Determine framing needs before using corporate portraits in website and promotional materials. The shoot brief should describe the space required by the final design.
List usage locations before shooting
The team page, speaker card and press file may not require the same framing. Show with sketches which surface requires vertical space and which needs horizontal space. If there will be a title next to the photo, the viewing direction and free space can be considered accordingly. Trying to reproduce the non-existent area by cropping after the shooting is finished reduces the options.
Determine a common approach within the team
Prepare samples for the background, lighting character and framing distance. It is not necessary for every person to pose the same way; but when they appear together it should be understood that they belong to the same series. Leave a reusable attraction note for new attendees as well. A structure that is very specific and difficult to reconstruct may make consistency difficult in the future.
Request edits that do not change the ID
Dramatically changing one's appearance by color balance and cleaning up distracting details are two different tasks. Openly discuss the expectation of retouching with the subject and the manufacturer. The corporate portrait should create a reliable impression of the real person in the visitor. Clarify the necessary permissions regarding the scope of use of the image with the company responsible.
Do not limit file to single crop
Keep the main high-resolution image; For web also prepare appropriate size and compression. Check that the face is selected in the small profile icon, while the framing remains natural on the large card. Include the person's name and version information in the file name. Instead of just sending the designer the photo compressed by the messaging application, provide access to the actual file.
Frequently asked questions
What to ask the web designer before a corporate portrait shoot?
Ask where the photo will be used, horizontal and vertical framing requirements, and whether there will be space for text. A single close-up shot may not fit all page layouts.
What should be planned to make team portraits look consistent?
Background, lighting approach, framing and general editing language should be determined together. For the sake of consistency, it is not necessary to make extreme interventions that change people's real appearance.
