Summer Business Trends: Embracing the Seasonal Shift

As we enter the middle/late end of summer, we are still noticing some unique, summery things about the business photography landscape. From innovative marketing strategies to shifts in consumer behavior, here are some key trends shaping how we think about business and headshot photography.

Trend 1: Digital Engagement is Soaring.

With more people taking vacations and spending time outdoors, digital engagement becomes paramount. People are away from their desks but not from their phones. Businesses are leveraging social media, interactive content, and mobile-friendly campaigns to stay connected with their audience.

Ease of digital engagement via mobile device is paramount, especially if you have kids you are trying to keep busy before school starts. Chances are, you are running around, dropping off, pickup up, taking the dog to the vet, etc. During those five minutes of waiting in the car or hanging at the dog park, you can squeeze in time to answer an email, look up a vendor, review a resume (do they have a professional corporate headshot???). It's not ideal, but it is nice that phones help you check these things off the list.

And this is on top of the fact that a large part of the workforce is still working from home. Whether we can swing it during the cooler months, a more lax summer schedule that allows us to stay at home drives more digital engagement. Work from home means work outside, maybe, means knock off a bit early and take the kids to the pool, maybe? Hey, as long as you are getting that day to day work done, maybe you can hit that Barre class late morning.

When we are not together, digital engagement soars. Your business is probably leveraging social media and remote connections. As we always say, the first thing someone sees is your headshot photo so make it professional, appropriate and really good!

Trend 2: E-commerce Innovation

Online shopping for that new pair of Birkenstocks or that new office hire, doesn’t slow down in the summer months. Businesses are enhancing their e-commerce platforms and summer outreach with personalized experiences, quick delivery options, and summer-themed digital marketing and outreach campaigns that feel a little lighter in style.

Think about how you can produce images and leverage them to communicate a current feeling. You want the images you put out into the world to feel consistent and responsive to what people see outside their window.

Trend 3: Product Photography in Seasonal Context

With summer comes a shift in consumer preferences towards seasonal products like outdoor gear, beachwear, and refreshing beverages. Businesses invest in product photography that not only showcases the features and benefits but also evokes the feeling of summer. Whether it's a vibrant beach scene or a refreshing drink under the sun, photographers adeptly frame products within their seasonal context.

In the context of corporate headshot photography, this might mean adding a shot that has a fresh, bright feel to it. More and more, we are asked to provide options for a shoot – maybe one professional photo against a solid background and one that is more environmental. Sometimes this is in the office, but it can also have a natural background. Something with natural light that evokes a beautiful day.

And here's the thing about summer shoots. We all look a little better in the summer. Whether it is some kind of outdoorsy glow or a bit of the tan that makes it through your sunscreen, it's a great time to jump in front of the camera for a professional corporate headshot session.

Trend 4: Event Coverage and Documentation

Summer is synonymous with outdoor events, festivals, weddings, and corporate retreats. Photographers specialize in event coverage, capturing candid moments, emotions, and the essence of gatherings.

This kind of coverage is very important for businesses. Clients want to see their vendors as a collection of people. They want to get to know the vendors with whom they are spending time and money.

Social media platforms thrive on visual content, making them essential for businesses during summer. Photographers play a pivotal role in creating Instagram-worthy images and stories that engage followers, enhance brand visibility, and drive traffic to businesses' online platforms.

Businesses can leverage these images in so many ways. Use them in social media feeds, in commercials, in emailers, as press releases. Covering a corporate event with candid photography is a no-brainer. It's a low cost way to generate a ton of content that could last several months of the year.

In Summary

In essence, the convergence of summer business trends and photography creates a dynamic landscape where visual storytelling flourishes. Businesses harness the power of photography to use across digital media. They tell a story that feels timely with the summer light and feeling. Using this kind of corporate headshot photography and corporate candid event photography is a great way to reach people who are digitally connected while enjoying their summers.