“While I don’t think I’m a typical client, Alissa really saved me when it came to my headshots.”
I had the incredible privilege of photographing Gulsen Kama last December. Originally from Turkey, Gulsen came to the U.S. around 30 years ago to get her MBA.
“I always knew from an early age that I wanted to come to America. As an only child, my parents did everything in their power to keep me as close as possible until I became an adult. I got a scholarship to an MBA program. I remember getting on a flight to the U.S. with no financial assistance from my parents, not knowing where I would be sleeping that night.”
“Adjusting to the U.S. was a nightmare, but I wasn’t going to quit and have anyone say ‘I told you so.’ If I had to tell my younger self something, I would remind her to have more confidence and bring your full authentic self with you wherever you go.”
“I reached out to Alissa because I had started with a new company, and was promoted twice in a 5 month span. Now, I’m a global CFO. I wanted my LinkedIn photo to reflect how far I’ve come. I have an executive recruiter friend who recommended Alissa to me.”
“I called Alissa on a Monday and set up a shoot for Thursday. We hopped on a call and she told me about the process, and even helped me pick the clothes and jewelry. She amped me up and helped me find outfits that made me feel powerful. The hair and makeup was a blessing, too.
“It just felt like I was spending time with friends. It wasn’t like anything I’d done before. I remember her coaching me on the poses to make sure I felt and therefore looked great! My favorite shot of the day was the 1st one she took as a trial one. It speaks to her talent—she got it right from me the first shot.”
Thank you, Gulsen, for trusting me with your photos!
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.