Where to take headshots in Guildford
Professional headshots can be taken in any location, and for businesses in Guildford there are many suitable spots.
This may be at the business premises if they have a lovely atrium or interesting space with great light that is suitable for photography. Alternatively, I would find a nearby location that has the right light and an interesting backdrop.
Sometimes to fit with the business brand, we hire a suitable venue such as a local hotel.
Headshots are close up photos of a person looking directly into the camera, usually only showing head and shoulders. People often get concerned about the background but it's worth remembering that very little of this is visible and it is often deliberately thrown out of focus so that it isn't distracting or prominent.
Who needs professional headshots in Guildford?
Why do businesses want headshots in Guildford? There are many professional services businesses as well as creative industries in the Guildford area of Surrey, and everyone needs a fabulous headshot.
After all, first impressions count. Having a professional photo that stands out from your peers and shows you at your best is imperative to give that good impression.
Headshots can be used on employees' LinkedIn pages so that they are on brand for the business they work for. They also use them for pitches or PR so having a selection of headshots is really useful.
Some businesses have a policy of headshots at the bottom of emails, or that every client facing member of staff is featured on the website, so that they are relatable and recognisable.
In all these examples, having a consistent style of photography that fits with the business brand is important.
Why prepare for professional headshots.
Everybody hates being in front of a camera and having their headshot photos taken, so preparing in advance is key to a positive outcome. I have a guide for businesses in Guildford that I send out in advance. It covers giving consideration to what to wear and gets people into the right mindset.
If there are a number of people being photographed, planning needs to be done to ensure smooth running of the time. We arrange that in advance and share the schedule with staff, with time blocked out of diaries, building in flexibility for early or late running of the timetable.
Clients that are well prepared are more confident on the day. Then it is up to me to guide people through how to stand, sit and sometimes what to think, in order to make them look their best and get natural expressions.
Lovely things said about me
"Jo is an amazing Corporate Photographer, I cannot recommend her enough! She is such a talented photographer, I love what she has captured!"
KUNAL PATEL, ARUNA WEALTH MANAGEMENT, CITY OF LONDON
"The Pictures show off our best quality: collaboration and teamwork...Thanks again for being a brilliant partner to us."
REBECCA DICKER, UP3 MARKETING DIRECTOR, BOROUGH, LONDON
FAQs
I find that going to a business's offices can work well, especially as the ones in Guildford tend to have interesting areas either internally or nearby. The background, whilst important, is rendered out of focus and to colour/textures so not as important as light. When I go to a location, I always take some time before we start photographing to identify a couple of different locations that might work. It is a combination of light and background that I am looking for as this combination makes a headshot.
Having up to date headshots is crucial to any business, as this is the first impression people get from the website or LinkedIn profiles. More and more, businesses expect their senior managers to develop themselves as 'thought leaders'. This will involve talks, PR and other forms of marketing, all of which require photographs.
Businesses are increasingly aware that to stand out from their competitors, having their staff visible on the website can be a really helpful thing. That means that most staff will need headshot photos. As most people look up websites, social media or LinkedIn profiles before contacting a business, having a great headshot that depicts who you are, can be very helpful. It's all about the viewer connecting with the photo. It could be they are looking for someone friendly, or professional, or quirky - whatever it is, the photos need to show the people authenitically so the viewer can then decide whether to connect.
Clothes are an important part of a professional headshot and I send out a guide which goes through a lot of information to help you prepare for your shoot. The key is to feel comfortable, and to wear something that represents who you are and what you do. For example, if you never wear a tie or a floral pattern, don't get this for the shoot! Colours give a lot of imformation about the person so these need to be considered, as do necklines and seasons. It's all covered in my guide, so don't worry!
Artist ~ Photographer ~ Storyteller
To find out more about how I work and what to expect, download my Business Photography guide.