While all of my corporate clients are looking for images for their business needs, they come to me for different reasons. A lot of my Monday to Friday workweek is working as a corporate headshot photographer. However, it is perhaps more under the radar than the family or wedding shoots. During this time I have had the opportunity to collect the 7 leading reasons that these clients have sought me out. Here, I will touch on each of these. Furthermore, in the coming months I will showcase each of these clients and their businesses in individual blog posts.
Marketing companies offering services that are closely connected with images and visual messages
I have had the pleasure of working with marketing service companies. Although this is not my most advertised photography branch, I do collaborate with many businesses throughout the year. One of these businesses that comes to mind is DentalCorp. This business offers great services to dental offices in terms of marketing and web support. They needed from me images that capture the heart of that particular dental practice. My photos not only met this; my experience allowed them to meet and exceed the high standards and expectations of the marketing company.
For this kind of work, professionalism and great customer service is a must. Each dental practice we visited was unique with its own vision. It was necessary to capture different images but with the same guidelines for the marketing company. Working well with each individual business but still with the same marketing company is a constant reaffirmation of your service and quality of work, for sure!
They have changed their look or appearance
Corporate headshots allow potential clients to begin to connect with you even before your initial meeting. I find that many of my clients as a headshot photographer come to me to update their image. I’m sure we can all relate to this, right? Using that one photo from years ago will not benefit you in any way in the business world. First and foremost, it is a misrepresentation of you. As well, you will find you are constantly excusing yourself when continually asked if that was really YOU in your photo?
It is a given that my clients will seek me out when they have had a recent healthier lifestyle change. They are ready to show the world that their hard work paid off! On the other hand, having a more realistic picture as we age is still just as important. I would have loved to keep my hair from 20 years ago. However, in reality I have not. Therefore, the current photos of me as my true self are more valuable in the business world than the hair I lost, right?
Rebranding: Redirecting their brand into a slightly different direction
We live in an ever-changing world. In order to stay current, clients often rebrand or pivot their business in reflection of this. A true representation of this new direction is crucial for success throughout their marketing and social media platforms. With that being said, their headshots need to be updated to connect the brand as a whole. Ultimately, clients experiencing rebranding are seeking a headshot photographer that can realign the images of employees with their new business philosophy. This offers a concrete and sincere presentation to their customers.
Looking to expand their reach with content creation (Influencers)
There is a whole new business emerging with the popularity of social media platforms. Some of the biggest names in business are coming from the online world. The newest type of clients I have being approached by are known is influencers. In today’s world, content is everything and content creators are where the success is at! The clients are amazing at capturing their own images and videos. That’s what their business is about after all! However, there are times when they need to up their game for certain events or services. For this, they require a photographer that is able to provide them with the quality that their followers are already used to (or better!) I have worked with more than a few influencers so that they have their materials for future marketing.
Offering and promoting a new service or products that need a headshot photographer
Over the past 4-5 years, I have had the pleasure of working with companies who offer amazingly creative products and services. Each year they bring in many new products that need to be photographed and marketed. In these instances, I’m there to capture these images as a commercial photographer. Jean from WhataBasket is just this type of businesswoman. Her creative mind brings so many new innovative products each year. She creatively organizes them and finds a way to best present these to her customers. That’s when I come in for a photo session to capture those images for her customers.
Recently started a new business or services
The Real Estate business is thriving in our area. I receive maybe 2-5 inquiries every day for relator headshots. I would love to connect with all of them. However, my personality, service and price attracts about a third of these people. Those who choose me as their headshot photographer have a blast during our session. Also, they really see the value in what they are receiving. I help them to profit from their headshots by illustrating their message to their clients. Their potential customers see confidence, authenticity and personality through their images.
When researching for a corporate photographer, people soon realize that the pricing is different depending on the end use of the image. Photographers put copyrights on their images. These state that they can only be used for certain promotional material, only used to a specific size, etc. While the price starts out low, this “nickel and dime” type of service becomes expensive fast. This doesn’t feel right for me and my business. There are no limitations of use for the business portraits that I take. I ensure there is no grey area or fine print, giving all copyright conditions to my clients. I stand behind the images I take and help them however I can for many years after.
Established large companies looking to create a uniform look throughout the business
While the above touches mostly on headshots for entrepreneurs and small businesses, large companies also require a headshot photographer. With online business networking expanding, it is very important for employees to put forth their best, most authentic image. A professional image is essential in connecting with clients. Knowing this works, marketing managers are advocating for this at company level more and more these days. I have been honoured to work from time to time with companies who are looking for a more uniform look and message across all social media platforms. This is definitely an investment for the company, but the ROI is priceless.
Bunzl’s marketing manager Lindsey knew this importance. She organized and prepared for me to photograph Bunzl’s top executives and managers for their LinkedIn profiles. Although I have covered only their Toronto-area offices so far, there was a plan to do the same for the entire province and nationally. I’m so happy that I could make a difference. What a difference as I observed their LinkedIn image profiles changing over to professional and crisp portraits.
Where are these headshots photographed?
The locations vary immensely for headshot photos. There is no rules, really. I own a variety of photo equipment that allows me to set up nearly everywhere. Local business owners often choose in-studio sessions. When working with large companies, it was most efficient to do the headshots at the company locations. This way the executives were provided with an appointment time that had minimal affect on their day-to-day operations. Quite a few realtors I have worked with had images taken from their own home.
For an out-of-the-ordinary experience, a location can be staged to better support the vision of the business owner. I have captured images at a local barn. The set-up supported the creativity and products the business offered to its customers. In the case of rebranding businesses, we may spend an entire day on location to incorporate all aspects including headshots, room set-ups and business practices. Really, the possibilities are endless.
Why is this important?
As a headshot photographer, there are no rules or limitations. My sole goal is to capture the perfect image that represents my clients in the best way possible. Without a doubt, their success is mine as well. It is truly fulfilling to see my clients that I have connected with succeed. I also enjoy when I can capture authentic personalities and provide an image that stands out above the rest. Some may describe my business portrait motto as: “Professional Corporate headshots that are far from cheesy and stiff.”
If you like some extra tips for your business photos you can check our free e-book “Your Image your business”.
My passion and biggest asset is taking the time to make every client comfortable and relaxed before I even pick up the camera. The result? Photos of you that actually look like you at your best! I can prove to you how much you can enjoy having your picture taken. Lifestyle photography is about the experience that happens to be served up along side of some great photos.
Specialties:
Family Photography for families that like to move around and enjoy their photo time, Wedding Photography for couples looking for a mixture of photojournalistic, contemporary and traditional images and Professional Corporate headshots that are far from cheesy and stiff.