Corporate Photography

Can you describe some of the products you provide to businesses looking to enhance their brand?

As a photographer I see my role as helping to create visual content and brand identity. This is important to all levels of business, from sole traders to multi-national companies. It may be a corporate headshot, a business portrait for a press release or an annual report. In order to install confidence in others, it’s important for businesses to send out a strong consistent message when communicating to their client base or shareholders.

Kiren's Clients

Kiren’s Portrait List

Cate Blanchett, Naomi Watts, Hugo Weaving, Julie Delpy, Baz Luhrmann, Dame Darcey Bussell, John Laws, Dick Smith, Mark Bouris, Sandra Sully, George Negus, Erica Packer, Olivia Newton John, Billy Connolly, Maggie Tabberer, Germain Greer,  Kieran Perkins, Susie O'Neill, Senator Julie Bishop, Derryn Hinch, Senator Pauline Hanson, Former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, Former Prime Minister John Howard.

Business Portraits

When creating a business portrait for a business client, one of my main objectives is to help humanise that client’s brand. The reason behind this is due to the fact that consumers no longer have the same sense of confidence they once had in big corporations, which has sparked the shift towards transparency. Having a business portrait that conveys a sense of trust and likability is now paramount to anyone in business.

Given the power of social media and the fact that websites are the new shop fronts, the idea of investing in a well crafted business portrait is more important than ever before.

In business, first impressions count. As consumers, our attention spans have become shorter than ever before. It’s a well documented fact that we assess a person based on their looks within the space of a millie second. When you consider, for example your LinkedIn portrait is out there representing you 24/7 it’s worth putting the effort in to create something that is truly representative of you and your values.

Corporate Headshots

Used to put a human face to your company website, press releases or LinkedIn profile, corporate headshots are cropped at the head & shoulders. Unlike a portrait, they are more of an iconic representation.

Headshot photography is done against a plain background either out doors using natural light, or at your place of business using high-end studio strobe lighting. Studio strobe lighting will give your headshots a more finished and professional look. Having the ability to control lighting to this extent allows for consistency in each headshot regardless of the weather or the time of day. This is essential for companies with large numbers of staff. Company discounts are available based on a sliding scale.

Environmental Portraits

A valuable tool in which to personalise and enhance your brand's identity with. These customised portraits are similar in style to the glossy editorial portraits I shoot for fashion magazines and so offer more depth and creativity than standard headshot photography. Environmental portraits can instantly add value to the overall look of your website or annual report. While they can be cropped at the shoulders, portraits are typically medium close ups or full length shots set in a working environment.

Visual Content Photography

Also referred to as collateral photography, visual content photography can include imagery used to give your clients a clearer insight into to workings of your business. This may range from customised group interactive set ups to interior photography of your place of business. 

Annual Report Photography

Having well crafted editorial style images in your next annual report will not only captivate your readership but also provide your business with a valuable background story.  

What sets your work apart from most corporate photographers in Sydney?

I think the main thing clients generally find when working with me is that unlike most corporate photographers, I come from an editorial background. Portrait photography for magazines is more about telling the story behind the person. The imagery behind these stories has to engage, and almost seduce the viewer. 

I also draw on 25 years of experience shooting for fashion magazines and model agencies in Paris and New York, where knowing how to construct flattering images of people through the use of direction, lighting and camera angles is an essential part of the job.

A common issue I’ve picked up on from listening to my clients over the years is that conventional corporate photographers don’t give much in the way of direction. Without good direction you’re going to look stiff and awkward in front of the camera. Having had the opportunity to have worked with Australia’s leading actors and directors on film sets and on stage has been an invaluable experience in terms of understanding direction. It has taught me skills that I still draw upon today.

"The corporate world has changed dramatically in the last few years and businesses both large and small have had to adapt to this change. My aim is to provide my clients with a look that will enhance their brand and help them form a stronger connection to their client base". 

Bookings

I work with both Business to Business and Business to Consumer clients. While I’m based in Sydney, I regularly travel to Melbourne, Brisbane, Newcastle and Canberra.

Have you any advice for people who are uncomfortable with having their photo taken?

Most people having their portrait taken will understandably feel nervous. My advice is to treat the experience as just another part of your job. With everything online these days, putting a human face to what we do helps others connect with us. This simple shift in perspective where we move from a personal to a professional role can make a huge difference.

Being in front of the camera is very much like acting. It's about projecting energy and confidence, even at times when you don't feel up to it. Like any skill, whether it be playing tennis or learning to dance the tango, it's something you eventually get better at with experience.

As a photographer, creating the right environment and providing professional on-camera direction is an essential part of what I do. My best advice for camera shy people is not to over think it. Turn up to your shoot with an open mind and a playful attitude and treat the experience as an adventure. 

Hair & make up

For men, it's important that you look fresh and healthy. Try to drink as much water as you can on the days leading up to your shoot and moisturise your skin. On the day, bring along your preferred hair product, a brush and some lip balm.

For women it's best to avoid heavy powder and foundation. While this may make you feel more confident, it has the potential to flatten out your features and make you look older. As a guide, you only need to wear as much make up as you would to a business lunch or meeting. Please also remember to bring your hair brush to the shoot to combat any fly-aways.

Make up for stills photography is a lot more subtle in terms of application than make up for film and video. The thing to understand when it comes to skin blemishes and spots is that it’s often easier to leave them as is, then have them retouched in post production. This is because with stills photography there is often only one hero shot to retouch, whereas with film and video, we would be looking at 24 of those frames every second.

Wardrobe Advice

Aside from choosing clothing that is industry appropriate, consider taking it up a notch and choosing an outfit that has an aspirational quality to it. I say aspirational because good corporate photography is n't about documenting reality, it's about crafting imagery that will inspire others to want to be associated with us. If you want to look very 2023 for example, consider ditching the shirt and tie for a quarter zip pullover as employed by Rishi Sunak and David Beckham. If that’s not you, I've provided the following industry tips.

Darker colours will streamline your figure. Where possible avoid wearing large areas of white as this colour has a tendency to blow out and loose detail in certain lighting situations (note that a white shirt under a dark jacket is fine). If your goal is to look slimmer it's also best to avoid white clothing as well as horizontal stripes. Both will make you look larger and draw more attention to those areas in a portrait. This reminds me of one of the first lessons I learnt while studying photography at university, lighter colours in a picture precede while darker colours retract.

For men, wear a jacket over your business shirt. I know in Australia men like to take a more informal approach when it comes to dressing, however a jacket will define your shoulders better and also create a very flattering 'V shape' from your face down to through your torso. Avoid wearing shirts with busy designs or loud patterns unless of course it's part of your work wear. This is because you want the person viewing your photo to be drawn to you, not your clothing. Neck ties are a personal choice but be aware that even in more traditional industries more men are opting for the more casual open collar look (think George Clooney).

For women with fair skin, be aware that strong colours like yellow and orange can wash out your skin tone. If you're worried that your arms are not as slim or toned as you'd like them to be consider wearing long sleeves or a jacket and avoid off the shoulder tops. Keep jewellery simple (think less is more). If you're unsure about a certain piece it's best to leave it out. 

If you’re working for a Start Up or a Tech Company then your look is going to be a lot more relaxed. Depending on your position, a jacket over a T shirt can look good. The focus should be more about individual style, so there is a lot more freedom here.

Editing & Retouching

In terms of post-production, there is editing, which describes the process in stills photography where there is a first round cull of all images from a shoot. Basic adjustments are applied to each of the images to correct colour, contrast and lighting. These images are also converted from Raw files to Jpegs.

For general use, basic editing can be fine, however if the images are to appear full page or in a glossy publication you will more than likely need hand retouching. This is especial useful in cases where people have skin blemishes, stray hairs or fine lines that they may feel uncomfortable with. Because this can be labour intensive you would only apply hand retouching to your final images, known as 'hero shots'.

An issue I find with a lot of corporate photography these days is over retouching. Popular in an era renown for big hair and shoulder pads, an over retouched headshot has a tendency to lose the subject’s identity and look heavily processed. When hand retouching, I maintain a natural finish. This is done by assessing each portrait on an individual basis. Retouched files are supplied as A4 size jpegs at 300 dpi. Please let me know before your session if you require larger files sizes.

Turn Around Time

Proofs from your shoot are usually ready within 48 hours and can be easily viewed and downloaded on-line. Hero shots can then be selected from your proofs, which then go on to be hand retouched. Retouching for small jobs usually takes 3 business days. 

Copyright & Usage

In most cases corporate headshots and content photography automatically come with usage for publicity purposes across all mediums. This means that you're free to use the images for your company website, press releases or LinkedIn profile. Please let me know beforehand if you intend on using the images for paid advertising, merchandising and product endorsements.

Photography and text copyright © Kiren Photography 2024