Charlotte Branding Photographer

Why Business Besties Are Crucial For YOUR Success

July 2, 2018

biz besties

Why Business Besties Are Crucial For YOUR Success

If you’re in business for yourself you know that it can sometimes be a lonely place. Most entrepreneurs don’t have a team helping them out so we’re what’s known in the industry as solopreneurs. That’s where industry peers come into play. Having a person, or people, to bounce ideas off of, talk to when things are getting tough and celebrate your wins with you like no one else can (because let’s face it, no one else really understands what we go through as creative entrepreneurs) is crucial in keeping your sanity as a small business owner.

I’ve been blessed with not only one, but three business besties. It started with one, my friend Sirena of Aneris Photography and over time I added Kristen of Lavish Moments Photography and Lekisa of LBZZ Photography to my crew. It’s morphed from group text messages to forming an actual monthly mastermind group where we discuss the good, bad and ugly of our businesses. These women have been instrumental in bringing forth some of the ideas that I’m currently implementing in DBP. I could go on and on about how much fun we have together in working on our businesses and hanging out for much needed girl time (see our fair photofrom 2017 below!), but I’m going to let the three of them explain what having business besties means to them:

Sirena – Business besties are necessary because as humans we aren’t meant to do this thing called life alone. So, of course we aren’t meant to build, grow, and develop a business alone.

One of the many benefits of having business besties is accountability. I’m a part of two MasterMind groups and have a few other business owners who I can confide in and vent too. It’s amazing when those people give back just as

much as you put it. I believe the success factor with like-minded business owners is that you must all want to see each other grow and succeed. You must give and not just be there to take.

Kristen – I think it is imperative to have a business bestie because that person helps you grow as a person and as a business while consistently holding you accountable to your short term and long term goals. They want to see you succeed! When one wins, we all win. That person may be the only one to see your potential sometimes when you have doubt in yourself. Your business bestie is there to support you, encourage you despite losses and celebrate you for all your wins.

I’ve grown and evolved tremendously from having my business besties and like minded creatives around me. It’s broadened my creativity and also helped me find my niche with my photography business. I’ve grown my network of experts to consult with for various reasons.

Lekisa – It is necessary to have business Besties because I NEED that accountability person/persons. I am busy, stubborn and I get complacent easily. I need my tribe to say “Hey what are you doing, why are you slacking off?” Since I have found my business besties, I am more likely to stick to the goals I have set for myself. I don’t want to let them down or myself. I love them all very much and I am grateful to have them in my life.

Sidney G. | Class of 2018

June 25, 2018

Sidney G. | Senior Portrait Session

Graduation is always a time where parents and students alike are able to reflect over the last 18 years to see how far they’ve come and to look at a bright future ahead. Denise Benson Photography has had the opportunity to work with many seniors over the years and it’s always exciting to watch them thrive in their chosen endeavors after their high school graduation has come to an end. I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Sidney, and his mom Angela, for his senior session a few weeks ago and I honestly couldn’t have worked with a better guy! I had to tell his mom Angela several times throughout the session how well-mannered he was. Being in front of the camera isn’t easy for most people, and especially teens, but Sidney was a natural and throughout the course of the session he was personable and spoke freely about his future endeavors and his love for basketball.

I have no doubt that Sidney will go on to do great things over the course of his life. But the next step is going to college which he seems enthused about! I’m excited for him and can’t wait to see what the future holds because I know that whatever he sets his sights on, it will be great!

And now that the class of 2018 has wrapped things up and is looking ahead to what’s in store for them, it’s time to start thinking of those rising members of the Class of 2019. If you or someone you know is a rising high school or even a college senior I’d love to chat with you about capturing those final moments of your educational year for you. It’s never too early to start the planning process so reach out to me today!

The TwentySeven Workshop Branding Session

June 18, 2018

The TwentySeven Workshop | Charlotte, NC Branding Session

Whenever my industry peers hire me to help them bring their creative visuals to life I’m deeply honored. I know that sounds super cheesy to say, but it’s the absolute truth. With there being so many talented photographers in our area I’m always humbled when someone decides to choose my services. My friends, Sasha and Jean both own their own photography businesses, but have recently come together to offer a service that will help numerous people in the creative field. They created The TwentySeven Workshop which puts together styled shoots and then allows photographers as well as other industry creatives to participate to help build their portfolios. But it doesn’t stop there! The second half of their business focuses on education which includes showing photographers how to edit their images and how to submit your photos for publication.

I was so excited when they reached out to me for the visuals for the launch of TTSW. Our session took place in two of my favorite areas of Charlotte, NC, uptown and NoDa. Both locations played well into their brand, the more serious, business side and the fun-loving personality that makes them who they are.

Sasha is the Creative Director behind TTSW and also owns Sasha Q. Photography based in Greenville, SC. She loves Starbucks and pizza (my kinda girl!) and enjoys shopping in Hobby Lobby along with TTSW partner Jean. Her primary focus for her personal photography business is children, families and weddings and she loves meeting new people and turning those she works with from clients into friends.

Jean is the Creative Consultant behind TTSW and also owns Jean B. Photography. She’s a Philly girl currently based in Greenville, SC and enjoys being a GenX mom, wife, photographer and accountability partner to other amazing entrepreneurs. When she’s not creating content plans, capturing images and building websites, you can find her with a hot cup of tea and listening to music. Photography is one of many creative passions and it has landed her in a position as a social media manager and brought her back to her love for content creation.

Catherine M. | Chef Branding Session

June 11, 2018

Catherine Mungin | Chef Branding Session

The last couple of months over here at Denise Benson Photography have been an absolute whirlwind! I’ve met and worked with so many wonderful people and so many exciting brands so make sure to stay tuned in the coming weeks for all of the goodness I’m going to share. And trust me, it’s going to be a lot! One of those brands is Catherine of Jazzi Cat Cafe. Catherine and I linked up via Instagram and have since had two wonderful branding sessions together. She’s a chef, currently based out of Alanta, GA and is in the process of revamping her business, which is why she needed updated and fresh branding photos.

Our first session together took place in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina. Although spring was making it’s way into the Carolinas, that morning was a super cold one with a good amount of wind! The weather in the south can be seriously unpredictable at times. But we powered through, came out with some great images that Catherine can use for her upcoming website, social media and more, and had a lot of laughs along the way.

Not too long after our first session concluded and Catherine received her images, she reached out to me for a second session that was a bit more laidback and showed a softer side of herself and business. Her focus as a chef is on meals made with only the best ingredients and after breaking down some of her recipes I wished I lived closer to Atlanta, GA so that I could partake in some of her goodness! I’m definitely a lover of food and any time I have the opportunity to try something new I’m always up for it. Once her rebrand is up and running I encourage you to check her out and enjoy some of her treats for me!

The Bethea Family | Lifestyle Family Session

June 4, 2018

The Bethea Family | Lifestyle Family Session

It was such a pleasure for me to have the opportunity to work with the Bethea family again for their newborn in-home lifestyle session. We’d worked together twice before during my annual Fall Mini Sessions, so when we discussed possibly doing their next shoot in their home I was so excited! First, it was an opportunity to meet their newest addition and I adore in-home sessions, especially when there are newborns involved. Whenever a potential client inquires about newborn images I love to let them know how my lifestyle sessions work. It’s not the traditional newborn shoot where the baby is asleep, wrapped in delicate fabrics and perched atop a bean bag or equally adorable prop. My hat goes off to all newborn photographers that specialize in traditional photos like these because they are the real MVPs! But for anyone looking to do something a bit more out of the box I’m excited to share with them the beauty of what a lifestyle session has to offer. You’re in the comfort of your own home, where you’re familiar and relaxed and it can take place at any time of the year without having to disturb your little one by bringing them out in the humid heat or blistering cold. So when I told mom, Kanika, about an in-home session I was so glad that she was on board!

It was so much fun catching up with Kanika and her husband Izell as well as seeing how much bigger little Tristan had gotten. He was the doting big brother to the newest member of the Bethea family, Kendrick. He was the picture perfect sleeping baby and I had a great time capturing their true family as it is. I’m excited to watch them grow over the years and am so thankful that they chose me to capture this important moment in their lives.

Why Business Besties Are Crucial For YOUR Success

Sidney G. | Class of 2018

The TwentySeven Workshop Branding Session

Catherine M. | Chef Branding Session

The Bethea Family | Lifestyle Family Session

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