Beyond the corporate blazer: creating authentic professional portraits with brand consultant Alison Feldmann

Brand & Marketing Executive - Alison Feldmann

When Alison first reached out to me, she was facing a challenge many of my clients know well - she'd been using the same profile photo for years. As a global marketing executive, consultant, and creative leader, she needed fresh professional images that would speak to the international agencies and brands she works with, while authentically representing her creative spirit.

"The opposite of a 'corporate blazer against a white wall' photo," as she perfectly put it.

The challenge: balancing professional and personal

Alison's brief was clear but nuanced. She needed photographs that would:

• Resonate with the global agencies and brands in her professional sphere

• Showcase her creative leadership style as someone who guides teams of writers and creatives

• Feel authentically her - creative, not corporate
  

Like many senior professionals, Alison also needed practical support with the most daunting aspect of portrait photography: feeling natural and confident in front of the camera. It's something I hear time and again - the technical skill of the photographer matters, but so does their ability to create a comfortable, supportive environment.

The process: understanding before shooting

Before we even picked up a camera, I worked with Alison to understand exactly what she needed. Through a series of thoughtful questions, we explored:

• Which aspects of her personality she wanted to highlight

• The specific types and formats of images she required

• The ideal location for her shoot

• What kind of support and guidance she'd need on the day

  
  

This preparation phase is crucial. Great portraits aren't just about beautiful lighting or perfect composition - they're about capturing someone's authentic professional self in a way that serves their goals.

The experience: making authentic professional portraits feel natural

Here's what Alison said about working together:

"Sarah is an amazing photographer. Not only are the results amazing, but she made me feel so comfortable and confident in front of the camera (which is not something I've ever said before). She worked with me to design a shoot that felt like me - creative, not corporate - and I really appreciate that. Highly recommend!"

After receiving her images, she reflected on the experience:

"You made me feel very comfortable and that doing the shoot was no big deal; you seem very down to earth and non-judgmental and made me feel comfortable in front of the camera.

You're also very flexible and solution-oriented in terms of using the space and finding places to shoot. I was doing poses in a room full of people and felt like it was no big deal. We had an hour and it went so fast (in a good way!)."

My philosophy: enjoyment creates authenticity

Being photographed is a big deal.

Over the years, it's become crystal clear to me that to get great photos, you need to enjoy making them. When someone feels relaxed, supported, and genuinely comfortable, their authentic personality shines through naturally.

This happens through creating an organised, supportive, and friendly atmosphere from the very first consultation through to the final delivery of images. It's about understanding that professional photography isn't just about the technical craft - it's about human connection and creating space for people to be their best selves.

Alison's LinkedIn post about her photoshoot

Why this matters

In our digital-first professional world, your photographs often introduce you before you ever meet someone in person. They appear on websites, LinkedIn profiles, speaker bios, and marketing materials.

These images need to do more than just look polished—they need to communicate who you are, what you stand for, and why people should want to work with you.

For creative professionals like Alison, this balance between professionalism and authenticity is particularly crucial. Your images need to demonstrate competence and reliability while also hinting at the creative thinking and innovative approach you bring to your work.

Curious about creating a bank of professional images to support your work? Get in touch here, or you can book a free informal consultation via this link.

Not ready to get in touch yet? Why not connect with me on LinkedIn or join my email list?

I'm Sarah, a down-to-earth photographer working in Brighton, London and the Netherlands. I specialise in creating authentic, personality-driven portraits for freelancers, small businesses and teams who want their professional images to truly represent who they are.

More images from Alison's photoshoot below...