Copyright 2005-2018, Stephanie Juhl
Juhl Photography
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205 East Main Street
Watertown WI 53094
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(920) 206-8668
CORPORATE PORTRAIT TIPS
Tips for Great Corporate &
Publicity Portraits
Finding a Photographer
One of the best ways to find a photographer
is through the local grapevine or word-of-
mouth. Ask some of your business
associates if they know of a skilled corporate
photographer.
Make sure the photographer you pick has
experience in corporate and publicity
photography.
Once you've found possible photographers,
ask to look at their portfolios. Also, talk to the
photographers about their experience. Don't
be timid about references and previous
clients. Contact a few of them and ask how
the sessions went.
Don't Rely on an Amateur Photographer
If your cousin has a new digital camera, or a
cell phone with a camera, and offers to take
your photo to save you money, use a
professional instead. Trust me, the expense
will be well worth it.
Many of the bad-quality photos I see are too
dark, out of focus, grainy, scanned
incorrectly, or taken against a busy
backdrop--often by amateur photographers.
I’ve seen photos that look as though people
have plants growing out of the tops of their
heads. I saw another photo of a
businessman with his eyes closed. A woman
gave me a photo of her in a sleeveless
blouse, with her bra strap showing.
Some people send editors snapshots that
show them with friends and family members.
Most editors won’t bother cropping out
babies, husbands or friends. They just won’t
use your photo.
Order a Good Selection of Prints
Pay for as many shots as you can afford so
you have a good selection of images from
which to choose. Also, ask the photographer
if the photo shoot can include one or two
wardrobe changes.
In addition to the head shot, you might also
consider a storytelling photo that shows you
with "props" related to your business. A
hobbie store owner, for example, might be
photographed behind a model train display.
Weekly newspapers that don't have photo
employees would welcome these types of
photos.
Order Several Sizes
•
Most print and online publications use
electronic photos, but some don’t. So
you should have several wallet-size
photos and at least one 4x6 print on
hand just in case someone asks for it.
•
If you’re mailing prints, attach a label to
the back of the photo. It should include
your name, address, phone number,
email address and the year the photo
was taken.
•
Never write on the backs of photos with
a pen or felt-tip marker. If you are mailing
more than one photo, slip a blank piece
of paper between them. Sometimes the
pressure of the post office’s mailing
equipment can cause the back of one
picture to rub off onto the front of
another.
•
I advise business people that when
sending prints to publications, don’t ask
editors to return them. It makes you look
cheap. Besides, you want to encourage
them to keep the photos in their files for
use months or even years later.
General Tips for Publicity Photos
Your official publicity photo is an important
and basic item of the publicity kit because it
is probably the most striking and effective
part of it.
Your publicity photo has a significant
psychological impact on how your business
is perceived. Just like the look of your
storefront, building or office conveys an
image of your business, so too does the
photo you put into your kit.
To ensure that you project the right kind of
professional image your business deserves,
take great care in selecting a professional
photographer and in selecting the right
photos from the session. Remember to
choose a photo that will look good reduced
down to the size of photos you see in the
print media.
Here Are Some General Tips for the
Session Itself:
•
Wear your usual hairstyle. Don't try
anything new.
•
Make sure your hair is styled the way
you want it before you arrive at the
studio.
•
If you need a haircut, have it done one or
two weeks before your photo session.
•
Wear clothing appropriate to your
profession. If you’re a gardener, don’t
have your photo taken in a suit and tie.
•
Avoid high-neck clothing that obscures
your neck.
•
Avoid sleeveless clothing.
•
It's risky to wear prints that draw
attention away from your face. When in
doubt, be safe with solids.
•
When applying make-up, pay special
attention to your eyes. That's what
people see first.
•
Eye shadow adds depth. Avoid
iridescent colors. Stick to neutral.
•
If you wear glasses, ask your optometrist
if you can borrow a pair without lenses.
That way there won’t be any glare.
•
Powder reduces shine and helps
eliminate shiny foreheads and noses.
•
Be sure to tell your photographer the
photos are for publicity so he knows
what kind of backdrop to use. And tell
him not to use a “soft focus” lense. Your
photo should have sharp tones with
good contrast.
•
Don't have your photo taken when you
have a dark suntan or it will look like
your face is oily.
•
Don’t forget to smile! If you don’t, you
might come off looking bored or sad.
Source: Joan Stewart - The Publicity Hound