Chances are, you’re working on branding your business and realized that you a) don’t have a suitable head shot b) have been using an iPhone camera selfie or c) you have a head shot but its about 15 years old. You would be in good company because these three encompass a growing number of small to medium sized businesses out there who have to DIY based on budget.
What if I told you that you could have an amazing head shot or business portrait and you won’t have to break the bank to do it? What if I told you that it would be more fun than a trip to the dentist? Do I have your attention now?
I get a lot of calls from business people looking to update their head shot but they honestly don’t have the slightest clue on what they’re looking for. Let’s break it down and make it easy to understand:
Head shots:
this is the typical “mugshot” that frames the head and chest only. This image is most likely brightly lit with studio lights, no extreme shadows and occurs on a plain background like black, white or grey. The purpose of head shots are to help the business person seem more approachable and welcoming to new clients. Sessions are typically short (15-20 minutes) and result in one image being selected for items like business cards, marketing material and websites.
Business portrait:
often involves a wider shot, can encompass the entire body and even items in a set that help to tell a story about the person being photographed. This image will have a more directional light and dramatic feel – much like the pictures used of Steve Jobs. These sessions can include multiple outfit changes, set changes and typically last an hour or longer to allow for multiple crops and set ups. For your convenience, I typically include at least 1 or 2 images that are standard head shot style in a business portrait session.
So, now the question is: How do you want clients to see you & your business? This is your brand’s identity we are talking about; it should be taken very seriously if you want the client to take YOU seriously. Seems like a loaded question, doesn’t it?
Once you’ve determined the best route to take for brand management, you’ll likely need to figure out who needs to be photographed. All people on the website who are representatives of your company should have their head shot or portrait done in the same style, otherwise things tend to look a bit schizophrenic.
We are available for portrait sessions on location, at your office, or at a rented studio space nearby, so that we can accommodate your entire staff. There are price breaks involved for large groups of people and each inquiry will be bid based on what you need. Contact us today to get pricing on photographing your business & staff!