How to prepare for a corporate photoshoot
Corporate photoshoots that put the focus on environmental and documentary photos are often used to tell a positive story about the services a company provides and the people that work there.
They're the kind of shoot where a photographer comes in and takes:
photos of your team doing their job,
pictures of staff engaging with customers,
environmental portraits,
locations shots,
photos of the services you deliver,
pictures of the products you make,
and the technology or machinery you use.
I do a stack of corporate shoots throughout the year, often in collaboration with companies like the fantastic folks at JS Sverige who provide outstanding marketing services for clients in Sweden.
When I’m operating solo, I always provide the client with as much information up front about how to prepare for the shoot.
The golden rule is Be Prepared
There’s nothing worse than your photographer turning up and you realising you don’t have everything in place.
By preparing for the shoot ahead of time, you will ensure you important resources – (money and time!) aren’t going to waste.
Pre-Shoot Planning
Schedule the shoot during optimal times when key team members are available
Consider the best lighting conditions if any outdoor or natural light shots are planned. (In Sweden this is a tough one and you wouldn’t believe how many times people think you can get great outdoor shots in the afternoon between late-November and late-January).
Create a detailed shot list that includes individual headshots, team photos, workspace/environment shots, and any specific photos needed for marketing materials. If you’re not sure exactly what works best, book a meeting with your photographer to discuss what might work best for you. (I’m always happy to do this as it makes life easier: i.e. I know what to shoot. One of the things I often find that clients tell me is that with my experience from marketing, I often know what kind of material aligns with a client needs.
Location Preparation
Scout potential shooting locations beforehand to identify:
Areas with good natural lighting
Settings that you need your clients to see
Spaces that reflect company culture
Adequate room for equipment setup if you’ve scheduled a more formal portrait shoot.
Clean and organise shooting spaces:
Then make sure you take a look at the locations you're planning to use. Where necessary, make sure you:
Remove clutter and distracting elements
Ensure windows are clean for natural light shots
Consider adding or removing decorative elements as needed
Making sure your people are ready to be photographed!
I recommend you instruct those being photographed to:
Wear solid colours, where possible, that complement their skin tone and company branding
Instruct staff to wear official company clothes that show the company logo if it’s important for potential customers to recognise your brand
Choose well-fitting, wrinkle-free clothing if you plan to get some coverage of staff working in an office
Make sure staff are wearing appropriate safety clothes/equipment when/if necessary
Style hair neatly and use minimal, natural-looking makeup
Get adequate rest the night before
Communication
Send prep instructions to participants in advance if you can. This will speed things up and help your photographer not to get stressed out.
A good rule of thumb is to tell staff:
What to wear/what to avoid
When and where to arrive
How long their session will take
Any specific poses or shots planned
Get signatures where necessary
Remember, under EU law (GDPR), it’s important to collect “model releases” for photos that you plan to use for marketing purposes. So, factor that into your planning.
It will stress your photographer out and slow them down if they are asked to handle this. Let them concentrate on getting the fantastic images that you need to showcase the amazing work your company does.
Need to follow up? Got any questions?
Let me know if you would you like me to elaborate on any of these aspects or provide more specific guidance for your particular situation!!!
