fashion

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What to Wear for a Group Headshot That Looks Sharp: A Professional Guide for Your Team

When planning group headshots for your company, marketing team, or leadership board, one crucial decision often gets overlooked: what to wear. Wardrobe choices may seem like a minor detail, but when coordinated correctly, they have a major impact on the professionalism, unity, and overall visual appeal of your final image. At St Louis Photographers, we’ve produced countless successful group headshots, and we’ve learned that wardrobe coordination can elevate your brand and create a polished, memorable impression.

Why Clothing Choice Matters in Group Headshots

Group headshots are more than just photos—they’re visual representations of your company culture and brand. Coordinated clothing helps:

  • Establish visual unity without forcing uniformity
  • Avoid visual distractions so the focus stays on the people
  • Reinforce brand aesthetics, especially when integrated with other marketing visuals
  • Ensure consistency across platforms such as your website, press kits, and social media

Key Considerations When Dressing for a Group Headshot

1. Coordinate, Don’t Match

Avoid identical outfits (e.g., everyone in black or white). Instead, opt for a cohesive color palette—think blues and grays, earth tones, or brand-appropriate hues. This provides visual harmony while allowing individual personality to shine.

2. Dress for the Brand

Your company type and culture should inform wardrobe choices. For financial institutions or law firms, business formal attire may be appropriate. For creative agencies or tech startups, business casual or smart casual may better reflect your identity.

3. Avoid Loud Patterns and Logos

Busy prints, logos, or stripes can cause visual noise and date the photo. Stick to solid colors or subtle patterns to keep attention on the faces, not the clothing.

4. Consider Necklines and Layers

For men, a button-up shirt with or without a blazer usually works best. For women, tailored tops with structured necklines or layers like blazers or cardigans add shape and polish. Avoid deep V-necks or spaghetti straps unless they are covered by a jacket.

5. Stay Seasonal Yet Timeless

If your shoot is outdoors or in a setting that reveals the time of year, choose attire that is seasonally appropriate but won’t look outdated in six months. Think layers that can be removed if needed.

6. Discuss Footwear (If Visible)

If the full body is in frame or the shoot includes environmental portraits, ensure that footwear matches the rest of the outfit in professionalism and cleanliness.

7. Don’t Forget Grooming and Accessories

Neat hair, light makeup, and minimal accessories help the image look clean and professional. Jewelry should be simple and non-reflective.

Pro Tip: Create a Brief and Share It Ahead of Time

To ensure everyone is prepared, create a simple wardrobe guideline document and share it well before shoot day. You can even include visual examples. This makes coordination easy and removes day-of guesswork.

Why Partner With St Louis Photographers

At St Louis Photographers, we’ve been crafting compelling visual narratives for businesses and organizations across the St. Louis region since 1982. Our team of experienced professionals understands how to align group portraits with your brand vision—while making your team feel confident and at ease on camera.

We’re a full-service professional commercial photography and video production company, equipped with the right technology and creative crew to ensure successful image acquisition. Whether you need studio or location video and photography, we handle everything—from editing and post-production to FAA-certified drone footage (including indoor drone photography).

We specialize in repurposing photography and video branding to extend the value of your media. Our private studio is designed for custom setups and includes lighting and visual equipment to accommodate both small productions and interview scenes. From providing sound and camera operators to setting up private interview spaces, we ensure seamless, professional productions tailored to your media needs.

Ready to book a polished group headshot session that reflects your brand at its best? Contact St Louis Photographers—where expertise, creativity, and collaboration meet.

St. Louis Photographers

Mike Haller, Senior Shooter

stlouisphotos@gmail.com

314-913-5626

4501 Mattis Road   St. Louis, MO   63128

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Exploring the Dynamic Range: On-Location vs. Studio Product Photography

In the realm of commercial photography, capturing the essence of a product is a nuanced art. Whether it’s for e-commerce platforms, marketing campaigns, or catalogues, the imagery used to showcase products plays a pivotal role in shaping consumer perception and driving sales. As a full-service professional commercial photography and video production company, St Louis Corporate Photographers understands the importance of choosing the right setting for product photography. In this article, we delve into the variations of product photography shooting on location versus in a studio, exploring the unique benefits and considerations of each approach.

For lifestyle products or brands seeking to evoke a sense of authenticity and relatability, on-location photography may be the preferred option.

Location Photography: Capturing Authenticity

Shooting product photography on location offers a plethora of opportunities to infuse authenticity and context into the imagery. Whether it’s a bustling city street, a serene natural landscape, or a trendy urban setting, the environment can serve as a compelling backdrop that enhances the story of the product.

One of the primary advantages of location photography is the ability to leverage natural light to create stunning visuals. The interplay of sunlight, shadows, and ambient surroundings can imbue the images with a sense of warmth and realism that is often difficult to replicate in a studio setting. Moreover, capturing products in real-world scenarios can help potential customers visualize how the product fits into their lifestyle, fostering a deeper connection and driving engagement.

However, shooting on location also presents its own set of challenges. Variables such as weather conditions, environmental distractions, and logistical constraints can impact the outcome of the shoot. As such, meticulous planning and flexibility are essential to ensure a seamless execution.

Studio Photography: Precision and Control

In contrast to location photography, shooting product imagery in a studio environment offers unparalleled control over every aspect of the shoot. From lighting and composition to props and backgrounds, every element can be meticulously curated to highlight the product in the best possible light.

One of the key advantages of studio photography is the ability to create consistent, high-quality imagery regardless of external factors. With a controlled environment free from distractions, photographers can focus solely on showcasing the product in its best light, quite literally. Additionally, studio setups are often equipped with a wide range of lighting equipment, modifiers, and backdrops, allowing for endless creative possibilities.

Moreover, studio photography offers greater flexibility in terms of scheduling and logistics. With everything conveniently located in one place, it’s easier to coordinate the shoot and make any necessary adjustments on the fly.

However, despite its advantages, studio photography may sometimes lack the authenticity and context that can be achieved through location shoots. Without the backdrop of real-world settings, the imagery may feel somewhat sterile or disconnected from the audience’s lived experiences.

Choosing the Right Approach

When it comes to choosing between on-location and studio product photography, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each approach offers its own unique benefits and considerations, and the optimal choice will depend on factors such as the nature of the product, the target audience, and the overall marketing strategy.

For lifestyle products or brands seeking to evoke a sense of authenticity and relatability, on-location photography may be the preferred option. By placing the product in real-world scenarios, marketers can create a narrative that resonates with consumers on a deeper level, fostering brand loyalty and trust.

On the other hand, for products that require precision and attention to detail, such as electronics or luxury goods, studio photography may be more appropriate. With complete control over the environment, photographers can showcase the product in exquisite detail, highlighting its craftsmanship and features with unparalleled clarity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the choice between on-location and studio product photography ultimately boils down to the specific goals and requirements of the project. Whether you’re looking to capture the authenticity of a bustling city street or showcase the intricate details of a high-end product, St Louis Corporate Photographers is here to help. As a full-service video and photography production company, we have the expertise and creative vision to bring your vision to life. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can elevate your brand through stunning imagery.

As a full-service video and photography production company, St Louis Corporate Photographers has worked with many businesses, marketing firms, and agencies in the St. Louis area for their corporate photography and video. Contact us today to discuss your project needs and let us help you bring your vision to life.

stlouisphotos@gmail.com

314-913-5626

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St Louis Advertising Photographers | PR and Live Events

Whether shooting in the studio or on location it’s all the same. You need good dependable equipment. We always provide for the inevitable issue occurring on a project. And like the boy scouts, our team is always prepared. Redundancy for equipment is critical when you are on a live shoot or that “big” production. We treat all projects the same, like they are crucial to our existence, and they are. So the backup equipment is something the customer should be concerned with as well.

On this particular shoot a lamp expired and had to be replaced, nothing major but it’s always important to have a spare when in need. It keeps the production humming and the issues to a minimum. After all we’re supposed to be creating here, LOL!

314-892-1233
Mike Haller, mikeh@hallerconcepts.com