Jon Paul Pérez | The Real Deal

There are some creative directors who make collaboration a true pleasure—they offer clear direction while leaving space to play, communicate effectively without overwhelming you with do’s and don’ts, and approach every interaction with kindness and professionalism. Paul Dilakian, creative director at The Real Deal, is one of those rare gems. So when he reached out with a request to photograph Jon Paul Pérez, President and CEO of Related Group, my answer was an enthusiastic “Absolutely.”

Having photographed Jon Paul before for a different publication, I knew he wasn’t entirely at ease in front of the camera and would likely keep our time together brief. So my lighting assistant, Dragi, and I came prepared—setting up two distinct photo scenarios in advance to maximize efficiency and give us options once he arrived.

Jon Paul arrived at the St. Regis Bahia Mar sales center—our location for the afternoon—looking dapper as ever. We transitioned him smoothly between both setups and captured a strong set of portraits, all well within our allotted timeframe.

Jon Paul Pérez, President & CEO of Related Group

Photographed for The Real Deal.

For our initial setup, I wanted to introduce a pop of color, so I added a red gel to the kicker light. It gave the portraits a subtle edge and brought a dynamic contrast to the otherwise clean, modern setting.

Portrait of real estate developer, President, and CEO of Related Group, Jon Paul Pérez.

Portrait photography of Jon Paul Pérez for The Real Deal, in Fort Lauderdale, FL.