Headshot & event photographer located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side

New Yorker since 1996 | Established 2007

Scroll down to learn more about me or head to my About page

Want to work together or ask a question? I’m nice! Reach out:

 

ACTOR & ARTIST HEADSHOTS

Read about my process and see more actor and artist headshots taken at my space on the Upper West Side.

PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOTS

See more professional and corporate headshots taken at my space on the Upper West Side.

COMPANY HEADSHOTS

I can take company headshots at your office in New York City and surrounding area.

 

CORPORATE EVENTS

Need a corporate event photographer? I’ve been doing this work for over 15 years in NYC, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.

See my event photography page for details.

 

FAMILIES

Fall family season is here! I’ve been photographing families for well over a decade.
I live in between Central Park and Riverside Park but can go anywhere within New York City.

See my family gallery, details about my process, and rates for details.

 

Read on to learn about my process and see testimonials.

 

Ever get your photo taken by a good friend?

And you look better than you do in the photos you got from that pro photographer?

It feels easy to pose for a friend.

Headshot sessions should be easy, comfortable, relaxed, and fun.

Yes. I said fun.

Selfie of NYC headshot photographer Ari Scott with headshot client Tim Dunn doing jazz hands.
 
 
 
Review of Ari Scott, NYC headshot photographer.
 
 
 
Girl sitting on a swing hiding her face behind book.

It me, circa 1982

The least stressful part of your career should be getting pics of your face.

If you don’t love cameras, I get it.

It doesn’t matter how experienced you are. Everyone gets nervous.

When you find a photographer who gets it, even if you come to the session with a stomach full of butterflies, that feeling will disappear until you forget it was there in the first place.

 
 
 
Review of Ari Scott, NYC headshot photographer.
 
 
 

So, what’s the process?

Good question! I’ve written out all the steps that take place when booking headshots with me, from start to finish. This tells you a basic timeline of what happens and when, so you know exactly what to expect (I promise, no weird surprises).

You can also check out my F.A.Q. for even more words.

 
 
 
Review of Ari Scott, NYC headshot photographer.
 
 
 

Oh right, me. You probably want to know about me.

I’ve been at this headshot thing since 2007 – mostly here in New York City, with a brief stint in Los Angeles (as well as sessions in Washington, DC and Burlington, VT). Over 17 years at this point, which is hard for me to believe.

NYC headshot photographer Ari Scott sitting on couch with golden retriever on her lap.

Photo by Francine Daveta

Before I get into the nitty gritty of my life and what my favorite tv show is (fine, it’s The Twilight Zone, original series), I’ll tell you the most important aspect of taking great headshots:

It’s not the camera. Or the lens. Or the light. Well, maybe it’s a little about the light.

It’s connecting with people. Listening. Reacting. Adapting. Communicating.

After photographing over one thousand headshot clients, I’ve learned a thing or two about how to connect with a variety of people, each with distinct personalities, needs, hopes, and dreams. Understanding this is what separates a headshot that looks like you on your best day from one that doesn’t.

Pictured is me with my beautiful dog MacGregor, who sadly passed away in July 2024. Thank you so much to all who gave him affection over the years.

 
 
 
Review of Ari Scott, NYC headshot photographer.
 
 
 

More MacGregor, you say?

Very well. Here he is posing against some of my newer backdrops. I did this before I posed any clients because I couldn’t wait to show them off. And, let’s face it, I wanted to show him off, too. Isn’t he handsome?

 
 
Golden retriever on a bone-colored backdrop.

bone

Golden retriever on a mocha-colored backdrop.

mocha

Golden retriever on a light gray backdrop.

studio gray

Golden retriever on a black backdrop.

black

 
 
 

I also have a photography blog!

My latest post is all about great photo locations in Central Park. I hope to write more for this blog soon. If you have any idea for blog posts, let me know! I have a whole list of blog post ideas, but it’s also good to hear about what people want to know.

A smiling couple standing on a wooden bridge surrounded by trees.