“Find a style that is truly your own. Stop feeling like you need to conform to the leadership styles of others.”
I asked nonprofit executive Shauwea Hamilton to share a piece of advice she’d give her younger self during our photoshoot.
“I got stuck modeling the behaviors I saw in other leaders. None of them were authentic to me and ended up limiting my growth. As soon as I found the space to connect with how I want to show up as a leader, I was able to advance to the positions I always knew I could achieve.”
“For me, it was less of a specific ‘aha’ moment, and more of an ongoing discovery. I found and connected with a coach who helped me understand who I was as a leader and who I wanted to be. We spent over a year unpacking the layers that built up over the two decades of my career to hone in on that answer. Then, I experienced a challenge when I took a role where I was not a good fit organizationally and I struggled to find my footing. Those two experiences were the perfect storm that ultimately led me to the clarity I now hold.”
“It was through this coaching journey that I got excited to become a coach myself. I’m in the process of setting up my presence as a coach and I wanted to have pictures that represent who I am now. I was so excited to go through this process with Alissa. I felt seen in the studio with Alissa and that translates to the most phenomenal pictures I’ve seen of me.”
Thanks, Shauwea, for sharing your wisdom.
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.