We all need our faces out there, connecting us to our businesses to potential new endeavors. Like it or not, in today’s digital world your clients meet you before they actually meet you. The standard head shot is traditional and common for resumes, employee ID cards and profiles. But, if you really want to introduce who you are to potential clients, guests, new partners, and/or buyers; then you need to reach out to them in a personable and sincere way. By breaking away from a standard stiff portrait you become more of a story teller, visually letting people know what your company is about or what you do or provide. Often times than not, an intimate portrait can make you more familiar and recognized to the viewer long before they reach out to connect with you. A more engaging portrait is likely to stand out and be remembered…which face it, is a good thing!
Follow along for some photography tips to bring your portrait to a more interesting and inviting level.
Hold something that relates to your career that visually says what you do and/or sell.
Engage in an experience with a customer, client, or colleague….or cute baby.
Your “engaging subjects” do not need to be recognizable and the focus is still on you.
Bring it home or to a local vicinity that relates to your demographics. Leave room for negative space to add a logo or text drop.
Or take it outside…get out of the office!
Better yet, keep it at the office and head to the rooftop for a sky high view of the location you serve.
There are no rules here…stay in the office and show off some of your current projects.
Get the group together to make a major production out of the photo session.
Or don’t and just have a chill, relaxing group portrait.
Remember that item or product I told you to hold…make work with it as if you are interacting with the viewer.
Take a break from the work day for a mischievous, yet relaxed portrait.
Concentrate on your helpful subject, you do not always need to be looking at the camera.
Take your work portrait while you are actually working for a more candid, in the moment feel.
Showcase your brand’s colors and logos for added visual representation.
Dress upscale casual, comfortable to how you would normally work.
Don’t stand in a straight line for group portraits. It is just not flattering and tends to feel a bit stiff. Get in close to the other people in your group, especially if you sell yourself as a team.
Get out of the center of the image, try to position yourself to either left or right of the frame, and work with leading lines.
Make it a combo…hold those props, add the logos, get out of the center of the frame.
Bring in your personal hobbies and things you care about to really make a more familiar connection.
Most importantly, remember to have fun and enjoy yourself. Your charm and nature will naturally show through.