A Portrait with Altitude: Photographing Leadership at JFK Airport

As a professional portrait photographer in New York City, I’m always seeking locations that blend visual impact with authentic storytelling. Recently, I had the unique opportunity to photograph Margarita, the Head of Parking Services for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The images will be used for a transportation magazine. The rooftop of the Terminal 5 parking garage at JFK Airport — a location few would consider or think of considering.

Why Terminal 5’s Parking Garage?

At first glance, a parking structure might seem an unlikely spot for an executive portrait session. But JFK’s Terminal 5 rooftop offers more than just concrete and cars. With sweeping views of runways, planes in motion, and the iconic JetBlue terminal architecture in the background, the location gave us a striking blend of industrial edge and aviation energy — the perfect visual metaphor for leadership in motion.

Final Thoughts

As a NYC-based portrait photographer, I’m grateful for opportunities that get me out of the studio, away from the norm, and celebrate the extraordinary. It’s way I love my job, and it’s why I consider this job the best job in the world! This shoot atop JFK Terminal 5 was one of those moments — blending aviation, architecture, and leadership presence into a portrait session that was truly above the ordinary.

If you’re looking for executive portraits in NYC that tell your story with authenticity and vision, let’s talk. I specialize in environmental portraits that go beyond the surface to capture who you are and what you lead.

Jonathan Heisler is a Professional New York City Photographer specializing in Headshots / Portraits.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HIRING THIS NYC PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Portrait Session For a University Alumni Magazine

As a NYC headshot photographer, I have clients of all different types, with all different goals. Sometimes our headshot photos are used for LinkedIn profile photographs, other times for company website sites and branding, and other times to accompany the written word in print/digital magazines. Today’s session highlighted two Binghamton University Alumn and their fantasy sports publication RotoBaller.

Whether you call it a headshot session or a portrait session, we transform your values in to compelling visuals called a photograph.

Jonathan Heisler is a Professional New York City Photographer specializing in Headshots / Portraits.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HIRING THIS NYC PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Award Dinner Headshot - Young Voices

Whether I’m capturing headshots for professionals, students, or actors my number one goal is to capture images that portray you as you. Your headshot should put you in the best light possible and leave you feeling confident. If you feel good in your headshot photo, you will 100% look good too! NYC offers some amazing places for photographing headshots. While the traditional solid background has it’s moment, the environmental background provides individuality through personalization.

Once I finished capturing headshots of each honoree with different looks / poses, I gathered the group for a group photo. We did a few poses in the center of the street, then on the side walk, and then indoors. Providing clients with “options” is the name of the game in my professional opinion and it pays dividends.

Award Dinner Honoree Headshot Session

The following quick headshot session is for a long time non-profit client based in Manhattan. The subject photographed will be honored at their annual award dinner in September. The images I captured will not only be used in print and digital materials throughout the venue this September, but in marketing and advertising material leading up to the event and post event.

Portraits at the NYC Transit Museum

If you’re trying to a make a movie, a television show, or a commercial in New York City with an MTA bus or Subway car, you’ll have to reach out to Ruthie. Ruthie is a SUNY Binghamton University alumni now in charge of MTA casting. Last Friday, I met Ruthie at the NYC Transit Museum in Brooklyn to capture headshots which will be used in an upcoming alumni magazine feature. In Ruthie’s photos I wanted to show off key elements of the NYC subway system (stations, trains, signage) alongside Ruthie’s confident personality.