How to Prepare for Team Headshots: A Helpful Guide for Businesses
So, your team is ready to get some amazing headshots taken? That’s awesome! Professional team headshots are a great way to show off your brand’s personality, create a cohesive image, and give clients or potential hires a warm, professional first impression. But we get it—coordinating a photo shoot for a whole team can feel like a lot. No worries, though! We’re here to guide you through the process and make sure everyone is camera-ready, confident, and looking their best.
Why Team Headshots Matter
Team headshots are more than just photos—they're a key part of your company’s branding. Whether you're showcasing your people on your website, LinkedIn, or even marketing materials, these images set the tone for how clients and partners see your business. A great headshot shows confidence, professionalism, and approachability—all in one frame. Let’s get started on how to make this process smooth and enjoyable for your team!
What to Wear for Corporate Headshots
Choosing the right outfit for headshots can be a little tricky, but here are some simple guidelines to help everyone look their best:
1. Keep it Professional, but True to Your Brand
Your outfit should reflect the tone of your industry and your company’s culture. If your company leans formal (law firms, financial services), opt for suits or business attire. If you work in a more creative or casual field, you can loosen things up a bit—but still aim for a polished look. Whether your company emphasizes creativity and individuality or leans more traditional, your team’s outfits should reflect this culture to create a cohesive and authentic brand image.
Pro Tip: Dressing as you would for an important meeting or presentation is usually a safe bet.
2. Solid Colors Are Your Friend
Stick to solid, neutral colors like navy, gray, black, or white, as they tend to photograph well and keep the focus on you. Bright colors can also work, but avoid anything too loud that might steal attention from your face. Again, consider the company culture—whether that’s vibrant and dynamic or classic and understated—when selecting the color palette.
3. Avoid Busy Patterns and Logos
Bold patterns or large logos can distract from your face. If possible, stick to simple, classic styles that complement rather than overshadow you. For men, a crisp, well-fitted shirt works great, while women might want to avoid overly intricate jewelry or accessories.
Looking for more detailed tips? Check out our blog post on What to Wear for Professional Headshots for more ideas!
Grooming and Skincare Tips
Every individual has unique grooming needs, so it's important to offer advice that works for everyone. Here are some tips to help your team look and feel their best, no matter their style or background:
1. Haircuts
Haircuts are a personal choice, and preferences can vary based on factors like gender, race, and cultural background. Encourage your team to style their hair in a way that makes them feel confident and reflects their everyday look. Whether they prefer a fresh cut or natural styling, the key is to feel comfortable and polished for the camera. For men or those with fast-growing hair, aim for a haircut 2-3 days before your session, while 5-7 days work well for others. Stick to your everyday style, and ensure your hair is neat and well-groomed, using light products to control flyaways or enhance natural texture. This ensures a polished yet authentic look that suits their professional persona.
2. Facial Hair
Well-maintained facial hair is important for creating a polished look.
For those with beards, mustaches, or other facial hair, trimming and shaping it the day before ensures a neat appearance while maintaining personal style.
If a clean-shaven look is preferred, shaving on the day of the shoot helps prevent shadowing or stubble.
3. Skincare and Hydration
Glowing skin looks great on camera, and a little preparation can make all the difference. Encourage your team to stay hydrated in the days leading up to the shoot—drinking water helps keep skin looking smooth and fresh. A simple skincare routine with gentle cleansing and moisturizing will do wonders. Need more advice? Check out our Pre-Photoshoot Skincare Routine for additional tips on achieving that natural glow.
How to Look Confident and Approachable
At Meet the Bryants, we believe that confidence comes from feeling prepared. Here’s how to help your team feel ready and confident in front of the camera:
1. Visualize Confidence
A little mental prep goes a long way. Before the shoot, have your team visualize themselves looking confident and at ease in front of the camera. Imagine the energy and personality that represents your company’s culture—whether it’s fun and approachable or professional and focused—and project that through your headshots.
2. Expert Coaching & Real-Time Image Review
Our team provides expert coaching to guide you through poses and expressions, making sure you feel comfortable and natural in front of the camera. Whether your company culture is more relaxed or formal, we’ll help you bring out your best look that’s consistent with your brand identity.
3. Trust the Process
We’re here to make sure you look your best! Whether it’s helping with poses or expressions, our goal is to guide you through the process so that your headshot is a true reflection of your personality.
4. Mental Preparation: Help Your Team Relax
For many people, having their photo taken can feel intimidating. Share these tips to help your team feel more confident:
Get Plenty of Rest: A good night’s sleep goes a long way in looking refreshed.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking water helps keep skin looking vibrant.
Relax and Be Yourself: Remind your team to relax and enjoy the process. Authentic smiles and natural postures make for the best photos.
Pre-shoot Preparation for a Smooth Headshot Session
The more prepared your team is, the smoother the shoot will go! Here are a few tips to ensure everyone is ready and comfortable.
1. Share a Pre-shoot Checklist
Make it easy for your team by sending them a checklist of what they need to know. Include details like:
What to wear (and what not to wear)
Hair and grooming tips
When and where to show up (Arrive at least 5 minutes early)
Anything else you want them to know
If you’re planning a larger corporate photoshoot, which might include group shots or other types of business photography, be sure to check out our blog on How To Organize a Corporate Photoshoot For Your Company. It covers everything from defining your objectives to selecting the perfect location, ensuring a smooth and successful experience for your entire team.
2. Plan Outfits in Advance
Remind your team to choose their outfits a day or two in advance so there’s no last-minute panic. Make sure clothes are fresh, pressed, and dry-cleaned if necessary to ensure a polished look for the shoot.
3. Quick Touch-ups
On the day of the shoot, bring along a few essential items like lint rollers, hairbrushes, and makeup touch-up kits. These small details can help ensure everyone looks polished and professional before stepping in front of the camera.
Select and Utilize Your Headshots
Once the photos are taken, it’s time to review and select the best shots! Here’s how to make sure your headshots are used effectively:
1. Quick Delivery and Review
At Meet the Bryants, we offer fast delivery so your team members can review their headshots immediately. Each individual will be able to select the images they love best, ensuring everyone walks away happy with their final photo.
2. Where to Use Your Headshots
Don’t let those fantastic headshots sit in a folder! Here are a few places where you can put them to good use:
Website and Team Pages: Create a professional team page with consistent headshots that show off your people.
LinkedIn Profiles: Help your team look their best by updating their LinkedIn profiles with new headshots.
Marketing Materials: Brochures, email newsletters, or even business cards can benefit from updated headshots.
For more inspiration, check out our blog on Impactful Places to Use Your Professional Headshots!
At Meet the Bryants, we make corporate team headshots easy and enjoyable. From our expert coaching and real-time image review to our flexible on-location studio setup, we’re here to ensure your team looks and feels their best. With a little preparation and the right guidance, you can elevate your brand with professional, polished headshots that leave a lasting impression.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Solid colors in neutral tones or business colors like navy, gray, and black work best. Avoid patterns or large logos, and dress in attire that matches the tone of your company’s brand. Consider the overall company culture when choosing outfits—whether more formal or casual, your look should align with your brand’s identity.
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If you wear makeup regularly, keep it light and natural. Heavy makeup or bold looks can be distracting. Simple, polished makeup works best for headshots.
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No problem! We can reschedule the session for another day or arrange for them to visit our studio. That way, everyone gets a chance to have their headshot taken, ensuring consistency across the team.
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It depends on the amount of time the company has allocated and the number of participants. At maximum, we can accommodate 20 people per hour per photographer, ensuring that we keep things moving smoothly while capturing high-quality headshots.
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No problem! We can photograph part of your team on-site, and then create a custom online calendar for remote employees to schedule their headshots at our studio. We’ll make sure everyone’s photo aligns with the rest of the team for consistency.
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Absolutely! Headshots can be styled to reflect your company’s culture. Whether your brand is fun and approachable or more traditional and professional, we’ll guide your team through styling, posing, and expressions that align with your company’s image.
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Yes, we offer professional retouching services to ensure everyone looks their best. We can provide light edits such as blemish removal, teeth whitening, and more detailed touch-ups if needed.
Ready to get started?
Contact us today to book your session and take the first step toward enhancing your company’s visual identity!
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