Kosoff #3

Third session with the Kosoff family, but our first out of the studio. And despite the heat and the spiders (kudos to my son for beating back the webs in our path), they were delightful. As always. If you have ever met this family, you know that they are fun, positive, and easy going. And boy, can they smile. They always smile. They make my job easy.

We shot on the “Shayna Image Grounds” (the space behind the studio/house that we had lansdcaped specifically for photography, to offer an array of backgrounds), and planned specifically for when the sun would be setting behind them. I used strobe lighting to illuminate them. One head swap and some glasses defogging later, I “painted” over the image in Photoshop.

Collaborative

Instantly likable.

It’s obvious why Meggie is outstanding at her job. As the American Jewish Committee’s U.S. Director of Jewish Communal Engagement and Partnerships, she serves as lead representative to national Jewish organizations. She is focused on collaboration and engagement across the diversity that is our country’s Jewry including young leadership. And among her credentials that certify her to perform this job with flying colors is her personality. She’s sensitive, aware, and kind. I can see her navigating challenging spaces with dexterity and warmth.

Originally from Boston, she, her husband, and their three kids just moved to Atlanta. Let’s welcome them to the community!

American Jewish Committee

Rachel Linkwald
The Talent Finding Talent

It had been a while since Amy and I had created her last headshot, and she was due for an update. But with her firm’s CEO, Shira, in town, she decided to turn it into an event. Show Shira around town, meet some amazing people, and then set aside a day to hit up my friend and makeup artist, Rina Pollack, down the street, and then come to me for a photoshoot.

It is true… I don’t time my photo sessions. My goal is for you to walk out the door with an image you love. So we played. An image for Amy, an image for Shira, and one of them combined.

These women are the masterminds behind Sapient Search: a tech-focused, human-centered boutique executive search firm. They partner with venture-backed startups, growth stage, mid-sized and Fortune 500 companies. Contact them for your talent and executive acquisition needs!

Birth With Babs

This was my second branding photoshoot with Barbara Weener, and thus we both knew exactly what to expect…
That it would be a blast.

Barbara is a birthing coach and doula. She’s wise. She’s funny. She will ADVOCATE for you.

Your birth partner. Birth With Babs, Certified Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator. Visit her website here!

Rachel Linkwald
The Spontaneous Therapist

“What do you think about us doing a headshot session today?”

“Give me an hour or two to prep the studio.”

Some days work out that way!

14 shots. That’s all it took for us to find the perfect shot for Malka. But the first one was pretty great, too. Because she sits, she relaxes, she flashes a dazzling smile, and we nail it.

Malka is a therapist specializing in estrangement and family conflict. She’s licensed in both New York and Georgia, and while she has been working primarily in New York these last couple of years, she has availability to take on a couple of in person local clients.

Behind the scenes of the shot:

Rachel Linkwald
Spread Your Wings

When people ask if I have a lot of repeat clients, I think first of the Steins. Not only have I created several home galleries with them for multiple occasions, but I have the pleasure of doing the commercial photography and headshots for their law firm. But this is the first time I’m sharing their images!!

When their elder daughter graduated college, we created a compilation of images of her with various combinations of family on her university campus. We created a somewhat lopsided gallery with the long-term goal of completing it with a matching, mirrored gallery, once their younger daughter matriculated.

The installation was wild. Finally seeing the culmination of our vision: this achievement for each of them, spreading their wings like a butterfly:

Rachel Linkwald
The Next Legal Powerhouse

David Schoen has long been the solo attorney at his well-known legal defense practice… until now. His son, Simon, is following in his footsteps, and joining his firm.

He was referred my way, and it was a pleasure having both of them in the studio. Really, really nice gentlemen.

They wanted three images, to appeal to different situations. After editing all three, I thought that a blue background would be flattering and more cohesive on their website. So their gallery has both versions of all three images.

It’s a tough job they take on, and one that is critical to a balanced justice system. I’m excited to see what this power pair takes on next.

Thank you to those that referred me!

Schoen Law

Rachel Linkwald
TLC Engineering

I realized I haven’t actually blogged about TLC Engineering. Which is crazy. I’ve had an ongoing partnership with them for three years now, since 2023. Any time they have staff needing a new shot, frequently because they’ve onboarded new talent, though not always, they send them my way. They always serve a variety of roles with the firm, from leadership, to engineers, to communications, and are always incredibly friendly.

The firm specifically wanted outdoors, and so they’ve braved sessions in all seasons. We always shoot at 9:30 in the morning, when I know I’m shielded from full sun regardless of the time of year, in an attempt to achieve some measure of consistency despite the unreliable weather and changing sunrise.
It’s such a pleasure to work with them in an ongoing basis! Check them out at TLC Engineering Solutions.

Rachel Linkwald
LivTech Sales Force

I spent two days at the Emory Conference Center with LivTech during their sales force convention. They flowed in and out of the lecture and brainstorming sessions, and in and out of my headshot chair.

Meeting the representatives of this corporations gave me such a lovely taste of their company culture. As a whole, they were delightful: friendly, clever, a sense of humor. A joy to work with.

Behind the scenes:

Thank you to Rachel for the introduction!!!

The CFO I've Known For Decades

Fay Ann and I go back longer than I want to say. (Fine. 27 years. Go Dawgs.) I’m thrilled that when she was transitioning work and looking for new headshots, our mutual, Stacey, sent her my way.

Fay Ann started by sending a couple AI headshots she had paid for. She liked the vibe: bright, white, vibrant. But her family gave her the big thumbs down to the AI. It just wasn’t her. Because it wasn’t.

So I set to work recreating the vibe, but adding the actual person to the image. For this, I put my lighting OUTSIDE, with a big diffuser, flashing through the curtains, and a reflector bouncing on the other side.

Fay Ann is so excited for her new endeavor. In her words: “I am delighted to announce that I have joined Fluidra North America as CFO.

Fluidra is a global leader in the pool and wellness industry, known for its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and quality. I am incredibly excited to partner with such a talented team to drive strategic growth and operational excellence in 2026 and beyond.”

I’m so excited for Fay Ann and for her new adventure.

Comfortable Eyes, Big Smile

Erica took a big leap. She’s loved working as an optometrist at a local office, and continues to do so, but felt she could fill a niche. So she opened her own practice, Intown Dry Eye Care, in downtown Decatur.

She’s got a LOT going on in her gorgeous self-designed space. She tackles dry eye and ocular aesthetic treatments designed to rejuvenate your eyes and enhance overall eye health. She offers a comprehensive approach to your eye health, considering nutritional, systemic, environmental, and other influencing factors. She also offers aesthetic work, including facial treatments with the Lumenis OptiLight IPL.

Working with Erica has been a blast. We hit it off immediately when she came into the studio for headshots, and then when her space was ready, I went to her to capture the action. Very impressive stuff. And super fun friends.

Here, There, Hire Mira

I’ve known Mira a loooong time. She’s smart. She’s warm. She’s a straight shooter.
And have had the pleasure of photographing her through all the big things.

Like HER WEDDING
And HER FAMILY

But now she’s making another transition. She’s looking for work as she and her family become Olim.

She has over eight years of experience in CRM data management and analysis across diverse industries. She’s looking for a match, either remotely, or in the Eretz. Learn all about her and hook her up here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirafreedman

The Tie Free Doc

I hadn’t met Josh before. He’s been here, there, and everywhere in-between for medical school and rotations. But as he prepares for residency, applications loom. He needed a headshot, and I got him into the studio ASAP.

He said he wanted two looks: one with the tie, appropriate for applications, and one without: true to his own nature and preferences. He is pursuing work as a Psychiatrist, yes, because he can call his own dress code, but moreso out of his passion for helping others.

Josh is definitely a change-maker. His relaxed and humorous nature would put anyone at ease. It’s clear why he’s a match for his industry, and his future clients are in good hands. Wishing you an incredible journey, Josh!

Through the rocky waters...

….Miriam will guide you. Whether it’s substance abuse, an eating disorder, anxiety, or life’s challenges, Miriam Herber CADC II can coach you through it. Her soothing nature, advanced training, and desire to communicate with thought and care will guide you towards peace, emotional regulation, and recovery maintenance.

Her company, A Softer Way , is ready to support you.

How it Started/How it's Going

It’s a huge honor to be able to turn a couple’s wedding day into artwork…

But wow, when they come back as a family…

There’s nothing like journeying through life with a family. Documenting their growth. Creating a vision together that tells their story, one they will show their children daily. I’m so grateful to be a part of their lives, and to witness it both in person and through the lens.

Credibility

Headshot and branding clients come through my studio door for a variety of reason, most commonly they are transitioning with their work. But not Kristina. Currently, she is a Medical Science Liaison specializing in solid tumor oncology (specifically breast cancer) at Novartis Pharmaceuticals in the Medical Affairs department. She has been in this role for 2 years, having spent the previous 12 years as a Clinical Oncology Pharmacist, most recently at Emory's Winship Cancer Institute.

So why the headshot now? She’s been invited to be a panelist at a national medical conference, and they require a headshot for the program's marketing materials.

My greatest appreciation to one of my best friends, Evi, for making the connection. Rooting for Kristina, that she crush the conference!

Ephraim Herber

Having Ephraim in the studio was fantastic: normally, I coach the client to laugh for me. I didn’t have to. He laughed, on his own, straight through it. This guy knows joy.

He’s been a licensed nursing home administrator for 7 years, and is moving into a role for CHE Behavioral Health Services. CHE is a multispecialty clinical group dedicated to increasing access to mental health services and reducing stigma around mental health conditions.
As Regional Manager of Operations, he is responsible for managing relationships within facilities and clients, as well as tracking the productivity and effectiveness of the providers.

Hanging with Ephraim just may improve your mental health, as well.

CHE Behavioral Health Services

Third Time a Charm

I’m thrilled to be a part of this family’s ongoing endeavor to celebrate their growth through family artwork.

When their first son turned three, they were living in another state, and celebrated the occasion with a photoshoot to cement the memory. They framed and hanged the images.

By the time their second son turned three, they were living in Atlanta, and I was thrilled to expand their gallery. It was a bright, summery session - a stark contrast to their previous session up North in the Winter. You can see it here.

Now, their precious daughter was turning three, and they wanted to round it out with a gallery that was “giving fall vibes,” to really give the sense of the changing of the seasons, the passing of the years.

We originally planned to meet at a park, but circumstances shifted, and we chose their backyard instead. Zero regrets.

The fall snuggles are captured forever. They will be admired daily.

The moment that takes your breath away: seeing it on your wall for the first time.

Amy Uplifts Those With Parkinson's

Amy is doing such fantastic things in this world.

She runs the Parkinson’s Wellness Fund. They are a non-profit who supplies grants to individuals living with Parkinson’s to help them afford products and services that assist in their daily living. While most of the money in the community goes towards research, they focus on immediate help for individuals and their functionality. They are 14+ years into their nation-wide work, having provided grants to all 50 states and even internationally.

On a personal note, Amy recently moved to the Atlanta area last from Los Angeles, and I was immediately taken by her warmth, charm, and conversational ease. Not only did I want her to become my friend, but I wanted to connect her immediately with other friends (ahem, Jules)!
Welcome to town, Amy, and the Parkinson’s community thanks you.

https://parkinsonswellnessfund.org/