Corporate photography tips for greater success

Saturday 22 August 2026, 14:41 by Ektor Tsolodimos | 456 views | 0 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

Corporate photography is exactly what it sounds like: photography for businesses. I have been doing nothing else for 10 years, so I have put together a few tips to help you achieve more success on your next shoot.

Tip 1: it’s not about you, it’s about the client

Many photographers don’t understand this properly. They think it’s about what they want and that the client chooses them because they are so special and unique. In reality, the client simply has a problem, they are missing certain images, and wants a suitable solution.  In that sense, a corporate photographer is not much different from a plumber or carpenter. Supply and demand, problem and solution.

Tip 2: communicate well and keep your agreements

Most photographers aren’t very good at this either. Businesses place great value on fast and clear communication. It should really go without saying, but an agreement is an agreement. So turn up on time and meet your deadlines.  I have to admit that I could certainly reply to my emails more quickly. But nobody’s perfect! And one related bonus tip: most problems with clients are caused by managing expectations.  You may think it’s logical that the client doesn’t receive all the images, let alone the RAW files, but if the client has never booked a shoot before, how would they know? Exactly, managing expectations.

Tip 3: put people at ease

Corporate photographers generally work with “real people”. That means people who simply work for the company and are therefore not professional models with make-up, perfect skin and lots of confidence.  A good corporate photographer has excellent people skills. Be empathetic and take the lead. Give them the confidence that it’s no big deal and that everything will be fine. It helps enormously to let them look at your images with you.  If you do this well, there’s a good chance they will be pleasantly surprised.

Tip 4: think in solutions and be flexible

Most shoots don’t go as expected. It turns out to be raining on the day itself, or the location turns out to be far too small to set up your lights properly.  It’s up to you to solve all those problems on the spot. You do that by having lots of experience, which unfortunately takes years, and by being well prepared.  One solution for rain, for example, is to photograph indoors after all. It’s then important that you know how to work with window light and artificial light. If you make that clear, the client will still be happy to book you again a month later, when hopefully the sun will be shining.  Every time something goes wrong or turns out differently is another chance for you to prove why they should hire you.

Tip 5: make light your speciality

The difference between an average photo and a good one? Usually, it’s the light. And of course, good composition is important too, but basically that tends to work out quite quickly.  Good light, however, is a completely different story and a process that takes many years. Especially when you start working for businesses as a corporate photographer. A well-lit product is a high-quality product. And a well-lit face is an attractive face.

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