Taking staff photos now and long term solution

[Frimley111R]

This has been a challenge for me for as long as I can remember. If we get a photographer in s/he can take most photos (not everyone will be in) but then if we have 2-3 new people every month or so its not economic to get them back in. If we use the office camera they all look a bit inconsistent and amateurish.

What do you do in your company to solve this?

[buggalugs]

Do them on a white background with gaps between so you can photoshop people in and out, thats what a lot do.

[singlecoil]

There's no way of avoiding an inconsistent and amateurish look unless you photograph people in a consistent and professional manner.

How much time do you want to invest in this? Unless you are prepared to spend a bit of time learning how to do it it would be best to get a professional in.

[jeremyc]

How about the approach of having a cartoon representation of each staff member.

The cartoons can be created remotely by an artist from a photograph you take yourself (or is provided by the employee themselves). There may even be a website that can do it automatically.

This approach removes the dependency on a photographer (or a good photograph), can be updated at any time and allows you to communicate the company culture through the cartoon style.

[ozzuk]

As a secure site we take photos of all staff/contractors, so at least a couple a week. There are taken in reception, standard cheap camera, we have a white background, can't think what they are called - like an advertising board for expo stands. We have a cross on the floor that they stand on. Seems to work fine.

Edit, I just checked in reception, its actually a web camera attached to top of monitor.

Edited by ozzuk on Thursday 23 November 14:08

[iphonedyou]

ozzuk said:

As a secure site we take photos of all staff/contractors, so at least a couple a week. There are taken in reception, standard cheap camera, we have a white background, can't think what they are called - like an advertising board for expo stands. We have a cross on the floor that they stand on. Seems to work fine.

Edit, I just checked in reception, its actually a web camera attached to top of monitor.

Edited by ozzuk on Thursday 23 November 14:08

Think the OP is referring to marketing / promotional / general purpose business photos as opposed to security passes though.

[AndyAudi]

Our work systems link to a picture employees provide a web link for (similar to how Pic's are displayed here) there are guidelines as to what is an acceptable photo to link to & most folk appear to use the same as their linkd in profile (which they've already decided is prob their most professional one!)