5 Steps to Prepare for an Executive Portrait Session

Quality imagery that reflects your business is an investment in your brand, image and marketing message. Professional, executive portraits help project your company's message in the market.

If properly planned in advance, the photographs generated in a single photo session can be used for Web site portraits, annual reports, magazine articles, company overviews, corporate presentations, and more.

As you prepare for your executive team's photo shoot, keep the following guidelines in mind:

1. Think about the image you want to project. Are you traditional and formal, get down to business, or fun and hip?
• Nothing says traditional like a well-tailored business suit in mid-to-deep tones. Make sure it's well pressed, and accessorize with a muted tie, scarf or understated jewelry.
• Getting straight to business? Roll up the sleeves on a shirt and you're ready to go.
• Fun and hip? Jeans, light colored shirts (not white) and longer sleeves work great. Make sure, though, that your casual style talks to your audience. Be particularly careful with T-shirts with slogans or terms that might offend or date the image.
• Bring several wardrobe choices for each person.
2. If you're photographing the entire executive team, coordinate to ensure that everyone is in complimentary outfits.
3. Do you need a haircut? Shave? Spend a bit of time preparing yourself to be photographed. Will there be a stylist as part of the photo team? If there's a make-up artist on location, don't bother putting on make-up in advance. Gentlemen, foundation on the street can be interesting, in front of studio lights, it's de rigeur!
4. Plain background or location? A plain background is great for small images, particularly Web site portraits which tend to be quite small. The less detail in the background, the better. However, what about shots in front of your company sign? Or engaging with your products or customers? Again, it's all a matter of what you want to say. Often, it's better to get several options, then when that magazine cover opportunity arises, you can provide a selection of image choices that are appropriate.
5. Give yourself enough time to get relaxed and for the photographer to work through the session and get the best images. If you're on a fixed schedule, make sure that's discussed in advance.

Bonus tip #6: Enjoy! Not everyone is thrilled to be in the spotlight, but in this case, you are one of your company's most valued assets and must be portrayed as such. Don't hesitate to coordinate with the photographer to make you as comfortable as possible during the photo session. Bringing your own music is often a great way to get relaxed and comfortable.

Contact maginei to schedule your executive portrait sessions, and give your business a whole new look!