Playlists, Besties, Trust, Perseverance & Collaboration

5 Lessons from 2025’s cover stories of Syracuse Woman Magazine to help you with your brand photos!

Syracuse Woman Magazine is celebrating 15 years and I’ve been fortunate to be photographing the cover stories for about 11 of those.

Here are five key tips, I’ve learned from the vivacious and talented women featured in SWM’s cover stories of 2025, that also apply to getting the most out of your brand photo session.

Playlists are can be quiet and calming or be an extra hype girl to get you going. 

What energy do you want at your photo session?  My personal go to vibe is the crooner era of Tony Bennett, Johnny Hartman, Anita O’Day and Billie Holiday.  It quiets my creative mind, and keeps me grounded and feeling positive.  

Taylor Young Brown, who shares her survival story of a double cancer journey in the October 2025 Survivor issue, had her own playlist ready for her photo session. It was all about surviving, thriving, and loving life; and one of my favorite memories from these photo sessions!  Taylor’s first track was Staying Alive by The Bee Gees!  Dancing can help you move nervous energy through your body, release endorphins and help you tap into your best and authentic self!

Besties are the best. 

Sometimes you just need an actual hype girl.  Feeling super nervous about a photo session?  Be sure to call your best friend to give her a blow by blow of all the worst case scenarios running through your mind, so she can tell you that none of that’s going to happen and that you’re amazing and deserving of all the love and attention headed your way!  

Several women brought a friend or family member for moral support and/or to just share in the joy of the moment of their cover photo session.

Want to bring your support team with you to the photo session? Check in with your photographer to see if that will work.  You don’t want someone that’s going to be overbearing and trying to run the show, but if you’re super nervous and need an emotional support human or pet, they should be welcome.

Trust is one of the master keys to life.

Dr. Rebecca Alexander Carey from the May 2025 edition, was on course for pre-law journey before a vertigo diagnosis.  Listening to and trusting her body and what her lifestyle goals were,  helped her find her way to the health and wellness path.  She is the founder of Terra Physical Therapy Wellness PLLC, a physical therapist specializing in the pelvic floor.

We need to trust our instinct, our bodies as well the professionals we work with that the right audience is going to find and hear our messages. When you listen to yourself, you’ll know when it’s time to act or if you need to pivot.

When preparing for a photo session, follow your photographer’s guidelines and trust the process that together, you are creating something unique and valuable.

Perseverance is the proverbial middle name of everyone with some degree of success.  Sticking with a goal, training, practicing and ultimately delivering is a must.  Yes, there can be breaks and sidetracks, but if you really want something, you’ll push your way back to it. 

Every single woman featured has persevered through many obstacles, some just make it look easier.  

Getting to a brand photo session or headshot is scary and uncomfortable for the majority of people, so having it on your todo list is a great way to add it to your journey and get it done, bringing you one step closer to your goals of getting your message out.

Collaboration makes the world a better place.

Professional collaborations can elevate your brand photos for the best results.  

I’m a minimal makeup person, but when I was honored to be featured on the December 2025 cover along with Renée Moonan and Andrea Reeves as the women of Syracuse Woman Magazine, I immediately contacted Holly Piselli of A-List Makeup Artistry to get professional makeup application.  Holly is the best and not only did she help me look my best, she also helped calmed my nerves as I was also taking the photos as well as being in them.

Other collaborations can include wardrobe styling, spray tans, eye brow shaping by Jessica Ferguson of Brow Alignment, and many others that are listed in my PDF Planning Guide.

Of course, you want to work with a photographer that is interested in getting to know you and your needs.

If you’ve never read Syracuse Woman Magazine, I encourage you to start!  SWM is the only regional magazine that is dedicated to showcasing the incredibly talented women in Syracuse, NY.

Syracuse Woman Magazine is always free and available at most Wegmans locations as well as many other newsstands. It’s also great place to promote your business and services.

If you’re looking for new brand photos so that you’re ready for every promotional opportunity coming your way in 2026, let’s connect.  I’d love to help you!

All photos ©Alice G Patterson 2025