In today’s digital world, making true human connections with customers is more important than ever. Generic stock photos on your website of smiling models isolate your audience and prevent them from seeing the real people behind your brand. To foster meaningful relationships, you need to give customers a window into your company’s soul, which means featuring genuine employee photos.
Your team isn’t just a collection of individuals; together they form the living, breathing heart of your organization. Their passion, diversity, and talents tell the unique story of why your company exists. By spotlighting real employees, you allow customers to connect with the shared mission that drives your business forward.
Making an Authentic Connection
Genuine employee photos help you make a real connection with your audience. Stock imagery feels generic—designed to appeal to everyone and no one at the same time. But photos of actual team members send a message: This company is one made of real people.
Showcasing your staff also helps their passion and dedication come through. Audiences get a sense of the care, creativity, and collaboration that happen behind the scenes. They can picture themselves working and interacting with your team.
Employee photos also allow your company’s unique personality to shine. The audience gains insight into your work environment and culture. These authentic glimpses are often what turns customers into brand loyalists—they feel like they know your people and belong.
Capturing Quality Portraits In-House
Taking portraits and photos worthy of sharing across public platforms requires some forethought. Here are some simple tips to ensure polished, consistent results:
- Use a DSLR camera, not smartphone cameras, for ideal image quality and creative control. Invest in a basic lighting kit, including a reflector and diffusion panels.
- Choose a location with ample natural light, like near windows, or set up backdrops.
- Position subjects at a slight angle rather than straight on for dimension. Have them lean forward slightly to avoid slouching.
- Frame subjects from the chest up. Vary orientations—some horizontal, some vertical. Tight facial close-ups mix nicely with wider shots.
- Retouch minor issues like red eye and color balance, and subtly sharpen. Catalog all photos in Lightroom before compositing in Photoshop.
- For group shots, use tiered posing, with taller people sitting or standing in the back. Keep faces close together.
- Request casual candids reflecting company culture—collaborating on projects and socializing at events. These feel most authentic.
Following basic photography best practices elevates DIY corporate portraits from mediocre snaps to refined assets suitable for public profiles. If a DIY approach isn’t something you believe will achieve the results you are looking for, seek a professional photographer.
Choosing Images That Showcase Your Culture
The employee photos you select should strategically highlight your company’s values and personality. Here are some tips for successfully capturing your company culture on camera:
- Capture a range of personalities—quiet determination, energetic teamwork, and focused creativity. Showcase the diversity that makes your team unique.
- Pick photos that embody your core values in action—empathy, innovation, drive, and transparency. The images should feel true to who you are.
- Feature employees enjoying collaboration. Show them bonding at team lunches, working together on projects, and celebrating successes.
- Choose a mix of professional and casual photos to convey your work environment’s mood. Make sure the style aligns with your brand personality.
- Capture expressions, not just poses. Moments of authentic human connection are most engaging.
The goal is to cultivate the feeling that your audience is getting to know the real humans behind your brand—as unique individuals and as a cohesive team. Once you’ve selected images that genuinely reflect your culture, it’s time to effectively showcase them.
- Frequently post team activity shots on social channels—collaboration sessions, community involvement, events, and new product trials. This shows your culture in action.
- On your website’s “About Us” and “Team” pages, display a rotating mix of individual headshots and group photos. Include short bios highlighting roles and interests.
- Introduce new hires with welcome posts featuring their photo, bio, and what makes them a great culture fit.
- Weave employee photos naturally into other content—case studies, promotions, and event recaps.
- Feature diversity and inclusion by representing all backgrounds, roles, and locations in your unified team. Celebrate each employee.
By consistently and seamlessly integrating real employee stories and photos, you build an authentic view of your culture. Readers get to know your team as more than just employees.
Gaining Consent and Portraying Positively
When featuring employee photos, you first need to explain how they will be used across your platforms, such as the website, newsletters, and social media. Obtain official consent from every person who will be depicted. This shows respect and helps avoid problems down the road.
Give team members a chance to review the photos you intend to use, and make sure they feel good about how they are portrayed. If anyone expresses concern or asks not to be featured, honor those wishes completely. You can find creative ways to showcase your full, collaborative team without including everyone equally. The goal is to protect staff preferences.
The Transformative Power of Authenticity
Showcasing real employees’ stories across your platforms has the power to transform company culture and brand image. When staff see their own faces proudly displayed, it cultivates a deep sense of belonging. They hold a strong sense of loyalty to the company and feel truly valued as contributors.
Consistent public recognition through social media tools boosts employee engagement and authentic brand advocacy. Staff become motivated to connect and share company news across their own social channels. Engaged employees are your best ambassadors.
Social advocacy similarly provides external audiences the precise insider perspective they crave. Employee photos, videos, and posts offer them memorable glimpses behind the scenes. Consistently showcasing your people reinforces your founding roots and core values. It keeps you recognizable and approachable even as you grow.
Focus on the Big Picture
Authentic employee photos humanize your company and build trust with customers. Showcasing real team members makes your mission tangible and values shine through by thoughtfully selecting images that reflect your unique culture. When done respectfully, genuine glimpses into your people can transform into compelling stories.
Chester Avey is a Guest Contributor at HR Daily Advisor.