In the corporate world, first impressions are no longer made in lobbies; they are made on LinkedIn, “About Us” pages, and digital pitch decks. For marketing directors and decision-makers, maintaining a cohesive brand identity across a growing team is a significant challenge.
When your team’s headshots look like a patchwork quilt of different lighting, backgrounds, and framing, it signals a lack of coordination. To project authority and unity, you need a Headshot Style Guide. This living document ensures that whether you hire five people or five hundred, every face representing your company looks like they belong to the same elite mission.
Why a Style Guide Matters for Decision Makers
A style guide isn’t just about “looking good.” It’s a strategic asset that streamlines operations and protects your brand.
- Scalability: As you onboard new talent, a guide allows any photographer (or your preferred partner) to replicate the existing aesthetic perfectly.
- Brand Authority: Consistency breeds trust. A uniform look suggests a polished, detail-oriented organization.
- Efficiency: It eliminates the guesswork during the pre-production phase, saving time for your marketing team and the executives being photographed.
Key Pillars of a Professional Headshot Style Guide
1. Defining the Backdrop and Environment
The background sets the tone. Are you a high-tech firm that benefits from a “Global Grey” or a clean High-Key White? Or perhaps an architectural firm that prefers environmental portraits with a soft-focus office background? Your guide should specify the exact Hex code for solid backgrounds or the “look and feel” of location shots.
2. Lighting Schematics
Consistency lives and dies by the light. A style guide should dictate:
- Rembrandt Lighting: For a dramatic, executive feel.
- Flat/High-Key Lighting: For an approachable, modern, and energetic vibe.
- Catchlights: Specific instructions on the reflection in the eyes to ensure everyone looks “awake” and engaged.
3. Framing and Composition
Will the shots be tight crops from the chest up, or a more relaxed waist-up composition?
Expert Tip: We recommend a “loose” capture at a high resolution. This allows your design team to crop the image for different platforms—circular for social media, square for the website, and wide-angle for keynote presentations.
4. Wardrobe and Grooming Standards
To avoid visual clutter, provide clear “Do’s and Don’ts” for your team:
- Colors: Suggest jewel tones or neutrals; warn against fine patterns (moiré effect) that vibrate on digital screens.
- Styling: Define the level of formality (e.g., “Business Professional” vs. “Startup Casual”).
Future-Proofing with Multi-Channel Media
In today’s market, a headshot session shouldn’t end with a still photo. The most efficient marketing teams are now requesting “Living Headshots”—short, 5-10 second video loops or “cinemagraphs” for use in digital signatures and website bios. Your style guide should account for these motion assets to ensure the video lighting matches the still photography.
Partner with the Experts at St. Louis Headshots
Building a style guide is the first step; executing it flawlessly is the second. Since 1982, St. Louis Headshots has served as a full-service professional commercial photography and video production powerhouse for the St. Louis business community.
We don’t just “take pictures”—we provide a comprehensive creative crew experienced in high-level image acquisition. Whether you need a full-service studio or on-location production, we bring the right equipment and a seasoned eye to every frame.
Why choose St. Louis Headshots for your corporate identity?
- Full-Service Production: From licensed drone operations (including specialized indoor flight) to expert post-production and editing.
- AI-Enhanced Workflow: We utilize the latest Artificial Intelligence tools to ensure your media is polished to modern standards.
- Customized Studio Experience: Our private studio features professional lighting and a visual setup perfect for interviews. It is large enough to incorporate props and custom sets, yet intimate enough for high-end portraiture.
- Versatility: We are well-versed in all file types and media styles, specializing in repurposing your photography and video branding to ensure you gain maximum traction across all platforms.
From supplying professional sound and camera operators to designing a private, custom interview suite, we support every aspect of your production. Let us help you define and execute a visual standard that sets your organization apart.
314-913-5626
Mike Haller
Studio by appointment: 4501 Mattis Road St. Louis, MO 63128
St Louis Headshots 