Whether you’re a multinational corporation or a small, local start-up, commissioning professional headshots for both yourself and your employees is a must. Having professional, high quality portraits of your staff members on your website exudes a sense of professionalism and authenticity that isn’t as prominent without a human face. As well as injecting some personality into your brand, professional portraits will be also be useful in a wide variety of uses from socials and websites to brochures and awards. They are not a wasteful one off expense; they are a valuable asset. In this blog, I want to try and convince you of why every business, no matter the industry, can benefit from investing in professionally taken corporate headshots.
1. Highlight Your Company’s Human Side
Regardless of the size or nature of your business, the fact remains: people buy into people. In our increasingly digitalised world, more often than not, people will first interact with your business on one of its digital interfaces, for instance, on your website or your socials. It’s therefore valuable for potential clients, partners or future employees to see the faces behind the action in order for them to buy into your business. Empathy and trust is instinctively triggered by human contact, and therefore the key to earning someone’s trust in a professional capacity is as simple as showing them who you are and who they will eventually be working with. It also provides you with an opportunity to really highlight the personality and ethos behind your company, whether that is formal and professional or more fun and casual.
2. Convey Professionalism
Your photos and your website are hugely important when it comes to making a first impression on customers. Whilst also giving off the impression of authority and expertise, you also want your images to reflect your businesses ethos and what you stand for. It is often a very tempting option for business owners to take their own photographs or find lower cost alternatives to hiring a professional photographer for their staff headshots. Although it is a feasible option, remember that your photographs represent your brand, and low quality, inconsistent, unprofessional photographs communicate the same about your organisation and the products and services you offer. You want to see a company that has taken the time to invest in its staff, and are proud to show them off.
3. Headshots For Personal Use
A company portrait is not merely an element to be added to your website, it is also a personal asset that can be used for your employees’ CV, business cards or LinkedIn profiles. Having a professionally taken photograph to represent you across these mediums is incredibly beneficial – it portrays you in a professional and capable light, showing that you mean business and are ultimately trustworthy. Having employees with high quality portraits is beneficial to your business for a number of reasons. Firstly, it reflects well on your company to have people work for you that are legitimate and well-presented across a number of platforms. Secondly, it is nice to invest in your staff once in a while; it makes them feel valued and in turn they will return the value in high quality work and dedication.
4. Populating Your Business’ Media
As mentioned previously, professional headshots don’t just sit on the 'About Us' pages of your website. You may have heard the phrase before, ‘content is king’ when it comes to marketing. Photographs are arguably one of the most powerful and influential forms of content. You can use photographs to convey a number of things, as well as evoke a more human and emotional response in consumers. These headshots can be used in any manner of ways, from brochures to email marketing campaigns and social media posts. It’s all about putting out content that people find interesting and engaging, and the best way to do that is to get them invested in your people. On top of this, circulating headshots and portraits of your staff and tactfully using them in your marketing campaigns will boost your company’s visibility and therefore credibility.
5. Team building
Whilst this may seem like a bit of a long shot, there is a lot of truth and sentiment behind it. On the day of an arranged, professional photo shoot, gathering all the employees together for the same purpose - reminiscent of old school days - is a little bit exciting. Seeing everyone together all looking their best will really drive home a sense of togetherness and purpose; in a roundabout way, it is a kind of team building exercise, but with added perks. Two birds, one stone!
Invest in a Professional Corporate Photographer for Your Headshots
If you haven’t yet got headshots for your organisation, or think your current ones need updating to be more on-brand with your business’ values, my business, Bernadette Delaney Photography, offers high quality, professional corporate headshots in Manchester and throughout the UK at a competitive price. Depending on the size and nature of your business, and the type of shot you require, I am able to travel to your place of work or you can come to my studio in Didsbury, South Manchester for a photoshoot. I’m incredibly flexible and will accommodate your every need to the best of my ability, whilst also offering stylistic advice when needed. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch today if you think your business could benefit from a professional corporate headshot service.