Corporate Headshot Photography: How to Look Excellent 30 Jun 2022
Headshot photographers like Mike Green have captured images of business owners, directors and their teams for many years. Mike’s experience isn’t limited to providing headshots for businesses in specific industries; Mike also has a wealth of knowledge providing different types of photography, including architectural, construction, tech and engineering, among others.
However, corporate headshots are a frequent request of his, and as such, he saw fit to share some valuable photography tips he’s picked up over the years. Consider the following advice as a guideline to help you get the most out of having your portrait photographs taken.
Corporate Headshots and Business Portrait Photography
Your headshot is your proverbial calling card for your business or your role within an organisation. Many people will form that emotional connection with – and recognise – you by looking at a professional portrait photo, so it’s important to ensure that your one is as good as can be.
However, Mike recognises that sometimes getting your photo taken can feel like an obligation and a chore. Plus, he realises photographing people who don’t like having their photos taken can be a common obstacle, so it’s important to recognise these concerns. As an experienced commercial photographer, Mike takes great pride in helping subjects feel relaxed and reassured when the personal headshot photography sessions get underway.
Ultimately, businesses need to have high-quality headshots on their marketing materials like their website, social media pages, printed brochures, catalogues and many other applications.
7 Tips to Look Great in Business Headshots and Corporate Portraits
It’s easier said than done, but the following tips are vital in helping you make the most of your time in front of the camera.
1. Choose the right clothes.
Your choice of clothing and how you style your hair, makeup, and accessories will prove pivotal to the success of your headshot photos.
It’s wise to wear something you feel confident in and comfortable about, helped significantly by clothes that showcase your personality. Equally, your outfit shouldn’t be a distracting talking point; a corporate headshot is about you, not the clothes you’re wearing. A good rule of thumb is to keep it simple.
2. Relax and take your time.
If possible, keep a relatively free diary, so you’re unlikely to feel any time pressure. It’s important to not rush into a photoshoot, especially after a time-consuming and challenging meeting or anything that’s caused work stress.
The golden rule: breathe! You should look confident and relaxed, and it’s difficult to achieve, but highlight any concerns to your portrait photographer, and they’ll help you feel comfortable like you’re not having your photo taken at all.
3. Familiarise yourself with having your pictures taken.
If you’ve not had professional business photos taken before, Mike suggests you practice with some friends or family to get used to the prospect. It’ll make a big difference to your confidence as you look at the camera on the day, as you’ll feel more familiar with the process.
4. Get the posture right.
It’s easy to feel a bit rigid when sitting in front of the camera for the first time. Your third-party photographer will likely help you loosen up and find a comfortable posture, with minor tweaks to make you feel more comfortable, making a positive difference to the final photo.
5. Remember – it’s all in the eyes.
Most people look at the subject’s eyes first in a headshot or portrait, so they should be in focus. It’s easy to concentrate hard on not blinking so that your eyes remain wide open, which can look odd visually. Instead, try squinting slightly, which will help your eyes look more impactful in the finished photo.
6. Look after yourself.
Try to get a good night’s sleep the night before, drink plenty of water, and put yourself in a positive frame of mind. These are all significant factors in obtaining an excellent headshot, which will help you feel and look your best.
7. Visualise a positive result.
Think about how you’d like your photo to look ahead of time. Explore other business headshots you like and visualise your favourite(s) while you’re in front of the camera.
Making the Most of Corporate Headshot Photography Shoots
Mike hopes the above tips have helped you feel more confident preparing for your next professional corporate headshot session. Knowing what to expect makes a considerable difference, and finding the right advice to help you settle will make the process feel less daunting.
Get Amazing Photos from a Professional Headshot Photographer in Berkshire
If you’d like to get the ball rolling and book Mike for your next company headshot photoshoot, fill in the contact form. Mike is a photographer based in Reading, Berkshire but works all over the country, so he is not restricted to one area.
In the meantime, why not explore Mike’s corporate headshot photography portfolio and testimonials from clients he’s helped over the years?