Corporate headshots Day - What to expect

Corporate Headshot Day: What to Expect Before, During & After the Shoot

Not knowing what the day actually involves is one of the most common sources of last-minute nerves, for organisers and for the people being photographed. None of it is complicated once you know the shape of it, so here's a walk-through of what actually happens.

If you haven't yet sorted the logistics or your outfit, our guides on preparing your team and preparing yourself cover that ground. This one picks up from there: the day itself.

Before we arrive

We'll usually confirm the time and any last details the day before, so there are no surprises about arrival time or which entrance to use. If anything about the space has changed since booking, a quick heads-up helps, but otherwise there's nothing further needed from you at this stage.

Setting up

We typically need around 20–30 minutes to set up before the first person's slot. This involves the lighting, backdrop and any other equipment, usually in a corner of your office or a similarly quiet space. It's a fairly quick process and doesn't need any input from your team, beyond having the space available when we arrive.

During your slot

Each person's actual time in front of the camera is around 10 minutes. Here's roughly how that breaks down:

• A quick settle-in. We'll check you're happy with how you're standing and answer any last questions.

• A series of shots, adjusting angle, expression and framing as we go. This isn't a single photo, it's several, so there's room to find the one that looks most natural.

• A quick look at the screen, if you'd like one, so you can see roughly what's been captured.

You don't need to know how to pose. Direction comes from us throughout, and a relaxed, natural expression is what we're aiming for rather than anything stiff or overly formal.

Between slots

Sessions are scheduled with a short buffer between people, so there's rarely a queue building up. If you're managing the day, having a rough running order on hand (even just a list of names and approximate times) keeps things moving smoothly without needing to actively manage every handover.

Wrapping up

Once the last person's been photographed, we pack down fairly quickly, generally within 15–20 minutes. There's nothing further needed from your team at this point.

What happens after the shoot

Every image is reviewed and the strongest shots are selected and edited before delivery. You'll typically receive your finished photos within an agreed turnaround, usually as high-resolution files ready for your website, LinkedIn and any other marketing use.

It's worth deciding in advance who's responsible for actually updating the website and team LinkedIn profiles once the images land, so there isn't a gap between having the photos and putting them to use.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the whole day take?

This depends on team size. With slots of around 10 minutes per person and short buffers between them, most sessions run smoothly within a few hours. Get in touch with your team size for a more specific estimate.

Do we need to provide anything on the day?

Just the space. We bring the lighting, backdrop and equipment, so there's nothing your team needs to source or set up in advance.

What if someone's running late for their slot?

It's rarely a problem. We can usually shuffle the running order slightly or fit them in at the end, particularly if we know in advance that someone might be delayed.

How soon after the shoot will we get the photos?

Turnaround varies depending on team size, but we'll confirm an expected timeframe when you book. Get in touch if you're working to a specific deadline and we'll factor that in.

Can we see the photos before they're finalised?

You're welcome to a quick look at the back of the camera during your slot, though the final edited images are what you'll receive for actual use, since these go through a review and editing process first.

Ready to book your session?

Get in touch with your team size and preferred dates, and we'll talk you through timing for your specific office.