Business portraits are a very important and necessary business tool in 2021. To be competitive in today’s marketplace, you must build a proper image of your company/personal brand. Competent photography can solve this problem by showing your values, aesthetics and reliability. So how do you create the “right” brand image? This step-by-step checklist for a professional business photo session will help you.
Goal
The first and most important thing to decide is the purpose of the shoot. What are you planning to get as a result? What impression of yourself do you want to create in your audience? By answering these questions, it will be much easier for you to decide on the rest of the details of the photo shoot.
References
By defining your goal you can more accurately generate a query to find examples of shoots in a similar style. Why do you need it? To form a general idea and understanding between the client and photographer about the style, colors and other details of the photos. This step is often neglected, and for good reason. It is an important tool that guarantees a successful result.
Clothing
Decide in advance on several sets of clothing that best accentuate the image that you are striving for – a concise formal or more casual business casual. If you don’t have a suitable outfit in your closet, you can rent clothes in the desired style. Choose calm traditional colors (white, black, gray, blue) – if seriousness and representativeness are important to you. Bright colors can be used as accents. Or if you want to add boldness to your image, use bright colors (red, yellow, lettuce) as the dominant colors in the frame.
Hair and makeup
An image is shaped by details. Your face and hair are probably the most important aspect of your portrait. Flawless styling and professional makeup, taking into account the peculiarities of your appearance and the specifics of working with the studio light, will significantly add to the image representativeness.
Accessories
Another important detail to pay attention to if you want to form an image that matches your goals. Minimalist, status, expensive, flashy, bright – the number and style of accessories directly depends on the image you choose.
Location
Studio, office, street, cafe, or a combination of several locations? If your goal is strictness and seriousness, you should give preference to the studio and your workplace. If your goal is to convey friendliness and coziness, then street and restaurant scenery will suit you perfectly.
Poses
Use “strong poses” for a business photo shoot to convey significance and authority. Don’t forget the props and surroundings, which can also be used for a more organic staging in the frame.
Lighting
Light is another tool for creating the image and the general atmosphere of the shot. In formal business portraits, the entire frame is usually sufficiently lit. But to add more coziness and lower the degree of formality, try dimming the light or using natural light altogether.
Variety
If your goal is broader than just board photos, don’t be afraid to go beyond regular portraits. Add some subject shots (product, business cards, branded accessories), the interior of the workplace, the work process itself, and the company team.
By thinking carefully and planning a business photo shoot, you can get the most successful photos that can meet your expectations and meet your goals. Use this article as a checklist in preparation for your business photo shoot and you are guaranteed a great result!