How to prepare for your business photoshoot
This is the perfect guide to prepare you and your team for a business photoshoot - whether you’re having a new website developed or you’re looking to update or replace your library of imagery. Preparing properly for the photoshoot will mean you and your team will get the most out of it and everyone will feel more confident - especially business leaders.
Before we start - why do you need a ‘business photoshoot’?
Differentiating yourself from competitors is critical - and one big step in doing that is through showcasing your expert team. A suite of strong team imagery to fill your new website means you can ditch the stock (bye bye, smiling American woman at desk) and put your team at the forefront. Clients will feel they can trust and connect with you instantly.
Quick statistic
We looked at 5 client websites from the professional services industry.
For all 5 businesses, their Team page was, on average, the #2 most viewed page on their entire website for the last 12 months - your potential customers really want to see you!
And it’s not just websites - your new photos can be used across all your digital channels, presentations, reports, business cards, internal comms and more. This helps your staff feel they’re more of a connected team and your customers to feel they know your brand a lot more.
So, what happens in a business photoshoot?
The exact details can depend on the type/size/location of your business but essentially it’s a half- or full-day session creating a mix of formal headshots, group shots and reportage (aka ‘candid photos’) of your team at work.
In this guide:
→ Communicate your vision & goals
→ Location, location, location
→ Preparing your space
→ Choosing the best clothing & shoes
→ Getting hair & makeup ready
→ Posing help & advice
→ What to do the night before your shoot
1. Communicate your vision & goals
First things first, what’s the aim of this photoshoot?
Are you refreshing your website, creating marketing materials, getting ‘shots for social’ or just updating those LinkedIn profiles? Once you have a clear vision, share your goals, ideas, and any specific shots you need. This helps define a clear brief, direction and set of deliverables that everyone is clear on.
The ideal checklist for a business website photoshoot could include:
reportage / candid / lifestyle shots of office and team (these are the shots that will replace the stock photos on your site)
portraits against your brand colour(s)
portraits/headshots on white (for proposals etc)
group and team shots
office interiors and exteriors
2. Location, location, location
Now, let’s talk about where to shoot.
Within your office environment, there’ll be spots that are right for photography - and spots that aren’t. Identify the ideal locations beforehand, but stay open-minded - you’d be surprised at how a mundane corner might come alive with the right prop and lighting, and we’ll more than likely find a few extra places during the shoot.
The important thing to remember is space. Headshots need a room with at least 2-3 metres distance between subject and photographer (no stationery cupboards, please).
3. Prepare your space
Familiarity breeds…. clutter.
Start by taking a photo of your desired spots and look at the photo for things that distract - typical culprits include: cables, excess surface clutter, random trinkets, files, that strange nearly-dead plant that has been in the same place for 6 months and now feels like part of the furniture.
By looking at an actual photo on your phone you will clearly see areas that won’t look great in photos. If not, show someone else - ask them what they think.
If it’s a working environment, then pay attention to the details.
No one is expecting Hyacinth Bucket levels of cleanliness, but clear, orderly workspaces, factory spaces with clean, empty bins (yep, its the details), and people dressed smartly / sharply or in crisp uniforms can and will make a world of difference.
A solid dust, declutter and clean coupled with a staff memo around attire can really help lift a space and ultimately mean that we have more shots to choose from after the shoot.
Before - a creative ‘worked-in’ space can quickly be transformed by small adjustments and a good removal of stuff!
After - some visual interest was kept, but a quick streamline of surfaces and nice use of angles can quickly transform your space into something more interesting.
4. Clothing
This part can be fun but also a bit scary.
GJP Town Planning & Consultancy
You want to look professional but also authentic. Choose outfits that reflect your brand’s personality and level of professionalism, and advise your team to do the same. If in doubt, solid colours usually work well, and avoid overly busy patterns.
What represents you and your company? Ultimately you need to feel comfortable in what you are wearing. Consider colours and clothing combinations especially in regards to the locations that you will be shooting to avoid tonal clashes and inappropriate choices.
Having removable items like jackets and tops can really help as we want to get as many shots as possible that can sit next to each other online without all looking like they’ve all been from the exact same shoot.
Instruct your team to bring a few options so if something really isn’t working, there’s another choice to try. And while you should tell them to prepare their clothes ahead of the shoot - including ironing, pressing etc and bringing in a suit jacket - we still advise to make sure there’s an iron and ironing board available on the day - someone will most likely need it!
Extra tip: Check your clothes choices in a variety of poses in a mirror so you can see how they hang - are there problematic creases that appear?
Video shoot for Menzies LLP
5. Shoes
A good pair of shoes can make you stand and pose even better even if they aren’t in shot for most of the images - it's part psychology on how they make you feel and how you physically have to hold yourself. Plus, if you do get a seated shot, there’s no issue if they are in.
“Shoes transform your body language and attitude.
They lift you physically and emotionally.”
6. Hair & makeup
Good grooming is important for everyone for a successful photoshoot.
Make sure to get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water, and take care of your skin and hair in the days leading up to the shoot. If you’re unsure about hair and makeup, consider hiring a professional to help.
If you wear makeup, it's good practice to consider adding a touch more (but only a touch) than you normally would. If in doubt, keep a solid base that can be built upon on the day.
If you’re thinking about shaving - it can be best to shave the night before to let your skin recover.
7. Posing help & advice
Business owners stepping in front of the camera can benefit significantly from posing tips to ensure their professional image is captured exactly as intended. Our aim of any shoot is to make sure you look confident, approachable and authentic.
You can prepare by taking pose inspiration from photos that you like, and also practicing the poses in front of a mirror or with your SO - it can mean we get more time shooting and end up with more usable shots, plus the added bonus that you are already more familiar with posing.
Ultimately, don’t worry, being a ‘perfect poser’ isn’t essential - we' will help guide you through a series of poses and we’ll work together to get something that looks natural and flattering.
If you’re looking for some posing inspiration, check out a few of our Pinterest boards.
Also - you need to remember that only the photos that you are happy with will be used - so it’s fine to try something different and see what works.
Business headshots & posing inspiration board
Informal business portraits inspiration board
8. The eve of the shoot
A day before the shoot, double-check all the details with us so you’re happy for the next day.
Make sure your outfits and clean and ironed, and props are ready to go.
Don’t forget – a good night’s sleep is your best friend.
Top tip:
Bring your clothes in a suit bag to change into at the shoot and avoid that latte spill on the morning commute or creased jacket from driving.
