My Take on Team Photos - pros, cons and considerations

Why would you want team photos?

The question of creating photos of teams keeps coming up when I'm doing business photography for websites. Businesses sometimes ask if I'll 'take a few photos of the team whilst you're here'. I thought it might be interesting to chat about my perspective on it, as they are not a 'quick fix'.

It's really important to think through what these photos might be used for, so they are created with intent. Clients may think they want to have all the iterations on a website (combinations of teams) but often the reality is that it is more for PR, pitch decks or Social Media.

So when I break it down with my clients we ascertain the why, but then there is the who. There may be a large team but often there are also smaller teams who work closely together but in different ways.

Whilst I'm happy to create whole and even sub team photos, sometimes I discourage the use of them on a website, which is often static and not updated regularly. What if someone leaves or more people join? Will they get a new photo taken and upload it every time there is a change? Although I would obviously be happy to create these images for my clients, I have to ask about the practicalities, time and budget implications.

So I do encourage headshots to go on website 'about us' pages (which can more easily be removed/replaced) with team shots to be used in blogs/PR/social media.

However, it may simply be that a photograph of a team is great to have for posterity - when starting out or reaching milestones - and this can be a fun photo to have.

What makes a team photo work visually

There are a number of factors to consider. Once we know what it will be used for, and we know how many people are going to be in it, we need to consider where to create the shot.

The backdrop to a team photo is no less important than any other business photograph. Sometimes we have to work with the environment we are in (a conference hotel for example).

However, more often than not there is a decision to be made. I was once asked to do some headshots and team photos and the suggestion was that I come to the office to do that.

When discussing it in more detail and understanding why and how the photo would be used, the client actually decided to pay for the use of the grounds of a beautiful iconic hotel. It was much more on brand and delivered stunning photos that the business's target market would relate to much more than a plain office, or worse still an office car park!

After location or backdrop, the question is how to compose the photo. There seems to be a collective idea that everyone bunched together smiling at the camera is what you have to do. However, in my view, that doesn't tell the viewer anything about the people or the business.

There are many ways to arrange people in a photo. Things to consider are usually to do with their brand and how they want to come across. I ask myself whether it is appropriate to use props (sofa/chairs/desks/the building) and whether they are looking to camera or interacting, serious or smiling or even laughing.

The physical proximity of the team can say a lot, as can how they are arranged. Small teams are easier to compose but need similar consideration in terms of backdrop and composition.

You can see the variety in this newsletter, and each tells you something different. A line looking directly at camera can be very powerful - varying heights (chairs or sofa) and interacting can create a more relaxed feeling.

I'd love to pack this newsletter with loads of examples, but if you want to see more do head over to my case studies on my website: https://www.joscottimages.co.uk/case-studies/

My belief is that different businesses need different approaches to their team photos - and not all businesses need team photos!

The main message I want to get across is that a photograph of a team, no matter what size, needs to be considered properly rather than a last minute add on.

If you are wondering where or how you can have team photography done for your business, think about all these elements and then give me a call if you'd like to create photographs that represent your teams, to be used effectively in your marketing.

About the author

I'm Jo Scott, a natural light and location specialist photographer. If you are seeking images with connection, beauty and clarity, I want to work with you. You will get images that communicate who you are, what your business does and what you want to say. Believe it or not, I make any shoot an enjoyable experience and provide you with a visual legacy. Contact me at: [email protected] 07793 205155

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Copyright all images Jo Scott Images