Visionstream partners with customers to develop smart, tailored solutions that enhance the quality of mission critical telecommunication and information communication technology (ICT) assets. An important part of their business is face to face dealings with large companies in the the public and private sectors to solve their toughest challenges with network solutions that are faster, smarter, better integrated, more resilient and more efficient. They felt it was important to highlight there key staff and ensure each of them had a professional Auckland Corporate Headshot. Though there was a need for a standard headshot on a white backdrop for linkedin, they also wanted a more cinematic style so their presentations stood out from the crowd. All the photos were taken on a white backdrop white a blurred backdrop add in after the shoot.

The final request was from the staff. They realised it was important to have a more formal or ‘corporate’ photo with a tie and jacket, but also to have the option with out the tie which reflects the day to day culture.

 

Red Consulting Group needed to update their Auckland Business Portrait to reflect the new website. The Business Headshots needed to be professional, but still warm and approachable. The website designer required the photos to be in black and white to match the brand design, but also a colour option was required by the  social media team and press releases.

Metro Headshots set up our mobile studio in the Auckland Office, and the whole process took less than 2 hours.The final photos have been praised by both clients and business colleagues.

When it comes to data geek stereotypes, technology entrepreneur Carmen Vicelich certainly breaks the mould. Nicknamed, the ‘Data Queen’ by her peers, Carmen is founder and CEO of two companies; Data Insight, an analytics company and property valuation platform, Valocity.

Metro Headshot’s brief was to take a range of striking business portraits that captured Carmen’s drive, energy and sophistication to be used in a range of company and media publications.

Carmen’s modern office provided a variety of backdrop options that complemented her wardrobe and reflected her professionalism and personal style.

 

 

Les Mills has built up a reputation of being a world leader in the heath and fitness industry. One of the corner stones to their success are their expert Personal Trainers. Metro Headshots had the opportunity to photograph the new Les Mills Howick team for their website Trainer Profiles. 

Trainer Profiles – The Sky is the Limit

We had a strict corporate guideline to follow so that the photos would blend with all the other trainers’ images throughout New Zealand. Although the trainers were photographed on a white background – the corporate sky and type was added in using photoshop.

Everyone was amazed with the final photos and since they have gone live, the feedback from the members has been overwhelmingly positive.

 

EY continues to be a global leader in Accountancy Services. Their commitment to “Building a better working world” also includes a commitment to presenting their staff in the best possible light. The Auckland office has chosen Metro Headshots to be their preferred supplier for Business Portraits. Our job is to ensure all staff photos follow a ‘global look’ ensuring all Linkedin Headshot are consistent and professional.

The ‘Global Look’ is the tried and tested white background with a clean bright light on the subject. Not surprisingly a white background is the most effective way to get the most from your LinkedIn Headshot. You will get more connections and better relationships. Here is why.

Standout on that small screen

You will get more LinkedIn contacts if your photo stands out and is instantly recognizable. After someone has met you and wants to link to you or get more information, they will type your name into LinkedIn – probably on their smartphone. Six to ten names will come up with tiny images next to them. (If you don’t have a profile photo, forget about connecting.) If your profile photo is not recognizable, they will not link to you. By having a white background and a tight crop, there is no distraction from your face, giving you the largest chance of being recognized and getting the connection.

No Distractions for Viewer

A white background gives no distractions. A busy background is a distraction – especially on that tiny smartphone screen. I think a location-based portrait is better suited to a website, where a larger photo can be offered. Better to keep it simple and straightforward on LinkedIn.

A Pure White Background Says Professional LinkedIn Headshot

A professional headshot is essential to having a LinkedIn profile that is complete and effective. Every LinkedIn and social media expert we have interviewed says so. Selfies and amateur shots don’t have that pure white background. A LinkedIn profile pic with a white background makes it quickly evident that you made the investment in a professional LinkedIn Headshot. That meticulousness makes an impression on a potential employer or customer.

Metro Headshots is proud to be the preferred supplier to AUT for all their business portraits and corporate photography. We have just recently completed the Annual Report with the Board of Directors photography as well as taking headshots of the individual board members.

Board of Directors photography – timing is everything

The reality of these shoots is that we take advantage of a very narrow window of time (15 minutes!) between meetings to assemble the Board and take the photo. There is no time for creative options and absolutely no time for a technical hitch.

The success of the shoot is in the planning and organisation of the set-up: arriving 90 minutes prior to the shoot and setting up the first set of lights plus – on the off chance there is a technical problem – a back up set of lights. Then we set up the camera, testing the exposure and composition.

Then we wait. There is a slim chance the prior meeting will finish early – so firstly we are always ready 30 minutes prior to the scheduled shoot time. Secondly, we always build flexibility into our timing plans. The reality is that if the Board members are late, we have to have the option of extending the shoot time to accommodate their busy schedules.

Individual Board of Directors Photography.

Next step is go to the second studio (again all set up and ready to go) and shoot the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor. This year we used a beautiful Maori Installation setting to incorporate the cultural foundations of the organisation.

Dynamic Group Photos – The hassle free way to create a Sales Team Photo

Mercedes-Benz New Zealand needed a sales team photo… but it was never going to be an easy job. The problem is the team was spread out across Auckland and thoughout New Zealand. Everyone being in the same place at the same time was almost impossible. Metro Headshots had the solution.

Firstly we set up a studio in the main boardroom and shot all the sales people individually over a 3 hour time frame. We also shot the stunning perspex sculpture in the main foyer to act as a backdrop to the final photo.

The next step was to allow each staff member to choose his or her own photo and then we created a digital montage. 

So what is a Dynamic Group Photo?

The advantages are as follows:
1. Each Staff member can choose his or her own photo
Trying to get that one perfect photo often means someone has their eyes closed or a not so flattering expression. With this method each person chooses their best photo.

2. Lots of options
Sometimes you need one photo to show off your whole team. Sometimes you just need to highlight your senior staff. Sometimes you need to show off one division. By taking individual photos, we can create different team options as in the example below.

3. A photo that changes with time
As a Sales Team changes, we can remove staff or shoot new staff and add them to the team. A typical team photo is out of date as soon as one member leaves. (Especially if it is to a competing company.)

4. We come to you
Often it is impossible to have everyone at the same location. We are more than happy to set up in multiple locations and at different times to suit your staff.

When is the best time to do a Sales Team Photo?

An ideal time to set up a Sales Team photos is at a Sales Conference.  We can set up our studio at your event, and plan with the organiser for each member to pop out and have their individual photo taken. Each portrait takes on average 5 minutes. Easy!

ACG Senior College approached Metro Headshots to create some Fashion Headshots in order to profile key students and attract new students to the school.

We saw this as an ideal opportunity to break the mould and do something a little different. Using a combination of large softboxes and a specialised ring light, we came up with a style of lighting that was flattering – but edgy – very appealing to the young target market.

There are literally dozens of lighting styles you can choose from – and each one has its own personality. The problem with a traditional Business Portrait is… it looks like a Business Portrait!

When is a Business Portrait not a Business Portrait.

Every portrait says something about the sitter. If it is a unprofessional portrait, then often it implies – ‘I really don’t care’. A Fashion Portrait style will imply that I am creative – I don’t follow the norm – I want to stand out. This was exactly the  statement we wanted to make in this campaign.

The issue with Fashion Portraits is it may not be appropriate for your business. Many people working in professional services would lose credibility if they went too avant-garde with the style of their portrait. This is why many of the top companies we work with have strict corporate guidelines when having their staff photographed.

 

When Georgia Willis decided to completely re-brand her business, we were more than happy to help out with an online profile headshot and some behind-the-scenes photos.

The importance of a good online profile headshot

In any business a good profile photo is important. When you are in the fashion business it is critical. We had already worked with Georgia previously and loved her work. Georgia is a graduate of ‘The Make up School’ and her career was going places. She had a stunning portfolio but her logo and online brand wasn’t reflecting her talent.

We agreed to set up early at her next job and spent 15 minutes getting a few different angles and expressions. To ensure 100% consistency, it was important to choose one photo to run though all her website and social media platforms.

The final photo was amazing! Good Luck Georgia with your future career – we look forward to working with you again soon.

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to Business Portraits and one option that is becoming more popular are Black and White Business Portraits.

Most people think of Corporate Headshots and Business Portraits in terms of full color. It’s true that color portraits convey a richness and drama that grayscale images may not accomplish. But more and more often, companies are choosing to use black and white images on their websites. Here are some advantages to having a Back and White Portrait.

More Flattering. 

As we get older, our skin texture and discolouration shows off our age. We can hide the texture (wrinkles) with lighting – but it is more difficult (but not impossible!) to hide the effect of rosacea. 

“Black and white business portraits are typically selected when a company or firm wants to present itself with a unified look. Partners and Associates may have been photographed by more than one studio using a variety of backgrounds. Converting a color image to black and white makes images appear to be more uniform, regardless of the original background color.  Blue becomes gray as does brown. This creates a visual impression of uniformity and continuity throughout the organization.”  

Black and white could also be considered as a style choice.  Greg is currently consulting with a firm who is considering using grayscale images because of the color palette of their new website. Images like the ones below not only convey a contemporary look and feel but fit well with websites that feature more subdued colors in the template. 

Whether your business portrait is in color or black and white, it doesn’t have to be boring!