How to look your best for all Business and Corporate Images

"Most of us are happy to Zoom or conference call, in sweats its time for that to change and bring back Glamour"

Cheryl Huggins MUA

The power of a well posed, confident image should never be underestimated. A great company business head-shot should last . All of your images should be well lit, with a great welcoming smile that will still capture your clients social media platforms and if you are using Zooms or conference calls.

You must decide if your corporate image will be used for still or moving images. Will they be head-shots only. Will you require a full length photo, for example if you are a service business, think gardener, personal fitness trainer, chef, or florist.

The best looks for photographic purposes especially corporate and small businesses would be that of a newsreader, weatherman or TV host or anchor woman. The image on screen is then classic, and easily available to be posted on any platform at a moments notice. Wrinkles, or ill fitting and damaged clothing can be a distraction to your online image. Always keep everything groomed and classic according to your industry, website, and the social media platform you will be featured on.

Men take a look at Barack Obama, and David Beckham.. for stylish corporate business looks! Maybe a dressed down approach would be more suited to your services. A valuable and easy objective for you to achieve, would be to ensure your photographic session captures images, that share your company ethos and brand style. This will emphasize the great service your provide for your company and your customers on a daily basis.

Cheryl Huggins Makeup Services

In today's fast paced society and most people hosting zoom and LIVE tutorials in many different setting most corporate businesses have moved online and financial pressure will insist on having that perfectly organized online presence.

Just look at the television, most hosts are recording from home and will portray a version of their TV persona. If you are a small business owner, now is the perfect time to remove Homer Simpson and your family holiday sunbathing photos, from your corporate profile and create a online image for you and your brand.

Each platform will have specific audiences, be aware and check that you are sending the correct images and presence to all of your social media audience.

Your personal choices for style and image should be flattering, plan ahead to ensure you look great for every online business meeting from head to toe, I still insist clients do this even if they are working from home.

This rule also applies to looking happy, successful and positive, exuding a high level of confidence on camera will greatly improve your business. Why not create an album of well poised corporate photographs that can be used at a moments notice.

Lorraine Gill Holistic Therapist IIHHT/MFHT

Make contact with a recommended photographer, look at their work and book your session, to ensure great industry related images. Another important area would be to enlist the assistance of a professional makeup artist and hair stylist. This option can be expensive however, in this ever changing competitive world image is everything, this will be one of the best investments for your career and business.

Book a telephone consultation with your team prior to your shoot, complete with a follow up email for confirmation to ensure your feel confident and have they have answered all of your questions.

Here are some questions they should be able to answer for a great session!

How many outfits? What colour's should I avoid wearing?
What type of lighting, are you using?
Venue? or home? The predicted weather for the day?
How long will be needed for the shoot, what time should I book makeup and hair?

I never wear makeup will it be ok to go natural on camera?

I will be taking the photos on my phone, how can I look professional?

A professional photographer, makeup artist or stylist can answer these questions before your session giving you complete confidence for your day.

If you decide to shoot your photo-session with your own camera or phone, the same questions will apply. Don't forget to work as near as possible to the natural light and check the stand and height of your camera placement, so that you are in clear vision. Always check your background, which will be visible on camera.

Makeup + Beauty on camera

When it comes to makeup, it would be best to speak with a pro-makeup artist to understand the effects of lighting on your skin, lighting can create shadows this can age or hi-light areas be wish to disguise. Learn how will it effect the colour's, tones and look of your makeup application and hair style.

A light application is always best! This will help to reduce the natural shine on the skin, delivering a radiant and flawless look. This also applies to men, clean shaven or groomed beard, just look clean and fresh. Organize your hair make sure that it’s clean and tidy, regular Spa or home facials will keep the skin clear, treat any blemishes, ensure you keep yourself hydrated daily for natural beauty.

The Real Alika

I provide a full consultation free prior to any booking to discuss your needs, clients can then have a clear vision and achievable outcomes for the session. Makeup lessons are the best way to have complete understanding on appearing on camera with additional guidance on flattering colour's and lighting. If you are applying the makeup for your professional 'selfie' a trial run is always recommended.

Fashion Influencer Bubrrece

PHOTOGRAPHY

Most photographers will use a flash or include additional digital lighting, this is to ensure that they can get the most flattering image of you when transferring the images to a high resolution digital format. However one of the disadvantages of harsh studio and digital photography lighting, is that it will emphasize every imperfection.

You may find that you naturally have a shiny forehead or cheek area, especially in summer or warmer climates, so I would recommend that your face is beautifully cleansed and lightly moisturized with oil-free products. Men should try and deep cleanse the skin, a day before. Use a Clay mask to remove dark pores, groom brows, trim nose hairs and treat dry hands with moisturizer at night if your hands are in close up for your photographs.

Spending long hours in front of a PC, late nights and poor diet, can lead to looking tired, especially those who are prone to dark circles. Increase your liquid intake, and get some fresh air and rest to achieve the best images. If you have darker under eye area then applying a light concealer under the eyes (blending patting a small amount) that is one or two shades lighter than your natural skin tone, will help to diminish those dark shadows.

Business Headshot. Beauty Image Makeup Services

GLASSES

A fantastic tip, for wearers of glasses, when you’re having your photo taken, make sure you push your glasses back as far as they will go. Often glasses just slip slightly down the nose and tend to cover your eyes slightly. In profile photos, it’s really important to see your eyes, once the glasses are pushed back it will show off your eyes perfectly.

Ruth Clark from Oasis Accountants

STYLE

Don't wear white as your main block colour, you can easily wear white under a suit but ask advice from your photographer. Try a mixture of contrast colour's or flattering muted tones, as an extra precaution, take a couple of images in natural light, photograph yourself in the mirror on your phone, and see what looks good for you. Patterns that are too busy can be distracting, however, pastels and soft muted patterns look fabulous. If you are not confident enlist an accredited fashion stylist to achieve your desired look my favourite is clarisciagillcouture who always ensures her clients look amazing on camera, live or for any corporate or private event.

Allison Halliday from Halliday Communications

MAKEUP

Naturally groom your eyebrows, tweeze or wax as you would on a daily basis, prepare your skin with nourishing moisturizers and hydrating sprays.

Makeup looks much better when your skin is healthy and clear. Use professional makeup products, ethically these are better for your skin, but with additional long lasting makeup, you can easily maintain your look to stay in place perfectly.

Keep it simple Keep it natural – less product is so much more flattering, especially when it comes to a business makeup.

Your face is your best canvas, apply a sheer dusting of loose powder, to set your makeup and make it last. Matte finish is always more appropriate for that business headshot, as it removes that shine. Finish your look with a pop of peach toned blush to the apples of your cheeks, lashings of mascara, natural lipstick or balm for the lip and you already look more confident, fresh and ready for Camera action.

I offer a virtual makeup service, this specialized service is available for any skin tone, all ages. The benefits to using a makeup artist is that you will look radiant, in every photo or online giving you the confidence to wear makeup, or use natural makeup techniques without overpowering your business look.