Meet Meghan Hathaway, MA, LPCC, a Denver-based mental health therapist who offers embodied, trauma-informed, client-centered therapy for adults navigating trauma, grief, anxiety, and depression. This August, we collaborated on a branding photoshoot at the Denver Botanic Gardens to capture her warmth, professionalism, and commitment to creating safe, compassionate spaces for her clients.

Whether you’re a therapist launching your private practice, updating your website, or creating social media content, Meghan’s photoshoot is a perfect example of how intentional branding photography can reflect your values and help you connect with the right clients.

Meet Meghan Hathaway, MA, LPCC: Embodied, Social-Justice-Oriented Therapy in Denver, CO

Meghan’s work as a therapist is rooted in her belief that everyone deserves a place where they can be fully seen and heard—something that can be rare in our fast-paced, disconnected world. Her practice combines somatic therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, relational approaches, and humanistic counseling, all woven together in a trauma-informed, socially conscious framework.

Her personal and organizational values center around social justice, community, choice and consent, collaboration, transparency, trust, accessibility, and integrity. She strives to create a space where clients not only feel safe, but also empowered to engage in deep, meaningful work—especially when talk therapy in the past hasn’t led to lasting change.

Specializing in trauma, CPTSD, grief (including complex and traumatic grief), and anxiety and depression, Meghan’s ideal clients are adults who are resourced enough to do deeper healing work and want to build compassion, inner trust, and a sense of home within themselves.

Why Meghan Chose a Therapist Branding Photoshoot

As Meghan’s practice continues to grow, she recognized the importance of professional branding photos for her website, Psychology Today profile, and social media marketing. She wanted images that reflected her authentic presence—grounded, approachable, and deeply compassionate—while visually aligning with her therapy values.

We chose the Denver Botanic Gardens for its serene atmosphere and diverse settings that could capture her style in both natural and structured environments. The combination of lush August blooms and peaceful walking paths perfectly echoed her therapy approach: calm, grounded, and inviting, yet vibrant with possibility.

Planning Your Perfect Branding Photoshoot: Denver Botanic Gardens

I always plan photoshoots out in advance so we can get the most out of our time together and you’ll have lots of images to use for your branding, website, and social media! This was considered a mini-session, but a full branding photoshoot includes a planning session where we map out your brand messages, plan the locations/outfits/props, and then I send a pre-shoot guide that includes our itinerary, an outfit list, posing tips to help you prepare, and everything you need to get ready for the shoot!

Anyone who knows me knows I’m always prepared, which makes your brand shoot go smooth!

A successful therapist branding shoot starts long before the camera comes out. For Meghan’s session, we:

Mapped out a location path through the gardens to make the most of the variety without losing time.
Chose wardrobe colors that aligned with her brand—soft earth tones with touches of sage and deep lavender, reflecting both nature and her grounded, trauma-informed style.
Selected spots that offered both open, airy backgrounds for her website header and close, intimate textures for social media posts.
Included poses and settings that conveyed trust, collaboration, and warmth—core qualities her clients look for in a therapist.

Outfits and Branding Colors: Creating a Cohesive Look

For her branding session, Meghan opted for simple, solid colors that worked beautifully with the natural setting of the Denver Botanic Gardens. Her outfits were chosen to feel both approachable and professional, with tones that complemented the greenery and seasonal blooms. By making small adjustments and adding layers or changing simple pieces partway through the shoot, we were able to create a variety of looks without a full wardrobe change—giving her a versatile set of images to use across her website, social media, and other marketing materials.

Pro Tip for Therapists: Solid colors almost always work best for branding photos. They keep the focus on you and make it easier to use your images across different platforms without clashing with other design elements.

Making the Photoshoot Session Comfortable

Like many therapists, Meghan was a little nervous about being in front of the camera. My role is to make the process feel collaborative and choice-based, mirroring the same principles she brings to her therapy work.

Some of the ways we created ease during the shoot:

Guided Posing – Gentle prompts rather than rigid instructions, so her expressions stayed natural.
Wardrobe Adjustments – Making sure layers, collars, and hair stayed in place for a polished final look.
Feedback Loop – Showing her a few images along the way so she could feel confident in how things were turning out.

By the end of the session, Meghan was relaxed, laughing, and fully herself—exactly the kind of energy that helps potential clients feel safe enough to reach out.

Preparing for Your Own Therapist Branding Photoshoot

If you’re considering a branding session for your therapy practice, here are some tips to help you get the most from your investment:

Clarify Your Brand Values – Knowing what you stand for will help guide outfit, location, and posing choices.
Choose a Location That Reflects Your Approach – A therapist specializing in nature-based work might choose outdoor settings, while someone in urban trauma work might prefer city backdrops.
Plan Your Wardrobe in Advance – Stick with solid colors that align with your brand palette. Avoid busy patterns that distract.
Think About Versatility – Include at least one accessory or layer you can add or remove to create a different look mid-shoot.
Work with a Photographer Who Understands Therapy – This ensures your images feel authentic and aligned with the ethical considerations of your field.

Why Professional Branding Photography Matters for Therapists

A professional therapist branding session is about more than just getting a nice headshot. It’s about building trust through imagery and showing prospective clients the safe, grounded presence they can expect when they meet you.

For trauma-informed therapists like Meghan, that first impression can make the difference between someone clicking away and someone feeling an instant sense of connection.

High-quality branding photos help you:

Communicate approachability and professionalism instantly.
Align your online presence with your therapeutic style.
Maintain a cohesive visual identity across all platforms.
Attract the right-fit clients who resonate with your values.

Final Thoughts

Meghan’s branding photoshoot at the Denver Botanic Gardens captured her integrity, compassion, and deep commitment to social justice in therapy. The images reflect her ability to hold space for the most vulnerable parts of a person’s story while also conveying warmth, collaboration, and hope.

If you’re a therapist, counselor, or mental health professional in Denver, Boulder, or beyond who’s ready to elevate your online presence, I’d love to help you create branding images that truly represent your practice.

Ready to create your own therapist branding photoshoot?

Your photos are often the first introduction clients have to your practice—and they can set the tone for how safe, seen, and understood someone feels before they even meet you. Whether you’re building a new website, updating your headshots, or refreshing your brand visuals, we’ll work together to capture images that feel authentic to you and the heart of your work. From choosing locations that reflect your style to guiding you through natural, comfortable poses, every detail is designed with therapists in mind.

I’m mostly based in Denver/Boulder, Colorado and Austin, Texas. But I have travel dates in the US and Canada for 2025 here.

Book your session today and take the next step in creating a brand that truly represents you. Click below to schedule your shoot or reach out with any questions!

Let's Capture Your Authentic Brand Together