Pulling twenty attorneys out of a downtown Boston office for headshots used to mean losing an afternoon to a studio across town. It doesn’t have to work that way anymore. First, my studio is in the SOWA building in the South End of Boston, a mere :10 Uber ride from the Financial District. On the other hand, on-location corporate headshots let a whole team get photographed without anyone leaving the building, and for busy firms, that logistics question usually comes before any question about backdrop or style. Here’s how a corporate headshot day for a Boston firm actually gets planned, from picking the room to matching new hires later.
What does a corporate headshot day involve?
A corporate headshot day means a photographer (me) comes to your office for one visit and photographs the whole team in a single sitting. I run these for Boston law firms and financial services companies by bringing my entire studio to you, using the same lighting setup I use in my studio, and setting it up in a conference room or open area. My lighting system is soft and very flattering, lighting the subject in a beautiful cocoon of light, so the results look studio-quality even though nobody left the office. Everyone gets photographed against the same backdrop under the same light, so the finished set is consistent from the managing partner down to the newest associate.
How much time should you block for the day?
This is where most planning goes wrong. Firms tend to schedule headshots the way they’d schedule a group photo: fifteen minutes total, one big shuffle. A real headshot day needs individual time per person, since each photo has to work on its own for LinkedIn, the firm website, and press use. Block short, staggered slots instead of one long open-door window. A rolling sign-up where people take a specific ten to fifteen-minute window keeps the day moving and keeps people from bunching up outside the conference room.
Where should the shoot happen in the office?
Any room with enough wall clearance and floor space for a backdrop and lighting stands works. It also depends on the color of the backdrop. A dark gray background is ideal as it takes up a smaller footprint; no additional lighting needed to hit, say a white background. Usually a 10’X10’ space works. It doesn’t need to be a dedicated studio space, and it doesn’t need natural light, since the lighting system I use provides the beautiful light on its own. A conference room that can be closed off for the day works better than an open floor plan, mostly so people aren’t self-conscious walking past a colleague mid-session. A conference room with a huge, immovable, heavy table, however usually doesn’t work.
What about new hires who join after headshot day?
This is the part firms forget to ask about until there’s a new associate six months later with no photo to match the rest of the team. Because the lighting system produces the same light every time, in the studio or on location, a new hire can be matched to the existing set later, either on a return visit to the office or with a quick session at my Boston studio. The backdrop gets chosen to match what the rest of the team already has, so the new photo doesn’t stand out as the odd one on the team page.
Do employees need to prepare anything?
Solid, muted colors photograph best: navy, charcoal, deep jewel tones. Busy patterns and pure white tend to wash out under any lighting setup. Beyond wardrobe, there’s not much to prepare. There’s no need for extra outfits or props the way there might be for an individual studio session, since the goal for a corporate day is one strong, consistent photo per person.
Coordinating headshots for a busy team shouldn’t eat a full day out of the office, and it shouldn’t leave you with a team page that looks like five different photographers took it. Want consistent headshots across your whole team without pulling everyone out of the office? Request a quote and we’ll figure out timing that works with your calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should we book a corporate headshot day?
Two to four weeks out is a reasonable window, especially around partner travel or a busy court calendar. Tighter timelines are sometimes possible depending on availability.
Does the office need a dedicated studio space?
No. A conference room or open area with wall clearance works. The lighting system I bring provides the lighting, so the room doesn’t need windows or natural light.
How long does each person’s session take?
Sessions run in short, staggered slots rather than one long block, which keeps the day moving instead of leaving people waiting in a hallway. Usually :15 per person.
What happens if someone is out sick on headshot day?
They can be added later, either on a follow-up visit or with a session at my South End studio, and matched to the rest of the team’s look.
Can new hires be photographed after the original headshot day?
Yes. New hires get matched to the existing team’s backdrop and lighting, so their headshot fits the set instead of standing out.
