How I Turned Boring Corporate Headshots Into Works of Art That Make CEOs Say, 'I Need This!'
Forget Everything You Think You Know About Corporate Photography
Bland. Stiff. Smiling awkwardly in front of a gray backdrop while some guy mutters, “Say cheese.” If that’s what you imagine when you think of corporate headshots, you’re not wrong…but you haven’t met me yet.
Let me tell you something: a photo can be boring, or it can make you stop scrolling, make you feel something, make you believe in the person staring back at you. And that, right there, is why professional photography matters—because people don’t just buy brands; they buy stories, faces, and trust.
Rule #1: Photos Shouldn’t Look Like Photos.
They should look like moments. Captured conversations. Silent declarations of “This is who I am.” For example, I recently shot a CEO against the raw beauty of the Puget Sound. He needed to look powerful yet human, authoritative but relatable. I didn’t tell him to stand still and smile. I told him to own his space, breathe in the view, and imagine his business three years from now. That’s how you get a photo that isn’t a “headshot”—it’s a brand promise.
For his website, the photo now anchors her executive profile and marketing materials. One image can redefine how people perceive you—if you make it count.
Let’s Create Your Perfect Brand Imagery—Start Here!
“From the moment we started, Gavin made the environment comfortable and engaging, allowing me to explore and experiment. His thoughtfulness and ease of collaboration made the entire process enjoyable and highly productive. The headshots turned out beautifully, capturing exactly the image I wanted to project. I would wholeheartedly recommend Gavin to anyone looking for a memorable and impactful headshot experience. His professionalism and creativity are truly top-notch.”
Rule #2: Corporate Photos Don’t Belong in Boxes.
What if I told you a group photo didn’t need to feel like a group photo? That instead of cramming people into tight lines, we could place them against the skyline of Seattle, spaced out just enough to highlight their individuality and their connection as a team? That’s exactly what I did for a Seattle-based company last month. I lit every person like they were the lead in a film.
One executive later said, “It’s the first time I’ve felt proud of our team photo.” And they didn’t stop there. The photo now appears on their LinkedIn banners, email signatures, and even a full-sized press release—a single shoot that elevated their brand across every platform.
Rule #3: If Your Photo Doesn’t Stop Someone Mid-Scroll, It’s Useless.
Look, nobody wakes up thinking, “I can’t wait to look at some corporate portraits today.” So why create photos that fade into the background? I shoot with one goal in mind: make them pause. Maybe it’s the sharp contrast of shadows on a wood-paneled wall. Maybe it’s an executive sitting casually at the edge of a desk, not stiff, but confident and real.
Or maybe it’s a craftsman mid-task, tools in hand, surrounded by the very workshop that tells his story. That image now lives on his homepage—and prospective clients see his dedication before he says a word.
Rule #4: Stories Are More Powerful Than Smiles.
Smiles are great, but they don’t tell the full story. The craftsman I photographed in his workshop wasn’t just holding his tools; he was holding his legacy. The executive against Mount Rainier wasn’t just posing; he was standing at the intersection of ambition and nature—the perfect metaphor for his company’s vision.
Your photos should make people lean in. They should answer unspoken questions: Who are you? What do you believe? Why should I trust you? If a photo doesn’t hint at those answers, it’s just pixels.
That’s why the images I deliver end up on front pages, in corporate videos, and across marketing campaigns—because a well-told story doesn’t just get seen; it gets remembered.
Rule #5: Break Every Rule.
Don’t smile? Great. Stand in a shadow? Even better. Put your team on a rooftop? Why not? Photography isn’t about following a playbook—it’s about creating something that feels alive, something that makes people say, “Wait…*who took that photo?”
Case in Point
A local executive told me he didn’t think anyone could make him look approachable in a photo. He’d had headshots done before—the stiff, bright-lighted kind where you end up looking more like an extra in a stock photo than yourself. I set him against a backdrop of Mount Rainier at sunset and told him to think about the moment he realized his career was on the right path. He smirked—and click. That photo? It’s on the front page of his website now.
Another client, a Seattle tech team, wanted images for their rebrand. We captured candid moments of collaboration, perfectly lit team portraits, and dynamic environmental shots that now live across their website, LinkedIn, and investor decks. The result? Photos that didn’t just reflect their team’s skill—they amplified it.
Want Photos That Don’t Play by the Rules?
I’m not here to take just another corporate headshot. I’m here to create images you can’t stop looking at. Images that build trust, tell stories, and leave a mark.
If you’re ready to ditch the predictable, let’s make something extraordinary.
