If you work in finance, your headshot has two jobs. It has to show people who you are, and it has to tell them you can be trusted with their money. For a young team in a shared office, that second job is harder than it sounds.
The short answer to the question most small City firms ask me is yes. You can get professional corporate headshots in a shared or serviced office in London, even when space is tight. It takes a bit of planning and a photographer who brings a proper studio with them.
Here is how that worked on a recent shoot for a financial infrastructure firm in Bank.
The brief: a young fintech team that needed to look established
The client was a financial infrastructure startup based in a prestigious shared office building in Bank, in the City of London. There were six people on the team, and they wanted a full headshot refresh for their website.
Their aim was to elevate their online presence. They had grown from a small startup into a serious business, and they wanted their images to reflect that.
The look they asked for was classic, clean and consistent. They also wanted it to feel human. They did not want to look like a run-of-the-mill corporate. They wanted joy and personality in each shot, so that the people visiting their site would feel they could connect with the team.
There was one more layer to the brief, and it is one I hear a lot from fintech and finance startups. The team is young. They were happy for that to show, but they did not want anyone looking at the website and thinking they lacked experience. The images had to say: these people are young, and they know exactly what they are doing.
If your team has a similar brief, you can send me a message through the contact form and tell me about it.
The problem: shared office space in the City
Space in Bank is at a premium, and shared offices are built around desks and meeting rooms rather than photo shoots.
The client had booked a boardroom for the day. When I arrived, it had a huge table in the middle that could not be moved, with very little room around the edges.
We could have made it work. I would have set up on one side of the table, with the subject on the other. The images would have been passable. But there was so little space around the edge that we probably could not have used a backdrop at all, and the depth that makes a headshot look polished would have been lost.
Passable is not what they were paying for.
The fix: negotiating the lobby
The client's own office was too small, so I looked at the building itself. The lobby had the space we needed.
I spoke to the business manager of the shared office and got permission to use it. The reception team were a little reluctant at first. It is a prestigious building and a photo shoot in the lobby is not something they see every day. So I offered the reception staff free headshots of their own. That settled it and they were happy to help.
We moved a number of tables and chairs to create the set.
I always bring more than one light modifier to a corporate shoot, because every office is different. My usual modifier was too big for the space we had carved out, so I switched to a smaller softbox. That let us keep the look the client wanted without taking over the whole lobby.
We also had to be mindful. Many businesses share that lobby and visitors for other companies came and went all day. The building has a reputation to protect, so the set needed to look tidy and professional rather than like a photo shoot had taken over reception. Health and safety mattered just as much, both for the people using the space and for anyone walking along the walkway behind us. I was extra careful about where everything was placed, used sandbags to weigh down the light stands and kept every cable managed and out of the way.
Putting people at ease in a public space
Having your photo taken is uncomfortable for most people. Having it taken in a lobby with strangers walking past is harder still. A few of the team were a little self-conscious at the start, which is completely normal.
The first thing that helped was the setup itself. I bring a full mobile studio: lights, a reflector and a proper backdrop. When the team came downstairs after I had set up, they were surprised by how professional it looked. It did not feel like someone with a camera standing them against a wall. That alone made them more comfortable.
The second thing was the laptop. I always shoot tethered, so each person can see their photos on screen as we take them. When people see that the shots look good, they relax. They engage more, even with other people watching. They could also see their colleagues' images, which showed them what they were going to get before it was their turn.
The client had also allowed plenty of time for each person. With only six people, we could actually talk. I could get to know each of them a little before we started.
Before photography, I worked in IT on a service desk. Years of customer service taught me how to make people feel comfortable quickly, and I use that on every shoot. We have a laugh. I demonstrate the poses I want rather than only describing them, and I guide people through small adjustments as we go.
I often say that when you feel comfortable, you look comfortable. That is where the natural smiles come from, and the connection in the eyes. The aim is for someone to look at the finished headshot and feel like they are looking at a friend, rather than someone caught in the headlights by a flash going off in their face.
For a young team that needs to look experienced, this matters a great deal. Relaxed, confident body language reads as competence. Nervous, stiff expressions read as the opposite, whatever your age.
The result
The client loved the images. They told me the new headshots were leaps and bounds above anything they had used before.
More importantly, the photos did the job they were meant to do. The client felt the images took them from looking like a small startup to looking like a reputable operation their clients could trust.
They were also clear that we had got the balance right on age. The team still looks young, and they look professional and knowledgeable. Ahead of their years, as the client put it in our conversations about the brief.
If you would like to talk through a shoot for your own team, you can email me at andrew@shotbyandrew.co.uk or call me on +44 2070 500 824.
Planning headshots in a shared office: what to sort out first
The most likely thing to go wrong on this shoot was the space. If you are in a shared or serviced office, here is what I would suggest before your headshot day.
Find your space before the day. You need either a room where the furniture can be moved, or an area with enough clear floor to give the images some depth.
Aim for a minimum of 2m x 3m of clear space. That gives room for the backdrop, the lights and the distance between me and the person being photographed.
Avoid boardrooms with fixed tables. They look like the obvious choice, but the table usually takes up the space you need.
Talk to building management and reception early. In a serviced office building, a lobby, breakout area or empty floor may be available if you ask.
Allow enough time per person. A rushed session shows in the images, especially for people who do not enjoy being photographed.
I have made hallways and stairwells work when there was nothing else, so a small space does not rule out good headshots. But for the best quality, a little planning on the space goes a long way. If you are not sure whether your office will work, send me a photo of the space and I will tell you honestly.
You can find more about how I work with teams on my team headshot page.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take professional headshots in a shared or serviced office?
Yes. I bring a full mobile studio with lighting and a backdrop, so the quality does not depend on the office. The main thing to plan is the space, and in a shared building the lobby or a breakout area can often be used with permission from building management.
How much space do you need for corporate headshots in an office?
I recommend a minimum of 2m x 3m of clear space. That allows for the backdrop, lights and enough depth between the camera and the subject. Smaller spaces can work, but more room gives better results.
Do you need a studio for corporate headshots in London?
No. Most of my corporate work takes place at the client's office, using my mobile studio. That saves your team travelling and keeps the day efficient, while still giving you studio-quality lighting.
How do you make young team members look experienced in headshots?
It comes down to how comfortable they feel. Relaxed posture and natural expressions read as confidence. I spend time talking with each person, demonstrate poses and show them their images on a laptop as we go, so they can see what is working.
How long does a team headshot session take for a small team?
For a small team, I recommend two hours of shooting time. That gives a good balance between speed, so nobody is away from their desk for long, and having enough time with each person to get a relaxed, natural headshot.
Who photographs corporate headshots for financial companies in the City of London?
I photograph corporate headshots for financial and professional services firms across London, including the City. I work on location with a mobile studio, which suits shared offices and smaller teams.
Ready to book your team headshots?
Whether you are a team of six in a shared office or a larger firm with a floor of your own, I can make the space work. Fill out the contact form or give me a call and tell me about your team, and I will get back to you with options.
