Business Spotlight: Dan Ciccone (Chief Strategy Officer)
BEHIND THE LENS WITH: Dan Ciccone
Chief Strategy Officer
Dan had never had professional headshots done before, and that came up early in our Zoom consultation. He told me that image simply didn’t matter in the same way back when he started his career. “The industry was much smaller,” he said. “We all knew each other. We ran into each other personally.” Social media wasn’t part of the equation yet, and relationships were built in rooms, not online.
With more than 40 years in the media business, Dan has watched the industry evolve. His career began at CBS before moving into a creative agency environment. That agency went on to create some of the most iconic campaigns of the era, including Apple’s 1984 commercial, the Mac campaign, and Nike’s I Love LA. Being immersed in that world shaped how he thinks about creativity, presence, what we have been calling personal branding, long before “personal branding” was even a phrase.
Now, decades later, Dan wanted something that “cements my experience and stature in the industry,” while also showing that he’s contemporary and very much engaged with where things are headed. He described himself as a bit of an oxymoron, meticulous and serious about his work, but not someone who takes life too seriously. At 6’4”, Dan was also acutely aware that his physical presence might come across as intimidating. “There's part of me that likes that powerful type of image, and yet I would love to be viewed as a little bit more approachable because I really am.” That became the goal for the session; A powerful presence paired with approachability.
Behind The Lens: Crafting the Photoshoot
Behind the scenes video of Dan’s photoshoot
Dan was open to the process from the start, which made the session easy and fun. Our wardrobe stylist intentionally styled outfits that could speak to multiple demographics and reflect the range of his experience without feeling stuck in any one era.
One image from our session really stood out (you can see it above and to the left). Dan was dressed all in black, wearing casual beaded bracelets and a black leather vest, and we decided to shoot it a little darker and moodier than the rest of the session. The result had a quiet confidence to it, modern, cool, and effortless. It ended up being his favorite image from the entire shoot.
Overall, Dan told me he was thrilled with the experience, and that we acheived everything he had hoped for. I mean I can't ask for better than that!
Photographer: Samantha Dueck
Hair and Makeup: LaToya Santos Beauty
Wardrobe: Style by Risso
Studio Assistant: Olivia V.
Links:
Dan’s LinkedIn
Samantha Dueck is a Connecticut-based personal branding and headshot photographer with over 15 years of experience working with entrepreneurs, professionals, and creatives. Known for her consultation-driven approach, she focuses on understanding the person behind the brand before ever picking up the camera. Samantha is a two-time speaker at the Lens & Light Photography Summit, has appeared on numerous podcasts, and mentors photographers through education and community-building.