“Try new things and try things even if they scare you or you’re worried you might fail. It’s better to try and fail than not to try at all.”
Freelance journalist Renee Wijnen Caruthers shared this advice during our February photoshoot.
“I think maybe there are things I should have tried when I was younger—I’ve always been happiest when I’ve tried for something, even if it seemed scary or overwhelming at first. As a freelance journalist, I’m able to try a lot of new things.”
“When the PR agency I recently partnered with as a project director asked for a headshot, I knew I wanted it to be professionally done. I found Alissa through a friend who had their headshots taken by her.”
“I’m a writer and usually work from home, so I’m used to being behind the scenes. I’m not normally the one in front of the camera, but I enjoyed Alissa’s process. Alissa made me feel comfortable and getting my makeup done was fun. I liked that I could take a look right after the shots were taken and could adjust. It was a process that made me feel involved in it, not just in the photoshoot but in how I wanted the photos to appear.”
Thank you, Renee, for sharing your advice with us.
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.