Corporate Headshot Photography Styles: Which Look Is Yours?
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Most people struggle to describe the headshot they want. They know it when they see it, but putting it into words is another matter. So we have given each of our corporate headshot photography styles a name. Find the one you keep coming back to, tell us the name, and that is the shoot.
“I do not just capture beautiful images. I want to capture the essence of who is in front of my lens, and that starts with a real connection with the person on the other side of it.” Brandon Barnard
How it works
Every style below is built around a specific quality of light and a specific mood. They are repeatable, so what you see here is what you will get. Choose one, or bring two and we will settle it on the day.
Our top corporate photography styles
Soft Light Beauty
(Image 1, blonde woman in white jacket)
Gentle, flattering light with nothing harsh anywhere in the frame. Polished and warm, and the one most people ask for by instinct.
Modern Classic
(Image 4, man with glasses, dark suit and tie)
The workhorse. Clean, current and authoritative, and it will still look right on your annual report in five years.
Smiling Spontaneous
(Image 1, man in orange glasses)
Caught mid laugh rather than posed. The look for people whose warmth is the whole point.
Bold and Dramatic
(Image 2, black and white, steepled hands)
Deep shadow, strong contrast, monochrome. Serious presence for founders, leaders and anyone who wants the frame to carry weight.
Gentleman’s Club
(Image 2, man in the library with whiskey)
Rich, warm and set in a world of its own. A portrait with a story running behind it.
Heritage
(Image 3, elder in traditional dress)
Where who you are outside the boardroom belongs in the picture. Dignified, personal and rooted.
Fashion Editorial
(Image 6, woman in profile, printed jacket)
Styled and shaped like a magazine page. Strong lines, strong colour, strong point of view.
Crisp and Clean
(Image 9, man in checked suit)
Sharp, bright and precise, right down to the weave of the jacket. For anyone who wants to look immaculate without looking stiff.
Gel Light
Coloured light used deliberately, not decoratively. Modern and arresting, ideal for creative industries and campaign work.
Modern Classic on Location
Understated light and a steady, unsmiling gaze. Considered rather than cold, and a strong fit for finance, law and consulting.
Graphic and Bold
Saturated colour used with intent, and a real laugh underneath it. Loud, current and impossible to scroll past.
Moody Editorial
Understated light and a steady, unsmiling gaze. Considered rather than cold, and a strong fit for finance, law and consulting.
Colour Block
One person, two exposures, two colours. A single portrait turned into a piece of graphic design, built for campaign and cover use.
Fashion Editorial on Wood
Warm textured backdrop, styled to the last detail, hands and jewellery in the frame. Personality first, job title second.
Modern Classic in Warm Tones
The Modern Classic with the temperature turned up. Rich, warm and quietly expensive.
Keep It Simple
One light, a natural smile, nothing else competing. The most straightforward portrait on this page and the most widely used
Relaxed Professional
Bright, clean and off duty. Proof that a headshot does not need a suit to look professional.
Studio Portrait
Warm background, confident stance, no fuss. Colour and pattern given room to work.
Athlete Portrait
Coloured light and a hard, focused stare. For sports professionals, brand ambassadors and anyone whose profile is built on performance.
Calm and Considered
Shot where you actually work, with the room softened behind you. Relaxed, approachable and grounded in your own environment.
Soft and Serene
Light, easy and unhurried. Flattering without being formal, and a warm alternative to a plain studio headshot.
Found the Look You Want?
Tell us the name of the style you keep coming back to and we will take it from there. Brandon Barnard shoots individual executives and full teams, in studio or on location, with the lighting matched to the look you have chosen.
Whether you need a single executive portrait, a full team set, on location headshots, personal branding images or a refresh of an existing gallery, let us create a headshot that actually looks like you.
Book Your Corporate Headshot SessionCorporate Headshot Photography: FAQs
From choosing a style and preparing for the shoot to team sessions, on location work and final delivery.
How do I choose a corporate headshot style?
Look through the styles above and pick the one you keep coming back to, then tell us the name when you book. Each style is built around a specific quality of light and a specific mood, so naming it is the quickest way to make sure everyone is picturing the same result.
Can I combine two styles in one session?
Yes. Many clients shoot a Modern Classic for formal use alongside something with more personality, such as Fashion Editorial or Gel Light, for social media and personal branding. Bring both names and we will plan the session around them.
What should I wear for a corporate headshot?
Bring two or three options in solid colours or subtle patterns, and choose clothing you already feel comfortable in. If you have chosen a specific style, mention it when you book and we will advise on what will work best with that lighting and background.
Can you photograph an entire team in the same style?
Yes. One style can be applied consistently across a whole team so that every portrait matches in lighting, background and crop. This is the most common request for company websites, annual reports and LinkedIn profiles.
Do you shoot in studio or at our offices?
Both. Studio sessions offer complete control over the light and background, while on location sessions place you in your own working environment. Styles such as Modern Classic on Location are built specifically for shooting at your premises.
What if I am not comfortable in front of a camera?
Most people are not, and that is where the session starts. Brandon spends the first part of every shoot building a connection with the person in front of the lens, because a portrait only looks like you once you have relaxed enough to be yourself.
Do you offer corporate headshot photography outside Johannesburg?
Yes. Brandon is based in Johannesburg and works throughout South Africa, including Cape Town and Durban, as well as internationally depending on the requirements of the shoot.