Amy is doing such fantastic things in this world.

She runs the Parkinson’s Wellness Fund. They are a non-profit who supplies grants to individuals living with Parkinson’s to help them afford products and services that assist in their daily living. While most of the money in the community goes towards research, they focus on immediate help for individuals and their functionality. They are 14+ years into their nation-wide work, having provided grants to all 50 states and even internationally.

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On a personal note, Amy recently moved to the Atlanta area last from Los Angeles, and I was immediately taken by her warmth, charm, and conversational ease. Not only did I want her to become my friend, but I wanted to connect her immediately with other friends (ahem, Jules)!
Welcome to town, Amy, and the Parkinson’s community thanks you.

https://parkinsonswellnessfund.org/

I’ve worked with Stephanie, providing both commercial and personal photography, many times- but our story begins long before then.

And I was reminded of that as we worked, reminiscing about old times and mutual friends. She wanted an image where she looked relaxed, natural, at ease, and it came easy.

So did the environment for our session. She’s an interior designer who has redone her own home top to bottom. The background options were limitless and stunning. We even considered her bathrooms, they were so fantastic!

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Don’t hesitate to call in Stephanie and her team. Her own home is a mind-blowing testament to her talent.
https://www.sbsdesignsatlanta.com/

They walked into the studio, a bit nervous, expecting the worst. Most people who come in for a business image feel that way, it’s common.

I’m certain people come to them with their own butterflies. Just the idea of taking care of your family should the worst case scenario occur is daunting. But they promise compassion through the process. And having met them, I believe they deliver.

I offer the same. I gently coached them, we examined their images together, and made modifications until they were able to walk out the door, happy with the result, and proclaiming I made true on my promise that it “would not hurt a bit.”

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Reach out to Mark, Michelle, and Helen, for your needs: wills, trusts, guardianships, powers of attorney, asset protection, and more. https://www.mylifetimelawyer.com/

Lori walked into the studio, and a fresh breeze followed her.

She was here for a few headshots, as she began her new endeavor as a Sleep Consultant for Wee Sleep. And I can see why she’s just the person you would want with you, when you are bleary-eyed and exhausted to the point of tears. She is so kind, so warm, and so genuinely interested in you. Conversation with her flows so easily, and you don’t want it to end. She’s excited for your triumphs, and wants you to succeed. I mean, naturally. All the time. It’s who she is. And it’s what makes her perfect for this role.

She needed different versions of her images, to accommodate different scenarios for her company. I told her no problem…

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While I’m past the stage of needing a sleep consultant, (you, too, will get through it!), it was clear from our interactions that she’s the one to recommend.

http://wee-sleep.com/

Kim has dedicated herself to the community for years. She serves on the boards of both Jewish Family and Career Services, and Jewish Women’s Connection. And after years of submitting cropped versions of family portraits as a headshot, she finally decided to treat herself to a real one.

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When she spoke about her work, bolstering our community, Jewish and not alike, she glowed. She’s stepped into all sorts of rolls in her quest to make a tough situation for many more manageable, to smooth “the system.” May she and her efforts see strength and success!
Links:
Jewish Family and Career Services
Jewish Women’s Connection

Yelena is a powerhouse producer, friend, travel partner, birthday buddy, community volunteer, and dedicated family woman. She’s at the helm of FilmTribe, dedicating her aesthetic eye.

For her latest interview in VoyageATL, she had visions of an Israel-themed session. Big on blue, and magazine cover-worthy. It was a blast to think bold, and pull out the lighting gels.

The outcome is big drama, but it was all fun behind the scenes:

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Check out her VoyageATL article here!

Rachel walked in the studio door a stranger, referred to me by the magnificently talented Faith Cohen. She was in town visiting her parents, but our time in this neighborhood had not overlapped, which is an absolute shame.

Because she is hilarious. Quick, witty, to the point, and tells it like it is with a clever twist. Over and over again, I found myself thinking, “Damn, she nailed it again,” in reference to the most basic observations.

Which I imagine really pays off in her work as a marketing director at an ai startup…

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Check out the company she works for! hatch.ai, designed to help Nonprofit Fundraisers engage more effectively.

When Adee entered the studio, it hit me how long it had been. The beauty of repeat clients is the history. Connecting at different points through our journeys. It was incredible to catch up.

What’s interesting is we didn’t talk about business. As curious as I am about how the Real Estate world is treating him, we talked about family. About strengthening bonds, about seeing our children for who they are and adapting to their needs. About prioritizing our time with them. It was lovely.

I do, however happen to know that he’s got a great track record with flipping homes, so if you are an investor, he may be your match: adeeweismark@kw.com

This was a fun twist, for us both, I think.
On a mom board, Lizzy posted: “I’m an interior designer looking for headshots for a rebrand/podcast launch that I’m doing! Any photographers that would want to trade a photo shoot for a room makeover??”

There were already a ton of responses from talented photographers. I shrugged my shoulders, figured that could be fun, and threw my hat into the ring, expecting nothing.

Next thing I knew, we were meeting for coffee and making plans! I was floored that she said she found my work memorable and wanted to move forward.

Meet Lizzy!

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Lizzy earned her Residential Interior Design Certification from Kennesaw State University and is a member of the DSA.

But also? Lizzy is married to a police officer, with whom she has four kids and a bunch of chickens. And is active in their faith and church. And teaches preschool AND yoga. And loves antiquing.

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Check out her website, Facebook, and Instagram!

Next blog: check out what she had in mind for my entryway!

Deanna and her family were looking for a different communal vibe, and four distinct annual seasons.

After relocating her family from Boca Raton, Florida to Atlanta, Georgia, Deanna is launching her counseling private practice. While the move was overall very positive, the one loss was leaving a job she adored. Licensed in Florida, she is taking on clients virtually.

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Thank you to Rina Pollack for the beautiful makeup!

When you sit with Deanna, its clear she’s patient, thoughtful, curious, and ready to listen and guide.

Visit her website!

One day, a cello walks into a studio…

The punchline is that beautiful music was made.

Roee (sometimes Roy) was long overdue to update his headshot. We thought it best to do something expected, classic:

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…but Roee also wanted something fun…

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We were joined in the studio by his fantastic wife, Kelli, who honored me with some BTS images.

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Not only is Roee available for weddings, but he gives lessons as well. Reach out to him at https://royharran.com/

Mamie bounces into the studio full of life, despite being dampened by the rain. Talking to her is refreshing, and I’m instantly 22 again myself. Having just graduated (though unlike her, I didn’t crush through both an undergrad and a masters in Economics in 4 years…), and starting with a new company, a world of opportunity is on the horizon. The company isn’t totally new to her, she was onboarded by Palisades Hudson Financial Group, with whom she interned. She loves the stability, balance, and people at Palisades Hudson, and looks forward to also using her talents in side projects down the road, to help those in need.

What really warmed me was the email from her after I sent her image: “Just wanted to say thank you again for an easy and enjoyable shoot on Monday (and the bag of rice, lol⋆). I like the picture more than I would've ever expected. I really appreciate your work on this and will keep you in mind if I ever have any photography needs in ATL in the future!”

⋆(her phone was wet)
Gotta say, the feeling is mutual.

I’m grateful to Paul Jacobs, Managing Vice President at Palisades Hudson Financial Group. After working with his family and wife a handful of times, he thought of me when they needed an image for Mamie. Continued clients are absolutely the best clients.

After years in the executive recruitment space, Lee is transitioning to a new angle. With this expertise in his back pocket, he’s now discreetly preparing top CEO’s who are looking to transition to their own new opportunity.

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Let me introduce you to MaxBridge, which assists you in developing and executing a search strategy specifically tailored to your career needs and aspirations. They offer a concierge, results-based approach for the Executive on an adventure.

Lee is confident, focused, and charming. You will enjoy the process, and never doubt you are in the care of talent. Check out his website here.

With 3 kids 2 and under, New York was feeling too small for Daniela and her family. They wanted to move to a vibrant city with space to breathe and a friendly community with playdates for her growing family. Having supportive family already in Atlanta made it more enticing. With her degree in Social Work, she bid adieu to her role as a counselor in a performing arts school, and opened up Spark Teens Coaching.

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“Here at Spark Teens, our mission is simple: to provide tailored guidance and support to teens and their families. Drawing from a foundation of listening, collaboration, and a genuine passion for addressing the unique challenges teens encounter, we are dedicated to sparking positive change by helping teens reach their highest potential with confidence and resilience.”

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Daniela works with teens and their families to focus on an issue, create a plan, and IMPLEMENT it.
Here’s what I can promise about Daniela: she’s incredibly easy to talk to. She’s open, friendly, and vibrant. I know she came in for a branding session, but I felt like we were “out for coffee.” I can imagine being a teen and finding her comforting, safe, and relatable.

Spark Teens Website
Spark Teens Instagram

I’ve been doing the photography for Stein Law since 2017, but this was a totally different ballgame!

They’re doing a total brand overhaul. With the addition of a new teammate, they also are working with a marketing company that sent over a Photography Art Direction packet.

In it, it outlined the specific blue they needed in some of their images, along with a totally fun concept: each person should have a formal headshot- but when you hover over the headshot, it switches to a casual portrait that showcases their personality. I LOVE IT!!

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Is it obvious we had a lot of fun on set?

We ran with the idea, creating a couple sets of group shots that showed both.

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Stein Law has been assisting their clients in Corporate Services, Tax Planning and Controversy, and Estate Planning for two decades. Not only do they have the smarts, but the personality, too!

https://steinlawllc.com/

Are You Facing Financial Transition?

Whatever transition you’re facing (divorce, inheritance, retirement…), wait to make your next move until you learn how to successfully navigate your journey with the help of Fujiyama Wealth Management. They’ll ease you through things like planning retirement, getting an inheritance, selling your business, and loss of spouse.

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I first met Junko Horvath at a talent night at our Synagogue. She had no idea what I did, until I was a suggested connection on LinkedIn.

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Her daughter was in town briefly, and she wanted to snag the opportunity to update their marketing images, as she’s a member of the team from afar.

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Chris met me eagerly at the door, and we discussed potential backdrops. While their stunning office is a part of the “King/Queen” complex, I wanted to showcase them, rather than their jaw-dropping building.

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Chris is just as impressive as the company, he told me he was off to run the Chicago Marathon, raising money for charity.

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Junko is also author of the book, “Women in Financial Transition.”

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Reach out to Fujiyama Wealth Management at their website: https://www.fujiyamawealth.com/

Randy was in a nervous rush, trying to get a headshot in by Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta’s deadline. She had been accepted into the new cohort of “Agents of Change,” and didn’t know a portrait was part of the process. She Googled “Headshots Atlanta,” and found my website.

But there are no accidents. She was dreading the process, but said as she poked around my site, she began to feel reassured. This would not be painful! She was meant to come to my studio, where I would hold her hand through the process.

There is so much to admire about Randy. She, like so many of us, has been dealt some real challenges. But she sees and moves through them. She remains focused, centered, and loving. She sees opportunity and beauty. And in our session, I hope she saw her own beauty.

Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta found a true Agent of Change. Randy has so much to offer the world. Seeing it through her eyes, for even a moment, was changing for me.

Behind the scenes

Aliza DID NOT WANT to have her photo taken.
Many months ago, she made note that she needed to update her very, very old headshot - both for her health insurance business, and for her teaching. But she dreaded it, and put it off.

And put it off.

And put it off.

Guess what… I hear this from a majority of my headshot clients. They are there because they HAVE to be, not because they WANT to be. They’re uncomfortable in front of the camera, and they just want to get it over with.

And I get it. Like Aliza, it’s out of the norm for most people, and we already have very full plates. Aliza works multiple jobs in multiple industries and has 4 kids ranging high school to preschool. But as she left, she sighed, with relief, “This was actually easy and fun!”

During a session, I coach, we giggle, and then we look at your images. And you say, “Wait! That’s it! I love it!” or, “Can we try it again? I liked that angle, but want to switch my hair.” We shoot until we nail it.

And now Aliza has something for her Health Insurance business cards. And to send to the school she teaches at virtually in Seattle for their website. And to show her children her huge, warm smile.

It suddenly struck Steven that his headshot was 15…maybe 20? years old, when he was asked to speak at a prestigious conference in Boston. We hustled to get him into the studio.

His daughter, Leah, arranged the whole thing. She is the Special Projects and Events consultant at Congregation Beth Jacob, and through my wedding work at the venue, she knew I was a photographer. She warned me that her father is hilarious.

As he entered, I asked about what he does, and what our goal was. He told me he works with US Customs and Border Patrol. “Constantly controversial…” I mused. He showed me an example from a colleague.

The conversation spun from there. He was far more interested in discussing his family than his work, which has been in this neighborhood since 1903! I learned about his dramatically different twins, and we discovered the best way to get his twinkle in his eye, was for him to tell me jokes.

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But the biggest smile of all was mine, when he texted after receiving his image. Not just the self deprecating jokes, but the top prize: a compliment from his wife.

Eric is a busy guy. I’ll just give over the titles listed in his LinkedIn: CEO at Bigger Cup Consulting: Business Coaching for C-Level Executives & Founders | Reach for A Bigger Cup & Achieve your Goals | CEO at First Avenue Mfg – Made in USA Bedding | Co-CEO at iAssay, Medical Device Startup

Which says nothing about his active involvement with his family and community. We were definitely looking to have an efficient system and turn-around. Good thing that’s standard by me!

The interesting tool he brought to expedite the process? His fantastic wife! It was great to have her eyes as we made adjustments and his final selection.

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I was thrilled when Eric wrote me: “This version is perfect, super happy with how this turned out, the speed, and the ease of the whole process. Thank you! Feel free to use me as a reference.”