In 2015, I was asked by Instagram to create an on-site portrait studio at the Global Women’s Initiative Summit in Dallas, Texas, in partnership with Glamour Magazine.
I was told that I would be photographing some of the most powerful women in the world—including high-profile activists, humanitarians, philanthropists and politicians, as well as a number of First Ladies from around the world—including Michelle Obama.
This was a dream job. This was also a high-stakes job. I would need to build a world-class portrait studio without seeing the space ahead of time. I would be working with powerful subjects with particular preferences and very short time schedules. We would need photos to be selected by the Glamour Magazine team and published in real time, so there were no opportunities for retouching, and no room for mistakes. I would need everything to be perfect in-camera.
We had the dimensions of the private room I would be working in, so I worked with my team to spec out a studio with an aesthetic that we thought would be appropriate for the event, from color to lighting to furniture, shipping everything to Dallas prior to the event. It was important for us to choose a lighting style that looked “perfect” in camera, and flattering on the subjects.
The day of the shoot, I photographed 30 high-profile subjects from around the world. Sadly, Michelle Obama had an emergency meeting (with the Pope, if I remember correctly) and had to attend via teleconference instead of in-person. That said, the roster I was still able to photograph was incredible.
After each subject went through hair/makeup, I’d have about five minutes with them in the studio. We had a digital station set up so that the Instagram team and Glamour editors could select photos as I photographed, often in conjunction with the subjects’ PR teams. Within a few minutes, we’d send the final select off to the magazine and I’d prepare for the next subject.
At some point in the process, I was informed that I’d also be photographing a former President. I imagine the last-minute notice is a safety protocol. In a way, I appreciate the last-minute notice. There wasn’t time to be nervous or do anything other than prepare.
I was told that I’d have somewhere between 30 seconds and two minutes with the former President. The secret service gave me what I imagine is a typical presidential-preparation talk: be fast, don’t make conversation, don’t do anything other than your job.
Well, I didn’t listen. I can’t help myself. Talking and making people comfortable is a part of my job as a portrait photographer. So, when the former President came in, I chose to take a risk and treat him like a friend or contemporary, in hopes of making things feel relaxed and casual. Within a minute or so, we were poking fun at each other like frat boys. I’m not sure the secret service is used to seeing someone break the rules, but I knew it would make the photos better.
And guess what? The Secret Service said that it was the most fun they had ever seen the former President have on a photoshoot. Not only did he participate long enough for me to get all of the shots I wanted (I was told I’d only get one), but he stuck around past schedule, continuing to make conversation and taking photos with the crew.
This has stuck with me not just through my photography career but also my career as an entrepreneur. People often comment on how confident and at ease I am around powerful subjects, investors, founders and celebrities. And it’s true—I am. And it has very little to do with my own confidence—it’s simply about understanding that high-profile subjects are human beings.
It’s important to remember that everyone is human. If they’re cold at first, it’s often because they are used to being treated as non-human. If you believe that you and your subject have nothing in common, then that’s what you’ll get. Always lead with kindness and openness, even if the secret service says otherwise.
You can see the full shoot here on Glamour.
