The Headshot Station - from a top Toronto Corporate Headshot Event and Branding Photographer and Videographer

The Headshot Station - from a top Toronto Corporate Headshot Event and Branding Photographer and Videographer

Ever wish there were a way to get your whole company’s headshots looking uniform and done quickly? Good news, everyone: the “headshot station” is the solution you’ve been looking for. Your upcoming conference, special event or all-hands is the perfect opportunity! Let’s chat about how your company can look its best.

How does a headshot station work? It’s a relatively contained photoshoot where I set up lighting and backdrop as usual, and you can line up and get your shots done quickly and pick which you like best, all on site and all within minutes. It’s so easy, there’s really no reason not to have up-to-date headshots for your personnel.

There are many reasons to keep your headshots current and looking good, not least because this is how you’re representing your company and your brand, but also the people you work with. The better you all look, well, the better you all look!

As you can see, a headshot can be taken outdoors, which means weather permitting, I can set up a headshot station there too, if you’re holding an outdoor event or if your company’s campus has some nice outdoorsy vistas. The results are often quite striking, and your people will appreciate the quality of the shots that represent them and help you all put your best face forward.

Anytime is the right time to start thinking about booking a professional photographer for your next event. Ask me about setting up a headshot station there; I’m sure you’ll be surprised how easy it is!

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If you’d like to book a photoshoot with Toronto’s top Corporate Headshot and Event photographer, contact me today for a quote and a list of locations that’ll make the shoot a success!

Toronto Corporate Headshot, Event and Branding Photographer and Videographer

www.lizcaruana.com

 

Choosing The Best Corporate Headshot Backgrounds - from a top Toronto Corporate Headshot And Event Photographer

Choosing The Best Corporate Headshot Backgrounds - from a top Toronto Corporate Headshot And Event Photographer

Well, let's face it, dear Readers: none of us is getting any younger! As much as we all might like it to be so -- it's just not happening! So let's just stop using white backgrounds! They are harsh and unflattering, and are probably the most aggressive lighting you can choose for a photo. When we have a photo of ourselves, we want it to be the best possible version of ourselves. But by choosing a white background, you're opting for one of the toughest settings for even the youngest and most attractive among us to look good. Seriously, only babies look good with a white background! 

Light gray is the new black! These days I'm recommending all my clients at least consider a light gray background instead of the harsh old standard white. Light gray is softer and far more flattering, as well as looking more dimensional. On its own it serves as a much less hard and unforgiving background than white. There are no limits on using light gray as a background either, since the subject still stands out from the background. This means that if desired the subject could even be cut out from the background and placed in another (though I don't recommend this treatment - instead, I typically prefer to shoot on location. Like Hawaii! Hint, hint!). 

Early in the planning process, after we determine the location for the shoot, we'll talk in detail about backgrounds. I do recommend mixing it up a bit during the shoot -- a couple different backgrounds, maybe a couple different wardrobe choices -- to keep the energy and interest level up in your photos. But when thinking about background colors be wary of opting for white -- unless you happen to be a bright red pair of headphones, it's unlikely this setting is going to be flattering! Instead, I'll recommend light gray, as this will mean less harsh lighting and I know you'll be much happier with the headshots we take!

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If would like to book a Toronto Corporate Headshot photoshoot with me, contact me today.

Toronto Corporate Headshot Event and Branding Photographer and Videographer 

https://www.lizcaruana.com/

 

How to get the best headshot: environmental, location, or studio? - from a top Toronto Corporate Headshot And Event Photographer

How to get the best headshot: environmental, location, or studio? - from a top Toronto Corporate Headshot And Event Photographer

I know what you're thinking: A headshot is a headshot, right? Wrong! Where you capture that headshot is a crucial element in the final look and feel of the photos. When creating headshots for a corporate client or pitching a new set of corporate headshots, there are three types of settings to choose from: 

Environmental

An "environmental" shoot is usually shot indoors in the subject matter's own environment. It could be a their office, it could be in a warehouse, a bakery, a kitchen, etc. -- wherever they spend their time. The idea here is that the subject will be at ease in their environment (and with being the subject of the photograph!). When shooting these types of headshots, the subject can either be engaged with the camera or it can be more photojournalistic (ie, capturing them in the moment or action).  When I shoot environmental I tend to shoot both versions and let the client pick what they like as the final photo. 

We don’t always get to see what all the in between photos are but I shoot them because many times a client will also like the alternative image that can be used on the company website, for example. Environmental shoots can be great for these types of natural "in between" photos that really capture the spirit of the subject matter. 

On Location

A shoot "on location" is when the client goes to a location that is not their own. They could be in a  park, or they go to a monument, or they are somewhere they like and want it to represent them -- but ultimately the location is not their own. This is what separates an environmental shoot from an on location shoot. 

For example, an on location shoot could even be the subject with the downtown of their city blurry in the background blurry. This style of photo is frequently used when people want to give the feel of their offices being in a city or downtown. Images shot on location are mostly used for website content, though sometimes can be suitable for corporate headshots as well. 

In a Studio

Lastly, and perhaps most versatile, shooting in a studio will provide you with a truly "multi purpose" photo. Headshots done in a studio can be used on the company website, can represent you and your company, but can also be used for speaking engagements when a neutral white or light grey background is all that is needed. 

Determining which type of shoot is best will depend on the type of headshots needed and where those photos will be posted. When planning a shoot, I usually lay out these options very early in the process so that we can get our location picked out first and work on ideas and themes from there. 

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If would like to book a Toronto Corporate Headshot photoshoot with me, contact me today.

Toronto Corporate Headshot Event and Branding Photographer and Videographer 

https://www.lizcaruana.com/

 

Matt Mullenweg of Wordpress - from a top Toronto Corporate Headshot And Event Photographer

Matt Mullenweg of Wordpress - from a top Toronto Corporate Headshot And Event Photographer

I figured once I started doing corporate shoots for start ups and innovators around San Francisco that I might just get to meet a famous CEO (or two). But I also figured it would take years of shooting for really obscure little companies before my chance came. So imagine my shock and excitement when I recently confirmed a shoot with Matt Mullenweg, the developer behind the free and open source web software WordPress. WordPress!  The open source blogging tool that powers more than 20% of websites around the Web today and I was going to get to shoot for their Lead Developer! 

As excited as I was, I was quickly brought down to earth as I started prepping for the shoot. Matt is a really busy guy -- not like the kind of "busy" friends cite when they would just prefer to stay home and binge on Netflix, but really, actually, truly busy.  So busy, in fact, that I did not get the chance to speak with him ahead of the shoot. Instead, I worked with his representative prior to the shoot to provide guidance on wardrobe, and get feedback on location and the plan for the shoot. 

Our shoot was for some photos to accompany a piece in SOMA magazine, and it was actually really helpful to have the writer for the article there as well, so I had a feel for the questions and setting of the text that would surround my photos. Once the writer was done interviewing Matt, I was able to photograph him in several locations around the office. We really wanted to showcase him and his office, and so we used props like his computer with the WordPress logo on it, to show who he was contextually within the photograph. 

The results were fantastic -- the office looked amazing and the shots of Matt came out wonderfully natural, relaxed and yet very confident. For being a tough shoot to plan for such a busy guy, we were incredibly pleased with the photos we got. 

If you like this post please consider following my blog as well as my google page.

If would like to book a Toronto Corporate Headshot photoshoot with me, contact me today.

Toronto Corporate Headshot Event and Branding Photographer and Videographer 

https://www.lizcaruana.com/

 

How to Look Best for Your Corporate Headshots - from a top Toronto Corporate Headshot And Event Photographer

How to Look Best for Your Corporate Headshots - from a top Toronto Corporate Headshot And Event Photographer

So it’s Tuesday morning and you’re running out the door, trying to make the bus, and it hits you just as you settle into your seat: headshots today. You glance down and realize the rumpled shirt you opted not to iron this morning is about to be immortalized on your LinkedIn page for years to come. 

Shoot! The shoot is today!

Avoid this kind of sweaty terror — and rumply outcome — with just a bit of preparation: 

• Set a reminder in your calendar that will go off the evening before the shoot. This will make sure you don’t just remember your shoot’s tomorrow, but that you have time to prepare.

• Get some rest! Nothing will help you look your best more than a good night’s sleep, and you won’t be happy with the amount of Photoshop needed to erase a hangover.

• Clean and simple will give you the best results. This isn’t the day to try a crazy new hairdo or to get in touch with your Goth side. Opt for tidy hair, simple makeup, and a plain (clean!) shirt and you’ll be much happier with the resulting photos.

• Practice makes perfect - even for photos. Sounds weird right? But no matter how many selfies you posted to Facebook last week, it’s worth a bit of mirror time before your headshots to make sure you’re happy with the expressions about to be photographed.

Lastly, before the big day, I usually recommend you do a bit of spying. Seriously! This is the fun part —spend a bit of time checking out LinkedIn profiles of professionals you admire and others in your field. This will give you a sense for what’s out there, and help make sure if everyone in your industry is wearing suits, you don’t show up for your shoot without a blazer and tie. 

Professional headshots can give you a serious leg up in your career, whether you’re just starting out, deep in the job search, or just looking to build your network.

If you like this post please consider following my blog as well as my google page.

If would like to book a San Francisco Corporate Headshot photo shoot with me, contact me today.

Toronto Corporate Headshot Event and Branding Photographer and Videographer 

https://www.lizcaruana.com/