Professional photography isn’t just a luxury any more, it’s a necessity. Whether you are building a start-up or leading a marketing team, you need to make sure that you’re investing in your brand. One common question that a lot of business owners find themselves asking is, What’s the difference between business photography and corporate photography, and which one do you actually need? We’re going to answer that for you right now.
What is Business Photography?
Business photography is all about storytelling. It’s about capturing the passion, people, and personality behind your brand. It’s often relaxed, but still authentic. Some use cases here include personal brand photography for a solo entrepreneur, or a day in the life shots of people around the office. Environment shots of a retail store or café also fall under this category, along with social media or website imagery that shows things behind the scenes.
Images like this help clients and customers to connect with your brand on a personal level, and offer a warm and approachable approach for marketing materials while furthering your online presence.
What is Corporate Photography?
Corporate photography leans more into formality. It’s suited to businesses that need clean and consistent imagery to show both professionalism and authority. Some use cases include executive or team headshots or imagery for annual reports. PR and media release photos are also included here, as is coverage of formal events, speaking engagements, or conferences. Corporate photography is about making sure that your business is capable, cohesive, and credible to investors, stakeholders, or even the media.
Key Differences
| Feature | Business Photography | Corporate Photography |
|---|---|---|
| Tone | Relaxed and warm | Polished and formal |
| Purpose | Storytelling or marketing | Internal use or press |
| Location | Real-world settings | Staged environments |
Choosing between business photography and corporate photography often comes down to how you want your audience to perceive your brand. If you want to connect with them on a personal level and if you need to highlight the people who are working tirelessly behind the scenes, then business photography is the way to go. If you want to project a strong and professional image for stakeholders, on the other hand, or if you want to create some media you can use in press releases, then you may want to invest in corporate photography.
A lot of the time, it’s a good idea for you to use the best of both worlds. This is the best way to make sure that you are presenting your brand in the best light while ensuring that you have enough marketing material to push your brand. A professional photographer can easily give you some guidance here, so you don’t need to navigate things like this alone.
Which One Do You Need?
There are a few quick ways to find out which form of photography you need. If you’re a start-up or a founder, you’ll most likely benefit from business photography. This helps you to build your brand, and it also helps you to stand out from the crowd as being warm and welcoming. Corporate photography, on the other hand, allows you to deliver the professionalism your larger company needs to establish authority. It’s consistent and allows you to cement yourself as being polished.
If you’re undergoing a rebrand or launching a new site, however, using a blend of both can be a good way to go. It allows you to carry out a complete online refresh, with polished team headshots and candid visuals to drive home what it is you do and what you have to offer.
Why Hire a Professional Photographer?
Whether you are after corporate photography or business photography, hiring a professional helps to ensure that your images work for your brand. A tailored session is the best way for you to create assets that you can repurpose and use across your entire website. You can also use them on your social media pages, in press releases, and even in presentations for shareholders.
Photography sessions often pay for themselves in the fact that they lead to improved trust, more meaningful engagement, and better first impressions.
Hiring a Photographer who Can Showcase your Brand
If you want a solid photographer who knows how to showcase your brand through unique and catered photoshoots, then contact me today. I’ve worked with Brisbane businesses of every size, capturing authentic images and high-end visuals for corporate enterprises. My experience ensures that your brand benefits across the board. If you want to find out more, please view my portfolio or request a consultation today.
