Is your firm photogenic ?
Is your firm investing in professional quality photographs ? Here are some tips to ensure you get best results so you are happy to use the shots across your website, bids and other marketing collateral.
Generally:
• Pre-arrange a time slot for each person - 15 minutes should be more than enough
• All shots should be the one orientation, ie all landscape or all portrait
• Group shots are great, but if team members leave it can be awkward - consider a photo montage of single shots to create a team photo
• Get out of the office and make use of scenery, trees, heritage buildings, water views, if you can
• Ask the photographer to provide the finished photos in the different file formats you will need.
To look your best and most professional:
Men
• As a minimum have a haircut and be freshly shaved to avoid the “five o’clock shadow” look. If you wear a beard or moustache, they should be neatly trimmed
• Suit and shirt - the camera will magnify anything too tight or poorly draped
• Recommended that you wear a jacket. If you choose not to wear a suit or jacket, remember that white or light pastel shirts worn by themselves tend to look washed out and draw attention away from your face.
Women
• Some no-nos include; polo necks or skivvies, beads and scarves, big necklaces or earrings - all are too overwhelming
• Yes to small neat jewellery
• White or light collars on shirts or tops help illuminate the face
• Women with long hair should choose a jacket that is a different tone from their hair, otherwise the hair and jacket tend to run together when the photo is printed
• Normal natural looking make up is fine - though you may consider a little more foundation, blush and lipstick to help bring out your features and avoid looking ‘washed out’.
Copyright 2008 Julian Midwinter & Associates
