Corporate branding is more important than ever in today’s business world. The way your company is presented to the market can really make a difference to your bottom line.
Let’s face it, DIY company images are simply not going to cut it. Especially when your direct competitor has just launched their new marketing collateral with knockout corporate shots that exude cohesion, class and confidence.
So, you need to hire a professional corporate photographer! Where to even start?
Start with this comprehensive checklist of the steps required for hiring a professional corporate photographer.
Do Your Research
When it comes to hiring a professional corporate photographer, it pays to do your research. There is a vast difference from photographing weddings to capturing corporate and branding shots so you want to filter all the wedding and baby photographers out and focus on photographers who specialise in corporate and company photography.
These photographers will be more experienced in taking impactful headshots and standout group images. They will also have more understanding of what works and doesn’t work with corporate images, not to mention the ability to work around your company requirements on shoot day.
Narrowing down your search to photographers who specialise in corporate and company photography is definitely going to narrow the field quite a lot and make it a lot easier for you to find the perfect fit for your corporate photo shoot.
Be Clear on Your Requirements
Before you even do your research to find the right corporate photographer for you, take time to compile a list of goals and requirements that you want to achieve with your corporate photo shoot.
Make a note of what kind of images you want and how many different angles you may need. Do you just want individual headshots of all your team? Or do you want both headshots and group images taken? Do you want multiple locations and backgrounds or will one backdrop suffice?
What about action shots? Do you want photos taken of you hard at work carrying out your regular tasks or perhaps photos of your team nutting out a project in a meeting?
The best way to know what kind of photos you want and how many is to determine where the images will be used. Will they be used in all your marketing material or are only required for one particular project?
Knowing the answer to all these questions will make your job of finding the right professional photographer to fulfil your requirements a whole lot easier.
Conduct Interviews
Once you have done your research and narrowed down your search, the next step is to interview the photographer. This is a critical step that can help you get a feel for the photographer and vice versa.
It doesn’t have to be a formal interview process, a simple phone conversation with the photographer can be enough for you to decide if they are going to be a good fit or not.
Before speaking to the photographer, be prepared and have a list of questions ready to go. The photographer will appreciate you being organised and you can make sure none of your queries are overlooked.
Find a Photographer That Understands Your Company
A great corporate photographer will be on the same page as you in regards to your image requirements. They will listen to what your needs and wants are when it comes to your corporate images and will be able to confirm that they can work in with your requirements.
A good photographer will also be able to give you advice and feedback based on their professional experience which will help you determine if they are going to be a good fit for your project.
Check Out Their Portfolio
As part of doing your research, Take time to inspect the photographer’s portfolio of work. You want to work with a photographer who has a style that is in line with the images you want to receive in the end, and the best way to find out the photographer’s style is to check out their work.
Getting a feel for their image style and taking note of particular shots that you would like to style your corporate shoots on will help give the photographer an idea of the direction you want to take with your photo shoot.
Consider Logistics
Logistics, timeframes and efficiency are important factors to consider when it comes to corporate photography. This is particularly important if you have a very large and very busy corporation.
Engaging a photographer who is able to come to you rather than your entire team going to them is a significant advantage. So too is having a photographer who is organised, able to work efficiently, and makes note of the details. When it comes to corporate images, the details count.
A good professional corporate photographer will take care of all the logistics and coordination of your photo shoot… Both for individual images and group shots, and will be able to work in with your company’s workday to avoid major disruptions.
Compare Costs vs Value
The costs involved with corporate photography packages are always going to be a consideration of course. But when considering the costs involved, don’t forget to factor in other important elements that are also outlined in this checklist.
Don’t just consider the dollar amount presented to you, as the cheapest may not always be the best option. Consider the value that the particular photographer is going to bring to your company.
Also, consider the costs and time involved if you choose the wrong photographer and you have to repeat the process of a corporate photo shoot all over again with the right photographer.
Make a Decision and Engage Your Corporate Photographer
Once you have done all your research, interviews and assessments, it’s time to make a decision and book the photographer you feel will be the best fit for your company.
They often say the best decision is a quick decision and in the case of choosing the right photographer to fit your corporate photography needs this couldn’t be truer.
Professional photographers can often be booked out well in advance, so it’s a good idea to engage your photographer quickly to ensure a quick turn around on your prints.
As a professional corporate photographer, we have the skill and experience along with corporate packages that suit any company requirements. And we’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about your corporate photo shoot.
Get in touch today to discuss your corporate photography requirements.
