Any quick corporate staff portraiture tips?

[SteveM(PA)]

To cut costs in my office (ad agency) I've been enlisted, as "camera guy," to do the 40 or so staff portraits for the website. Our chief mission is an easily replicable background/lighting situation, to be used henceforth, and we have that pretty much nailed down. But I'd like to be able to coax maximum personality out of these dudes while I'm at it, if possible. My first few subjects went well, but I know i've got some stiff widgets in the pipeline. How can I get these paper pushers to loosen up some and just 😀 ?

 

[alienmeatsack]

I'd start with some questions to loosen them up. Find something that makes them happy and excites them, you will get the most positive visual and emotional response when they are excited about something they love.

Maybe do some joking shots, get them acting nuts within their comfort zone. One of those could be the nice fun but hard worker shot you need.

 

[SteveM(PA)]

Thanks AMS, good tips. BTW I know you from Stellaspeed (mine is still running, somehow🙂)

 

[bobbyrab]

What does it say of an advertising agency that they'd rather an employee with no obvious experience do their staff portraits rather than pay someone who knows what they are doing, sorry if that sounds harsh but looking at your work, portraiture doesn't feature that highly, you'd think an ad agency would know the difference. Why don't your clients just do their own ads, can't be that difficult after all?

 

[Dralowid]

Don't do any group shots, do individual studies, then when one gets fired you don't have to do the whole thing again...been there.

 

[SteveM(PA)]

What does it say of an advertising agency that they'd rather an employee with no obvious experience do their staff portraits rather than pay someone who knows what they are doing, sorry if that sounds harsh but looking at your work, portraiture doesn't feature that highly, you'd think an ad agency would know the difference. Why don't your clients just do their own ads, can't be that difficult after all?

You are totally right, it makes no sense to me either.

Dralowid: Oh yeah these are just generic head shots, for sure.

 

[x-ray]

What does it say of an advertising agency that they'd rather an employee with no obvious experience do their staff portraits rather than pay someone who knows what they are doing, sorry if that sounds harsh but looking at your work, portraiture doesn't feature that highly, you'd think an ad agency would know the difference. Why don't your clients just do their own ads, can't be that difficult after all?

I totally agree. They don't sound smart enough o know putting their best image forward is super important. If they aren't interested enough in their own image how will the present the clients. Unfortunately I've lost a lot of business to " It's good enough", "We're using a guy in the back who's got a camera now to save money". 🙁

Sad to say this is exactly where the photo industry is going. I've not figured out whether people aren't smart enough to see the difference or they just don't care.

 

[rscheffler]

If you're good at smalltalk, keep talking... you know, about the summer, holidays, ask them if they've gone anywhere, or have anything planned, about their kids, etc.. Anything to get their mind off of their fear of sitting in front of the camera. Also, try to be positive in your posing suggestions. Rather than saying something isn't working, think of a way to change that aspect of the pose with positive suggestions.

My impression is that people go stiffer the longer the photographer is silent. I think it implies to them something is wrong and they'll assume it's something related to them, since they're in front of the camera.

I also try to keep the camera on a tripod for a couple reasons. It keeps framing relatively consistent from shot to shot but it also keeps you from totally hiding behind the camera. If you can keep some face to face, eye to eye contact, people will generally feel more relaxed.

Sometimes, for really stiff subjects, who I know will accept this after the fact, I'll make posing suggestions while shooting, then after a bit of this, sneak in a ridiculous order, such as jump up an down. If they do it, you can shoot it, but I always tell them I was just kidding... that I didn't say "Simon says...." It usually gets a good reaction. Might not be the right strategy for the CEO, though. 🙂

Something I've learned shooting weddings is it's pretty typical to try to get a bride or groom to relax by thinking about their partner. This could also work for your sitters. If you know they're married, or have partner, ask the person's name.. then if things are going downhill, sneak in "say 'John's sexy'." Another one that has worked, at weddings, is to order them to laugh hysterically. You can even lead them by example... 🙂

Since it's your office colleagues, perhaps reassure the more nervous ones that there will always be a chance to reshoot if they're unhappy with the photos. If this happens, try to have a mini critique with the person about what they didn't like about the photos to give you a better idea of how to proceed. My feeling is many people who hate sitting for portraits have had bad prior experiences.

 

[nlubis]

I second what rscheffler said.

Set everything up, camera on tripod, framing, lights etc.
Than you'll mostly be focusing on the picture and more importantly your colleague. You'll have to initiate reaction/small talks.
Make suggestions of what you think would look better, don't be afraid to direct them/straighten up collar/hair/crease etc, so that they know you want them to look their best.
Assure them that they are doing great along the way.

 

[Roger Hicks]

What does it say of an advertising agency that they'd rather an employee with no obvious experience do their staff portraits rather than pay someone who knows what they are doing, sorry if that sounds harsh but looking at your work, portraiture doesn't feature that highly, you'd think an ad agency would know the difference. Why don't your clients just do their own ads, can't be that difficult after all?

I'm glad someone else posted this first. It is exactly what occurred to me when I first read the post.

Everyone wants to rake in the money without paying out a penny to anyone else. The labourer is worthy of his hire.

Cheers,

R.

 

[OurManInTangier]

I totally agree. They don't sound smart enough o know putting their best image forward is super important. If they aren't interested enough in their own image how will the present the clients. Unfortunately I've lost a lot of business to " It's good enough", "We're using a guy in the back who's got a camera now to save money". 🙁

Sad to say this is exactly where the photo industry is going. I've not figured out whether people aren't smart enough to see the difference or they just don't care.

Very true and something that has made me change my business in the last year or two. I used to do a lot of PR work but the 'smaller' jobs are all too often done by a PR company staff member and an iPad. The bigger agencies or 'larger' (perhaps read more important) jobs seem to still require/value a professional approach.

Change is constant I suppose but the only constant many of us seem to experience is the squeeze.

In terms of advice, I find simply talking ( a little like a hairdresser may ) and have everything set up before the first sitter turns up, that way any adjustments are fairly small