Studio Portrait vs. Environmental Portrait - What The Professional Headshot Says About The Business

It's election season, so let's debate.  Should a headshot be done on a solid background or with the office setting as the background environment?  The establishment candidate might say solid, all the way.  Keep it clean, professional and let the person and the clothing offer cues about the individual's professionalism and style.

The outside-the-box candidate might say, "Wait.  Where you are, what's on your walls - these things paint a bigger picture about you and your business."  

Who wins the debate?  We say it's a draw. 

Though a solid background can signal a white collar professional or executive persona, there are ways to give it a twist making it perfect for someone in the creative services:

Executive at an Investment Banking Firm - Looking Sharp and Super professional in a suit and tie

Tech Focused Event Professional - Looking sharp and creative. She's the kind of person that would bring fun to the job.

An environmental shot can use the space you work in to offer a suggestion or very clearly tell the world what you do.  In our opinion, this style can work across professions:

Chef Daniel Boulud at Epicerie Boulud - light and airy, dressed in a Chef's Coat

Fund manager - The curved factory windows and communal tables suggest a non-tradional workplace inside of the financial industry

executive at a global financial services firm - taking an opportunity to integrate his company's brand into his portrait.

The key thing in all of this is to align your portraits with your company's brand.  Think about your company's mission.  What are some of the visual features and design elements that you already use to marketing your company?  In the end, it's all about you are and the company you represent.

The Professional Headshot vs. The Selfie

That selfie your Account Executive took the other day, in her apartment, next to the window where the light was just right:  Your Facebook friends will say "gorgeous!", but your client will wonder, is this the sharp and experienced professional I just spoke to on the phone?  The photo of your legal team against a white wall in the office:  Consistent?  Yes!  Professional?  No.

There are so many reasons to incorporate professional headshots into your company's 2016 marketing plan.  Here is a starter list of 4:

1.  Makes a great first impression:  So much of the business we do is remote, online or over the phone.  Sometimes you don't meet a client until well after you have started doing business together.  The first thing they learn about your people is through a headshot and bio.  Both should reflect your professionalism and experience.

2.  Builds confidence:  A great corporate headshot sets a professional tone that carries over into a client's trust and confidence in the business. 

3.  Conveys the personality of business and individual:  What people wear, how they hold themselves, what the background is, even the crop of the photo - these are all details that say something about the business and the people who work there.  This is information that helps a client understand if your company is a good fit for their project.  A seasoned photographer can help you make the right decisions.

4.  Creates a connection:   Regardless of what you make, sell, produce, etc, you probably have competitors.  What your competitors DON'T have is your staff.  Clients want to work with people they trust and connect with and a good corporate headshot gets that relationship started on the right foot. 

When it comes to a good impression, there's no better place to start than with a great photo.  Good luck kicking off 2016 with your best face forward!!!

Why Headshots?

In 2007, The Booth launched as a pop-up photo studio for special events.  It quickly became clear that our pop-up-studio-in-the-spirit-a-photo-booth had further applications:  brand launches, music and film festivals, event marketing... and headshots!  

Our brand of creating excellent images and clear, affordable and uncomplicated packages translates beautifully into professional headshot photography.  The creative pivot into making photos that read "professional" instead of "party" is a natural evolution for our Creative Director, Ian Londin, who has 20 years of headshot photography under his belt.

Our mission, from day 1, has been to make fabulous, high-production value photography available in non-studio environments in an affordable and logistically accessible manner.  

We are excited about continuing this mission and encourage you to follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.