Business Spotlight: Kimberly Winnick - Real Estate Agent
BEHIND THE LENS WITH: Kimberly Winnick
Realtor with William Pitt Sotheby’s
Kim told me right away that her last professional headshot, taken about ten years ago, didn’t feel like her. During our consultation, she shared that she’d been in transition for a long time, and now that she’s aligned with William Pitt Sotheby’s, it finally felt like time to commit to her own branding. “In order to do that,” she said, “I at least need a headshot that’s recent.”
Kim shared that she's drawn to working with people who value honesty and heart. “I either do it right and with my heart, or I don’t do it at all,” she said. She wants clients to feel genuinely cared for, and that personal investment came through clearly as we talked.
What really sets Kim apart is her background in construction. She owns 50% of a construction company, which gives her a deeper understanding of what’s actually possible when clients are weighing their options. Sometimes that means selling, sometimes remodeling, and sometimes staying put and improving what they already have. This session was about creating images that reflect that mindset, warm, sincere, and grounded in real-world knowledge, while supporting her goal of becoming a trusted local resource under the William Pitt Sotheby’s name.
Behind The Lens: Crafting the Photoshoot
Behind the scenes video of Kim’s photoshoot
Before the session, Kim was very open with me about feeling nervous. She shared a thoughtful note explaining that she rarely likes photos of herself and often feels awkward in front of a camera, even though confidence isn’t something she struggles with day to day. “I’m not confident about how I appear in photos,” she told me, adding that outfits she loves in real life don’t always translate the way she hopes on camera. That honesty shaped how we approached the session from the very beginning.
I took extra time to make sure the experience felt collaborative and comfortable. We talked through outfits, pacing, and poses, and I showed her images in real time on my laptop so it stayed a conversation rather than just snapping away and showing her images at the end. Being part of those decisions made a noticeable difference. By the end of the session, she genuinely loved the photos, and I love seeing them show up in her newsletter now, woven naturally into how she presents herself. Seeing images I've created out in the "wild" always makes me so happy!
Photographer: Samantha Dueck
Hair and Makeup: LaToya Santos Beauty
Wardrobe: Style By Risso
Studio Assistant: Olivia V.
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.