Corporate Headshots. Should you get a new one? And the reasons why to ask a professional to help…
Hands up, who hasn't tried to do a selfie to update their LinkedIn photo. Then did you a) post it or b) delete it?
I was watching the adverts on tv recently, you know the ones that constantly and irritatingly repeat in every advert break. Telling you your phone is crap and you really should get this new spanky one blah blah blah… These new fangled phones can do a pretty damn good job of photographing you, your mates, your kids and all those party moments after one or two G&T’s, to keep and share on socials. These phones can even take multiple shots and amalgamate them to create the best possible shot. Amazing right?! This phone camera is just the ticket to update the ol’ LinkedIn profile… Hmmmm, maybe not!. Although the pixel resolution is gigantic these days on a phone, and it will be absolutely pin sharp, but how you are posing, your demeanour and perhaps what it really says about you could possibly do you more harm than good.
“So whats the difference between my phone shot and your glorified expensive shot Mr Photographer?”
Well this is where it becomes more than just an accurate representation of you. Going back to those things that are vital in the job hunting world, finding new clients to impress for your own business or just something that helps continue to show you are the top dog on your game. This image of yourself can say so much about you. It can be the first impression that leads to other things, or the last click of a button.
What I’ll happily confess upfront about a shoot with me, is it’s not just about creating a perfectly exposed and edited shot. That you of course will get. The photograph should also pick up a little of your personality and show those positive vibes. Your photoshoot will also help to boost your confidence, giving you more vigour to move forward in looking for that new position or reinforcing what you do. Something to consider I think?
Your Headshot Photograph should absolutely do these few but important things:
Show you what you look like now
I won’t help you to turn back the clock with a Photoshop filter, sorry. You are beautiful and awesome as you are, right now. Spending a little time together we can look at all the things that make you invaluable as a boss or hopefully as a new team member. Together, we will bring your best assets to the front and work on how you deliver yourself in the portrait.
Show you are confident and a person who’s capable and they can trust
If its a photograph to impress a possible new boss or a client, how you come across is vital. How I help you pose will help you deliver the right message. All I need to understand is the need and we will work together to create the right delivery.
The photograph is the right tone for what you do
The right setting is important. Absolutely not taken in your car seat or the back garden in front of the kids swing. If in a studio then the right lights, background etc to match the brief is key. I’m a huge fan of mixing things up, to take the shots outdoors if the weather is favourable or in a place at work that suits the need. There is a very standard way of taking Headshots these days with a stark white background but I think it lacks a little personality. On the shoot we can vary backgrounds as need be to your requirements.
You ARE unique and what you do and who you are is individual to you and only you. The photograph must show your qualities, noboday elses
You are amazing. You are the right person for the job or the person able to climb the ladder in your company. Let’s show you at your best. I’ll help advise on clothing, posing in front of the camera and most of all, how to relax and let your personality shine.
Photographs say many things subliminally. The difference is so very small sometimes from one photo to another but the photographer that can capture a moment where you smile with your eyes naturally and exude a friendly and approachable persona, or deliver a subtle but strong confidence as the director of a company. That’s what you pay for. It does take a little time though to get the good stuff.
“So how much then pal?”
Well like every quote for a service, how long is a piece of string…?
Lets address some options below regarding costs but first we have to think about your key requirements.
An initial phone call will do, were we may discuss who you are, what you do and who is your competition or influences within your work field. We may find some ideas about what they are doing well and use as a guide to start with to help create something suited to you. A good Corporate Headshot Photograph is not just one thing, it takes many things to create the whole thing successfully. I’m here to help advise on locations, studio setups. Perhaps on site at your home/office or outdoors? What you wear and how it looks is important too. I can’t tell you how many photographs I’ve tried to fix with peoples crumpled and creased items of clothing. Everything you bring clothing wise will be on hangers when we get together.
Working with me, I work to the process that the shoot is suited to what your needs are. It’s most certainly not a one size fits all. And if its your first time in front of the camera to create something like this then you have come to the right chap. I pride myself on reading situations well and if you are a little shy or nervous then we take the process at your speed but will absolutely get you your shots. In the time together we will keep it very relaxed. We will chat about whatever comes to mind. There is no point you being stressed or feeling a pressure to rush. My fees are priced fairly and I won’t hold you to super exact start and stop times. There’s flexibility there for us to get the job done right.
If you need a little hair and make up treatment, (who doesn’t?) then I’ll help you to source someone. Venues sourced also if it’s not your building. I have photographed staff in lots of different locations instead of where they work and why not. It can be a super experience to be somewhere new and feel the buzz of the environment. Alternatively we can work in the corner of a room and make it much more private while the rest of the office gets on with their work.
Whatever is required to make the shots perfect for you, it’s all possible. I’m very much eager as a creative to make photographs that I’m proud of and not to build a business on a conveyor belt style set of processes to farm through as many people as possible. Thats how I roll…
So my final thoughts on investing in a Corporate Headshot photography session. The shoot is an investment. If you get the right person to help it should be a fun experience helping you to feel even better about yourself and maybe a step in the right direction to help you move towards where you want to be.
Pricing goes something like this:
Individual Tier shoot 1 - £120
All session tiers are as important as any other I offer, just perhaps you need less images and have less time to commit so the price reflects this.
Initial phone call to assess your exact needs
Pre meet video or phone call to iron out final details before we meet. Looking at clothing and venue details so I can assess what I need to bring
Photography session lasts between 1 and 2 hours long
2 hours of professional editing to create 4 high resolution photographs. Additional shots can be purchased at £15 each depending on complexity of editing needs.
Individual Tier shoot 2 - £250
All session tiers are as important as any other I offer, just perhaps with this tier we have a little more time together and your needs are greater than tier 1
Initial phone call to assess your exact needs
Pre meet video or phone call to iron out final details before we meet. Looking at clothing and venue details so I can assess what I need to bring
Photography session under 4 hours
Around 3 hours of professional editing to create 10 high resolution photographs. Additional shots can be purchased at £15 each depending on complexity of editing needs.
Individual Tier shoot 3 - £420+
All session tiers are as important as any other I offer, just perhaps this tier we have as much time as needed to create your Corporate Headshots. The sky’s the limit.
Initial phone call to assess your exact needs
Pre meet video/phone call or meet in person to iron out final details before shoot day. We will discuss what you wear, venue details etc. so I can assess what I need to bring
Photography session lasting all day or until you have had enough. Believe it or not, posing for your photograph is quite tiring.
Probably a full day of professional editing to create 10+ high resolution photographs, full requirements to be discussed beforehand to assess what you need
Group sessions - £400+
On average we can photograph 10 members of staff per hour.
We will have an initial phone call to assess your exact needs. If it helps to have a video call, then by all means so we can see the spaces available to use as you walk around your office.
The shoot is based on capturing a high volume of people so we will agree what the background needs to be, its colour and location in the office etc.
Before hand we will have a full list of staff who will turn up at an allotted time of day.
All photographs can be held online where you can remove the ones you don’t want so I only edit the ones you do want. This helps keep costs down.
Once the final set of images is selected, professional editing is limited to 5 minutes per photograph. This can include removal of a few facial spot/blemishes, a loose hair or two appearing on a jacket as an example or anything else that stands out etc. Extensive Photoshop editing of varying issues is not possible at this level of costing. I will always try my best to inform a member of staff if something isn’t quite right on the day, to help present them as well as possible but how they appear in front of the camera is ultimately their responsibility.
If you would like to have a completely bespoke session then let’s speak on the phone or email me so I can quote accurately.
*If you want only a few members of staff photographed then we can of course set something up so it’s in a more natural space, maybe at your reception coffee table area, a breakout area with a sofa or next to a window showing a nice cityscape… Let's speak to find out what works best for you.** 50% of the final payment is made upfront to book the photoshoot.