5 Tips for Stress-Free Employee Photo Sessions
Dublin Headshot Photography - Alan Rowlette - www.alanrowlette.ie
Tips for Stress-Free Employee Photo Sessions
© Alan Rowlette
If you’ve ever booked group headshot sessions at your office before, you’ll know that preparing and executing the event can be a bit stressful.
Some photographers aren’t experienced at handling big groups. Some employees will show up unprepared. Sometimes the weather won’t co-operate.
However, over the past six years shooting group corporate headshot sessions for some of Dublin’s top companies, we’ve built up a list of bullet-proof tips to help you manage a smooth group photography session.
1.Use a Dual-List Scheduling System
In this system, you’ll ask employees to register for a time slot before their session. That allows for busy employees to find a time slot that works for them
But, the photographer should also keep a separate list of people who get headshots in chronological order.
Invariably, employees switch spots, some people no-show, and others will want to jump in.
Without the second list, you and your photographer will have to email back-and-forth to match photos to the right employee.
A dual-list system removes all that busywork, and ensures the maximum utilisation of your time slots while the photographer is on-site.
2. Send Employees a Reminder Email with “Prep Tips” The Night Before Their Session
Particularly when the group headshots aren’t paid for by employees, many people will forget that they have a session scheduled. So, it’s critical to send a reminder email to all participants the night before.
Some general guidance about how to dress will also ensure that employees are prepared to the greatest extent possible.
3. Use a Backdrop and Lighting Style that Can Be Easily Replicated Later
Especially for large groups, some of your employees will call in sick or have an emergency work issue pop up – so they will need to makeup their appointment later.
A simple, but well executed, backdrop and lighting style can make it easier to both a) schedule makeup sessions for your employees on other dates and b) match one offices’ headshots with another office to keep a consistent employee headshot brand.
4. For Large Groups Headshot Sessions (+20 people), Avoid Outdoor Shoots
There’s usually about two hours of good lighting ever morning and two hours of good lighting every late afternoon. For large groups, that means it’s almost impossible to fit everyone into one of those two hour slot.
Outdoor shoots also risk disruption from rain and wind – so its generally best to either avoid large outdoor group headshots.
5. Can’t Get Everyone in the Room at The Same Time? Ditch the On-Site Model
Sometimes, it’s just impossible to get a bunch of busy executives in the same room at the same time for a traditional “headshot day” on-site. Some customers will use a big company event, sales kickoff, or executive off-site to efficiently organise an initial batch of group headshots for employees, and then supplement that with individual studio sessions to to pick-up anyone missed at our Dublin city centre studio space.
Alan Rowlette is a Dublin-based corporate, PR, event, conference and commercial photographer. Alan's corporate photographic practice specialises in corporate headshots, corporate events, meetings, launches and conference photography.
Alan's commercial photography focuses on food, restaurant, people, fitness, product and property photography.
As with all of our work we shoot in a contemporary and dynamic reportage style.
To make and enquiry, or to view more of our work please go to
Alan’s background is firmly rooted in photojournalism and documentary photography and this shines through in his work. Alan specialises in bringing events, brands and businesses to life with his fresh and dynamic reportage approach. Alan's client list includes Google, Meta, Salesforce, Hubspot, TikTok, Diageo, The Royal Convention Centre Dublin, Aviva Stadium, The Convention Centre Dublin, Croke Park, Allied Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland, Bord Bia, Failte Ireland, The Happy Pear, Lidl, Bord Gais, Gala Foods and Wicklow Wolf Brewing.
Alan is a member of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, The Dublin Convention Bureau, Association of Irish Professional Conference Organisers and SITE Global.
You can view more of Alan Rowlette’s work here:
Dublin Industrial Photography
Dublin Award Photography
Dublin Brand Storytelling Photography
© Alan Rowlette
