Five tips for helping you look brilliant in your Business photo shoot.

Contact John Ferguson Photography

I'm always telling anyone who will listen, that photo sessions can mean hundreds of different ideas and options for people and their businesses, literally.

From profile headshots to fashion portraits, individual and team photography to lifestyle pictures and portraits that will help sell one's self and their business. 

You may have heard that we make a snap judgement or form an opinion on whether we like a person within 1/10th of a second from seeing their photograph. Websites are no difference; it's around 0.05 seconds to make the first impression on us, this determines whether they'll stay on this particular site or not, and this determines whether they'll buy your product or services.  

Every good photographer will know just how to capture the right mood, look or style that will complement your professional vision. And remember you have the choice to pick your favourite pictures from your shoot, not the photographer. Obviously, it's in the photographer's best interest to make you look as cool, professional, business-like or just down-right sexy if that's what you require. 

Many people think that their camera-shy, or just not right in front of a camera. But even supermodels can take bad pictures. It's the job of the photographer to settle you down, talk to you about your needs, convey confidence in yourself, which in turn enables you to feel assured, at ease with each other, and goes on to build that trust that you want from your photographer.

Photographers are essential in moving your business and brand forward; they know what look is current and contemporary and more importantly what isn't. So let them guide you to where it is you want your site to go, or the look you're hoping to achieve. 

Before you head into a photo shoot, I provide the words that you should pass on to the master behind the camera.

First; Show People Your Personality. 

You want the photographer to capture your personality, so, this is where you come in. Headshots can be a little annoying, so bring your character to the party. As a photographer, my pet hate is having to continually come up with the jokes in an attempt to make my subject laugh and smile. Don't get me wrong I have some crackers that are instance hits, but I'm not a comedian, I only have so many bad jokes, and besides, I'm more interested in making you look good. 

Secondly; The Big Secret.

The secret to every good photo session relies on collaboration, between you the subject and me the photographer. If you have any good props that relate to your business or work for your environment, then bring these along. Hats always work well for smaller additional pictures, don't be scared to move around during your photo session, your personality will shine through and bring out that essence about you, for your public to see. You may feel uncomfortable during the shoot, but this will be a big win for you in the long run. 

Thirdly; Choose Your Environment Wisely 

Unless you specifically want your shoot to be in a studio with a white backdrop, then get your photographer to take you where there are numerous options for different backgrounds. So find your town's best independent coffee shop, or trendiest bar, or restaurant, something that's meaningful to you. If you're a journalist or writer, consider a local coffee bar, or you might run your own business, then what about a contemporary building as a backdrop. If you're in a big city, then head down to the liveliest place in town and use 'people' as an interesting background. You could even find somewhere that inspires you or somewhere that mixes both modern and historical. What about a cool alleyway? You just need to think a little outside the box, and I promise you'll be much happier with this kind of photography, as opposed to your competitor's photos at their desks or just another boring headshot picture against a white background.  

Fourth; Get Left And Right 'In Camera' Shots

Your photographer will naturally want to centre you in all the shots. But don't let this happen. You need to be slightly left or right of the camera frame, which leaves more room to add text or graphics beside your body or face.

 Fifth; Remember, Landscape Pictures Are a Most

Whether it's a Linkedin or Facebook cover photo, Twitter header photo or a Google+ cover, you want to have high-resolution photo files from your photographer. Photo files that crop horizontally. Think social media banner photographs. This is how the Internet has adjusted to accommodate image display across different devices.

Before you meet with your photographer, share some examples of how you'd like your images to look. Check out Google Images or Pinterest for examples that you like, so he/she accounts for your expectations in their shots. Check out some great profile shots on these platforms and built a storyboard that you'd like from your photographer. Good Luck and enjoy your photo session.

John Ferguson is an experienced commercial and editorial photographer working with large blue chip companies, Charities, Design and PR agencies alongside well-known national and international newspapers and magazines around the world. 

Check out John Ferguson's website here www.johnferguson.co.uk