection blog.
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| Danzenbaker, Rebecca, Untitled, 2013-14. |
Like many other professional photographers, Danzenbaker dabbled in photography throughout the majority of her life. However, it was not until late 2005 that she obtained her first DSLR and began to pursue her hobby more seriously. For the next four years, Danzenbaker dedicated her studies towards photography. She took a number of classes at her local college to hone in on her composition, color and editing skills. However, the experience that changed Danzenbaker's career is attributed to what she refers to as the "Photography Business Boot Camp", which was taught by a professional photographer outside of school. After the course, Danzenbaker realized that when considering all of life's expenses, she would only keep one third of every dollar she made. Danzenbaker realized she had to "make it work" and really tackle the business side of her chosen career.
Does any of this sound familiar? Perhaps your photography career is on a similar path as Danzenbaker's? Lucky for us, our Photography Department here at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division, Danzenbaker gave a lecture about her freelance work and path to success!
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| Danzenbaker, Rebecca, Untitled, 2013-14. |
Along with information about figures and money... any professional photographer will tell you that "branding" plays a key part in running a successful freelance business. But what does that actually mean? What is branding? In short, it's everything. From the template you may use to design your website - to your font and color choices - to your editing style; branding is the overall appearance of your business to the outside world. Another key factor that
relates to "branding" is lighting. Danzenbaker shoots both in the
studio and on location. This versatile and conscious choice that she
makes naturally affects her lighting. While in the studio, Danzenbaker
prefers to shoot with soft light. Like any good location photographer, she shoots during the Golden Hour.
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| Danzenbaker, Rebecca, Untitled, 2013. |
Danzenbaker's unique branding certainly makes her one of the top photographers in her genre in the Northern Virginia area... along with her ability to know the importance of key wording. (What the heck is key wording you ask? Check out her lecture to find out!)
01. Danzenbaker, Rebecca. "Premier Newborn Photographer and Family
Photographer in Northern Virginia, including Ashburn, Chantilly,
Sterling, Aldie." Rebecca Danzenbaker Photography. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2014.
02. Danzenbaker, Rebecca. "Rebecca Danzenbaker Photography." Facebook. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2014.
02. Danzenbaker, Rebecca. "Rebecca Danzenbaker Photography." Facebook. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2014.