workplace branding Pre-shoot Tips

1. Brief staff ahead of time and let them know the scenes they will be in and how long for.

2. Email your shot list (+ inspiration images if you have any) to admin@heroshotphotography.com

3. Complete your Hero Shot brief and include photographs of the rooms or areas we will use.

4. Advise your staff on best practice for wardrobe and clothing.

5. Make sure spaces are cleaned and free from clutter in preparation for the shoot.

6. Have any props or branded collateral clean and ready to go (laptops, coasters, wires, notepads, pens…)

Note: Formal team portraits (of more than 3 people) are not considered part of a workplace photography session due to the additional set-up time and considerations needed for these. if you require formal team portraits (ie: everyone posed and looking at camera) please let us know and we can advise on teh best route.

STRUCTURED

Details…

RELAXED

DETAILS….

BRANDED

DETAILS…

Please let us know the ideal scenes you would like to capture, listing as many as you can.

As a general Rule of thumb: a workplace 10 pack should have 4-6 pre-decided shots across 3-4 locations (rooms/scenes) as must haves. Many additional variations will be captured during this process to allow for 10 polished hero shots. 

Referencing who you would like to be in each shot can help you plan and prepare the staff/customers/talent you need.

Alternatively, you can provide reference images that you would like to replicate.

1. Complete the Hero Shot photography brief

Getting your brief done early will give the photographer a chance to come back to you with any feedback and recommendations.

The brief is designed to ask the right questions and ensure you get the most out of your shoot and photography ongoing.

2. Setting the scene

Workplace photography often represents your brand and gives an insight into your people and how you work as a business.

Well thought out and planned scenarios can increase the amount of usage you get from your photography.

It’s important to brief your photographer with any key messages you want to bring into your hero
shots.

3. Putting together a ’shot list’

Putting together an ideal shot list is also helpful for us to work off, so we can ensure the most
important shots are covered off during your session.

These can be general, highlighting key people in the image and the actions they will be doing.

1. Partners discussing over the boardroom table
2. Marketing team having a huddle in the break-out area
3. Close up of CEO with client
4. Reception staff greeting client at reception
5. Legal team analysing report
6. Lead engineers reviewing plans on-site with focus on Barry
7. Candid portrait of staff laughing in kitchen to use on careers page

Your shot list doesn’t need to be absolute, as many shots will be achieved organically during your
session, but anything important, including key players in the business should be pointed out to us
ahead of time.

*As a general Rule of thumb: a workplace 10 pack should have 4-6 pre-decided shots across 3-4 locations (rooms/scenes) as must haves. Many additional variations will be captured during this process to allow for 10 polished hero shots. 

*A gallery off proofs will be uploaded after your shoot from where you will be able to review and decide on which images you would like to order as part of your package.

4. Diversity considerations

Whilst it’s not always possible to show diversity in your workplace, depicting some diversity in
your hero shots can help make your images appeal to a broader audience.

Diversity considerations can include;
· Cultural
· Race
· Age
· Gender
· Physical attributes
· Personality

5. Using colleagues as customers

If you can’t arrange a real customer but would like to recreate a customer scene in your shoot, you can also use staff, friends, or family as clients. We can simply not show their face in the image, example here.

It’s worth considering the appropriate customer demographic as well as prepping clothing inadvance to give this scene credibility.

6. Workspace considerations

To get the most from your shoot and your photographer, any surfaces, and areas visible in photographs need to be immaculately cleaned prior to the shoot. Desks and tables are best when they are as bare as possible.

Internal, overhead lights in offices are often unflattering, so for larger offices it is worth asking building management if it’s possible to switch them off if needed on the day of the shoot.

7. Props

Branding stationary, coffee cups, notepads etc can add another layer of personalisation to your
stock imagery by subtly referencing your brand.

8. Wardrobe Advice

Bringing a spare set of clothes can create more variety in your photographs. For anyone wearing a shirt it’s a good idea to bring a spare (on a hanger not in a bag) to avoid creases.

Bright colours/busy patterns are usually best avoided as they tend to date and distract. For group shots, patterns should be avoided altogether. Or a separate plain option (in solid colours) should be brought for this.

WARDROBE INSPIRATION & IDEAS

Opt for solid colour: Solid colours are typically better and less distracting.

Fitted is better: Whatever you wear, make sure it fits you well. Jackets that are too tight or clothes that are baggy don’t photograph so good. If you haven’t worn your outfit for a while, try it on a few days before your shoot to make sure it fits.

Undershirts generally aren’t recommended for business looks.

If you’re still stuck for ideas, head over to our headshot gallery or look through the classic options below to see if one of these would suit you.

THE BUSINESS CLASSIC

A well fitting navy suit is a great option for corporate headshots or portraits.

It’s well suited to conservative industries and executive positions but can easily go into most business looks.

It can be made formal with a tie or dressed down without. 

Classic shirt colours to compliment navy are white, cream, light pink and light blue.

Navy is best accessorised with brown leather shoes and a brown belt, dark-brown leans towards a more conservative look and tan or lighter brows veer towards more and youthful.

THE RELAXED PROFESSIONAL

For a modern alternative to a suit, this look takes a light/khaki blazer with a barely there plaid print and pairs it with chinos and a classic chambray shirt to give this a more casual twist.

It’s a great option for entrepreneurs, founders and men that don’t want to look as conservative in their headshots but still want to look like they’ve made an effort, or less formal industries like marketing or architecture.

Pair with dark accessories for some contrast.

THE CASUAL | CREATIVE

For casual looks or those in a more creative industry, a bomber can be great alternative to a blazer or a suit jacket.

Pair with a polo or sweater knit to dress it up or a plain T-shirt to dress it down.

Keep accessories simple with some classic sneakers in white and a silver watch for some understated bling.