Personal Branding Photoshoot with Divorce Coach Ksenia Muensch
Ksenia Muensch owned the frame in this bold pink suit—confident, magnetic, and perfectly aligned with the personal brand she’s building.
From Corporate to Coaching: Ksenia’s Brand Came to Life
I first met Ksenia Muensch when I was photographing a big team headshot session for an insurance company in Tustin. She was part of the team at the time, and even in that fast-paced, corporate setting, she stood out to me. There was just something incredibly easy and engaging about her energy. She had this vibe—super polished but not stiff, and she made everyone in the room feel like they belonged.
About a year later, I got a call from her. She had left the insurance world and started her own business as a divorce coach. And she wanted me to photograph her personal branding shoot. No hesitation. She knew I was the one for the job, and I was all in.
Bold, stylish, and unapologetically confident—this green dress look captured Ksenia’s fearless side in a way that pops off the screen.
A Personal Branding Session That Truly Reflected Her
We had our discovery call—something I do with all my clients before their session—and she told me how she wanted to come across: confident, approachable, and stylish. She said she loves fashion and beautiful clothes, so I told her to bring 4–5 looks with color, variety, and great fit. I also suggested splitting the shoot: we’d start at Alex Abercrombie Photography, my professional studio located in Costa Mesa, California, and then head down to the beach for some relaxed, SoCal lifestyle images.
She was totally on board.
Makeup was handled by the talented Kelsey Kinkaid, and the whole shoot felt effortless from the beginning. I created a clean, modern “CEO at the desk” setup using my MacBook and a crisp white chair, but we didn’t overdo that part. Instead, we focused on variety—outfits, backdrops, and moods. We played her favorite music, rocked out a little between setups, and I crafted a full range of beautiful photographs that captured exactly who she is: strong, smart, fashionable, capable, engaging, fun, and thoughtful.
Ksenia brought this strong, modern edge to her session—balancing authority and elegance without saying a word.
Clean, modern, and inviting—this portrait brings out Ksenia’s warmth and approachability, qualities at the heart of her coaching work.
Real-life CEO vibes. This behind-the-scenes shot captures Ksenia in action—focused, thoughtful, and fully in her element.
From Studio to Sand in 5 Minutes
Once we wrapped the studio portion, we hopped in our cars, cruised down Newport Boulevard (just minutes from my studio), and five minutes later, we were stepping out onto the sand at a secret little spot I know well on the Newport Beach Peninsula. The sky was cloudy, the wind had picked up, and it was definitely chilly—but Ksenia, covered in goosebumps, pulled it off like a total pro. Even though she’s not a model, you’d never know it from how beautifully she showed up on camera.
With the wind in her hair and bare feet in the sand, this shot captured her authentic, free-spirited energy—exactly what her clients love about working with her.
Even in the final moments of our shoot, Ksenia’s energy was magnetic. This soft, close-up moment ended up being one of her favorites—and mine too.
Ksenia brought warmth and confidence to every frame—even on this chilly beach day in Newport. Her cozy style still felt approachable and on-brand.
A Carefully Curated Collection That Keeps Working for Her
I was so proud of her that day, and even more proud of the images we created together. Ksenia ended up purchasing the package that gives her enough content to roll out throughout the year—images she can pull from for her website, social media, newsletter, speaking gigs, and anything else that comes her way. She told me she’s using the photos for everything—and that she absolutely loves how they turned out. She said she couldn’t be happier with the results and will be back again when it’s time to refresh her brand visuals.
Commanding and elegant—this black dress look shows Ksenia’s power and professionalism, with just the right amount of edge.
This shot lives on the homepage for a reason—it’s pure joy, confidence, and charisma. Ksenia’s energy is what makes her unforgettable.
For Anyone Reading This...
If you're reading this thinking, “ugh, my images are so outdated and I kind of hate how I look in them, but I should probably lose 10 pounds first”—you're not alone. Most business owners push this to the bottom of the list. And quite frankly? Most of us never lose that 10 pounds. But here’s the thing—people are checking you out online before they ever reach out. You want your visuals to show that you're serious about your work—and you want your ideal clients to see you and say, yes, that’s who I want to work with.
This is what I do. I help you show up in a way that actually reflects who you are—powerful, capable, and one-of-a-kind. I guide you on what to bring because what looks good in the mirror often doesn’t work on camera. I’ve got you. I make sure you show up with clothing that flatters you and photographs beautifully. I also pose you every step of the way in flattering poses for your body type. Every image you purchase is polished to perfection—while still looking exactly like you.
One of my secret sauces? I used to model—and I can read people’s energy fast. Anxious? Dreading it? Had a bad week or month? I see it, and I know how to meet you where you are and help you relax. It’s one reason I’ve been a full-time, referral-based photographer in Southern California for over 25 years. I know what I’m doing—and I’d love to help your business be a success.
If you're ready to finally update your presence, let’s talk. You’ll have fun doing it. For real.
And your business will boom because you finally stopped putting yourself last.