“Be bold. Be curious. Be your true self.”
These are the wise words Rebecca Wlazlo shared with me when I asked her what piece of advice she’d give her younger self.
“For years I was trying to find my voice and who I am as a leader. When I finally tapped into that authentic self, things really started to click and I started to feel like I was stepping into my leadership power. In my mind, it took way too long to get there. Why was it so hard?”
“It’s the little things that, over time, build into bigger steps. You can get through those little experiences and failures—they’re not the end of the world. The pivots are the experiences that eventually liberate you and allow you to be yourself.”
“What I love about these headshots is I feel like they really capture my authentic self. They’re just full of joy, full of life, and full of curiosity and adventure. That’s how I like to lead. I feel like Alissa somehow captures more than just your physical appearance. She captures who you are – your soul, your spirit. There is a depth to her headshots.”
On the day of Rebecca’s shoot, she was stretched to an extreme with increased travel in a new role and a family emergency. “I thought for sure they’d be horrible because I wasn’t feeling joy or life, even though that’s normally who I am.”
“But, oh my gosh, it was an amazing experience. I was so emotional at how the pictures turned out. Many people thought I was crazy to spend that much on headshots, but no one else can pull out the best like Alissa and her makeup artist, Lisa. She just puts you at ease. They are a dynamic duo. One makes you feel really good, and the other helps take the stress out of the experience.”
Thank you, Rebecca, for sharing your advice.
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.