Photographing Stifel CEO Ron Kruszewski for Sophisticated Living Magazine

A Feature Story Worth Getting Right

When Sophisticated Living Magazine reached out about a feature on Ron Kruszewski, CEO of Stifel, we knew the portraits needed to match the caliber of the publication. Sophisticated Living circulates to over 100,000 affluent readers per issue, and a story like this deserves images that feel as polished and confident as the executive at the center of it.

We were brought in to handle the portrait session and to help capture a short video interview alongside Sophisticated Living publisher Craig Kaminer. Both pieces needed to come together quickly, without slowing down Ron's day or the magazine's production timeline.

Working Inside Stifel's Downtown Office

We shot the session across several locations inside Stifel's downtown St. Louis headquarters, each one chosen to say something different about who Ron is and what he's built.

We started by his iconic Stifel window, the kind of backdrop that instantly signals scale and permanence. From there we moved to the areas showcasing Stifel's professional sporting partnerships, a nice nod to the company's presence beyond finance. We finished in Ron's private office space, a quieter setting that let us bring a more personal, grounded feel to the portraits.

Moving through three distinct environments in a short window meant staying efficient with lighting and setup. That kind of pace is normal for us on personal branding shoots. Executives are busy, and the best portraits come from being prepared enough to work fast without making the subject feel rushed.

Portraits and Video, Back to Back

Alongside the stills, we captured a short video interview with Craig Kaminer for the magazine. Pairing a video component with the photo session gave Sophisticated Living more to work with for the feature, and it let us capture a bit of Ron's personality in a way that static portraits alone can't always do.

Having both formats covered in one visit also meant less disruption to Ron's schedule. One session, one crew, everything the magazine needed walked away with.

Why Setting Matters in Executive Portraits

The strongest personal branding images don't just show a face, they show context. Photographing Ron in front of the Stifel window, near the sports partnerships, and in his own office gave the magazine a range of options, each telling a slightly different part of the story. That variety matters when a publication is laying out a feature and needs images that work at different sizes and in different parts of the article.

It's a good reminder for any executive or business leader thinking about personal branding photography. The location you choose to be photographed in says almost as much as your expression does. A window that's become synonymous with your company, a wall that reflects a partnership you're proud of, a private office that shows how you actually work. Each one adds a layer readers or clients pick up on, even if they couldn't tell you exactly why.

A Quick Turnaround, A Polished Result

Projects like this reinforce something we care about at every shoot: the ability to move fast without sacrificing quality. Between the portraits and the video interview, we had a limited window inside Ron's schedule and Stifel's office. Staying organized and having a clear shot list going in made it possible to deliver a full set of images and footage that felt anything but rushed.

For a magazine with the reach and reputation of Sophisticated Living, that kind of polish isn't optional. It's exactly why sessions like this one matter so much to us. They're a chance to show what personal branding photography can do when it's built around a real story, not just a headshot.

Ready for Your Own Personal Branding Session?

Whether you're preparing for a magazine feature, updating your company's leadership page, or simply want portraits that reflect who you are as a professional, we'd love to help. Contact us for pricing and upcoming availability.