Alyssa Kearney shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Alyssa, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I usually wake up with one, two, sometimes all three animals curled up at my feet. The first thing I do is make the bed—nonnegotiable! I can’t stand seeing it unmade, it clutters my mind before the day even begins. After that, I move through my usual morning routine: washing my face, brushing my teeth, and getting dressed.
Then my husband and I take our dog for a walk around the neighborhood. During our walk, we talk about what we’re grateful for. I love this ritual. It gives us a moment to connect before diving into work, and we enjoy seeing neighbors out with their dogs and soaking up a little vitamin D. When we get home, we make lattes and start our workdays.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Alyssa, founder of Nice Headshots in downtown Los Angeles.
I started my business in 2009 as a full-service portrait photographer, shooting weddings, families, maternity, newborns, and events. After 13 years, I made the decision to step away from all of that and focus exclusively on headshots. I realized I’m most energized working one-on-one — helping people feel confident and clear about how they’re presenting themselves.
Nice Headshots was built on something simple but important: being nice. After hearing too many stories of actors feeling belittled or uncomfortable with other photographers, I knew I wanted my brand to stand for the opposite. Our motto is “Nice People. Nice Prices. Nice Headshots.” And I mean that.
We specialize in actor, model, and business headshots, with a focus on character-driven wardrobe, expressive direction, and colorful backdrops that help clients stand out. I genuinely want every client to succeed, and I’m intentional about creating headshots that actively support them in reaching their goals.
More than anything, I want people to leave the studio feeling seen and excited about what’s next.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My mom, hands down.
Growing up, I didn’t fully recognize her influence. She was just “Mom,” wearing a hundred different hats, and that felt normal. But as an adult, especially running the business, I understand what it actually takes to keep everything afloat, and I appreciate her work ethic on a completely different level.
She worked full time, came home and cooked, cleaned, helped with homework, and somehow always looked put together. Then she’d wake up and do it all again. Even today, my mom is go, go, go, and I’ve never heard her complain.
She’s a rockstar.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I grew up in a family with big teasing energy, and as the youngest, I was often the target. I never loved that style of humor. I still don’t. When I sense someone “punches down” as a joke, I tend to keep my distance.
For years, I was told I was “too sensitive.” The pattern was usually the same: I’d receive the teasing, then I would have hurt feelings, then would get criticism for being hurt.
If I could talk to my younger self, I’d tell her this: your sensitivity isn’t a flaw. It’s empathy. It’s strength.
That sensitivity is what makes me a better friend, a better partner to my husband, a better pet-mom, and a better business owner. It’s what allows me to create a safe space for my clients.
I’d tell her to be proud of being “too sensitive.”
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes but there’s layers.
I don’t walk into public spaces and unload my most unfiltered self onto strangers but that doesn’t mean the public version of me isn’t real.
I’m actually a terrible actor so I don’t have it in me to fake a personality. There’s always going to be something genuine there. What changes is how much I’m willing to give, and that depends on who’s on the other end.
I’ve had real, vulnerable conversations with someone I just met because there was an instant connection. And I’ve also been more reserved with people I’ve known for years because I don’t feel safe giving them more. That, too, is real.
Authenticity doesn’t mean full exposure. It just means whatever you’re seeing is true.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
I think what people would miss most is how they feel when they leave.
We’re very good at getting strong headshots, of course but that’s not the part I’m most proud of. I’m most proud that our clients walk away feeling confident, understood, and genuinely good about themselves. The shoot feels relaxed. We talk. We laugh. It’s collaborative.
Headshots can be vulnerable. You’re being looked at, directed, evaluated. And sometimes “shoot culture” can lean tense- a lot of ego, a lot of opinions, very cold direction. That’s never been our approach.
If we retired tomorrow, I think people would miss the environment as much as the images. They’d miss feeling safe to show up as themselves and knowing someone is actually on their side.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.niceheadshots.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nice.headshots
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssakearney88/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/niceheadshots
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7dYaSczV5lEsUZksgRLLGw
- Other: https://share.google/oli9jwP0AbdB9VLPc
