Business portrait photography is the kind of portrait intended to portray people in your workplace. To tell the truth, not all works fall into this photographic category, but in particular those of concepts, for which we often work in an office or any case in contact with people.
On the other hand, when photographing subjects in the context of one’s work environment where the work is manual, one speaks instead of industrial portrait photography, or more simplistically, portrait photography in a generic sense.
In any case, the corporate portrait captured by the best corporate photographer Canberra is almost always associated with people who carry out intellectual and often managerial work within a production or trading company, and is based on some general principles valid in each shot:
- the subject (woman or man) is filmed in his work environment, which is normally his office or another place in the company.
- the photo must convey a sense of security to the viewer, in such a way as to enhance the subject and the work he does.
- when possible, the subject should surround himself with one or more objects that are particularly identifying with his work.
Beyond these key elements, many other details contribute to the creation of a good business-style shot.
The most suitable place to take a business portrait
It would seem normal to take the photo in the office that the person portrayed occupies, or at his workstation, but we must not make it an absolute rule. The most suitable place can be any other environment of the company, internal or external, which can still enhance the character, without however obscuring it.
It is normal for a well-furnished office (no matter if in a modern, classic, or antique style) to be the starting point, but what matters is that the context in which the subject is filmed adds value, without putting it in the background., because we want to convey the importance of the character, not the beauty of the environment it occupies.
If the company has its production, work environments may be suitable for shooting as long as they are adequately photogenic, tidy, and clean. In this case, the owner can be photographed near the machinery, in the warehouse of finished products or raw materials, and in the environments where the production phases take place, to send the message that he or she is supervising all this.
I repeat that in a good corporate portrait the surrounding environment of the photographed subject must enhance it without obscuring it; otherwise, the portrait will have had the opposite effect.
Hands and arms in corporate portraits
They are the sore point in the photographs. First of all the hands must always be relaxed, with the fingers slightly bent. If they are straight they convey stiffness.
Same thing to the arms: try to keep arms and shoulders relaxed, which does not mean soft and sagging, as the back will have to be straight, but not stiff.
Arms crossed on the chest give a sense of security. If, on the other hand, we lower our arms and put our hands in our pockets or hold something in our hands, we transmit a sense of openness and friendship.
What purpose does portrait photography serve?
Portraiture is essential because it allows artists to connect with their audiences via the expression of personal feelings.
It might be the photographer’s friends and family that like portraiture as a passion or pastime, or it could be the family of a customer.
Finding that sweet spot between catering to your own needs and those of your client is essential. Portrait photographer Canberra has considerable leeway in determining how viewers should respond to their work.
