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Corporate and Business Headshots: Tips on Choosing the Right Photographer

Depending on the type of career or business you are in, you may find yourself in need of a professional headshot.
I do a lot of this kind of work in the Sacramento area. 

It’s not glamorous work, but it’s important work.

When you go to a business’ website and the headshots are erratic with different lighting and tones, it shows a level of unprofessionalism. 

The viewer may not know why, but those inconsistent images may make them wonder if you’re capable of doing consistently good work for them. 

“Based off of headshots?!”

Simple answer: Yes.

When you head to a company or business’ About Us page and the headshots look like a cacophony of photos – some professional looking, some obvious selfies, some possibly taken back in 1982 – the viewer is going to be confused. 

“What’s going on here? 

Do they even communicate with one another? 

Do they work well together?

Do they care about their image? 

Will they care about mine?”

The mixed messaging sent to your audience if your headshots are all over the place may make a potential client or customer bounce and find someone else to work with.

For some people, their companies may hire a photographer to come to their location and take images of everyone in need of a headshot. 

I do this a bunch. 
From small to very large businesses. 

Sometimes everyone gets the same lighting, same pose, same backdrop.

Some companies will allow a bit more flexibility – combining different backdrops, like a mix of solid and environmental, for their employees. 

It’s really convenient when companies offer this for their team, it’s kind of like grown up School Picture Day only without the laser beam backdrop. Which is a total bummer – I wish someone would bring that beauty back. 

(If you’re reading this and you want to create some retro school picture headshots for your team, please PLEASE: call me)

If your company doesn’t offer a headshot day you’ll have to go out on your own to find someone and your company or org will reimburse you. 

Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind when hiring your headshot photographer:

•Ask your company if they have anyone in the area they’d recommend. Some companies keep a list of a handful of professional photographers they’ve worked with previously and will happily share that info with you. If they don’t have any suggestions, read on for more tips.

•Look at the body of work the photographer has on their website. Then compare that to what your company requires. You may love that natural relaxed look on a photographer’s site but if your company’s guidelines require professionally lit studio images, then images of you outside in a park won’t go over well. 

And you really do not want to have to double pay for headshots if your first round are rejected. Headshots by pros can range anywhere from 250-500 per person. 

So do that research before you hire someone.

I typically will take images of a client based on their photo guidelines and then we play a bit after that, creating some fun images just for them. 

•Avoid over-retouching. 

You do not have plastic skin. Nor should you! 

Yes, Skin can be retouched to calm uneven tones and shine. But going overboard with skin smoothing and eye brightening will create an image that won’t represent you well. 

And if trust + transparency are important in your business, make sure you look like you in your images. Now, you. Not 20 years ago you 😉 

Plus plastic looking skin is kind of creepy. 

Like all those boring lifeless AI portraits. 

Just don’t.

•Don’t be afraid to ask the photographer to get on the phone and talk or Zoom. Being comfortable with the erosion you’re going to work with is a big deal.

A lot of my clients have said how I made the experience for them relaxed, painless and easy. 

Look I get that having your photo taken can be a daunting thing. And being nervous in front of the camera will show in your images. 

It’s important that you have a good rapport with your photographer. They’re going to be the one to help you stay relaxed and confident in front of the lens. If you’re nervous or unsure during your session, that’s going to show in your images. 

My goal is always to create images that best represent you. As you as you can possibly be with a camera in your face. 

I’m there the whole time to talk you through each step, remind you to breathe, and help create an image of you you’re proud to show off.

Have more questions about headshots or hiring me to come to your location to capture your team?
Reach out – I would love to talk more!