Portraits of Leadership: Photographing Seacoast Women in Business
As a corporate portrait photographer based in Portsmouth, NH, I often get to work with people who are building something meaningful—whether it’s a brand, a team, or a legacy. This spring, I had the privilege of photographing six standout women for a feature in City Lifestyle Portsmouth. The theme: leadership through listening.
Shot at The Hotel Portsmouth, this editorial portrait session combined thoughtful storytelling with a fast-paced, high-impact production. The resulting images capture the energy, compassion, and confidence of women who are shaping the Seacoast business community.
Maya Srinivasan, Owner and President of Great Northern Builders
Choosing the Right Setting for Corporate Editorial Work
When the magazine approached me about the shoot, they had already coordinated with The Hotel Portsmouth. We knew we didn’t want anything too sterile or traditionally corporate—the goal was something with visual interest, texture, and warmth.
This boutique hotel struck the perfect tone. Every room offered character and charm: high ceilings, eclectic furnishings, natural light, and a sense of Portsmouth’s historic elegance. It gave us a layered backdrop that felt personal and professional at once—ideal for corporate lifestyle portraits with a story-driven feel.
Becky Florence, President, D. Pratt Framer
Creative Direction: Consistency with Personality
While I led the creative direction, I was fortunate to have Anne from the magazine on set offering input and collaboration. We agreed that the series should feel cohesive without being redundant. Each woman’s portrait needed to reflect her personality and role while maintaining a consistent editorial style.
That balance—between individuality and unity—is at the heart of my approach as a commercial photographer. Whether I’m shooting architecture, branded spaces, or portraits, I look for subtle variations that tell the client’s story while keeping the final presentation clean, polished, and consistent.
The Challenge: Time, Space, and Speed
We budgeted 30 minutes for each session. But with scouting, setup, and adjustments for each room, actual shooting time was closer to 10 minutes per subject. That’s tight—but also energizing. In a way, the time limit helped us keep things fresh and efficient. No one felt over-posed or burned out.
The biggest challenge? Space. The Hotel Portsmouth is a converted Victorian home, so the rooms are intentionally cozy. Positioning lights and camera gear in those compact sitting rooms required some creative problem-solving—but thankfully, the high ceilings helped a lot. Bouncing light and framing angles became part of the art of the shoot.
Kim Fortuna, Vice President, Marc Michaud Accounting Services
The Women: Strength, Grace, and Insight
Each subject brought something unique to the session and to the article. Their insights on mentorship, leadership, and life added depth to the portraits we created.
• Sheri Gibson of Rein & Company spoke about building trust in her design work through active listening and collaboration.
• Kim Fortuna, VP at Marc Michaud Accounting Services, credited her father’s honest feedback for helping her grow as a leader and a listener.
• Maya Srinivasan of Great Northern Builders reflected on her father’s empathy and how it helps her nurture talent within her construction business.
• Pat Bennett of Longevity Planning highlighted the role of peer mentorship and long-term professional networks in her decades-long success.
• Becky Florence of D. Pratt Framer shared her bold journey from coast to coast and how trade skills empower women in business.
• Karen Duprey of Restore Hyper Wellness balanced external feedback with intuition, encouraging others to trust their own instincts.
Their stories speak for themselves, and it was an honor to create portraits that visually supported their voices. For me, that’s the essence of editorial photography: letting the subject lead while elevating their story through lighting, setting, and expression.
Pat Bennett, CLTC®, Founder and President, Longevity Planning
Style and Process: How I Approach Corporate Portraiture
My goal for every corporate or editorial portrait session is to strike the balance between professionalism and humanity. That means:
• Clean composition with natural body language
• Professional lighting that doesn’t feel staged
• Direction that puts people at ease quickly
In this case, I traveled light but came prepared. With limited time and tight spaces, I relied on gear that could adapt quickly and setups that could change on the fly. The focus was on capturing each subject in a space that felt natural, grounded, and aligned with their professional identity.
Sheri Gibson, Owner and Principal Designer, Rein & Company Design
Why Corporate Portraits Matter
In the age of digital first impressions, portraits are more than headshots—they’re visual statements of presence, confidence, and brand alignment. Whether for magazine features, websites, speaking engagements, or social media, having a set of strong, cohesive portraits gives professionals the tools to show up with impact.
That’s why I specialize in working with businesses, builders, and brands across New England—creating photography that elevates messaging and inspires trust. If you’re looking to update your team’s headshots, refresh your executive portraits, or build out content for a press feature or website launch, I’d love to help.
Wrapping Up: The Power of Visual Storytelling
This shoot reminded me of something simple but essential: great portraits are not just about lighting or equipment. They’re about connection, clarity, and purpose.
When you’re working with leaders who know who they are and what they stand for, your job as a photographer is to step into their world, listen with intention, and reflect that presence back through the lens.
This is the kind of work I love. And this is exactly the kind of project that defines why I’m proud to be a corporate portrait photographer in Portsmouth, NH.
⸻
Want to see more or book a session?
Let’s talk.