Who doesn’t love having their picture taken?
First Portraits
Getting your “official” portrait taken usually starts when you’re one day old, courtesy of the hospital photographer.
This is followed by thirteen years of annual school pictures. Although some grade schools now have “picture day” three times per year.
If you played sports or were involved in any other organized activity when you were young, then you probably had many more official pictures.
When you add graduation and prom pictures, driver’s licence photos, passport pictures and maybe even a few police mug shots :-) then you’ve had a lot of official portraits made. Many of those probably had fake, forced smiles.
Last Portraits
When I worked at a Toronto daily newspaper, there were occasions (but thankfully few) when I had to get a “last photo” (aka “a pickup”) from the family of someone who had just died as a result of crime or mishap. It was always surprising, yet still sad, when a person’s last photo was either a school picture taken a decade or more earlier, or a driver’s licence photo.
While some folks make it a point to get pictures done regularly, others would sooner go to a dentist for a root canal. Funny how many photographers are in the latter group.
I’m pretty used to people not liking having their picture taken. I mean, if you do like to have your picture taken, I worry about you.
— US photographer Annie Leibovitz
Business Portraits
Many professional photographers shoot business portraits. “Executive portrait” not only sounds more prestigious but it also sounds more expensive, doesn’t it?
Business photos are often perceived by company employees to be the adult version of school pictures. But business portraits serve a real and valuable purpose.
The cliché but still accurate phrase is “image is everything.” The easiest way to boost business is to look and act professional. Connecting with the customer is more important than just having a good product or service.
A well-run and professional business should be represented by well-produced, professional photography. If a company couldn’t be bothered to present their own employees in a good light then how will that company treat its customers?
I received a request from an insurance company to do portraits of its key people for use on their web site. The communications director said he was embarrassed that none of the people shown on their web site worked at the company because they were all stock pictures.
Why do some businesses misrepresent themselves by using pictures of fake employees, pretend executives and even imaginary offices?
Business Portrait Tips
I once photographed a company president who insisted on wearing a black leather jacket and sunglasses. They paid me a second time to come back and reshoot the picture after the executive realized how silly he looked.
• Avoid wearing white, bold colours or anything with strong patterns. A white shirt under a dark jacket is fine. The only point of interest in a business portrait should be the person’s face and not the purple stripes on their yellow shirt or the bright pink flowers on their blouse.
• Short sleeves are always a fashion faux-pas :-) . You may have arms like an champion athlete but the picture will be out-of-season for at least half of the year. Plus, it’s important to keep the focus on the face and not the arms.
• No low-cut necklines, strapless tops, t-shirts or collarless shirts. No turtlenecks, hats or flamboyant jewellery. It should be obvious but, no Christmas sweaters with elves and reindeer.
• A plain, neutral background should be the first choice. If employees are each photographed on different dates or locations by different photographers, a plain, neutral background is easy to replicate by any photographer. This will give all the portraits a consistent look. This type of background will never go out of style, will convert perfectly for black-and-white use, will blend with any colour of web or printed page, and can be easier to cut out, if required.
• A smile is absolutely necessary. It really is. Not a huge toothy grin but an expression that shows you’re approachable, friendly and positive. Even the worst, over-spending, caught-with-his-pants-down politician smiles on their re-election signs because they know it will help win public opinion. The secret is smiling with your eyes.
Portrait Retouching
A quick word about retouching pictures. Yes it can be done but it should be done with restraint.
If you just came back from vacation and have a sun-burnt face or a very dark tan, then wait a few weeks before being photographed.
Transforming your thinning grey hair into a full head of black hair may not be the best strategy. A good portrait should show you in your best light, not your best dream.
It’s in the photographer’s own best interest that you look your best and that you like your finished picture.
Your business portrait will not only create and emphasize a positive, professional image but it will also pay for itself by winning your customers’ trust and respect.
I have many other posts about portraits.
