Corporate Headshots: 5 Tips for Getting the Best Headshots for your whole team
When it comes to corporate headshots, the details matter. How you plan the photoshoot will directly impact the final result. A great headshot does more than capture someone’s face — it communicates your company’s professionalism, culture, and brand. Whether you’re refreshing your website, updating LinkedIn profiles, or creating a consistent look across your team, planning your headshots the right way makes all the difference.
Here are 5 essential tips to help you get the best results for your corporate headshots:
1. Choose the Right Background
The background sets the overall tone of your photos. If you’re unsure what to choose, start by thinking about how you want your company to be represented and where the photos will be used.
Studio Background (Neutral, Clean Look)
A solid, neutral-colored background creates a timeless, professional style. It works well for LinkedIn, company websites, and press releases.
Darker backgrounds often feel more professional and serious.
Lighter backgrounds usually appear friendlier and more welcoming.
When selecting a shade, consider how the headshots will integrate with your website design. For example, avoid pure white or pure black backgrounds:
Pure white can look overly contrasty, especially if someone is wearing dark clothing. It can also resemble a passport photo and feel less polished. If your website background is also pure white, the result may look like a “floating head.”
Pure black can cause people with dark hair or clothing to blend into the background.
A better choice is light gray instead of pure white, or dark gray instead of pure black. Your professional photographer can fine-tune the shade of gray to match your desired look and keep it consistent across all headshots.
Lifestyle/Office Background (Modern, Approachable Look)
Photographing your team in an office environment feels authentic and approachable. It highlights your company culture and gives clients a sense of your workplace.
That said, lifestyle backgrounds come with a few challenges:
Lighting consistency: Because these photos rely on ambient light (office lights, windows, or sunlight) in combination with studio lighting, the look can vary depending on the weather or time of day. This makes it difficult to perfectly match future headshots for new team members.
Busier backgrounds: Compared to neutral studio backdrops, lifestyle environments can be more distracting, especially when viewed at small sizes (e.g., LinkedIn profile photos).
Still, lifestyle settings are a fantastic choice for team photos. They bring energy and personality to your images, showing a friendly and dynamic work environment.
Some companies even choose a mix — neutral studio portraits for formal uses and lifestyle portraits for marketing or recruitment which is a great idea.
2. Decide on the Best Cropping Style
Cropping influences not only how formal or approachable a portrait feels, but also how versatile it will be for different uses. Choosing the right framing ensures your headshots look polished and professional across all platforms.
Close-Up Headshots (Head and Shoulders)
The most common choice for corporate photography. Best suited for:
LinkedIn profiles
Company websites
Internal directories
A close-up headshot keeps the focus on the individual’s face, ensuring clarity and a strong, professional impression.
Waist-Up Portraits (More Room, More Context)
This crop provides a little more space and includes subtle body language, which can feel more approachable. It works well for:
Marketing materials and brochures
Speaking engagements or event profiles
Larger-format uses where context adds value
Additional Cropping & Orientation Tips
Photograph slightly wider than needed: This gives you flexibility to crop in different ways later. A single portrait can be used across multiple platforms — from bios and press releases to profile photos.
Consider orientation: Portrait orientation is the standard and what most people expect. However, landscape orientation can sometimes be more practical, especially if you plan to replace the background. Showing both shoulders makes editing and background changes easier than when shoulders are cropped.
Consistency is key. Whichever style you choose, apply it uniformly across your team. A cohesive look creates a strong, professional brand image.
3. Keep Clothing Professional but Comfortable
Clothing plays a major role in how polished and cohesive your final headshots look. To help your team look their best, consider these guidelines:
Solid colors over patterns: Bold patterns can be distracting, while solid colors photograph cleanly and consistently.
Appropriate attire: Jackets, collared shirts, or business-casual outfits work well, depending on your company culture.
Avoid logos or trendy pieces: Large logos or overly trendy clothing can date the photos quickly and distract from the person’s face.
Encourage outfits that reflect your company’s brand identity — whether formal, business casual, or creative. If you want more detailed guidance on outfit selection, check out this article:
How to dress for professional headshots
4. Guide Your Team with Simple Posing
Not everyone feels comfortable in front of the camera, which is why having the right guidance makes all the difference. This is where working with a photographer who specializes in professional headshots becomes crucial. In today’s world, many first impressions happen online — and a headshot with genuine expression and natural posture can significantly improve how someone is perceived.
Simple Tips for Great Posing
Relaxed posture: Shoulders slightly angled create a confident, approachable look.
Genuine expressions: A subtle, natural smile works best in most professional settings.
Consistent direction: The photographer will guide small adjustments to maintain consistency across all team headshots.
The Importance of Collaboration
One of the most valuable parts of the process is reviewing photos during the session. This allows each person to see what works best for them and provide feedback. Every role is different — for example, a sales manager may want a more approachable expression, while a financial director may prefer a more formal look.
A good headshot photographer will take each person’s input into account and help create the expression and angle that best represents them. This collaborative approach ensures that everyone not only looks professional but also feels confident in their photo.
Need more tips on headshots posing? Check out this article:
5. Prioritize Consistency Across the Whole Team
Perhaps the most important factor for corporate headshots is consistency. When photos are mismatched in style, background, or cropping, it can make a company appear less polished.
Schedule the session so everyone is photographed in the same lighting, background, and style.
If new employees join later, make sure their photos match the original set.
Consider creating a “headshot style guide” for future updates to keep everything uniform.
Consistency builds trust and strengthens your company’s professional image.
Final Thoughts
Corporate headshots are more than just portraits — they’re a visual representation of your company. By choosing the right background, deciding on cropping, guiding clothing and posing, and maintaining consistency, you’ll ensure your team looks polished, professional, and approachable across all platforms.
If your company is planning team headshots in the Greater Vancouver area, I’d be happy to help create a look that fits your brand perfectly.
Check out my Professional Headshots Page.