Corporate Headshots for CSUF
Corporate Headshots in Los Angeles
Some thoughts on corporate headshots and portraiture
I have been shooting corporate headshots for business for about three decades, and though they are a staple of doing corporate photography, they are my least favorite genre when approached traditionally — a three-light setup, a big reflector, a seamless background, and nothing more. As a corporate headshot photographer in Los Angeles, I’ve delivered thousands of these, but I always look for ways to push beyond convention. I wanted to design photographs, not fit a pre-existing mold.
At their most basic, corporate headshots are simply portraits of record. Yet, with more time, and intention, they can become unique executive portraits that reflect character and nuance while still fitting within corporate standards.
Departing from the Corporate Headshot
Early in my career, one of my most rewarding headshot assignments was a project I did for Cal State Fullerton, where I photographed Latino alumni. Initially, I turned it down, but after they allowed me to design the portraits my way, I accepted. By using natural light diffused with silks and reflectors, I was able to focus on business portraits with emotional depth and authenticity. Usually, when I shoot corporate headshots, there are two looks. Smile with teeth and smile with lips closed.
The silk setup gave me the ability to step out of the framework of “headshot” and have authentic connections with my subjects, which became part of designing a portrait. This transformed what could have been standard corporate headshots into authentic portraits that told individual stories.
The Value of a Different Approach
Photography projects like this have shown me that the humble corporate headshot in Los Angeles can evolve into more engaging, authentic narratives of people. Clients are often hesitant to deviate from the standard, but when they do, the results are powerful.
Shooting portraits with a silk is not without challenges. We needed a large outdoor space, photo assistants, and sometimes rentals. However, I shoot lots of Natural light portraits without silks, and the results are just as interesting and bring a human element that resonates more strongly with audiences.
Regardless of whether a client needs the efficiencies of corporate headshots in Los Angeles, unique environmental executive portraits, or authentic business portraits in a studio setting, my goal as a corporate photographer is to deliver images that elevate their brand.
