Capturing Visionary Thinker Ari Wallach
At Executive Photos NYC, I’ve had the privilege of photographing leaders across industries — individuals whose ideas and work shape how we see the world. Recently, I had the opportunity to create headshots for Ari Wallach, futurist, strategist, and author of Longpath: Becoming the Great Ancestors Our Future Needs.
“it was about capturing presence, thoughtfulness, and the forward-looking mindset that defines his work.”
From the moment Ari stepped into the studio, it was clear that this session was about more than just photographs — it was about capturing presence, thoughtfulness, and the forward-looking mindset that defines his work.
When I work with visionaries like Ari, I focus on creating portraits that go beyond the surface. For him, it was important to strike the balance between approachable and authoritative. Images that would resonate in media features, speaking engagements, and thought-leadership platforms.
To achieve this, I designed the lighting to highlight his natural expression while keeping the background clean and uncluttered. This way, the viewer’s attention is always on him. His gaze, his confidence, his ideas conveyed through the subtle power of his posture and presence.
The result
Was a collection of portraits that reflect Ari’s role as both a thought leader and a relatable human being. For me, the most rewarding part of this session was watching the transformation unfold that moment when a subject sees themselves on the screen and recognizes not just how they look, but how they want to be seen.
Working with Ari was a reminder of why I do what I do: helping people present themselves in the strongest, most authentic way possible. Because in today’s world, an image is often the first handshake, the first impression that opens doors.