Having company portraits made in a photographer’s studio is a great option. Assuming of course that you hire a photographer who has a studio….

There are so many reasons why this is true. Not least of which is that having the company portraits offsite means no disruption to the workplace. Obviously, it seems like a great idea having the photographer coming to you, And that’s often true – I do this quite a lot. But it can also be an inconvenience. For example, sometimes the photographer is working in a corridor. (It does happen – some of my favourite corporate headshot photoshoots have taken place in a corridor!) But this can be quite disruptive to the normal workings of the office.

Yet even if the photographs are taking place in a boardroom, it does take an important space out of commission. Then of course you have to consider the lighting. Which, in an interior boardroom or meeting room (which seems to be what photographers are often allocated), is difficult to control. Very often the lights are not dimmable. Or there is no natural light or only overhead lighting. Which can make everyone look really awful. Of course, your photographer can bring lights but they still have to work with what is available in the office. And it’s certainly not going to be an ideal studio set up.

why a studio is a perfect solution for company portraits

By having the photoshoot in a studio you can also achieve diversity in your images (i.e. not only a grey background). Many photographers will have different backgrounds in their studios, even colourful ones. And then there might be a few alternatives. For example, in my studio I shoot against a grey wall, a white wall, by windows, in front of bookshelves, against walls with art and even a fireplace!

Finally, one thing that people forget to consider is how their staff members are going to feel having their company portrait taken in the office. After all, many people do not enjoy having their photo taken and this feeling will not be helped by being in a corridor or glass-walled meeting room where colleagues might be watching! The relaxed, non work-like atmosphere of a comfortable, well-lit professional studio is far more comfortable for the nervous sitter. And inevitably the photographer will get great shots when they can control the environment and use various means at hand (scented candles or music playing, for example) to help created a relaxing atmosphere.

All of which leads to great headshots, which is the object of the exercise. So if you are in charge of arranging company portraits, I would love to help. You can email me on serena@serenabolton.com, ring me on 07958511819 or click to book a Zoom or telephone conversation.

In the meantime, read my blog on looking your best for your corporate photography.

“Photography through the lens of a storyteller”

LONDON HEADSHOT AND CORPORATE PHOTOGRAPHER