Studio Portrait vs. Environmental Portrait - What The Professional Headshot Says About The Business
It's election season, so let's debate. Should a headshot be done on a solid background or with the office setting as the background environment? The establishment candidate might say solid, all the way. Keep it clean, professional and let the person and the clothing offer cues about the individual's professionalism and style.
The outside-the-box candidate might say, "Wait. Where you are, what's on your walls - these things paint a bigger picture about you and your business."
Who wins the debate? We say it's a draw.
Though a solid background can signal a white collar professional or executive persona, there are ways to give it a twist making it perfect for someone in the creative services:
Executive at an Investment Banking Firm - Looking Sharp and Super professional in a suit and tie
Tech Focused Event Professional - Looking sharp and creative. She's the kind of person that would bring fun to the job.
An environmental shot can use the space you work in to offer a suggestion or very clearly tell the world what you do. In our opinion, this style can work across professions:
Chef Daniel Boulud at Epicerie Boulud - light and airy, dressed in a Chef's Coat
Fund manager - The curved factory windows and communal tables suggest a non-tradional workplace inside of the financial industry
executive at a global financial services firm - taking an opportunity to integrate his company's brand into his portrait.
The key thing in all of this is to align your portraits with your company's brand. Think about your company's mission. What are some of the visual features and design elements that you already use to marketing your company? In the end, it's all about you are and the company you represent.