15 Best Corporate Photography Tips You Need To Know in 2017

Corporate Photography doesn’t mean you should take photos of men and women in suits and formal attire all day long. Corporate photographs need to define the whole event and tell the story with the main theme in between. There are two types of corporate photography, which includes event and portrait photography. Event photography means taking pictures of employees and guests attending corporate events such as conferences, galas and parties whereas portrait photography means taking pictures of employees for websites and magazines. Here we will provide 15 Best Corporate Photography tips that you need to know for 2017.

1. Corporate photography is not only about shooting pictures of glamorous men and women attending parties all the time. The photographer needs to get accustomed with the event so that he/she can tell the story and theme of the event through the photographs. Note down the decorations beforehand and all the angles that are suitable.


2. Even if you are there just to take photographs, try to blend with the group. Dress accordingly as most corporate events require cocktail attire. Most of the corporate events have strict dress code, so just call the event and ask for the details. It looks really bad when everyone is in dressed for the event and a photographer shows up in jeans and sneakers.

3. Scout the location beforehand, and be prepared to shoot at the minimal lighting conditions. You need to prepare all the equipment that will be required for the job. If you cannot visit the venue, call the organisers and ask about the lighting and venue condition in detail. If possible ask for the photographs previously taken at the same venue.

4. Don’t disturb the conversation just to take a photo. When two people or two parties are having a conversation that seems important,any interruption from the photographer may annoy them which can lead to your bad image. However, when approached in a relaxed environment, you can get photos with all smiles and guests may even pose for you.

5. Don’t pitch in and engage in the conversation with the guests. People may not show that they are bothered or annoyed, but it is an inappropriate thing to do. If a guest wants your opinion on something, they will automatically ask you themselves.

6. Don’t drink alcohol, even you are offered one. No one likes a drunk photographer taking their pictures. A professional needs to be up to the mark at their job and drunken photography is not professional, of course! Better yet, have a good lunch/dinner before the event. If the event is long, you may miss some important shot while having lunch/dinner in between.

7. Don’t photograph people eating. No one wants to be seen while chewing food. Would you like if somebody photographs you while chewing?

8. Don’t get locked up on taking pictures of people only. Photographers needs to be creative, pay attention to decorations and interior design of the venue as the portrayed theme can speak thousand words about the event.

9. Take the best camera and equipment. It goes without saying that you will need a professional camera, additionally pick up a second one as the backup, if the first one fails. And most important, don’t forget to take extra sets of battery. You don’t want to say that your camera is dead if someone asks to take their picture.

10. External flash, unless you are shooting in a day light, is a must. Camera’s inbuilt flash is not sufficient and you don’t want to be shooting with direct flash. Make sure that you get a flash that has an adjustable head as you can bounce flash off white ceiling and walls, creating more natural looking light. If flash photography is prohibited, ask the organiser to increase the amount of ambient light in the room.


11. If you are taking photographs for magazine or website, pick a relevant environment. Photographing for business magazine at a cafeteria or natural environment doesn’t make any sense.

12. During the head shot portrait photography, maintain the subject’s alignment so that the passport type-look can be avoided. Make sure the subject is looking at the camera, posing candid is not an option in head shot portrait photography.

13. Remember, corporate photography isn’t about being creative, it’s about looking professional, and it’s about giving your photograph a professional look. The photograph needs to reflect the corporate look the organization possess. Don’t get carried away with too much of editing.

14. You don’t want your subject to be in bad mood because you were late to the field. Be punctual. If you keep clients waiting, it presents you as an unprofessional.

Beautiful Smiles

15. As with all the corporate photography, note down what your client actually wants and expects. Your photography may be of high class but if you don’t get what the client actually wants, your hard work and effort doesn’t have any value.

Being a professional photographer myself, at the start of my career I was told that a professional photographer has to go through many changes. And these points are some of the things I faced during early days of my career. If you want to connect with me, email me at lousie@louisebagger.com.au or ring me at 0421055668.