Getting eight people to show up on time, dressed reasonably alike, and not visibly dreading the experience is its own small project. Because a team shoot usually happens once a year at most, it's worth doing right the first time. A rushed one is obvious in the final images, and those images end up on your About page and recruiting materials for the next twelve months whether they turned out well or not.
"Ask any photographer which group shots they're proudest of, and it's rarely the perfectly lined-up one. It's the one taken thirty seconds after, when everyone had already relaxed."
Planning a Session That Doesn't Feel Like a Chore
Most of what makes a team shoot go smoothly happens before the photographer ever shows up. Here's what to line up in advance.
Set a simple, shared dress code
You don't need matching uniforms, but you do need cohesion — agree on a color palette or level of formality (like "solid colors, no logos, business casual") so the group doesn't end up a mismatched mix of patterns and dress codes that pulls focus from faces.
Book earlier in the day when possible
People look more relaxed and energetic earlier in the day, before a full shift of customer interactions or meetings. If a morning slot isn't possible, build in a short break beforehand so no one is walking straight from a stressful task into the shoot.
Scout the space (or let your photographer do it)
Decide in advance whether you want photos in your actual workspace, in a studio, or outdoors near your location — each says something different about your brand. Share the space with your photographer ahead of time so they can plan for lighting and background instead of improvising on the day.
Warm the group up before the group shot
Most people are more nervous in front of a camera with coworkers watching than they are alone. A good photographer will start with a few candid, low-pressure shots — people talking, walking, laughing — before moving to the posed group shot, which tends to loosen everyone up and produce more natural expressions.
Plan for more than one configuration
Get the full group together, but also plan smaller combinations — department teams, leadership, a few candid working shots. This gives you a flexible library instead of a single group photo that's your only option for every use case.
Match the lighting and background to your brand photos
If you already have individual headshots or brand photography, try to match lighting style and background tone in the group shoot so everything feels like one cohesive photo library rather than several unrelated sets.
Good to know: Plan for roughly 60–90 minutes for a team of 5–15 people, including setup, the full group shot, smaller groupings, and a few candids. Larger teams or multiple locations will need more time.
Turning It Into Usable Content
Once you have the images, spread their use across your website, your Google Business Profile, and your social channels rather than posting them once and forgetting them. If you're also updating your individual headshots or refreshing older photography, our guides on taking better headshots and how often to update your business photos are useful next steps.
Wrangling a team photo doesn't have to fall on you
Joskie Productions plans the shot list, the timing, and the warm-up games for Portland teams, so all you have to coordinate is getting everyone in the same room.
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