Photo of Matthew Emerzian at the 2025 East Coast Alliance For Science in New Jersey at the Marriot Hotel | Photo Credit: Jordi-Lakeem Foster
Project Snapshot
- Event: Diversity Alliance for Science
- Location: Newark, NJ
- Date: 2025
- Subject Focus: Author & Speaker Media Presence
- Photographer: Jordi-Lakeem Foster, JFP Studios
- Note: This case study showcases real photographic moments captured of speaker and author Matthew Emerzian during the conference. This was not a commissioned shoot by the author, but an independent documentation as part of broader event coverage.
The Context
AAt this year’s Diversity Alliance for Science conference, keynote speaker Matthew Emerzian brought more than just a talk—he brought transformation. As he led the crowd through an engaging group exercise and shared insights from his book, a story was unfolding not just in words, but in visuals.
And we were there to capture it.
From his stage presence to the spontaneous crowd interactions, every frame became a tool for brand elevation—not only for the speaker, but for the experience itself.
Photo of the audience sharing their experience from one of Matthew's Exercises
What We Captured
While covering the event, we captured a sequence of media moments that would form the foundation of any author’s visual storytelling strategy:
- Keynote moments on stage delivering his core message
- Interactive crowd exercise showing emotional engagement
- Book presentation by event director Anna Hakobyan
- Book signing line with candid photos of personal exchanges
- Guests posing with the book in front of the step-and-repeat
- Lifestyle-style shots of attendees reading or holding the book throughout the venue
These weren’t just photos—they were proof of impact.
Photo of Matthew Emerzian Signing A Book | Photo Credit: Jordi-Lakeem Foster
Photo of attendee sharing his experience after Matthew's exercise
Photo of two participants engaging in Matthew's "You Matter" exercise
Group of participants sharing their experience
Matthew Emerzian on stage observing participants engaging in his exerciise
Why This Matters for Authors and Speakers
In today’s landscape, authors and thought leaders need more than just a good message—they need media moments that extend their influence beyond the stage.
Imagine what can be done with this kind of content:
- Speaking reel assets that include real crowd reactions
- Behind-the-scenes content for social proof
- Testimonials-in-action from readers engaging with the book
- Editorial-ready photos for press features and website bios
- Content for future sponsors, publishers, or speaking bureaus
For authors and experts attending events, this is an opportunity hiding in plain sight:
Turn your appearance into a full-on media experience.
Photo of over 300+ Attendees at the 2025 Alliance for Science at the Marriot Hotel in New Jersey | Photo Credit, Jordi-Lakeem Foster
The Big Takeaway
You don’t need a production crew to tell a great story—you need the right eye at the right moment.
Whether you're presenting, signing books, or simply attending a powerful event, strategic photography creates an ecosystem of content you can use all year long.
We didn’t cover this moment for Matthew Emerzian.
But the outcome made one thing clear:
Every author deserves this level of visual storytelling.
