One of the hallmarks of a successful headshot is when you feel that person connecting straight from the photograph. This client, a NYC realtor, appears to be communicating with you, the onlooker, rather than staring at a camera, doesn’t she?

Brett Deutsch is co-owner and chief photographer of Headshots NYC, Gotham Family Photos and Deutsch Photography. Formally trained at the New York Institute of Photography, the School of Visual Arts and Pomona College, plus nearly 20 years of photography in New York City and on all 7 continents. His work can be found on The New York Times. Time Out London. Dallas Morning News. Backstage, and on countless websites, newsletters, annual reports and other publications.