This corporate picture conveys professionalism, experience and class.
It seems like corporate portraits are now a necessity for the evolving business landscape. Everything is digitised now. Not only will having a professional photograph on your social media pages help you build a more refined professional image, but it also gets you noticed in a sea of users and adds a personal touch to your profile.
In fact, a study on Write Style Online highlighted that you would be 36 times more likely to get a message when you have a corporate portrait on your LinkedIn profile!
Essentially, if you want to build those professional connections, a corporate portrait is essential.
A Corporate Portrait is NOT A Passport Photo
“Open your eyes wider, stand up straight, look at the camera… 1, 2, 3!”
You’ll probably hear that a lot at photo printing shops when customers are getting their passport photos taken. But corporate portraits are not the same.
Today, corporate photography has shifted to organic, natural and lifestyle-ish portraits. A corporate portrait needs to speak for you and help you stand out. Soft touches like greenery give your headshot an organic touch and more life.
Forget gloomy facial expressions, stiff cross arms, and a stale white background from yesteryear. Instead, if you truly want to make a good impression on potential prospects and employers, your corporate portrait needs to showcase personality, professionalism and even a little pizzazz.
Bespoke Corporate Portraits by Oh Dear Studio
I have had the privilege of helping dozens of clients take dashing headshots over the years.
One of the things that allow a headshot to stand out is natural lighting; I find that natural lighting helps create an airy yet sharp image for my clients. It also gives my clients a healthier and more alert appearance (see image below).
I’m a firm believer that everyone has a story to tell, so I always encourage my clients to get creative with their dressing and poses so that the headshot is bespoke and uniquely their own.
These days where professional connections and networking are crucial, I reckon working professionals need to not only be knowledgeable in their field of expertise, but they must be approachable. A corporate portrait of a working professional with a lifestyle-feel adds more sociability than a cold and stiff passport-like image.
Frequently Asked Questions about Taking Corporate Portraits
Want to get your headshot taken? I have some tips to help you get prepared.
1. What should I wear for a corporate shoot?
Well, it depends on the type of industry you are in.
For instance, if you are at a corporate law firm, formal suits are the way to go. On the other hand, you can wear smart casual attire if you are in a public relations agency.
The general rule of thumb is to avoid stripes or loud colours. Instead, go for elegant and dark colours. Feel free to add small accessories like a broach or a necklace to give your outfit an extra element of personality and class.
2. What kind of backdrop works best for corporate portraits?
Again, it depends on the industry you are in.
For a more formal picture, you could use our formal studio as a backdrop like the photo below. Headshots like these show that you mean business.
You could also go with full glass windows in the background with natural light for a more approachable look.
3. How should I pose for my headshot?
A charming smile always captivates.
But do note that wide smiles do not work for every industry. For example, investment and banking industries tend to prefer calmer facial expressions with subtle smiles.
Posing is minimum here at Oh Dear Studio. Instead, we focus more on the correct body posture. Good posture exhibits confidence and professionalism. We will work out the various settings or toning that are suitable for you so you can get that fetching headshot.
Get in touch today and let’s get that perfect headshot.
