Professional Photography Skills for that Corporate Photographer
Corporate photography for annual reports, Public relations or corporate brochures requires a photographer with extensive experience and resourcefulness. Unlike the studio product or portrait photographer, in which the environment is controlled and predictable, the scenario is extremely different for the annual report or corporate photographer who's always working on location under unpredictable and unforeseen circumstances. The Corporate photographer must be a master of executive portraiture, industrial photography, architectural photography, product photography and in many cases aerial photography because each one of these areas of expertise will be required. One never knows what's going to be demanded inside the "day in the life" of a corporate photographer, however the "focus" must always be the same; namely to sell the image of the company within the most positive and effective way.
Corporate Photographer London is mainly all about people contributing to selling trust! People leading, people working, people communicating - along with the environment in which they work, whether it be in the executive boardroom, a factory setting or even in a hi-tech lab; the storyplot is always about the individuals who make the product or who're providing the service. Whatever the company produces or even the service it sells, folks are what make it happen and folks are the consumers with the specific product or service that they're marketing - that's more often than not, in an already crowded and competitive market. Therefore, it isn't surprising, that a good corporate photographer may have good "people skills." Professional models are rarely used in annual report photography and for corporate brochures, as the companies need to be honest in portraying their unique people, therefore, the photographer must be very good at making his subject comfortable as a way to portray a pleasing and sincere appearance, knowning that usually means talking - discussing what they do; their family; whatever they enjoy, sports - whatever appears to make a connection. This is a skill that can be developed; I am not an extroverted person by any means, however, when it comes to "show time" I've found myself doing a lots of talking. Another tip is always to shoot a lot - making subtle variations of their pose; paying particular awareness of the head and nose in relation to the background, all the while instilling their confidence actually looking and doing great.
Resourcefulness is the one other critical quality for industrial and company photography. Resourcefulness means a chance to make the proverbial "sow's ear right into a silk purse." In the matter of an environmental portrait as an illustration, the office setting might be uninteresting, so a careful option for the background must be found. It might be in the office, it may be by way of a window or staircase, and it may be in the factory or in an outside facility. If it is an environmental portrait, the portrait should make some kind of statement about the company and the environment must work to that end when possible. In any case, the background has to be aesthetically pleasing and simple, so they won't divert attention from the subject photographed. I've many times found myself in a colorless, clinically sterile lab and yet having to make a portrait which is compelling and will highlight the subject and the environment. In this instance, composition is critical that it is both dynamic though not distracting; and lights are the key to making a mundane environment sing with color and contrast. If there is no color inside the scene and color would improve the photograph, the corporate photographer can put colored filters in the light heads to judiciously create exactly the color effect that's desired. Another way to introduce color to the scene is by allowing different colored light sources visit their natural uncorrected color; i.e. fluorescents goes green, tungsten lights will go very warm - even orange; daylight, when the scene is balanced to tungsten, the sunlight will go very blue. The commercial or corporate photographer will learn to take what is given and help it.
Resourcefulness includes never quitting or accepting "no" before "fat lady sings," There might be times when someone says that something can't be done. I look at that as an invitation to educate yourself regarding every possible means by which to make it happen - assuming obviously that it is important to the caliber of the photograph or even in completing the assignment. Quite often a shoot schedule might have to have that it is "now or never." You can now just accept the easy "no" but your client will likely be much happier if you're able to somehow still arrive. I have been in situations that seemed impossible, but with persistence, optimism and perhaps an almost obstinate sense of will power, it still happened!
To summarize, the corporate photographer have to be diverse in his photography genre, and then for that, extensive experience is the vital thing. He/she is a master with the technical aspects of his craft, particularly with regards to lighting. She has the ability to communicate and reach individuals order to make them feel safe in front of the camera anf the husband is a resourceful artist, a facilitator; a negotiator, an optimist.
Critical seeing and creativity will be the hallmark of an experienced corporate or industrial photographer, since this kind of location photography requires one to quickly adjust to unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances. Last but not least, the corporate photographer never says "no" until all possible means are already persistently tried and tested. Corporate photography is focused on creating strong visual photographs that will sell his client's brand - whatever needs doing!