Authenticity and consistent visual communication are more important than ever. They are what build trust, differentiate a brand from the competition and attract the right people. We no longer want artificiality and repetitive images. Therefore, it’s real emotion and naturalness that become the most valuable brand asset. Thus, the team image session is no longer just an add-on, but one of the key elements of the communication strategy. It is a great opportunity to show the people behind the brand, the values they live by and the atmosphere they create on a daily basis. How to realize such a session, how to prepare for it and what to pay attention to so that the effect is consistent, authentic and truly “yours”?
Image session – why organize it?
An image session is more than just pretty pictures. T o a real investment in an authentic corporate image. More and more people – both customers and job candidates – are paying attention to who is behind the brand. Showing the real team, their emotions, the atmosphere at work or shared values helps build trust and commitment. And this can be felt even in those “posed” image photos!
Authenticity in communication
In brand communications, authenticity is key. Ready-made stock photos may be helpful, but they don’t reflect who you really are. An image session with your team, in your office or favorite location, and on top of that still in your company merch is a way to showcase the people who make up the company and highlight the unique character of the organization.
Where and when are session photos useful?
Professional photos from a business shoot are a great value in daily communication, so marketing or PR departments in a company are most often responsible for organizing it. Here are some examples of where they can and definitely should be used:
- Social media – team posts, event coverage, storytelling. The use of photos of your team boosts your employer branding content, and those of high quality and interest boost your reach!
- Website – “About Us” section, landing page, blog. The options here are huge!
- LinkedIn of employees – individual image photos work great as profile pictures on your team’s private accounts.
- Email footers – another and probably the most popular place where individual photos are used, where you smuggle your brand.
- Recruitment materials – presentation of organizational culture, photos in ads.
- Presentations, company reports and other materials for internal and external use.
Where to do an image session?
A branding session is something that can be done in several locations – the choice depends on the climate of the brand, the occasion and the comfort of the team. It can be an office space, an outdoor location, a photo studio or any other place that best reflects the company’s character. It is crucial that the location resonates with the brand’s values and builds a consistent visual message. The choice of location should also take into account the well-being of those being photographed – comfort affects the naturalness and quality of the photos. A well-thought-out location can significantly enhance the final effect of the session and set the brand apart from the competition.
Photo studio
This is a good choice if you want controlled light, a uniform background and more formal photos. It will work great if you want to make a set of portraits for a website or for professional publications.
Office or other place related to the company
A natural work environment is the best choice if you want a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. An office, a common space, a chill room or even a coffee shop close to your headquarters – these are places that create a unique atmosphere and emphasize your corporate culture.
How do you prepare for a session?
1. choose printed corporate clothing
Ideally, all team members should be dressed cohesively with the vibe of your brand. For a branding session, sweatshirts and T-shirts with the company’s logo on them will work best – this is an absolute base that always works. They’re comfortable, look good in photos and do a great job of smuggling your brand identity. If the vibe in your ensemble is more casual, it’s worth throwing in baseball caps – they add casualness and character.
On the other hand, if you want a more elegant, professional image, go for shirts with embroidered logos – they still express identification with the brand, but in a more subdued way.
2. take care of the extras
A great addition to the styling are also small corporate or advertising gadgets that can appear in the photos: logo stickers on laptops, notebooks with corporate identity or mugs with brand slogans. Such additions not only reinforce the message, but also create a cohesive, professional whole.
3. team comfort is the key
Remember – no one on the team is likely to be a professional model or model. For many people, participating in a session is a stressful experience. Therefore, it is important to take care of the atmosphere – let the business session not be held “for show”, without unnecessary spectators. In addition, it is good for the photographer to be a person who can relax the atmosphere, offer interesting shots and take care of the comfort of each participant, who may feel lost.
4. plan the pictures you need
Naturalness is key, but in the course of a long and often quite intense shooting day, it is easy to forget one’s own needs, priorities or what has already been accomplished. W In the heat of emotions and time pressure, it is not difficult to overlook important shots or details that were supposed to be in the photos. That’s why it’s a good idea to prepare a base list for yourself before the session – it can be a set of key frames, people, props or emotions you want to capture.
Such a list will be your anchor and reference point to help keep the entire session organized and consistent. At the same time, remember not to stick to it – photography is a living process, where spontaneity and flexibility often bring the best results.
Brand merch as part of an image shoot
Brandmerch is an expression of belonging, identity and pride in what you do together. In pictures, it becomes a natural “carrier” of your image – both internally and externally. Clothing or accessories with a brand logo subtly emphasize the character of the company and help viewers quickly identify who they are dealing with. Importantly, in a well-thought-out session, merch does not dominate the photos, but complements them – giving them authenticity and reinforcing the message.
As a manufacturer of promotional apparel, we know what a huge difference well-chosen, aesthetically pleasing and personalized clothing makes. That’s why we always advise clients on what merch for a photo shoot will work best – depending on the style of the company and its audience. We have over a decade of experience to our credit, so you can trust us! 🙂
A well-planned and authentic image session is something that pays off for a long time. It’s communication material that not only looks professional, but most importantly – builds trust and shows the human face of the brand. With well-chosen printed corporate apparel, consistent accessories and a well-thought-out concept, you can create more than just photos – you can tell the story of your company.
