I was commissioned to photograph DJ Paoni, then President of SAP North America, for the SAP marketing team at 10 Hudson Yards in New York City. With approximately 30 minutes scheduled with DJ, the assignment called for several distinct executive portraits created within a relatively short window.


Before the shoot, we had about 90 minutes to scout SAP’s offices across several floors of the building, identify the strongest locations and prepare four different portrait setups. That advance work allowed us to move efficiently once DJ arrived while still giving the marketing team a varied collection of environmental portraits.

Professional businessman in suit sitting on bench in modern office with glass staircase and city view.

Planning Four Portrait Setups


With limited time with the subject, much of the work happened before DJ stepped in front of the camera. We scouted the offices for backgrounds, available light, architecture and views that could give each portrait a different character while still feeling connected to SAP and the Hudson Yards location.


From there, we planned the lighting and sequence of each setup so we could move quickly from one location to the next. The result was four distinct environmental portrait setups completed during a roughly 30-minute session.

Cars and buses queue at the Holland Tunnel entrance in NYC, with orange traffic cones and a large overhead sign on a sunny day.
Modern glass skyscrapers tower against a clear blue sky, showcasing sleek architectural design with reflective facades.
Man in blue shirt gazes at city skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows in a modern high-rise office.

Executive Portraits at Hudson Yards


The final photographs used several areas of SAP’s New York offices to create a range of executive portraits for the marketing team. Rather than relying on a single background or setup, each location provided a different perspective while maintaining a consistent visual approach across the assignment.

Professional businessman in suit with clasped hands, wearing a watch, black and white portrait photo.
Professional businessman in suit sitting on bench in modern office with glass staircase and city view.
Aerial view of a skyscraper under construction with a crane on top, glass facade reflecting city, waterfront visible below.
Professional man in gray suit smiling confidently in modern SAP office lobby with geometric lighting fixture.
Professional man in gray suit and purple tie sitting confidently on a blue bench against a wood panel wall.
Man with curly hair and glasses holds a vintage electronic organizer in front of his face at a dark desk.
Silhouette of person gazing at New York City skyline with One World Trade Center visible through large windows.

Executive & Corporate Photography


Executive portrait assignments often involve balancing limited schedules with the need to create photographs that feel considered rather than rushed. Scouting, lighting and planning multiple setups in advance can make a short amount of time with an executive considerably more productive.


I’m a Philadelphia-based commercial and corporate photographer specializing in executive portraits, professional headshots, workplace photography and editorial assignments. I work throughout the Philadelphia and New York markets and travel nationally for assignments.

 

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