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Personal Brand Photography with BIZ STONE

Portrait of Biz Stone. Personal Branding Photography by Bill Miles

Photographed in New York City

When Biz Stone conceived Twitter, the social media giant that he co-founded, his goal was to bring humanity together — to breakdown boundaries and facilitate real time communication.

Our shoot in a Manhattan studio included multiple wardrobe changes (vegan, of course) and a video of Biz telling the story of his inspiration behind Twitter. Between takes, he would share his vision of the world ahead, as though he has a crystal ball. And in many ways he does, as this young man who also brought blogging, podcasts and Medium into the world is actually creating the future through his work.

“I think the next big thing for humans interpolating is super basic — it’s communicating.”
– Biz Stone

Personal Brand Photography with KELLY BROGAN, MD

Portrait of Kelly Brogan, MD. Personal Branding Photography by Bill Miles

Photographed in New Canaan, CT

I never cured anyone with a prescription. That realization was the genesis for Kelly Brogan, MD to begin her revolutionary journey with women’s psychiatry based on holistic health, diet and lifestyle — not prescription medication. Expectedly, she’s garnered strong push-back from Big Pharma — but has also acquired legions of devout patients and fans.

Shooting Kelly in her home, I tried to keep up with her sheer academic brilliance as she rattled off the latest research and problems with medical education. But she doesn’t dwell in complaining; she prefers to create solutions. I preferred to just let her go, following her lead, directing her when needed and shooting through the dialogue.

“Cultivate your intuition and combine it with this newly discovered knowledge and you will no longer be dependent on any medication, any doctor, or even any system. You’ll be in your power. This is the new medicine.”
— KELLY BROGAN, MD

Personal Brand Photography with RON BAKER

Portrait of Ron Baker. Personal Branding Photography by Bill Miles

Photographed in Cape May, NJ

From Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall to Broadway and the Bolshoi Ballet, Ron Baker has led stages across the globe as an opera singer and actor. Now, having founded the School of Self Mastery in Manhattan, he’s serving his audience in a far different way as a spiritual teacher and emotional healer.

Turn a camera on him and this grown man’s inner child quickly bounces forth as he jokes, cajoles and enthusiastically darts around. I push him a little into spaces which others may find a bit uncomfortable — but for Ron, that’s his happy place. Shooting in and around his summer home created an environment of comfort and freedom. And while we worked through a dozen scenarios to create his image library, the day ended with a sense of ease rather than fatigue — a sure sign of a great shoot.

“True fulfillment requires that you learn how to value yourself as an individual.”
— Ron Baker

Personal Brand Photography with MAYE MUSK

Photographed in New York City

Once every so often you meet a person who completely captivates you with their spirit, their energy, their joie de vivre. Maye Musk is such a woman — I loved her immediately.

Maye has had a luminous career as a top fashion model and actress, gracing the covers of Elle, Time and New York magazines, and commercials for Revlon, Cover Girl and even a music video with Beyonce. And her career keeps rolling along, embracing beauty at any age.

For this personal shoot, Maye kept her easy, beautiful energy going, up for any idea from Italian scooters to martinis and tousled hair. Modern, fresh and spontaneous — personified.

“I just think a big smile and feeling confident makes you beautiful.”
—Maye musk

Personal Brand Photography with MARK HYMAN, MD

Photographed in New York City

Dr. Mark Hyman is a 10x #1 New York Times best-selling author and an internationally recognized leader, speaker, educator and advocate in his field of functional medicine. He is especially passionate about food systems and policies, and their connection to the environment, economy, social justice, personal health.

I was tasked with creating an interview video and a library of images, and we worked every corner of Dr. Hyman’s pied à terre (his primary home and practice is in the Berkshires, although he serves patients worldwide). I particularly enjoyed his relaxed attitude, forgoing the usual suit and white exam coat in favor of more comfortable urban wear. The sun presented certain challenges as it dodged in and out of clouds, but the biggest challenge was keeping two very curious cats out of the set (as you can see, sometimes we didn’t).

“Your fork is the most powerful tool to transform your health and change the world.”
—Mark Hyman, m.d.

Personal Brand Photography with ELIZABETH SMART

Photographed in New York City

Elizabeth Smart is known widely for her abduction at age 14 and subsequent rescue after 9 months of abuse by her captor, which catapulted her into the national spotlight. Perhaps less known is how she has miraculously channeled her experience with grace and courage to now help other young women avoid falling prey to sex predators, cyber-bullying and human trafficking.

I caught up with Elizabeth during a tour in NYC and we decided upon a simple, spare studio with expansive natural light for the shoot, which would provide images for her forthcoming book and other promotional needs. This was kind of a ‘coming out’ party for this still-recovering and understandably camera-shy young woman. I wanted to show her the utmost respect and not overwhelm her with too many variations and lighting setups, but rather give her space to ease into the shoot, to find comfort and to simply be. And she responded by bringing forth her beautiful inner heroine.

“The human spirit is resilient. God made us so. He gave us the ability to forgive. To leave our past behind. To look forward instead of back.”
—elizabeth smart