Setting Objectives for Your Company’s Headshot Session
- Dedicate time to planning your company’s headshot session
- Establish Your Objectives
- Select a photographer
- Establish a Budget
- Choose the location
- Setting the Time
- Review the agreement with the photographer
To begin with, let me give you an example of what I see when a company needs new headshots. Someone calls HR or the office manager and tells them to find someone cheap to shoot some new headshots. They call someone in to produce the headshots with no plan or objective and complain when the results are not what they expected. They find themselves doing it again or living with subpar results. It would help if you had time to plan your company’s headshot session.
In today’s dynamic business landscape, planning your company’s headshot session is more crucial than ever. Your company’s headshots are a powerful statement of your brand’s identity. Planning your company’s headshot session to highlight your team’s individuality while maintaining a cohesive brand image can seem daunting. However, with the right approach, you can ensure that every Headshot speaks volumes about your business’s ethos, ambition, and each member of your team.
You want to gear up for a corporate headshot session to introduce your team, update your website, improve your team’s social profile, or revamp your online presence. In that case, this guide will lead you through every pivotal step. Embark on this journey to secure the company headshots that fit your needs; we must establish your objectives. Now, let’s dive into the first step.
Step One:
Understand What A Professional Headshot Is And Isn’t
- Headshots are photographs that focus on a person’s face.
- Professional headshots are best when produced with quality camera equipment and lighting.
- Professional headshots should have a solid background to keep the focus on the subject.
Firstly, when planning your company’s headshot session, it’s essential to understand what a professional headshot is. A headshot is a photograph that focuses on the subject’s head. The composition includes the subject’s head and the top of their shoulders. Anything more than that is considered a portrait.
When you speak with your photographer, you will discuss what you are looking for with the photographer. This discussion usually takes place in a planning call before the session because it’s a factor in determining what equipment they need to bring.
Consistent headshots echo a unified brand message. It’s like wearing a team jersey. It tells the world, “We’re in this together.” The first thing is to have the headshot background consistent and straightforward so it doesn’t distract from the subject. I suggest backgrounds that are white, gray, or black.
Every professional photographer has a unique touch and can match your desired headshot style. Discuss the type you are looking for with the photographer before the session. If you have examples of what you want, share them with the photographer for the best results.
Step Two:
Setting Objectives For The Session
- Why are you getting new headshots?
- What style of headshots will you need?
- Where will you use the headshots?
- What’s your budget?
Before snapping those pictures, consider your business’s stage and needs. You might want energetic and fresh headshots emphasizing innovation. Your company might opt for poised, professional shots that emphasize stability.
Also, consider where you will be using the headshots. Are you using the headshots on social platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook? Will the new headshots go on your website? Can your new headshots be used in print campaigns and presentations? Understanding this will be vital in planning your company’s headshot session.
Furthermore, knowing the purpose helps shape the session, ensuring you get pictures that suit your needs. All of this is information your headshot photographer will need to know.
Step Three:
Selecting The Photographer For Your Company’s Headshot Session
- Select a photographer with expertise in producing high-quality headshots.
- Select a photographer you feel comfortable working with.
- Select a photographer capable of providing headshots in the style and formats you need.
- Headshot editing and retouching
The Photographer:
Next, you wouldn’t hire an employee without an interview, right? Apply the same logic to photographers. We usually have one or two conversations with a prospective client before the day of the headshot session. In these conversations, we discuss their objectives, how the headshots will be used, and what they can expect from the session.
- Find a photographer you are comfortable with, one you can count on to lead you through the process.
- Check their portfolios. Are the images well-composed and well-lit, and do they catch the types of expressions you want in your headshots? If the answer is yes, that’s who you hire.
- Confirm that your photographer can retouch your company’s headshots. Quality editing and retouching can turn a good photo into a masterpiece!
- Also, see what type of guarantee they have on their work.
Budgeting your headshot session
Regarding budgeting for a headshot session, prices are all over the board. For an experienced headshot photographer with quality equipment, you can expect to pay between $120.00 and $200.00 per team member. This price should include image retouching.
Delivery of the digital images
Discuss with the photographer how long edits will take. A ballpark range helps in planning subsequent marketing activities.
Retouching
Snapping the picture is only half the job. Taking the image is the only first step in the headshot process; confirm that your photographer can retouch your company’s headshots. Quality editing and retouching can turn a good photo into a masterpiece!
Step Four:
Choosing the perfect location and time
Your office should be your first choice. Don’t waste time and energy trying to get everyone together to travel to a studio. Find a headshot photographer who can come to your location.
The objective of your headshot session should be to produce high-quality images that can serve multiple purposes. To achieve this, ensure you have time for the photographer to set up and test their equipment. The photographer must set up their studio at your location to achieve high-quality results. This setup and testing usually takes forty-five minutes to an hour. It would be best if you were prepared to talk about the space size available with your photographer during your consultation call.
Step Five:
Preparing The Team For A Company’s Headshot Session
- Notify participants in the headshot session in advance.
- Provide the participants with information on attire and grooming.
- Schedule the participants so they know the time for their part of the session.
- Provide guidance on wardrobe and grooming.
It would help if you made this a big deal for your team. Most people don’t like having their picture taken, so it helps if the sessions are fun and interactive. It allows people to feel more comfortable when they know what to expect.
Wardrobe matters! Guide your team to wear colors that pop without overshadowing their faces. Clean, ironed clothes give a neat image. Also, a light touch-up or grooming before the session can boost their confidence.
People should avoid overly trendy clothing that might date the headshots and advise against strong patterns or logos, which can be distracting. And remember, while it’s a professional shoot, it should still look like the person on an average day – not a complete transformation.
Timing is key. Space out sessions to avoid a rush and ensure everyone gets their moment. Remember, a calm setting makes for the best headshots.
A good practice is to create a spreadsheet with everyone’s name and title and their session’s time slot. Please share this with the photographer before they arrive for the session. Having this spreadsheet helps the photographer better manage your headshot session.
Step Six:
Headshot Session Day
- The photographer will need time to set up before the first headshot.
- Participants know the time for their headsht session.
- Create a fun environment.
- Same-day headshot selection.
The objective of your headshot session should be to produce high-quality images that can serve multiple purposes. To achieve this, ensure you have time for the photographer to set up and test their equipment. The photographer must set up their studio at your location to achieve high-quality results.
A nervous smile? No thanks! Make your team feel at ease. Maybe play some light music or have a casual chat before the shoot. Comfort translates to genuine, winning smiles.
The one thing that sets an average headshot photographer apart is their ability to make the session fun. The headshot photographer will coach each person and work with them to develop images that project their professionalism.
Headshot Selection
A big time saver is to choose the best headshots during the headshot session. In the old days, you would take the pictures, then send them back to the client to select the ones they wanted, and then send them back to the photographer for retouching.
When a photographer shoots with the camera connected to their computer, each person can select their images at the end of their session. The photographer can retouch the photos and make them available to download online. Fast, simple, and secure.
Step Seven:
After The Headshot Session
- Headshot delivery
- Storing your new headshots
- Think beyond digital platforms
After your company’s headshot session, the images selected should be provided to you by the photographer. We offer our clients secure online access to their headshots; they can simply download the files to their computers. These headshots are crucial assets. You store them as images in multiple online and offline locations.
Now that you have these pristine headshots? Great! Now, update all platforms. This refresh not only boosts your brand image but also keeps things current.
As your team grows or changes, you’ll need new headshots. Consider periodic sessions, and keep notes on what worked and what could be improved.
Conclusion
In today’s dynamic business landscape, your company’s headshots are more than just photographs—they reflect your brand’s identity. Planning your company’s headshot session is a strategic endeavor beyond capturing faces; it’s about communicating your brand’s ethos and each team member’s unique contribution.
As you gear up for a corporate headshot session to introduce your team, update your website, enhance your social profiles, or revamp your online presence, this comprehensive guide will serve as your roadmap. Embark on this journey to secure headshots that not only meet but exceed your expectations.
Remember, your headshots serve as brand ambassadors, making a lasting impression on clients, partners, and prospects. By diligently following these seven essential steps, from setting clear objectives to selecting the right photographer, guiding your team’s attire, and ensuring a seamless session, you’ll capture compelling images and forge a cohesive brand image.
Your headshots aren’t just pictures; they’re a testament to your commitment to excellence and professionalism. In a world where first impressions matter more than ever, a meticulously planned headshot session can elevate your company’s image.
So, are you ready to make your mark in the business realm through the art of well-planned headshots? Ready to start planning your company’s headshot session? Contact us today to schedule a free 15-minute consultation call. Let’s embark on this journey together and ensure your team’s headshots become a defining element of your brand’s identity.
