The Lugg Family | Charlotte Maternity Session

charlotte maternity session

The Lugg Family | Charlotte Maternity Session

 

I am so excited for my friend Wilfrida and her husband Nakia as they prepare to welcome their first born son, Nakari into the world!  He will be making his entrance into the world very soon and their lives as they currently know it will be forever changed.  I had the absolute pleasure of capturing this moment in time for them a few weeks ago and I’m truly honored that I was able to do this maternity session for them.

 

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Their session took place in scenic uptown Charlotte.  I love shooting sessions in this particular part of Charlotte because it does a great job of mixing uptown city vibes with greenery that makes you feel like you’re in a park just outside of the hustle and bustle of what’s going on in the city.  I particularly like this area for family sessions because it gives them just enough variety in their session to make everyone happy.

 

denise benson photography

 

While we shot this session early in the morning in an attempt to beat the summer heat, we got lucky and the temps were on our side.  Wilfrida glowed as we snapped both individual shots as well as her and her husband and it was so precious to see just how excited Nakia became when looking at Wilfrida’s belly.  I always love to see how couples interact with one another during this special moment in their lives and the connection the two of them had to not only each other, but also their growing baby was immediately evident.  I am so excited for the journey that lies ahead of them as they go through the growing pains of becoming parents and an expanding family and I’m so happy to be able to witness it all.  Wishing them a safe and swift delivery!  And if you’re in need of maternity images to capture your growing family then I’d love the chance to chat with you.  Contact me today so we can begin planning your session!

charlotte maternity session

 

2019 Fall Mini Sessions Are Here!

denise benson photography

2019 Fall Mini Sessions Are Here!

What’s this?  A mid-week post?  Well that can only mean one thing…yep it’s announcement time!  I’m so excited to announce that my 2019 Fall Mini Sessions will be taking place on Saturday, October 19 in downtown Rock Hill, SC.  First dibs went out to my newsletter subscribers, BUT I still have a couple of time slots still open.  So here are all the important details YOU need to know:

Price: $175 (plus tax)

Date: October 19, 2019 (Rain date will be Sunday, October 20 & you MUST be available on both dates)

Time: Slots will be open in 20 minute increments beginning at 8 am

Location: Downtown Rock Hill, SC

What’s Included: 8 Edited Digital Images with the option to purchase more

 

Mini Sessions are great for families (with up to 5 members), high school and college seniors, couples and YES, even brands!  This is perfect if you’re just needing to update some headshots for your website or LinkedIn account or for those needing holiday images for their upcoming Christmas cards.  Space is limited and will be on a first come first serve basis and there are only a few spaces left so book accordingly!  Contact me today for more information or to secure your time slot!

QNA Higher Education Consultants | Team Branding Session

charlotte branding photographer

QNA Higher Education Consultants | Branding Session

 

Branding sessions aren’t just for individuals.  Sure a lot of business owners and entrepreneurs are deemed sole proprietors, but there are plenty of startups that have more than one person running the show and a branding session for them is just as important as it is for a solopreneur.  I had the pleasure of working with Nikki, Aurrielle and Quin for their business, QNA Higher Education Consultants.  Their session took place on a beautiful, albeit windy morning in uptown Charlotte this past spring.

 

charlotte branding photography

 

team branding session

 

They came to their session prepared, put together and coordinated which is one of the main things to keep in mind when doing a team branding session.  During a solo session, while you may still be a bit stressed out leading up to your session, you only have to worry about yourself.  Hair, makeup and wardrobe are only a concern for you, but when implementing a team session everyone needs to look cohesive as a unit.  It’s important to book the same makeup artist, or at least artists that have very similar makeup styles so you don’t all look drastically different from one another and you want to make sure you communicate wardrobe ideas with one another.  The simplest and most effective way I’ve found to do this myself is by creating a Pinterest board.  Come up with a concept and general color palette and then have everyone contribute to the board so you can see what everyone is planning to wear and how the varying looks will coincide with one another.  Just like with a family or couples session you want to make sure you and your team compliment one another without being too matchy matchy.  Something the ladies of QNA Higher Education Consultants executed beautifully!  I’m excited to see where their new venture takes them and if you have a team that is in need of updated branding images then I’d love the opportunity to chat with you all!  Contact me today so we can begin planning your session.

 

denise benson photography

 

The McCall Family | Glencairn Garden Session

denise benson photography

The McCall Family | Glencairn Garden Session

 

It’s funny because when I first started shooting I was very limited in my knowledge of locations.  So much so that a LOT of my shoots took place at Glencairn Garden.  It was convenient because I was familiar with the location, it was right around the corner from my home and it was a place I didn’t need a permit to shoot in.  All win win situations for me.  And then something happened.  I started to explore other places and had clients to pull me out of my comfort zone and so I started shooting at this beautiful park less and less.  So much so that in a year I may visit this location 2-3 times for a session, if that.  It was nice when Ebony contacted me for updated family photos of her and her son and requested we shoot at Glencairn Garden.  I was excited to get back there and shoot somewhere familiar.

 

glencairn garden rock hill

 

The flowers were in full bloom during our session and springtime, as well as fall, is perfect for this park location.  I had a great time meeting Ebony and her son, Cameron, who stole the ENTIRE show!  Working with kids under 8 can sometimes be a challenge because their attention spans usually don’t hold for the full duration of an hour long portrait session.  So anytime I’m working with younger kids I remind parents that they’re bound to get antsy and we need to just give them breaks and allow them to be kids, which is exactly what we did with Cameron.  And when we let him be free to do his own thing boy did his personality come out!  Family photos shouldn’t be stiff, posed and mundane.  I want personalities to shine and for the entire family to have a good time and I feel like that truly came out in their images.

 

the mcccll family

 

And if you’re in need of some updated family photos then I’d love the chance to work with you.  Contact me today so that we can get you and your family on my calendar!

Robin H. | Duke Mansion Branding Session

robin hazward

Robin H. | Duke Mansion Branding Session

 

Robin is a branding client I’ve had the pleasure of working with a few times over the last couple of years.  She’s the author of several books and is currently based in Charlotte, NC.  When I came out with my Echo Collection, a branding package for entrepreneurs, creatives and influencers that need updated images on a consistent basis, she reached out to me and indicated that she was ready to sign up and take her brand to the next level and she’s definitely done so!

 

uptown charlotte session

 

Our first shoot together took place during the bitter cold of winter at Romare Bearden Park located in uptown Charlotte.  It was a bright and beautiful morning, but oh so cold!  Robin was a trooper and showed up ready to work and make some more #blackgirlmagic together.

 

denise benson photography

 

Our second session brought us to warmer temps.  She was staying at the lavish Duke Mansion and decided to use the opportunity to capture some images in her suite.  And let me tell you this place was a photographers playground!  We didn’t capture any images outside on the grounds, but we didn’t have to because everything we needed was right in her room.  A beautiful writing desk where Robin was able to be inspired to write her latest tome, a bed perfect for catching up on her favorite book, a bathroom fit for a queen and finally a covered balcony that was made for relaxing.  I know Robin’s time away at the Duke Mansion was near perfect and I’m glad we were able to capture it on camera.  And if you think you may be interested in booking my Echo Collection then I’d love to chat with you about everything that it entails!  Contact me today to learn more.

 

denise benson photography

 

denise benson photography

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