Headshots in a bowling alley?

TL;DR: The Short Answer

Corporate headshots do not have to happen in a conference room. This week I am in Chicago photographing a client who booked me again, and this time the shoot is at their company outing, in a bowling alley. If there is room to set up, I can photograph your team there. I also pack more than I need and arrive earlier than I have to, so the people getting photographed never have to think about the space.

Last Time Was An Office. This Time Is A Bowling Alley.

I photographed this client’s team at their office before. They booked me again, and this time the headshots are happening at their company outing.

I like that. It is a good reminder that a headshot day does not need a specific kind of room.

Can You Photograph A Team Somewhere That Is Not An Office?

Usually, yes.

An office, a conference room, a bowling alley, an event space. The location matters less than people expect. What matters is that there is room to set up and a spot where people can step in, get their photo taken, and step back out.

I come to you, so the space does not have to be perfect. It just has to work.

Is Every Space A Good Fit?

No, and I would rather tell you that before the day than during it.

If a space is too tight or too chaotic to get good photographs, I will say so while we are planning. That is a much easier conversation than discovering it the morning of the shoot. If you are not sure whether your space works, describe it to me or send a photo, and I will tell you honestly.

Why Do I Arrive So Early?

Every space is a little different, and I never know exactly what I am walking into until I am standing in it.

Showing up well before the team does gives me time to find the surprises. The light might not be what I expected, or the best spot in the room might not be the one I planned on. None of that is the client’s problem, and I would rather solve it before anyone starts walking in.

Why Do I Pack More Than I Need?

Because I would rather carry a bag I never open than need something I left at home.

Most days I do not use all of it. That is the point. If something does not behave the way I expected, I already have an answer with me, and nobody on the team ever finds out there was a problem.

What Does That Mean For Your Team?

If it goes the way I want it to, you will not notice any of it.

The day just feels easy. People get their photos and get back to what they were doing. The extra gear and the early arrival are the reason it feels that way, but they are not something you should have to think about.

What To Ask Before Booking An On-Site Headshot Photographer

• Can you work in a space that is not a conference room?

• What do you need from us to set up?

• How early do you arrive, and what happens if something goes wrong?

• What if the space turns out not to work?

• How will each person see their photos?

The answers tell you how the photographer handles a day that does not go exactly to plan. An on-site photographer who has only ever worked in perfect rooms has not had many chances to learn that.

If You Are Planning Something Outside The Office

A company outing, an offsite, a team event. If you want headshots to be part of it, reach out and we can figure out whether the space works.

About The Author

Cameron Southwood is the founder of Second City Headshots. He photographs corporate teams on site in Chicago, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Cleveland, and Indianapolis, and uses the Misdirection Method to help people stop thinking about the camera long enough for a genuine expression to show up.