Corporate Headshot Photography in Chicago: Capturing Professionalism in the Windy City
Covered in this post—
Chicago’s vibrant corporate landscape
The power of professional corporate headshots
Capturing the essence of Chicago in corporate headshots
Elevating your business with professional headshots
Where does your mind go when someone mentions corporate headshots? Chances are you immediately think of the same washed-out blue background that is all too common in the photography industry. That image is one that is familiar because it has been the go-to for organizations for the past 30 years.
Glamour shots were great, in the 1990s, and they certainly had their day in the sun. Like everything else in the corporate world, headshots have evolved. Today’s headshots are more dynamic and more engaging than ever before, allowing a professional photographer to capture much more than a still image of your employees.
From street-style photos to headshots at corporate events, the world is your oyster. Hard and fast rules are a thing of the past, even for organizations operating in more structured industries.
Setting your team up for success means making them look great. After all a picture is worth a thousand words. That is why organizations across the Windy City turn to the Mark Campbell Productions team. From planning to post-production touchups, we are ready to make your team shine.
Chicago's Vibrant Corporate Landscape
As you are organizing a headshots session, don’t feel that your only option is the board room that has been used since the company was founded. Working in the Windy City affords organizations a wide array of world-class venues and corporate headshot locations within just a short commute.
Whether you are looking for the classical style of spaces such as the Waldorf Astoria, or more modern spaces that overlook the Windy City skyline, like Morgan’s on Fulton, there are endless opportunities.
You may find that you already have a specific event space on your radar for your company’s holiday party or an annual event. Those are great opportunities to capture your team in a more natural setting, and chances are they will all be dressed to impress anyway.
Here are a few of our favorite event spaces for corporate events for great headshots:
Hilton Chicago
Chicago Winery
Hotel Zachary
The Geraghty
Theatre on the Lake
Shedd Aquarium
The Newberry Library
Ignite Glass Studios
The Art Institute of Chicago
The W Club at Wrigley Field
The Power of Professional Corporate Headshots
Hall of Fame football player, Deion Sanders coined the phrase, “If you look good, you feel good, and if you feel good, you play good” – the same is true for your employees. It doesn’t matter if the headshot is going to be used on a personal LinkedIn page, as a major company announcement, or simply residing on your company’s website, making your team look their best instills confidence, reinforces company branding, and impacts ROI in a variety of ways.
How Headshots Reflect Company Image
If you were transported to a Chicago-based office in 1990, chances are you would see employees in ties, blazers, pencil skirts, and other traditional business attire. Admittedly there are still organizations where this is the case, but far more companies have adopted a much more casual approach.
Headshots impact a number of different areas, including HR and recruiting. If your organization champions a relaxed work environment, your company headshots should reflect that choice, especially if the images will be housed on your company website.
When working with a professional photographer, these factors immediately come into play. Professional photographers aren’t order takers like you would find at JC Penny in decades past. They are there to help you tell your company’s story one image at a time.
Should you choose to add headshots to your next corporate event, the process doesn’t change, but it does take a little additional planning.
Pro Tip → Share your vision, and how the photos will be used during your initial conversations for the best results.
Elevate Your Business With Professional Headshots
Business may have evolved, but the fact still remains – people do business with people. Your company headshots are simply another way for your partners and customers to put a face with the names that they are working with on a daily basis.
A few years ago, it was only common to put headshots of C-Level executives on the company website. Today, you don’t have to look far to find organizations that have every team member proudly displayed. There is no right or wrong approach, but great headshots give you the option to showcase more of your team.
Consider this → Highlighting your company’s best assets is one of the best ways to elevate your business.
Capturing the Essence of Chicago in Corporate Headshots
We are a proud Chicago-based business, and we will be the first to tell you that there is something magical about the Windy City. As you plan your next event or headshot session, don’t overlook the ability to include the essence of the city in your images.
Iconic landmarks are one of the first things that come to mind. You know the drill, Navy Pier, Millennium Park, the Bean, Wrigley Field, the list goes on and on. The truth is, local settings have just as much power and can really highlight that your company is connected to the soul of the city.
With seventy-seven unique districts and over 200 local communities, capturing your small slice of Chicago is a great way to connect with your team and highlight that there is more to the city than just Hyde Park and the Magnificent Mile.
During the planning process, work with a professional photographer to scout out great local options that can be used for headshots. Chances are there is a gem that no one else is using right in your company’s own backyard.
Elevate Your Corporate Image With Professional Headshots
The beauty of modern headshots in a city that is as vibrant and as culturally diverse as Chicago is that the options are virtually limitless. While there is certainly nothing wrong with traditional corporate headshots, thinking outside the box can help your team better connect with customers and the communities that they love.
At Mark Campbell Productions our goal is to make the process easy and provide your team with an amazing product that can be leveraged in a number of ways. We have helped countless organizations across the Windy City with their event photography, headshots, and videography, and we are ready to help with your next event.
Connect with our team for a consultation and let us show you how you can embrace your professionalism Chicago-style.