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9th April 2014CEO fashion plates – How to get a good corporate photograph
Often times, when someone with a “serious” job–say a position of leadership in politics or business–poses for a fashion magazine, he or she catches a lot of flack–regardless of how legitimate and well-regarded the publication or photographer.
What the Vogue photos say about Mayer”s executive presence
What the Vogue photos say about Mayer”s executive presence
The latest instance of this was Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer’s recent profile in Vogue, for which she posed horizontally on a chaise lounge wearing a pretty conservative blue pencil dress. Many people, from Internet commenters to Time, thought it was inappropriate for a CEO of a major tech company to pose in such a fashion–and they didn’t hold back sounding off about it.
For the first time, Mayer herself responded to the criticism and explained the editorial during a talk with Charlie Rose. Mayer was “clearly embarrassed” when asked about the shoot and the pose, which she described as “out of necessity.” Apparently, photographer Mikael Jansson wanted to catch the CEO looking unconventional, hence the sort of upside-down-ness of the photo. Mayer said she hesitated but that Jansson promised it would look good.
It was a cool photo, and a lot more interesting than, say, her sitting at a desk in a suit. It is Vogue, after all; and I think she should have owned it a little bit more. Plus, shouldn’t what the story says about Mayer be more important than the photo?
Getting a Good Head Shot Matters
Every executive needs a “head shot” at some point. You will need one for the corporate site and your personal email banner for sending notes to staff. You”ll need it if you give public speeches for programs and other promotional materials. You”ll need it for the org chart as you rise up the ranks.
It”s likely that your comms or PR department will manage the shoot. It may be a professional photographer or a staffer with a phone cam – who knows? But it”s still your responsibility to get a good photo that represents a positive, powerful image.
5 Tips for Getting a Perfect Corporate Photo
1. The savvy CEO manages her image and insists on rights of approval. Never allow photos to be taken that you can”t control – this means selfies, etc. They will never go away.
A note about selfies: They are everywhere. This doesn”t mean you need to take them and share them. Give them the “would nbso I want my boss, most respected college professor and grandmother to see this photo?” test BEFORE you post!!
2. You are your own art director. That means you need to look at every detail with “Terminator” precision – cleavage, thigh, is your desk messy in the shot, everything that can be seen will be scrutinized. So take th time to think it through and look at the test shots with a very discerning view. If you have a friend or colleague who will give you honest feedback, have him or her come along to the shoot to give advice. Photographers hate this, but it can help boost That other truck driving driving school atlanta that”s a further away than you hoped may be a much better option, in terms of quality. your confidence. Just make sure you”re very clear on what you want to achieve and how you”ll use the photos.
3. Go for a classic semi-smile, eyes to camera shot. This is not the time to break out your “Le Tigre” or other Zoolander faces. You are not a supermodel. Just make sure your teeth are lipstick-free and smile to camera, thinking of something specific – like “power” or “approachable”. Before you go to the set, think about what you want to convey and hold that image or word in your mind. This is the cover photo for your personal brand – so make it count.
4. Wear classic clothes in a color that emphasizes your eyes. Either match your eyes or look at a color wheel and choose the complimentary color and find a blouse or scarf that incorporates the colour. Your eyes are the most powerful and expressive part of the photo – so make them matter. This photo may also have a long shelf life – I”ve seen five year old corporate photos many times. So wear non trends – like a classic pencil skirt and blouse. The jackets change style a lot – so have one with and one without – make sure you can”t see any cleavage with your blouse. Simple jewelry or none at all – just diamond stud earrings are classic.
5. Pop one notch of color. Wear your everyday hair and makeup, but with just a smidge more “pop” – a little more mascara, a touch more concealer, a little brighter lipstick, and a dab more powder and blush. Not garish – just nudge the dial up one more notch. Hair matters. It should be off your face but not severe. If you can get professional hair and makeup, that”s great – but be careful that they don”t over do it. I had professional makeup for a shoot once and afterward realized I had Joan Crawford eyebrows – a wasted shoot as I never, ever would use those images now!
Be smart, push back if you don”t like the ideas the photographer or art director is proposing (these images live forever – the photographer is just going to go to the next job!), and make sure you look at the shots as you go to see what”s working and if it represents your personal brand!
For the first time, Mayer herself responded to the criticism and explained the editorial during a talk with Charlie Rose. Mayer was “clearly embarrassed” when asked about the shoot and the pose, which she described as “out of necessity.” Apparently, photographer Mikael Jansson wanted to catch the CEO looking unconventional, hence the sort of upside-down-ness of the photo. Mayer said she hesitated but that Jansson promised it would look good.
It was a cool photo, and a lot more interesting than, say, her sitting at a desk in a suit. It is Vogue, after all; and I think she should have owned it a little bit more. Plus, shouldn’t what the story says about Mayer be more important than the photo?
Getting a Good Head Shot Matters
Every executive needs a “head shot” at some point. You will need one for the corporate site and your personal email banner for sending notes to staff. You”ll need it if you give public speeches for programs and other promotional materials. You”ll need it for the org chart as you rise up the ranks.
It”s likely that your comms or PR department will manage the shoot. It may be a professional photographer or a staffer with a phone cam – who knows? But it”s still your responsibility to get a good photo that represents a positive, powerful image.
5 Tips for Getting a Perfect Corporate Photo
1. The savvy CEO manages her image and insists on rights of approval. Never allow photos to be taken that you can”t control – this means selfies, etc. They will never go away.
A note about selfies: They are everywhere. This doesn”t mean you need to take them and share them. Give them the “would nbso I want my boss, most respected college professor and grandmother to see this photo?” test BEFORE you post!!
2. You are your own art director. That means you need to look at every detail with “Terminator” precision – cleavage, thigh, is your desk messy in the shot, everything that can be seen will be scrutinized. So take th time to think it through and look at the test shots with a very discerning view. If you have a friend or colleague who will give you honest feedback, have him or her come along to the shoot to give advice. Photographers hate this, but it can help boost That other truck driving driving school atlanta that”s a further away than you hoped may be a much better option, in terms of quality. your confidence. Just make sure you”re very clear on what you want to achieve and how you”ll use the photos.
3. Go for a classic semi-smile, eyes to camera shot. This is not the time to break out your “Le Tigre” or other Zoolander faces. You are not a supermodel. Just make sure your teeth are lipstick-free and smile to camera, thinking of something specific – like “power” or “approachable”. Before you go to the set, think about what you want to convey and hold that image or word in your mind. This is the cover photo for your personal brand – so make it count.
4. Wear classic clothes in a color that emphasizes your eyes. Either match your eyes or look at a color wheel and choose the complimentary color and find a blouse or scarf that incorporates the colour. Your eyes are the most powerful and expressive part of the photo – so make them matter. This photo may also have a long shelf life – I”ve seen five year old corporate photos many times. So wear non trends – like a classic pencil skirt and blouse. The jackets change style a lot – so have one with and one without – make sure you can”t see any cleavage with your blouse. Simple jewelry or none at all – just diamond stud earrings are classic.
5. Pop one notch of color. Wear your everyday hair and makeup, but with just a smidge more “pop” – a little more mascara, a touch more concealer, a little brighter lipstick, and a dab more powder and blush. Not garish – just nudge the dial up one more notch. Hair matters. It should be off your face but not severe. If you can get professional hair and makeup, that”s great – but be careful that they don”t over do it. I had professional makeup for a shoot once and afterward realized I had Joan Crawford eyebrows – a wasted shoot as I never, ever would use those images now!
Be smart, push back if you don”t like the ideas the photographer or art director is proposing (these images live forever – the photographer is just going to go to the next job!), and make sure you look at the shots as you go to see what”s working and if it represents your personal brand!
