12 tips for your first corporate photography session
About to plan your first corporate photoshoot?
Here's my golden list of tops to make it smooth, fun, and super productive.
It will help you stay organised, make the most of everyone's time, and get a great mix of photos without the stress.
Have a read and tell me - what else would you add to the list?
If I could go back in time and give my clients one handy guide before they organised their first corporate photoshoot, this would be it!
I often share bits and pieces of this advice throughout the process, but it’s much easier to have everything in one place — especially if you’re about to plan your very first session.
Corporate photography can be a lot of fun, but there are plenty of moving parts to think about: timing, people, styling, spaces, light, and even the overall mood you want your brand to convey. Let’s go through some key things that will make your session smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Team and People
Number of people: Plan for a few extras. People get sick, meetings run late — it happens! Having more staff available gives us flexibility and variety in your images. Sometimes, if your brand works with families or clients, we might even consider hiring models to help tell that story.
Clothing and styling: As a general rule, dress as if you’re going to a nice dinner — polished but comfortable. Every company has its own vibe, from corporate to startup casual, so the goal is to keep everyone coordinated but not matching. Iron shirts, avoid cluttered patterns, and remember: neat clothes save on editing time!
Hair and makeup: For smaller shoots, simple grooming is enough. For larger campaigns (especially if your images will be used in brochures or billboards), a professional makeup artist makes a big difference.
Space and Light
Tidy spaces: Take a walk around the office before the shoot. Is it bright and tidy? Do you have areas that represent your brand’s atmosphere? Think about decluttering desks, rearranging a few furniture pieces, and removing anything distracting like broken decor or sticky notes. You can also nominate someone to do a quick check before I shoot in each space — it saves time and helps us capture more great photos.
Lighting: Natural light is a photographer’s best friend! If your office has big windows, our session will run quicker and feel more authentic. If not, don’t worry — I can bring lighting setups to enhance the space beautifully.
Props: Think of objects that tell your company’s story — laptops, branded mugs, brochures, or even plants and chairs that set a friendly tone.
Planning and Timing
Shot list: Create a simple plan of the spaces and setups you’d like captured. This helps estimate how much time we’ll need — half day, full day, or more.
Time allocation: Every shot takes a bit of prep — styling, positioning, lighting tweaks — so allow extra time, especially when moving between rooms or office locations.
Scheduling: Avoid shoot days packed with internal meetings or presentations. The fewer interruptions, the smoother the session.
Mood board: This is one of my favourite steps — and an important one. A mood board sets the direction for the tone, colour palette, and editing style. It helps us align your visual message (confident, approachable, focused, friendly) with your brand’s core personality.
Extra Touches
Nice-to-have shots: Between main setups, there’s often time for smaller details — close-ups of hands typing, stationery, team collaboration, or even your workspace atmosphere. These extra shots add warmth and context to your brand story.
Make it fun! It doesn’t have to feel stiff or staged. A relaxed team always photographs better, so play your favourite playlist, take small breaks, and enjoy the process.
Ready to plan your shoot? If you’d like help creating the right imagery for your brand, I’d love to chat. Every business deserves photography that feels like them — natural, confident, and professional.
Claudia Martinez claudiamartinez.com.au
About the Author: Claudia is a professional photographer born in Argentina and based in Melbourne, Australia. Her work combines modern editorial style with honest, authentic storytelling.
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