Last December, I had the incredible opportunity to photograph strategy and product leader, Christine Hsieh, PhD.
Christine started her career in research and science. “I got my PhD because, at the time, that’s what you were supposed to do in health sciences and technology. I wanted to make a difference in people’s quality of life. But then I realized that science wasn’t the right way for me to make that impact.”
“So I pivoted into entrepreneurship after grad school. I became a health tech founder and CEO, building products, generating revenue and growing as much as I could. I learned a lot about building companies and entrepreneurship.”
“I also learned how narrow the world becomes when you’re trying to bring something new into the world. Your life focus zeroes in on the task at hand. For me, that was bringing better health resources and care to people. Now that I’m coming back up for air, there are a lot of sides of myself that got left behind that I want to prioritize bringing back to the forefront.”
“There was this moment when I was rediscovering myself and I became really excited to see where life takes me. What’s the next adventure? It felt like the right time to refresh all the core parts of myself – including my headshots! Why not?”
“I really wanted to get shots that felt like they were showing all the important sides of me. As Alissa talked to me about what I was feeling and why, she asked whether I was thinking about things I love in my life. Turns out, I wasn’t. With her coaching, I was able to reflect on the pieces of my life that matter most and be able to show all those sides of myself on camera.”
Thanks, Christine, for sharing your story with me.
About Alissa
Alissa Randall is a portrait photographer based in New Jersey and New York City, known for creating images that feel both elevated and deeply personal. While professional headshots remain a cornerstone of her work, her photography has grown to include personal branding, women’s empowerment, family connection sessions, and expressive portraits of dogs and the people who love them.
Her approach blends editorial artistry with empathy and guidance, helping people feel comfortable enough to be fully seen in front of the camera. Whether photographing an executive, an entrepreneur, a family, or a beloved dog, Alissa creates photographs that reflect more than appearance. They reflect presence, personality, connection, and story.
Alissa photographs in NJ, NYC, and on location beyond the tri-state area. Explore more of her work on the homepage and discover stories behind the images on the blog.