Denise Benson Photography | Creative Juice | Creatives Spotlight

Sirena White-Singleton
Sep 20, 2017
5 min read

“Branding gives you an exceptionally effective way to

broadcast who you are to your target market quickly and efficiently!"

Oh, the infamous social media! What would we do without it in this day an age. Social media is responsible for keeping us connected, yet oh so disconnected. As stated by Brian Solis, "social media is about sociology and psychology more then technology." I must agree with that statement 100%! I have to credit social media for me connecting with my first feature for my new blog series called

Creative Juice!

Each month I will feature a fellow creative who is moving and shaking their way through the world of entrepreneurship. Let me tell you...entrepreneurship is not for the faint-hearted. Entrepreneurship is for the risk takers, the dreamers, and doers!

So, without further delay...Meet Denise of Denise Benson Photography!

Denise and me actually connected via social media a few years ago and just clicked from the very beginning (see there is some good coming from social media)! We are not only fellow photographers, but we are also Sorority sisters (proud members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.). Almost two years ago Denise booked me to shoot some branding images for her website and I absolutely fell in love with her brand! I can't wait to get Denise back in front of my lens for another branding session...coming real soon!

Check out my interview with Denise! Just stroll below and read all about her journey and what inspires her as a creative and entrepreneur, also check out a few images from her branding session back in 2015. What I love about Denise is that she fully utilized her branding portraits and creatives a cohesive brand!

What do you do? Type of business.

Portrait Photography specializing in branding, families, seniors and intimate weddings.

Where are you located and what areas do you service?

Rock Hill, SC but love to travel everywhere!

What inspired you to start your business?

I've always loved the creative field and attended school for fashion merchandising. My love affair with photography began during the summer of 2001 when I interned with Essence Magazine and attended a couple of photoshoots and watched the professionals at work. It was magical to me! But I didn't decide to get behind the lens myself until almost 10 years later. It was a hobby at first that quickly turned into a passion.

Which came first? Your Business or your brand?

My business came first.

Before I started DBP I knew what it was like to run your business since I've owned an insurance agency alongside my dad since 2002, but I didn't know about branding myself until I I was introduced to this creative side of entrepreneurship. So I started my business first and then from there began to create what is now the DBP experience.

What's your personal mission statement?

To create sessions are about emotional connections, rather than capturing the perfect image. I want to create e a meaningful experience for every client I encounter.

How would you describe your brand?

My brand is timeless, elegant and a little bit of whimsy (a girl likes to have fun!). I am a huge fan of the Chanel brand and it's taught me that true creativity transcends time. Some of the pieces Coco Chanel designed can still be worn today and will still be worn 50 years from now. That's what I want DBP to be. I'm not about fads and what's hot in photography now. I want people to look at me and my images and know that 10, 20, 30 years from now they'll still look and feel relevant to the time.

While planning your branding session what are/were the important key elements for you? How did you pick a photographer? Make-up artist? Location? Etc.?

Planning my first branding session was so much fun! I knew I needed updated images to convey the spirit of my company to my clients so I decided there was no better place to do this than where I live. The first half of my session took place in my home (where I create, brainstorm and where the heart of my business lives). And the second half was in Old Town, Rock Hill, SC. I do a lot of branding sessions there and I love the small town feel. Choosing my photographer was easy. I came across Sirena of Aneris Photography and instantly fell in love with her work. I reached out to her on social media and her personality was so inviting and we instantly clicked. After our initial meeting I knew she was the right person to help me bring the visuals of my brand to life.

How did you conquer fear while building your brand?

I had to put aside my camera-shyness and just go for it. I knew I was in good hands with Sirena and that the vision I put out for her she would be able to execute 100%.

How do you stay motivated?

My passion for what I do and my clients keep me motivated. Each kind word I receive and the smile that I see on their faces when they receive their images makes me happy and excites me for the next session. And watching my business flourish the way it has over these last 6 years has truly amazed me. Seeing something grow from nothing into what it is currently still blows my mind and motivates me to keep pushing.

What's inspiring you right now?

Other entrepreneurs inspire me. Having worked for myself for the last 15 years I'm still amazed when I see others stepping out on faith and taking hold of their own dreams and destinies. I'm so passionate about watching other businesses succeed and it sparks something in me. Seeing that we can create something that the masses desire is truly inspiring.

What would you tell someone whose just getting started?

Keep pushing. This entrepreneur life isn't easy by any means. There will be hard days. Days when you wonder if it's even worth it. It is. If no one else tells you, it is. There's no bigger high than seeing something you created and nurtured blossom into a thriving business. So on those days where you feel low, allow yourself to feel that, but then get up the next day and keep going.

You'll thank yourself in the end.

What's one fear that you conquered this year?

This year I stepped out of my comfort zone and am living my word of the year which is 'dauntless'. Dauntless means showing fearlessness and determination. I began a photography coaching program earlier this year and have worked with 5 clients already. It's been amazing! And later this year I have something else in the works which I'm very excited about sharing. I am focusing on branding photography and I see my business evolving over the years to being a branding boutique where I focus on multiple aspects for business owners. Seeing my vision evolve over this last year has truly been amazing to me. Knowing your purpose in life is an awesome feeling. And I look forward to conquering more of my fears because that's where the magic truly happens!