Paul D'Andrea Photography

Taking on the Updated Business Group Photo Challenge

Businesses have different needs when it comes to professional photos. One of my clients, a local State Farm Insurance agency, wanted photographs for their marketing, website, business cards and email communication. It was important to them that they get a group shot to tell the story of their team. However, like most organizations, their employee base changes over time. They were looking for a way to keep an updated business group photo without taking a new shot every time the team transitioned.

Our photoshoot site was at their office in Broad Ripple. There is a lot of energy in their space; the employees are fun and we had a good time during the shoot. To reflect their personality, and to represent their business in that light, I chose white, bright backdrops. The tone is not necessarily happy, but there is an open, inviting sense of energy in a white backdrop. Darker backdrops look more serious and dramatic. Both their group business portraits and headshots were on bright white backgrounds.

For outfits, they had both their business clothes for headshots and their red t-shirts for group photos. I always advise my clients to bring their favorite outfits, or as many outfits as they’d like to try. It’s better to have variety than to be short on options.

I hear the same concerns about group photos from many businesses—how do you avoid having to get together again and again to keep the image updated? I find photo editing to be the easiest solution. It takes a bit of skill to cut people out and make them look right and real together. I have nearly nine years of experience using Adobe Photoshop, and that knowledge becomes very useful in these situations—it is much easier to photograph one person when needed rather than getting everyone together for a group photo. I shot their first group photo against a white backdrop using over-under lighting. The same backdrop and the same lighting will be used for new member shots so I can add them seamlessly into the original group. I always go back and check the original picture, look at my settings and use the same aperture so I can repeat the scene exactly. The result is a photo that looks real and natural.

Elizabeth Marshall, State Farm agent, worked with me closely in getting professional business portraits at their office. “Paul came to the office with all of the equipment to take professional headshots; he was efficient yet personable and the end product was exactly what I wanted. I especially loved the assembled team photo so we don’t have to take a new group shot every time we add staff.”

Business photography requires capturing two aspects of an organization—the professional side and the personal side. One reflects the competency and trustworthiness of the team, the other the personality of each member. The goal is to get across to the audience the experience they will have when working with the business. In the case of State Farm Broad Ripple office, their clients get fun and energy!

If you need anything from simple business portraits to unique brand photography, I am comfortable taking portraits in the field or the studio. You can contact me here.