Portrait Photographer
I recently did a portrait project for a client. We photographed a bunch of employees for posters to be displayed on workplace walls along with inspirational quotes. The plan was to create dramatically lit portraits to print in duotone. Here are a couple of the images. One was taken in the warehouse, the other in the offices. Let me know what you think.
Sometimes a simple portrait is all you need. We do headshots for a local credit union. Between their massive growth and modest turnover, we shoot quite a few. Many find the idea of getting a portrait unpleasant. It's like hearing yourself on voicemail. We try to make the process as pleasant as possible, which I think makes for a better headshot.
This portrait was shot at the client's office, but the background is from an office at the Domino’s Farms Office Park. It's a low, sprawling Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired complex. I'm not sure how Mr. Wright would feel about it, but I liked it. There are cows in the fields adjacent to the building. A pleasant environment. Let me know what you think.
I like shooting portraits on location. Getting people in their own environment. In some ways, it's easier to see someone's soul when they are on their home turf. This day I was photographing some exceptional women who were being recognized for there work. I enjoy the excitement of pulling together the location/background, the lighting, and posing until everything works. Or at least I think it does. What do you think? 
I did this portrait several years ago, but I think it illustrates the value of design. The C suite employees were represented on the website with these photos. My partner Dave did a few, and I think there were some done in Germany too. Everyone was wearing white shirts on a white gradient background, looking pretty serious. The style integrated with the website well. The total effect was striking. Let me know what you think!
Your image is for you to decide. You can be all buttoned up, literally and figuratively, or a little looser and more approachable. Many companies choose for you and have dressing requirements. We've done photography for clients who had all their executives wear white shirts with no tie, others a suit and tie, and still others like the photo above. Let me know what you think.
In the course of my work I often photograph lawyers. For attorneys, putting your name, and face, out there is a crucial step in acquiring new clients. Websites, PR releases, business cards, and social media all benefit from a good portrait. Headshots like this one can be used to fill various needs. If it's cropped tight, it will work for a LinkedIn profile. Cropped vertically, it would work for a PR release. I am always interested in your thoughts.
Often when I take a professional portrait it is an anxiety provoking experience for the subject. It’s my job to capture self-confidence and well-being. I do my best to make people feel comfortable and relaxed. When photographing lawyers and other professionals, I aim for a portrait that conveys confidence, trust and poise. As always, I’m interested in your thoughts and comments.
The fact is, everything is shot in color. Unless of course, you are actually using B&W film! My point is, limiting yourself to shades of gray is very deliberate. Sometimes it’s a cost thing if it’s going to appear in print. Often it’s just an effort to simplify. The smaller palette means that you’ve got to make what’s left work a little harder. I’m always interested in your thoughts and comments.
The whole idea behind a business portrait is to convey something about who you are, to someone that doesn’t know you. It can be the image on a corporate ID badge, but personally I think a business portrait has bigger job. No matter what your job: doctor, financial consultant, lawyer or sales, it’s important that people trust you. So a business portrait or headshot is what goes before you, to stand in your place until you get face to face. It’s a big job. Let me know what you think.
You might call it a headshot, but to me, headshot is a term better reserved for the picture on your driver's license. A portrait on the other hand, reveals a little more of your inner nature, your soul if you like. My business partner David shoots most of the portraits for Blue Sky, but he’s been out of town, so I get a crack at it. It’s challenging, because it’s more that just getting the lighting and technical stuff right, you have to connect with your subject, in order to help them reveal who they are.
As I said before, I mostly shoot products and things. When I had the opportunity to shoot the Renaissance Center security officers, I jumped it. Location Photography requires thinking on your feet, and going with the flow. Working around the things that you cannot change, and working with the things that you can. I had phenomenal cooperation from everyone on the shoot day. As always, I’m interested in your thoughts.
I don’t photograph people often, but I enjoy it when I do. There are lots more balls to keep in the air. When shooting product, you can methodically move forward till you have what you want. With people, everything is always changing – especially with groups. It’s much easier with good models, so I try to have a casting session to see what they are like in front of a camera. As alway, I am interested in your thoughts.
What ever your reason for needing an executive portrait or business Portrait, finding a professional photographer is not difficult. If you search Google or Bing using the phrase “executive portrait” and include a city or state name, the search should bring up plenty of photographers to choose from. Next look at their work to see if it is similar to what you want. Talk with the ones you like. Find out what they charge. Ask if they have a studio, how long have they been in business. Find out who are their other clients. You’ll want to select a studio that has a solid history and will be around for a while.Establishing an ongoing relationship with a photography studio has benefits. You don’t have to search for and price several photographers every time you have a need another executive portrait, You will have confidence that the photographers you have already chosen can produce a quality product. By choosing one studio for your ongoing executive portrait needs, you’ll also get a consistent “look” for all the portraits.
Executive portraits come in many flavors, from a simple head and shoulders shot on a plain or mottled background to high production value environmental portraits. Portraits can be shot at your facility or at a photo studio. Expect to spend more for more complicated shots or backgrounds. At our studio, we charge a little more to shoot on location, because it’s more work.Carefully choosing when to schedule a shoot can save you money. A sales or board meeting is a good time to schedule a shoot because many portraits can be done with one set up. We offer discounts when shooting more portraits per session. Environmental portraits (portraits taken on location) can range from modest to high budget affairs. Executives are often pressed for time, and we can set up lighting and composition in advance so they need only step into the set and spend a few minutes. Make-up stylists can also be an important aspect of a portrait session, offsetting the extra expense. Environmental portraits shot with available light or with minimal supplementary lighting offer a budget conscious alternative. Work closely with your chosen photographer to identify cost conscious ways to get the executive portraits that your company needs.