If you’re putting together a photo shoot for your staff, it might be hard to find the right photographer to take professional headshots Seattle for your company. With so many photographers to choose from, it can feel like comparing apples and oranges. So, here’s a quick list of things to look for and questions to ask your photographer before booking:
Specialty:
Does the Seattle headshot photographer focus on portraits of people’s faces? And do they have experience taking headshots for large groups of people in a business setting? Photographers are sometimes known for doing a lot of different things and taking any job that keeps them shooting. Some photographers can move easily from one type of photography to another, but others can’t. Make sure your photographer has done headshots for companies before and can show you in their portfolio that they have done so. If their website only has photos of weddings, you may not want to give them your business headshots because they may not have done many.
Skill:
Look at the photographer’s work. Do the headshots in their portfolio show that they know how to pose and coach people to make them look their best and most natural? Make sure their portfolio shows a range of looks and a consistent level of skill. This will show that they have listened to each client’s needs and created a look that fits those best.
Licensing:
Commercial photography can sometimes include staff headshots and corporate portraits. Talk to your photographer before your session to make sure that you will have the right to use the photos in any way you want. Standard copyright law gives the copyright to the photographer, so if you want to use, publish, or change the photos after they’ve been taken, you’ll need to get a license. Ask your photographer what the license includes and make sure there aren’t any hidden fees if you want to use, publish, or put the photos in marketing materials. If there is a fee, make sure it’s fair and you know about it ahead of time.
Organization:
When planning a group headshot day, it can be hard to find time slots for each person, find and prepare a room for the photos, and figure out how to take pictures of people who can’t be there on that day. Ask your photographer if they can help you make a schedule for the day so that everyone can be photographed quickly and easily and there is minimal disruption to the workday. And does your photographer have a plan for getting matching photos for people who don’t show up on photo day, call in sick, or join your team in the months and years to come?
