Why Photography is an Essential Element of Great Corporate Branding
Corporate Branding Photography - Corporate Communications - Dublin, Ireland - Alan Rowlette - www.alanrowlette.ie
© Alan Rowlette
Corporate photography is a means by which companies communicate their personality, uniqueness, and professionalism to customers. Corporate photography of the past was limited to images of smiling professionals and handshakes of people in business attire. Often these images were co-opted from stock photos.
In the competitive world of business today, companies realise the importance of using a corporate photographer to create a specific personality of the company at large as well as of their employees.This is all about branding a company in the minds and hearts of customers, demonstrating a personal side of the business that not only creates a connection with customers, but also differentiates the company from the competition.
Corporate Branding Photography - Corporate Communications - Dublin, Ireland - Alan Rowlette - www.alanrowlette.ie
Corporate photography used in branding involves images that will appear on websites, in brochures, and most importantly on social media. These images include on-location photographs or headshots of the company leaders, team photos, images of the office environment of the company, images of products and/or services, and even corporate events or meetings, of which the latter can be uploaded to Twitter and Facebook in real time or used in later publicity endeavours.
Photography used for branding must begin with company leaders and other personnel and employees.
Corporate Headshots
Corporate Branding Photography - Corporate Communications - Dublin, Ireland - Alan Rowlette - www.alanrowlette.ie
Corporate headshots will help to humanise the company; they will increase recognition with business contacts, as well as enhance the buy-in of key employees for the company. Brand recognition is increased when using cohesive corporate headshots and a high level of organisation will be inferred. It is important to create a good first impression by the use of headshots that are appropriate to the type of company.
Corporate Team Photography
Corporate Branding Photography - Corporate Communications - Dublin, Ireland - Alan Rowlette - www.alanrowlette.ie
Common in corporate branding is team photography. This is an ideal way of giving consumers a feel for the company as a whole. It is also a way to attract new and talented employees to the brand. Many modern companies are going for a feel of uniqueness over conformity, thereby foregoing a specific dress code. There may be a certain style of dress that is appropriate for different business models, but in a highly competitive and creative market, avoiding the feeling of conformity can be advantageous.
It helps when taking team photos to make the photography session light-hearted and fun so those being photographed do not tighten up and end up posing awkwardly. One great way to convey a real feeling of the personality and culture of the office environment is to take photos of employees in the midst of their element.
Simply roam around the office and take candid shots of the team at work. If there are unique and awesome break areas, like with ping-pong tables and other interesting elements that speak to the culture of the company, be sure to capture it with photos.
Corporate Office Photography
Corporate Branding Photography - Corporate Communications - Dublin, Ireland - Alan Rowlette - www.alanrowlette.ie
While photographing the team in their element will surely capture some of the personality and culture of the company, so too will photographing the element itself. That is, photographing the office design itself speaks to the organization and culture of the company.
The office layout communicates to potential employees and consumers the personality and culture of the company. An understanding of interior architectural photography is a must when shooting office spaces.
When it comes to attracting potential talent to the company the photographing the design of the office environment will show how it is that employees perform their jobs as well as how well the company feels about its employees. This is something that is also important to many consumers, who can connect to a brand that is sensitive to the needs of and appreciates the work of its employees.
The workspace is a direct reflection of the company or corporation. It is important to capture the office design and any pertinent branding within the environment through photography to communicate the feel and to create a connection to the brand.
Photographs of Products & Services
Corporate Branding Photography - Corporate Communications - Dublin, Ireland - Alan Rowlette - www.alanrowlette.ie
If the company is service oriented these photographs will include images of employees that are in action. These photos need to capture the experience of the client.
When selling products, the photographs should be beauty shots and in-action shots, both of which will mesh with the branding and/or packaging design.
Corporate Event Photography
Corporate Branding Photography - Corporate Communications - Dublin, Ireland - Alan Rowlette - www.alanrowlette.ie
Lastly, corporate branding can be accomplished through corporate event photography. This means taking photographs of employees and guests taking part in corporate events. These events may include receptions, conferences, holiday or birthday parties, or even sales events. In this way potential employees and consumers can witness the personality and culture of the company in action outside of the office.
It is just another way to express what the brand is all about, while providing opportunities for people to connect to the brand in a very personal way.
Building a brand with photography involves creating desire, being consistent, being distinctive, reflecting the personality of the brand, and showing products clearly and accurately.
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