Why Specialization Matters in corporate photography

Today, I had a meeting with a new corporate client. We discussed their upcoming project's brand image, and I showcased my portfolio of corporate work. As our discussion wrapped up, my contact person showed me her recently created company headshots. She was clearly unhappy with the results and asked the inevitable question, “What do you think?”

“Oh well, here we go,” I thought, taking a deep breath. Criticizing someone else's work, especially when they're not present, is always tricky.

“It's okay”, I said, which in professional lingo meant it was definitively not okay.

The headshots were subpar: badly lit, poorly posed, and the subject looked stiff and apprehensive. I politely pointed out a few shortcomings, but my contact already knew the key issues.

It was evident that the photographer was a) inexperienced in the art of headshots and corporate portraits, and b) possibly not passionate about this type of work.

A quick glance at the photographer's profile confirmed my suspicions. The photographer specialized in newborn and family photography. While her work in that area was loving and definitively met her target group's expectations, it was miles away from the craftsmanship needed for corporate work in a tight timeframe and on-location.

Specialists in their disciplines

Sure, we all use light, shadows, lenses and cameras to create images, but our disciplines are like distant cousins. And being cousins means specialization.

Imagine an Olympic athlete.

It’s hard to picture the same person excelling in both marathon running and the high-intensity 100-meter sprint. The skills and training required for each are vastly different. The same goes for photography.

This brings me to my main point: it’s crucial to check a photographer’s body of work to ensure it matches your project’s needs. Don’t hesitate to ask about their experience and look for relevant examples. (see also one of my older articles)

And remember, integrity matters. If you’re looking for someone to capture precious memories of your newborn, I’ll happily refer you to professionals who thrive in that field. But if it’s high-quality corporate portraits you need, that’s where I excel.

So, what are your thoughts? Have you had a similar experience?
Let me know in the comments below.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

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