Behind the Lens: A Personal Branding Photoshoot with Denise Duffield-Thomas on the Gold Coast

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Denise Duffield-Thomas since 2017, and over the years, we’ve created a fantastic flow for her personal branding photoshoots. We typically do multiple shoots per year, either with me heading to her hometown of Newcastle or Denise travelling to the Gold Coast. The aim is always to capture enough content to keep her brand fresh for the next six months—whether it's for website updates, social media posts, newsletters, or her ever-changing podcast cover imagery.

Denise is a Hay House-published author and money mindset mentor who helps entrepreneurs break through financial blocks, transform their mindset, and create the abundant lives they deserve. During our photoshoots, we aim to reflect the empowering work she does—showing her as both the approachable, down-to-earth coach she is, and the dynamic businesswoman who facilitates real transformation for her clients. Over time, we’ve developed a rhythm that allows us to capture her brand essence, while also offering a variety of looks for her different platforms.

Capturing Denise’s Unique Brand Identity

Denise’s brand is built around empowerment—helping entrepreneurs unlock their full potential, get out of their own way, and shift their mindset around money. When you look at Denise’s work, it’s clear she’s all about breaking free of limitations, whether that’s the mental blocks holding you back, or the limiting beliefs keeping your business stuck at a certain income level.

For us, the goal of the photoshoot was to reflect her brand in a way that feels approachable and grounded. One of the standout features of Denise’s branding is her signature colour palette. Soft blues are iconic in her visual identity and instantly recognisable. We always incorporate these shades into the shoot—whether through her clothing, props, or soft furnishings in the locations we choose. If you look closely, you’ll even spot her branding hues in her nail polish, a subtle yet thoughtful detail that ties the whole look together. These little touches ensure her branding is consistent, and each photo feels aligned with the message she shares.

The Approach: A 5-Hour Photoshoot Across Three Stunning Locations

This photoshoot spanned 5 hours and took us across three beautiful locations. We started at an AirBnB in Palm Beach, which doubled as Denise’s accommodation—an ideal option when travelling interstate. The space offered a bright, welcoming backdrop for a mix of professional and relaxed shots.

Next, we headed to Skyline Burleigh, a modern coastal home that perfectly aligned with Denise’s branding. Its minimalist aesthetic and natural light gave us the flexibility to capture a range of looks with a fresh, clean feel.

We wrapped up at Tallebudgera, where the beachside serenity created the perfect setting for casual, relaxed shots that truly reflected Denise’s effortless style.

Each location provided something unique, giving us a diverse collection of imagery to last for months of content.

The Takeaway: The Power of Fresh Content & Aligned Imagery

Creating fresh, purposeful content is a vital part of building a strong brand. As a photographer, I know that it’s not just about taking great photos—it’s about connecting with your audience and providing a varied library of images that can be used across all your content pillars. That’s why every photoshoot I do is designed to align perfectly with your brand’s essence and the mood you want to convey, whether it’s for social media, website updates, or newsletters.

When you have a diverse range of high-quality images to draw from, your content stays dynamic and engaging, while remaining true to your core messaging. For entrepreneurs, investing in a photoshoot that reflects your brand identity and mood ensures you have the visual tools to consistently connect with your audience and make a lasting impact.

Let’s Plan Your Dream Branding Shoot

If you're ready to elevate your brand with fresh, aligned imagery that connects with your audience, I’d love to help you create a visual identity that truly reflects who you are and what you stand for. Browse my branding packages and let’s start crafting a library of photos that will keep your content vibrant, engaging, and on-brand.