Charlotte Branding Photographer

One Word: LEAP

January 1, 2018

word of the year

One Word: LEAP

I’m super excited to welcome you into 2018! How fitting that my new site would launch the same day that 2018 officially rings in! And that my first blog post of the year falls on that day as well. At the start of each year I like to talk about my word for the year. It’s a concept I picked up from my church and it helps to set the intention for not only my business, but also my personal life for the year ahead. My word for 2017 was DAUNTLESS. It means to show fearlessness and determination. In 2017 I started my coaching program and the DBP Stock Gallery, both of which required me to step out on faith, put my fears and anxieties to the side and to just go for it! So I knew with 2018 I wanted to continue the trend of fearlessness which brought me to my new word.

LEAP. The official definition means to jump or spring a long way, to a great height, or with great force. 2017 was all about me doing things I was afraid to do, 2018 will be about implementing those things and taking them to greater heights. This year I am focusing on bettering the photography, coaching and retail sides of my business. I’ve created these things so now it’s time to make the jump forward to making them the best they can be. Creating is one thing, fine tuning is yet another.

It’s time for me to level up. New images, new website, same great brand and attitude. I’m not re-branding so to speak, but making something good even better. As my business shifts more to branding images and working with other entrepreneurs to help them bring their own brands to life I’m excited to see where this will take me. So what can you expect from me this coming year? I have a few things up my sleeve that I can’t share just yet, but stay tuned to my social media accounts to see what’s happening, but what you can expect is more focus on my branding clients. I am excited to host my first ever $100 Headshot Event this month and I hope to make this an annual part of my business (if you’d like to get in on this deal email me to find out more). And as 2017 brought you wonderful guest bloggers, 2018 will focus on branding blog posts every few months as well as the start of my new newsletter The DBP Brand Experience geared towards photographers. So if this is you make sure to sign up for my newsletter here.

A new year is a fresh start and I know if we go into it with a positive perspective, regardless of what’s thrown our way we will make the best of it. 2018 has big shoes to fill, but I think it’s up for the challenge! Do you have a word or theme for the year? If so, I’d love to hear all about it. Make sure to leave a comment below!

My New Promo Video Is Here!

December 25, 2017

denise benson photography

Let’s pop the bubbly and celebrate!! I mean today is Christmas, this is the final blog post for 2017 and we’re only a week away from the new year. I am so excited that denisebensonphotography.com is getting a facelift in just one short week! It’s been so exciting for me to work on my new site over the last few months and having it ready to debut is such an amazing feeling. Please make sure you check back in at the same day and time next week to check it out and I’d love for you to drop me a line and let me know what you think of all the new updates!

But my website wasn’t the only thing getting a facelift. While I am not re-branding myself I felt that it was high time to do another branding session as well as my first official promo video. I spent months and months putting together not only the details of both the video and photo shoot, but also getting the right team in place to help me bring my vision to life. It was a lot of hard work and by the week of my shoot I was running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off, but in the end it was SO worth it! Not only did everything go according to plan (although I did brace myself for any possible hiccups that may have occurred), I am elated with the end result. Please check out the video and let me know what you think! And in closing I’d like to thank my dream team for making this happen. I can’t speak highly enough of these five ladies for their professionalism and willingness to do whatever it took to make this all happen.

Videographer: Sierra Collins Photography

Photographer: Aneris Photography

Hair: Jessica Reese of Pynk Butterfly Salon

Makeup: Faces By Maranda

Chair: Carolina Charm Rentals

The Emanuel Family | Uptown Charlotte, NC Family Session

December 18, 2017

denise benson photography

The Emanuel Family | Uptown Charlotte, NC Family Session

I’m always honored when a fellow photographer selects me to capture their precious family moments on camera. There’s obviously pressure there because you want to live up to their standards and since they do this for living they know what good photography is, but it’s also very humbling to be chosen to take on a task such as this. That’s why I was very, VERY excited to work with my Soror and fellow photographer Sharetha and her beautiful family. Sharetha initially wanted to book a mini session with me during my fall mini session special, but due to scheduling conflicts we had to end up doing a full portrait session. Unfortunately the day that was chosen was probably the coldest (not to add windiest) date of the year. But her family didn’t let that stop them. They came out dressed to the nines (hello shades of purple!) and in great spirits!

emanuel family

Shooting in uptown Charlotte in and around The Green is one of my favorite local places to work. You get the beauty of greenery, which families love for their sessions, with a bit of an urban flair due to the uptown vibes Charlotte gives. Within just a few minutes you’re able to have a variety of backdrops for your session. And I’m all about versatility. I had fun with the kids as they played around with one another and then of course I had to end the session with mom and dad because most parents don’t have nearly enough photos of just the two of them together. As cold as this day was I had a blast with this family and am so excited I was able to capture this moment in their lives for them. And if you’re overdue for a family portrait session I’d love to hear from you! I’m now booking sessions for 2018 and this is the perfect time to update those images so you’ll have lasting memories hanging in your home for many years to come!

Rock Hill, SC Branding Session | Enhanced By Whitney

December 11, 2017

Rock Hill, SC Branding Session | Enhanced By Whitney

Whitney and I connected through the Queen Photographers organization. She is a talented makeup artist that recently moved to the Queen City and when I heard she was looking to work with local photographers to help build up her portfolio I was excited to reach out to her and work with her for a couple of upcoming projects. When we first spoke online her professionalism stood out and it was fun getting to know her and learning that we both were members of the Theta Gamma chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. So seeing as how she was not only a fellow Gamecock, but also a Soror I knew we’d hit it off!

We later discussed shooting some new branding visuals for her business and I could not have been more excited about the prospect of working with her! I knew she was going to BRING IT for her session and she did not disappoint. Her session took place in Old Town Rock Hill, SC and it was a cloudy morning, but the rain stayed away and we managed to capture some beautiful images that she’s going to be able to use in her business for a long time to come. I’m excited to see where her business will take her and definitely look forward to working with her again, both as a client and a photographer. If you’re interested in booking a service with Whitney you can check her out at Moulin Bouge in the NoDa district of Charlotte, NC. And if you’re a makeup artist, business owner or any type of creative I’d love to hear from you about updating your branding images. Contact me today so we can chat about how put your best face forward and bring your brand to life!

Dionte | Falls Park Senior Session

December 4, 2017

Dionte | Falls Park Senior Session

The Class of 2018 is not playing! I’ve been so surprised by how fast senior sessions are taking place this year. While a lot of students tend to wait until the spring semester of their senior year to take their senior portraits a lot of students are already knocking their sessions out of the park. Dionte’s senior session took me to Falls Park in Greenville, SC. I love any opportunity to leave the Rock Hill area and shoot in a location that I don’t get to visit too often so when Tracy, Dionte’s mom, suggested shooting his session there I was all for it.

The session took place on a very hot summer evening and the park was crowded with visitors, a couple of weddings and a slew of other photographers. But of course we didn’t let any of that get in our way. Dionte is a quiet guy, but took direction so well and I think he enjoyed his time in front of the camera even though the photos were more for his mom than himself.

Your senior year is an important time in the life of any teenager. It marks the closing of one chapter and the beginning of the next. Being there to document it is something I truly enjoy doing and I am thankful for each parent that hires me to be the one to capture such a special moment. If you have a rising high school senior I would love for you to contact me so that we can discuss creating a session that is tailor-made for them. None of the cookie cutter stuff that makes their session look like everyone else’s. Let’s bring your senior’s vibrant personality to life through images that speak to them. I’d love to hear from you!

One Word: LEAP

The Emanuel Family | Uptown Charlotte, NC Family Session

Rock Hill, SC Branding Session | Enhanced By Whitney

Dionte | Falls Park Senior Session

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