Guide to Company Team Group Photos

Team Group Photo

A guide to team group photos for corporate staff members and small business teams.

Team Group Photo of Janet Hoffman and Associates

Showcase the leaders, team members or work group of your business.

We offer company group photos for businesses. Either book a group photo session or add-on to your headshot booking. We’ve got it covered. 

1. Preparing ahead of time

When preparing for your team group photo, you’ll want to consider:

  • Coordinating the group’s clothing
  • Carefully choosing the location

For clothing, decide if you’d like the group photo to be more casual or professional. Having the team wear suits and ties or more causal with jeans and polos will allow everyone to prepare their outfits ahead of time.

For choosing a location, depending on the size of your team you’ll need more space to get everyone in the shot.

Pro tip: Sometimes going on-site a few days prior can allow for location scouting and coordination for the session.

Behind the scenes of the setup for a team group photo of Janet Hoffman and Associates.

2. Coordinating with your team

Time your group shot well. The best time to book your group photo for your team is close to your teams lunch hour. Scheduling the session prior to lunch or just after lunch allows for your team to continue the days work with meetings or tasks.

Pro tip: Provide a buffer for your team to freshen up before the session.

3. Do some candid group photos

Want to get a professional group photo but still show your team’s personality? Add a candid group photo to your website. Let your team know ahead of time that you want to do a fun shot at the end.

4. How to book your team group photo

We can come on-site to your office or schedule a studio session.

Team Group Photo (no headshot sessions) include:

  • 1 final image selection from the proof gallery. Additional selections are $55.00 each.
  • Cost: $325.00 USD

5. Adding a team group photo to your headshot sessions

Already booked headshots for your company team? Add a team photo to your headshot sessions.

  • Includes 1 final image selection from the proof gallery.
  • Sessions can be on location or made in studio.
  • Cost: $55.00 USD

What you receive
Final high-resolution images in multiple crops in two file formats for easy use.

Booking Schedule
To book a session, a 50% deposit and contract is required.

Pro tip: Establish a color theme or textures for the team to wear for the group photo. For example, ask everyone to wear a shade of blue.

For additional questions about headshots and photography sessions, visit our FAQ or view our guide to preparing for your headshot session.

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Guide to Individual Headshot Sessions for Professionals

Professional Headshot Services for Individuals

Develop an image that projects confidence, intelligence, and approachability.

Our team photographs in studio, outdoor and on-site using natural light to create a soft environmental look for each of our clients.

These sessions are designed to provide professional headshots while using classic photographic techniques that utilize sunlight to enhance the light quality for each individual.

In cases with low light conditions strobe lights were brought in to mimic natural window light.

Reviewers and Participants

Business Professional Headshots

The goal of an individual business headshot session is to develop an image that projects confidence, intelligence, and approachability.

Our team photographs using natural light and strobe flash to create a soft environmental look for each of our clients.

These sessions are designed to provide professional headshots while using classic photographic techniques that utilizes or mimics sunlight to enhance the light quality for each individual.

Business Professionals using Headshots

We serve a wide range of individual business professionals new headshots across various industries (Client’s We’ve Worked With).Our experience ranges from work with CEO executives, lawyers, authors, doctors, speakers, architects, and start up companies to established firms looking to update their corporate headshot. Visit Specialty Headshots for our quick start guides.

A list of business professionals using our headshots:

  • Corporate Executives
  • Individual Business Owners and Entrepreneurs
  • Authors and Speakers
  • Artists and Actors
  • Real Estate Agents
  • Tech and Creative Freelancers
  • Health Practitioners, Doctors and Therapists
  • Residency Programs and Fellowships (ERAS option)

Individual Headshot Pricing

Get started by selecting from our 3 individual headshot sessions.

Our Basic, Classic, and Lifestyle sessions are custom made to provide the right amount of photography time and final image selections for your new Linkedin Profile and your website.

Headshot Pricing is based on
1. The amount of time used to photograph during your session. This determines how many images you’ll have to view in the proof gallery to make your selections.
2. The number of final retouched photos

All pricing include
  Session time
  Studio rental
  Number of high resolution fully edited photos delivered to you in an easy online gallery in large web and print file formats

Great for Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, Corporate Executives and Directors, Doctors, Residency Students, Lawyers, Therapists, Authors, Real Estate Agents/Realtors, Artists, and for those looking to updating your professional Linkedin profile photo.

How do I schedule my headshot session?

To schedule your headshot photography session fill out the form at Book Now, or contact us directly by email ericajmitchell@gmail.com or phone at (831) 402-3895.

To secure a scheduled booking, a 50% deposit is required.

Payments accepted through Square and Paypal.

The remaining total will be due the day of your schedule headshot session.

Studio Headshot
Headshots for Interior Designers

How do I prepare for my headshot session?

First, it is highly suggested you get a good night sleep before your shoot. Drink water and allow for plenty of time to get ready. If you are not used to a makeup and hair routine, consider giving yourself a few minutes to apply foundation and a quick style. You’ll also want to pick out an outfit or two! Think comfort, and think layers.

Once we are on set I’ll take it from there, I’ll guide you through some simple poses, postures and techniques that can get us ready for your new headshot.

Visit How To Prepare For A Headshot Session for more details.

What are my location options for my headshot session?

All of our individual and team headshot sessions include the use of the Natural Light Studiolocated in northwest Portland, Oregon.

Other locations options are outdoor or on site at the client’s office.

At our studio the large windows allow the south facing light to illuminate the space providing diffused light for a soft flattering glow. You can choose from a handful of background colors, style set ups and posing furniture as options for your portrait. 

The studio has a beauty station for touch ups or for your professional hair and makeup stylist. There is also a wardrobe space which is great for selecting outfits.

No charge for on-site or outdoor sessions. Some charges may apply.

Best Times for Headshots

When using our 7ft umbrella and strobe flash, we can photograph during anytime of the day in almost any lighting condition.

The strobe flash set up can be used in the studio, outdoors and on site at the client’s office.

For natural light indoor studio sessions, morning and early afternoon to an hour before sunset works best. Same rule apples for indoor on location sessions.

For outdoor sessions the best time to photograph is in the late afternoon when the sun is low in the sky, early mornings are an option also. With the time of year in mind, the best shooting time is 1-2 hours before sunset, depending on the length of your session. If large window light is available on location early booking times are possible.

Choosing the Right Individual Headshot Background

In our Natural Light Studio located in NW Portland, Oregon, we photograph with a white background for most of our headshots. Depending on the client’s needs, we can desaturate the background, add a gradient, or change the color completely.

Studio backgrounds can provide a solid-color for your professional headshots. For business professional photos the most commonly used color are shades of gray. Shades of gray are clean, classic and suitable for most industries and work great with your website and social medial channels.

View our Studio Background Guide

Headshots in Studio

What happens after the headshot session?

A proof gallery is emailed for you to review and choose your selections. 

Once selections are made they get professional retouching by our team and then are prepared for delivery. This can take 3-7 business days depending on quantity and scheduling.

Each image ordered outside the images in the package are $55 each, retouching, formatting for print and web use and copyright included. 

View our Proof Gallery Guide

What are the delivery details?

Each photograph selected from the proof gallery is retouched then formatted in three file formats for print and web.

Download delivery is provided through Dropbox for easy and quick use.

For more about what files sizes are commonly used, when to use the file sizes, and why clients use different file sizes view the Top 3 Digital File Sizes for Photos.

View our Headshot Retouching Guide

Headshots in Studio

Crop, Image Size and Resolution

An example of multiple crop options for each selection made from the proof gallery. Most images are in an 8×10 vertical and square crop. The horizontal crop is usually by request.

Three file sizes included in delivery

  • Print 12 inch long, 300dpi 5 MB
  • Large Web 2,000 pixels long, 180 dpi 1.5 MB
  • Website Sized 1,080 pixels long, 180 dpi 100 KB

Other Session Details

Hair and make up as a service is not included, however, it is highly recommended depending on the desired presentation.

View How to Prepare for a Headshot Session in our FAQ.

In poor lighting conditions, studio strobe lighting may be used as a way to mimic the natural lighting or any other desired style upon request for an additional costs.

Learn more about the photographer’s style and story by visiting About Erica.

Visit our Headshot Guides for more information.

Looking for headshot sessions for your company’s team?
Check out or Corporate Team Sessions↗

Have a question?
Visit our FAQ or Contact us.

Interested in Working Together?

Best Backgrounds for Headshots Guide

The Best Backgrounds for Professional Headshots

What are the best tips for choosing a headshot background?

Discover the best backgrounds that will make you stand out in this guide.

What are the best tips for choosing a headshot background?

Discover the best backgrounds that will make you stand out in this guide.

When it comes to professional headshots, the background you choose can have a big impact on the overall look and feel of your headshot photo. In this guide, we’ll show examples of some of the best backgrounds to consider for your headshot.

Whether you’re taking a headshot for your LinkedIn profile or for your company’s website, it’s important to choose a background that will make you look professional.

What are the best backgrounds for professional headshots?

Let’s explore the most commonly used backgrounds that will make you stand out in this guide.

The backgrounds we feature in this guide are

  1. Studio
  2. Outdoor
  3. On-site
  4. and creating backgrounds to match existing headshots

When it comes to professional headshots, the background you choose can have a big impact on the overall look and feel of your headshot photo. In this guide, we’ll show examples of some of the best backgrounds to consider for your headshot.Whether you’re taking a headshot for your LinkedIn profile or for your company’s website, it’s important to choose a background that will make you stand out and look professional.

Questions to consider when choosing a background for your headshots

  • What background set up or color works with my business?
  • If I don’t know can my photographer suggest a background color?
  • What background colors or textures does my industry use?
  • Does my company already have an existing background color?
  • What colors am I wearing? Will the background wash me out or contrast with the colors I’ve chosen?
  • What environments would work for my headshot with my industry?

Pro tip: Know what your headshot will be used for before you decide on the look you want.

1. Studio Headshot Backgrounds

Studio background options can provide exactly what you are looking for with a clean professional classic look or leave you wanting more elements like the outdoor or office environment.

In our studio we photograph with a white background for most of our headshots. Depending on the client’s needs, we can desaturate the background, add a gradient, or change the color completely. We offer a wide range of studio backgrounds: office set up (pictured below), white backdrop, gray backdrop, burnt orange backdrop and a black textured wall backdrop. View our studio background examples for more.

Studio backgrounds can provide a solid-color for your professional headshots. For corporate photos the most commonly used color are shades of gray. Shades of gray are clean, classic and suitable for most industries.

2. Outdoor Headshot Backgrounds

The best part about making headshots outdoors are the textures, landscapes, architecture, colors and city environments that nature and man has provided. Some clients want a mix of architecture and foliage while others want garden elements or the textures of a city.

We photograph our clients in public parks, outdoor spaces near offices or public buildings, city streets, bodies of water, public and private landscaping areas and any other natural environment that utilities the outdoors.

When we photograph on site we usually use natural light as our light source. Visit Two Types of Light for more.

We photographed Josie at an outdoor location in St. Johns in Portland, Oregon. The background of her headshots were more environmental and added to her brand with the changing colors, textures and even wildlife!

New headshot for new hire Aminata with the Portland Housing Developement Center. We use the city streets in front of the main office for each new hire to provide consistant headshots that give an urban feel. The outdoor backdrop aligns with the client’s target community.

3. On-site Headshot Backgrounds

Client’s offices, private spaces and indoor environments provide the foundation for on-site, or also known as on-location headshots.

These headshots are using exisiting spaces or backdrops for the background of the headshot. Sometimes the client wants their office environment to be the color palette and texture of the background while others provide a white wall to take the classic white backdrop background for their headshots.

Pro Tip: Photographing on-site can be more efficient for companies with larger teams or teams with limited available time. 

For PEC’s new company headshots we photographed on site with a single light strobe set up as the main source of light in addition to the natural light fill supplied from the outdoor setting through the windows. We used the client’s headquarters and office space as the two locations for the team headshots.

For our client Jenni Leasia’s design firm we photographed on-location at their office using the color and textures of their designed space. We utilitized the natural light coming from the large windows on one part of the space. This provides a cusom lighting and background combo for the client.

4. Matching Existing Headshot Backgrounds

Having updated or new hire headshots that match allows for the headshots on the website to look consistent as if they were all photographed at the same time. This allows for companies to onboard without the stress of making an old headshot work.

Top tips for getting headshots that match.

  • Plan to use the same location as previous headshots either in-studio or outdoors.
  • Have all headshots have the same textures or colored backgrounds.
  • Use the same type of light source, either natural light or strobe flash photography. Visit our post about the two types of light.
  • Have the light source coming from the same direction as the previous headshots.

Special Offer: At Erica J Mitchell Photographer we offer a 10% off to returning clients.

To match the headshots we made for the WPI Builds at their Portland office we used the same lighting set up and a neutral gray or white background on-site at their Eugene office.

We used a conference room wall to make these headshots and the same two light set up we used in the Portland office. The light source was a 3 ft octabank modifier on a Profoto B10 strobe head, our second Profoto B10 strobe head was used to light the background. We had the same modifier bounce cards in the same place to match the headshots we already made. Once the client made the selections we mad the background colors all match.

For additional questions about headshots and photography sessions, visit our FAQ or view our guide to preparing for your headshot session.

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How to Get New Hire Headshots that Match

Adding New Hire Headshots to Your Team

Having updated or new hire headshots that match allows for the headshots on the website to look consistent as if they were all photographed at the same time. This allows for companies to onboard without the stress of making an old headshot work.

Some Tips on getting Headshots that Match

Ways to use the same background

  • Plan to use the same location as previous headshots either in-studio or outdoors.
  • Have all headshots have the same textures or colored backgrounds.

Ways to use the same lighting

  • Use the same type of light source, either natural light or strobe flash photography. Visit our post about the two types of light.
  • Have the light source coming from the same direction as the previous headshots.

Things to consider

  • Coach employees on poses and facial expressions if your company brand is specific.
  • Coach employees on what to wear. In some cases, companies will require professional attire or casual, this will depend on the brand and services of each client.
  • Here are Erica J Mitchell Photographer we offer a 10% off to returning clients.

Other way to ensure new headshots match the rest of your company photos

One option we offer is for the client to order solid colored backgrounds retouched to each headshot. If there is already an established background, for example medium gray, the next new hires will get the same background color.

Are some previous headshots cropped funny or too warm or too cool toned compared to the other headshots? We offer to color match previous headshots to match new ones!

For additional questions about headshots and photography sessions, visit our FAQ or view our guide to preparing for your headshot session.

Case Studies

Below are some examples of our returning clients that have added new hires to their team over several sessions. In most cases, the location is the same and the lighting is the same. View our client case studies below
  • GridStor (in-studio using natural light)
  • Housing Development Center (outdoors)
  • Klosh Group (outdoors)
  • Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center (in-studio with flash)

GridStor

For GridStor, we used the Natural Light Studio with window light as the main source of light since the beginning when they were only 4 employees, now over 30!

Matching their new hire headshots to their existing team is paramont in the professional presentation of their company. We use the same light source, angle of light, background, camera lens, crop and delivery to provide headshots that match on their website.

This set up provides us consistent headshots for GridStor every time allowing for future sessions of new hires to blend seamlessly. The result are well balance headshot photos the illuminate each person that projects confidence, professionalism and friendliness.

“We strategically site battery storage projects to place electricity from renewable resources, like wind and solar, near where demand is greatest. This helps build a more resilient grid in the face of threats posed by climate change and severe weather.” Website

Housing Development Center

We used the same location located on East Burnside to create the team headshots for Portland’s Housing Development Center.

For this on location session we used the urban environment of the client’s office space as the backdrop and used the available daylight coming through the buildings and street as the main source of light.

In addition to bounce and flag cards, we manipulated the light with the positioning of the subjects. The closer the subject to the shadow line of the light source the greater the diffused light that impacts the skin. By placing the subject next to a building with the direction of the light source (daylight) we were able to achieve a reduction of light to the top of the head and add dimension to the face with shadows.

“HDC is a nonprofit consulting group that works with mission-driven organizations to create and sustain affordable homes and human-service facilities.“ Website

Klosh Group

We used the Beaverton Library as the outdoor background for their portraits. Outdoor headshots can be tricky this time of year as the leaves are falling and the rain is more frequent. We schedule multiple dates if possible ahead of time to have options in case of less than ideal weather conditions. 

Each new hire has a horizontal headshot (by request, most headshots are photographed vertical), two 8×10 crop options and one square crop option to use in two file formats, Print and Large Web for easy use.

“Klosh Group is a consulting firm delivering owner’s representation, project, and construction management services. Providing client- and community-centric services and successful construction management results to the Pacific Northwest since 2016.” Website

Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center

We worked in our studio to provide a consistant type of setting for future hires. We used artificial strobe lighting to match previously done headshots!

The location and lighting set up was what brought all these headshots together to look cohesive and match existing headshots already on the website by a previous photographer. The headshots featured in this blog post are from four separate sessions.

View our previous work with Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center here.

“The Mission of the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center and the mission of the Virginia Garcia Memorial Foundation are tightly connected. The health center serves the members of Washington and Yamhill county through access to high quality, culturally appropriate health care and the Foundation works to provide the enduring support for the entire organization.” Website

For companies that are growing and hiring staff, consistent looking company headshots is key to a website presentation and the professionalism of your business.

View Company Headshots to view more examples or to learn about booking team sessions.

Interested in Working Together?

Now offering 10% off returning clients at Erica J Mitchell Photographer (Headshots Only)

Professional, fun, and easy to use high-quality headshots now 10% off for returning clients.

We offer individual headshot sessions and corporate group headshots using advanced natural lighting techniques and classic strobe flash effects.

Capture the passion, personality, and professionalism of who you are with superior level headshots from the team at Erica J Mitchell Photographer.

Happy New Year!

We have exciting news, we are now offering 10% off to our returning clients! (Headshots Only)

As a gift to our clients that work with us regularly in 2024 we will be offering a 10% discount to all headshot sessions!

Do you have?

  • a company that needs to update their headshots
  • mismatched headshots on the company website
  • missing headshots of part of your team
  • new hires added to the team regularly

Then this discount would work great for your future bookings.

To book, visit Book Now to fill out our form or send us an email! Please note, this offer does not include event photography services.

Trusted by Independent Businesses and Diverse Industries

The goal of a professional headshot is to develop an image that projects confidence, intelligence, and approachability.

“Erica is a gifted photographer. She is a outstanding professional that stands out. She is kind and super helpful. We hired her services for company headshots are so very happy with the results. We highly recommend Erica.”

Lisa D.

Logistics Coordinator, Cadeo Group

“Erica is not only professional and friendly but also an exceptional photographer! The experience from start to finish was smooth and easy mainly because of Erica’s strong communication and genuine approach. The final headshots for me and my colleagues were of the highest quality and came out great. I highly recommend Erica and can’t wait for the next opportunity to work together!”

Keri W.

Chief Operating Officer, EFG

“Erica has done the last two rounds of staff head shots for the nonprofit where I work. She is wonderful! Super responsive, communicative, and flexible, and makes the process easy, casual, and fun. Quality of the photos is top-notch and pricing very reasonable. I couldn’t recommend her more highly.”

Camela R.

Communications Manager, Housing Development Center

Headshot for Erica

Clients we’ve worked with

Since opening in 2012, we have had the privilege of working with business across various industries. Our experience ranges from start up companies to established firms looking to update their corporate teams and even when they add new hires to their thriving businesses.

View Who We’ve Worked With

Interested in Working Together?

What is Headshot Retouching?

Image retouching is a post-production service applied to all headshot selections. The retouching process designed to polish the image by removing blemishes, under-eye circles, stray hairs, yellow teeth, etc., or even remove or change the background of an image. ​

Basic Retouching methods are resizing, color correction, exposure adjustment, or defect removal. Advanced Retouching addresses more complex edits by request.

Photoshop is one of the most popular software programs used to edit images. 

Who does the retouching for your images?

Our retouching is done by the photographer, Erica J Mitchell, BFA and not through a third-party site or from AI services.

Roll over image for before and after! (Desktop Only)

Roll over with your mouse on the image above for an example of a before and after.

The image was previous unedited and shows the in camera exposure. In the final image the image has been lightened, stray hairs removed, removed any blemishes, shaped the face with classic dodge and burn techniques, brightened the eyes, and gave the skin a general smoothing effect by hand.

Basic Retouching

All images selected receive basic retouching.

This is to address the color, brightness, tone, and cropping of the image for final delivery. Additional elements are for attention to skin, eyes, teeth and distractions such as background elements or stray hairs.

For more complex retouching such as removal of glare on glasses we apply our advanced retouching techniques.

Basic retouching is enhancement of skin, eyes and teeth, adjustments to image exposure, and attention to background elements and clothing.

Some features of Basic Retouching include:

  • Exposure and colour correction
  • Skin smoothing and toning
  • Reducing shine on face
  • Teeth whitening & eye correction
  • Basic touch ups such as eyebrows
  • Blemishes & scars removal
  • Background clean-up
  • Image cropping

Roll over image for the before and after! (Desktop Only)

Advanced Retouching

For more complex retouching we offer what we call “Advanced Retouching” such as changing structure and form elements or adjusting specifics such as straightening teeth or removal of glare in glasses.

What is Advanced Retouching?

Advanced retouching are edits with major enhancement of skin, eyes and teeth, adjustments to image exposure, and attention to background elements and clothing.

    Studio Chair

    Some features of Advanced Retouching include:

    • Adding or removing large portions of hair
    • Removing pimples, blemishes, acnes, eyebags, etc.
    • Taking pieces from one photo and swapping it with pieces in another photo
    • Reducing skin imperfections like scars, wrinkles, birthmarks
    • Significant creases or wrinkles in clothes (please iron/steam your clothing)
    • Background removal or change of background colour
    • Advanced correcting of red-eyes & whitening the teeth
    • Adding digital makeup that looks natural
    • Creating a smooth “airbrushed” look for toning the skin
    • Making you look 30 years younger
    • Changing your clothing in any way
    • May include face reshaping or contouring

    Proof Gallery Selections

    After your session you are given a proof gallery using Dropbox with unedited images for you to make your selection(s) depending on what session package you paid for. 

    At Erica J Mitchell Photographer we offer basic and advanced retouching at no additional charge.

    Once selections are made, photographs will continue the editing process and be retouched and formatted for final use. 

    Before and after side-by-side

    Time to select your headshot!

    1. To make an image order, clients will reply to their proof gallery email and include the file number of the selected image of their choice. 

    The file number can be located in the file name in the Dropbox link below.

    2. If desired please include any retouching notes with your order. 

    All images are edited at a basic level, which is the standard retouching amount. If you would like more retouching to your image please feel free to provide specifics.

    Clients will receive Large Web and Print file formats delivered through Dropbox. Any additional images are $55 with the usage license included.

    Standard retouching takes 2-3 business days.

    Retouching, Background Change and Cropping Examples

    Examples of different colored backgrounds

    Examples of different crop options (horizontal by request)

    Have A Question?

    Visit our FAQ or Contact us to learn more.

    Interested in Working Together?