I really enjoyed meeting & photographing fascinating Author and Professor Dr. M Peregrine Balmat.

Perry is Professor of Academic Literacy and Linguistics at BMCC, CUNY, and  In his forthcoming book The Subtlety of the Street he examines how bureaucratic, neoliberal policies surface in and shape face-to-face, street-level organizational communication. 

Professor Balmat  teaches Forensic Linguistics, Language in the Helping Professions, Language & Power, Language & Culture, Language, Race, & Ethnicity, Gender & Women’s Studies, and other related courses. His newest research investigates a dying language variety among circus, carnival, and sideshow people in the United States and the sociocultural and economic shifts that contribute to its loss. 

Perry commissioned me for a full 'Personal Branding Photography Session' to create creative, fresh images for his new website and to help promote his latest book.

We shot everything at my studio near Kingston, NY — River Song Studio — and had a wonderful, fun time creating a portfolio of new images he can use to promote himself and represent both his professional and personal journey.

A few words about how I see Personal Branding Photography: The Why Before the How

We live in a world where people often meet us long before they ever shake our hand.

They discover us through a website, an Instagram profile, a LinkedIn page, an article we've written, or a simple Google search.

Within seconds, they've already begun forming an impression.

The question isn't whether you're building a personal brand.

You already are.

The real question is whether the images representing you truly reflect who you are.

Why Personal Branding Matters

After more than three decades behind the camera, photographing everyone from entrepreneurs and wellness practitioners to professors, creatives, physicians and national brands, I've learned something that surprises many people.

The most successful brands aren't the loudest.

They're the most authentic.

People don't connect with logos.

They connect with people.

They want to know who you are, what you believe, how you work, and why you care. They want to feel a sense of trust before they ever reach out.

Professional branding photography isn't about creating a polished version of yourself that feels out of reach.

It's about revealing the version of yourself your clients will actually experience when they work with you.

Your Brand Is More Than a Headshot

A professional headshot is important. But today, your business needs so much more.

Your audience wants to see you in action—working, creating, thinking, teaching, laughing, collaborating, and sharing the details that make your business uniquely yours.

These are the images that tell your story.

When someone visits your website or social media, they should feel as though they've already met you. That's where connection begins.

The Why Comes Before the How

One of the first questions I ask every branding client isn't about clothing or locations.

It's simply…

Who do you want people to become after working with you?

That answer shapes everything—from the mood and lighting to the wardrobe, locations, and expressions. Great branding photography isn't created by chance. It's created through clarity.

Preparing for Your Branding Session

Before we ever pick up a camera, I encourage clients to think about:

• What story do you want your business to tell?
• What makes your approach different?
• How do you want people to feel when they see your images?
• Where will these photographs be used?
• What environments best reflect your work and personality?

These answers become our roadmap.

Creating a Library, Not Just a Gallery

Think beyond a single headshot. A successful branding session should provide months of visual content: portraits, environmental imagery, behind-the-scenes moments, lifestyle photographs, website banners, editorial imagery, and social media content. One thoughtful session becomes an investment that supports your business every day.

My Approach

Photography has always been about connection for me.

Whether I'm photographing a professor, a Fortune 500 executive, a wellness practitioner, an artist, or someone launching their very first business, my goal is always the same—to create a relaxed environment where your personality naturally emerges.

The strongest branding photographs happen when you stop thinking about the camera. That's when confidence appears. That's when authenticity shines. That's when people see the real person behind the business.

Ready to Tell Your Story?

Your photographs are often your first conversation with a future client.

Let's make sure they're telling the story you want the world to hear.

Because the strongest brands aren't built on perfect images.

They're built on authentic connection.