“Always believe in and push yourself to ask for what you feel you can do – the promotion, the additional responsibilities, anything. You’ll be surprised what you get in return.”
Last November, I had the incredible opportunity to photograph Josianne Légaré. Josianne shared an event that shaped her career – and a piece of advice she’d give her younger self.
“Early on in my career, I would ask to take on more work or for a promotion and get told I was ‘too young.’ Soon after, the company was restructuring and a lot of people were getting promotions so I doubled down and worked harder than ever.”
“One day, one of the EVPs asked my manager if I could move to another region and take another role. My manager said ‘no, she won’t move’ so the EVP asked me directly. I said yes immediately. I moved away from home for the first time to Toronto and became independent. I learned I could succeed if I pushed myself. After that, I moved several times and climbed the ladder.”
“Don’t let anyone question or decide your worth. Many times in my career people questioned how I got promoted so fast. Ignore any noise and push forward. Clearly someone saw something in you. You earned it.”
“My headshots were 5 years old and I’ve changed a lot since then, inside and out. I wanted my new headshots to match the last 5 years of growth after moving to Philadelphia. Alissa was very convenient – all in one, hair and makeup in one place with the headshots. The whole experience was stress free. Alissa prepared me and made sure I had the right outfits leading to the session. She took the time to explain everything and gave me great tips and confidence in posing. She captured who I was and guided me. She made it fun!”
Thank you, Josianne, for sharing your wisdom 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.