Category Archives: Corporate Events Headshots
Headshot Awards at Corporate Events
Hello ya’ll. It sure has been a while since we posted here, but these past few months have been pretty crazy. Lot’s of studio headshots and even more on location. We did one the other night though that was a lot of fun. We (myself one night, and with an associate the following night) for a company called HOLOGIC that was in Dallas for a large corporate event. Besides shooting the typical candids and awards on stage, they requested that we set up backgrounds, and studio lighting to shoot more formal type awards shots following the presentation as well. As you might imagine this can be stressful with 500 people in the room, loud music surrounding you and folks in well, a _very happy_state of mind. This type of photography takes a certain discipline, personally as well as technically. After having done thousands of headshots we pretty much have it down, and the concept is pretty much the same. We set up nice, “Old Masters” canvas backgrounds toward the back of the room (event took place at the Dallas Hilton Anatole) and when the event ended and folks were “winding down” they were ushered to our station for their photos. If your company is considering this type of service, please feel free to inquire with us. It is a nicer “look” than awards on stage, and by doubling up with stage award pics you are guaranteed the best of both worlds. HOLOGIC has these printed and given to the awardees after the event.
Sal Sessa /Dallas Headshots
Corporate Headshots at Events/2
Headshots for Corporate Events
So, now the fun begins. Of course to do this type of “cattle-call” you should be using studio lights (not battery operated small strobes) and have one or more for backup (as always.) You should be taping down all cords that could create a hazard for you or your subject matter. The way we set these up is with very simple lighting as there is no room or time to adjust the lighting. We use 42 inch satin umbrellas, one at a 45 degree angle and one straight on for fill. No background light, no hair light. It just slows down the process. Remember, we are talking “hundreds” of headshots. We bring a posing table and as the “victims” herd in we warm them up with a bit of banter, slate and pose them quickly. Depending on the severity of the deadline and volume these quickie headshots could be anywhere from 15 seconds to 60 seconds or so. We work with clients to figure how long it will take to get their job done by estimating the traffic and multiplying time X amount of time per person. Then we double it to be safe. Sometimes we are trying to crank out 100 clients during their lunch, for example, at an event. Therefore, best case scenario. We figure it out as 120 minutes divided by 100 shots which gives us 1.2 minutes per person. Divide the time (since you are restricted to the hour) to be safe and you have about 30 seconds per person. Please remember they have to glide across the room, slate, say howdy, pose and glide out. Believe me this is a dance you only want to trust to very competent professional headshot photographers, ahem, like us. Give this job to the competition and your boss may be giving you the hairy eyeball from the sidelines as the line lingers. More tips later.
Sal Sessa /Dallas Headshots
Corporate Headshots at Events
Corporate Event Headshots
Hello y’all. Being headshot specialists we are sometimes called upon to shoot headshots at corporate events. Since our background (way back background) is / was in corporate event photography we think we are able to combine the two techniques pretty well. We have done up to 1,000 headshots in a day at large corporate events and additionally have shot hundreds of shoots just like it with smaller numbers as well. The routine is pretty much the same. The company has to be very organized to begin with and provide the subject matter for the headshot photos. The corporate headshot photographers have to be organized enough to “move ‘em in and move ‘em out” so as to not make the line any more painful than it is. Depending on how fast a company wants it done, we usually set up two headshot stations side-by-side with the exact same background and lighting. We have the (usually a) hotel provide us with stantions and ropes of some sort to lead the sheep to the slaughter, LOL where we do a number of things, besides taking the actual headshot. First and foremost in these large headshot free-for-alls is the fact that you have to ID these people. We do this a number of ways. Usually we get one of the company volunteers (or we bring additional help) to write on a 8.5 x 11 inch piece of paper, the victim’s name, in a very large fashion with a thick felt marker. They hand it to the person as they walk in to have their headshot done. Subject holds the ID “slate” in front of them and we take a quick snap of it. This accomplishes two things. One we can ID them, and two we can spell their name correctly. Later on (more in part two or three) we rename the files with their last name, first initial so the company can easily archive these headshots alphabetically. We will continue the conversation in a few parts on this one.
Sal Sessa /Dallas Headshots
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