Business Spotlight: Success with Class (Business Coach)
BEHIND THE LENS WITH: Steve Calascione
Business coach, Published Author and Speaker
Steve’s podcast cover image was part of the imagery we created during his session.
Teamwork! Top L to R; LaToya from LaToya Santos Beauty, Studio Assistant Olivia. Bottom L to R; Wardrobe Stylist Maria from Style by Risso, Samantha
When you meet Steve Class the first thing you notice is his energy and love for his coaching business “Success with Class”. As the owner and lead coach, Steve specializes in guiding service-based small businesses from inception to scaling toward their first million dollars in revenue.
Most recently, he's developed the "Property Growth Blueprint," a specialized program for property managers aiming for consistent scalability and growth. And if that’s not keeping him busy enough, he’s also done a TEDx talk, and created the inspiring podcast Service Business Success with Class: $100K to $1M+ in which he interviews other like-minded businesses who share their success stories.
Our team had a great time working with Steve as we collaborated on a personal branding photoshoot creating images that encapsulated his brand. Steve’s story is truly inspiring and I’m proud of the images we created. These images showcase his sophisticated, leadership-driven persona that aligns seamlessly with his brand story.
Behind The Lens: Crafting the Photoshoot
When Steve and I completed our consultation I got right to work sourcing inspiration imagery. One of the phrases Steve used to articulate the ambiance he envisioned for his images was, "Think of a modern Speakeasy, classy gentlemen-like, dark leather sitting in a suit, having a glass of whisky” I mean come ON, that is a vibe! I ran with that idea and explored poses that exuded confidence, but was careful not to impart a look of arrogance since Steve is honestly one of the nicest guys you’d ever meet. Maria [Style by Risso], one of our wardrobe stylists worked closely with him to dial in the look and leaned into important details like the perfect materials, cuff links, pocket squares, belts, and watches ensuring the fit and style matched the vibe we were after. In the end, I feel we achieved exactly what he wanted and more.
Photographer: Samantha Dueck
Hair and Makeup: LaToya Santos Beauty
Wardrobe: Style by Risso
Studio Assistant: Olivia V.
Steve had such a great experience he sat down for a
video testimonial sharing his experience with our studio.
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.