What Are Company Headshots?
Business headshots are professional portrait photographs for multiple purposes, including company websites, business cards, press releases, and LinkedIn profiles. They are widely used to represent individuals in a polished and professional manner across various platforms. The average professional’s LinkedIn profile is undoubtedly the most popular platform for displaying a company headshot.
These headshots serve as a visual representation of professionalism, approachability, and competency. A remarkable headshot is a decisive initial step in cultivating an outstanding personal brand that accelerates the hiring process, enhances sales figures, or attracts potential investors to your company.
It’s worth mentioning that the term “company headshot” can encompass either an individual session or bookings for an entire company.
Are Company Headshots Important?
Have you ever encountered someone whom you either instantly liked or disliked? It’s intriguing how we form these impressions, sometimes without even knowing why. Interestingly, most people tend to generate these “first impressions” of others within a mere fraction of a second – just 1/8th, to be precise. And these initial impressions can have a profound impact on various aspects, such as hiring decisions, purchasing choices, and even the willingness to listen.
In today’s digital age, first impressions frequently occur online. Hiring managers rely on LinkedIn to assess job applicants, potential clients observe your employees through PowerPoint presentations, and investors turn to the company’s About Us page for insights into its executives. The digital realm has become the gateway to forming these crucial initial perceptions.
An excellent company headshot is critical for making a good first impression with these people, which can significantly impact your career and company.
What Do I Wear for Company Headshots?
Regarding professional headshots, selecting the proper attire is crucial to make a lasting impression. Your choice of clothing should align with your personality, industry, and the intended use of the photos.
We recommend the classic suit-and-tie ensemble for men or the female equivalent attire for conservative industries such as law and finance. This attire exudes a sense of professionalism and reliability, making it an ideal choice for representing your expertise in these fields.
In other industries, observing the dressing styles of successful peers and senior executives on platforms like LinkedIn is beneficial. Take inspiration from those who have achieved the success you aspire to reach rather than limiting your choices to your immediate network.
Remember the age-old advice: “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” Your outfit should reflect your ambitions and readiness for higher organizational responsibilities.
If you need help with the best attire for your company headshots, seek guidance from our expert photographers. We are always delighted to provide personalized recommendations that complement your unique style and industry standards.
How Do I Pose for Company Headshots?
There’s no need to go overboard with extravagant poses regarding business headshots. Our sessions prioritize minimalist poses, removing the strange and forced positions some photographers may subject their clients to. Our focus is on showcasing your professionalism rather than our photography skills.
We recommend warming up with simple poses to start your session. Just stand there and flash a genuine smile. As we progress, we can explore more options like crossed-arms headshots and even capture a few candid shots.
Rest assured, we aim to capture your best self while maintaining a sense of elegance and authenticity.
What Backdrops are Best for Company Headshots?
For conservative industries like law and finance, use neutral backgrounds in white, gray, or black shades. These colors capture reliable and consistent shots. Preview all studio background options on our headshot backgrounds page.
Add some personality to your photos for those in creative industries, non-profits, or tech. Choose a colored studio backdrop or opt for an outdoor/in-office session. These photos tend to have more personality.
When booking for senior executives or thought leaders, it’s advisable to capture various photos that can be used across different platforms. Ideally, include a few outdoor shots to complement the studio headshots. At Zen Studios, we offer different backdrop choices!
How Should I Prepare for Company Headshots?
Preparation is the key to achieving picture-perfect results when getting company headshots that exude confidence and professionalism. Here are three essential steps to ensure you’re ready for your headshot session.
1. Prioritize Self-Care: Before your professional headshot session, prioritize essential self-care practices. Ensure you get ample rest, engage in regular physical activity, and bask in the rejuvenating glow of natural sunlight. Taking care of yourself boosts your confidence and helps our editing team work their magic more effectively, delivering natural and flawless-looking photos.
2. Dress Rehearsal: A few days before your session, try on your chosen outfits briefly. Ensuring your clothing fits well and is free from wrinkles or stains can significantly affect the final headshots. This step helps avoid last-minute surprises and ensures you look your best on the shoot day.
3. Seek Inspiration from Prior Photos: Reflect on previous photos of yourself and identify any angles or poses you particularly liked. Bringing these photos to the studio and sharing them with your photographer can serve as valuable guidance. Our skilled photographers will use this insight to find the most flattering angles that complement your unique personality.
At Zen Studios, we know the importance of capturing your best self in professional headshots. With three simple yet effective steps, you’ll feel confident and well-prepared, resulting in headshots representing you and your company in the best light. Trust our expertise to showcase your professionalism and create headshots that impress clients, colleagues, and partners. Contact us today!
What If I’m Not Photogenic or Hate Getting My Photo Taken?
Rest assured, we’ve got you covered! Unfortunately, many portrait photographers inadvertently create an uncomfortable atmosphere for their clients. They often impose awkward poses and lack an understanding of their client’s desires. Alternatively, they may rush through the session.
At Zen Studios, our primary goal is to cultivate a delightful and stress-free experience for every client. Within our studio, we create a lively ambiance accompanied by upbeat music while consistently seeking feedback from our clients. Our dedicated team works diligently to capture a headshot you will proudly display online.
How Much Do Company Headshots Cost?
Looking to level up your professional image? Company headshots are a must.
But here’s the deal: the cost varies based on location, package options, and your chosen provider. You have to watch for two things: licensing and retouching fees.
Now, licensing-wise, most photographers only grant ownership for the photos you “buy” from them. That’s different from the “session fee,” which covers the time spent in their studio. Additional licensing fees may apply if you use your shots for press releases, ads, magazines, or book covers.
Now, let’s talk retouching. Some photographers charge around $50 to $150 per photo. So, consider those costs when calculating your total session investment.
But wait! At Zen Studios; we’ve got something special. Our sessions start at $225. You get 100% usage rights for ALL the images from your shoot. Not just that, you also receive a custom-retouched image of your choice. Now, that’s a winning deal!
