Corporate photo session - what, why, and how to prepare
I get a call: "We need team photos for the website. When can we do it?" I ask: for which website, for which section, in what style. Silence. "Well... normal. For the website."
And in that "normal" lies the problem. A corporate photo session where nobody knows what they want produces photos nobody is happy with.
When a company truly needs a session
It is not about having photos "because you should." A corporate session makes sense when:
- You are building a new website - and want a "Team" or "About us" section with real people
- You are rebranding - new logo, new colors, old photos do not fit
- You are building your LinkedIn - personal profile of the owner + company page
- You are hiring - candidates check companies online, real photos build trust
- You are entering a new market - and need materials that say "we are professional"
What to photograph
A corporate session is not just posed portraits against a wall. The best set includes:
Individual portraits
Each team member separately. Consistent background, consistent lighting, but each person with their natural expression. A forced smile on command is visible from a mile away.
Team in action
Meeting at a table, working at a computer, chatting in the hallway. Staged but natural. These photos go on the homepage, the "How we work" section, LinkedIn posts.
The space
Office, workshop, warehouse, showroom. Clients want to see where their projects will be created. Empty stock open-spaces from Unsplash do not impress - your real office does.
Details
Hands at work, a screen with a project, tools, products. Details build authenticity and provide social media content for months.
Common mistakes
"Let's do it quickly." A session for a 10-person team in one hour? Everyone gets 3 minutes, meaning one shot, zero warm-up. Result: tense faces and forced smiles.
"Let everyone come in whatever they want." And you get a photo where the CEO is in a suit, the accountant in a printed t-shirt, and the developer in a hoodie. Team consistency? Zero.
"A phone will do." No, it will not. A professional camera with the right lens gives control over depth of field, bokeh, and detail sharpness. A phone gives "good for Instagram" but not "good for a company website."
"We'll do it ourselves." Who will be in the photo and behind the camera at the same time? Who will set the light? Who will say the tie is crooked? A photographer sees things you do not see, because you are busy posing.
How to prepare - checklist
Before the session:
- Determine how many people will be photographed
- Define where the photos will be used (website, LinkedIn, print materials)
- Choose a dress code - 2 outfits per person is ideal
- Prepare a shot list (portraits, group, action, details)
- Clean the space (desks, hallways, conference room)
- Plan 2-3 hours, not "a quick hour"
A detailed preparation guide for business sessions is available at goyka.pl/blog - step by step, with specific tips on clothing, makeup, and day planning.
Working with dede
I have been working with the dede agency for 6 years, providing photos for websites, marketing materials, and branding projects. I know what formats and resolutions are needed, how to frame for different layouts, and what makes a photo look good on a website, not just in a photographer's portfolio.
If you are building a site with dede and need photos - get in touch. We plan the session so the designer has material to build a truly great website.
