Photography Should Be a Laugh, Even in Business

Take the team at ABL Business, for example. We’ve had a few sessions updating their photos, and every time, it’s a right laugh with Alex, Andy, and the rest of the crew. It’s less about posing for the camera and more about having a chinwag while getting some snaps.

Putting People at Ease: Job Number One

When someone’s in front of my lens, my main gig is to make ’em comfortable. Yeah, sure, lighting and location matter, but if the person you’re shooting looks like they’d rather be anywhere else, you’re not going to get a good photo, are you?

Don’t Just Stand There

Standing there waiting for a smile to magically happen? Forget it. Your photos will come out as appealing as a wet weekend in Grimsby. You’ve got to work to get that natural, relaxed look.

Behind the Scenes with ABL

So here’s a peek at some of the ABL photos, both the finished product and the fun we had getting there.

It ain’t a stuffy, uptight affair. It’s about loosening up, getting a few laughs and capturing folks as they really are—not some stiff cardboard cutout.

So there you have it. Next time you’re dreading a photo shoot, just remember, it doesn’t have to be torture. In fact, it can be downright enjoyable. Cheers.

Here are some of the out takes…

Keep it Natural, No Posing Allowed

The first thing you’ll spot is these aren’t rigid, staged photos. I sling up some lights around a table for group shots, or near a desk for individual ones, and then just let people find their own groove. For this shoot, having teammates around to crack jokes helped a ton. All that’s left is to keep snapping until you’ve got enough decent options for them to pick from.

Posing? Forget About It

Start posing people and you can say bye-bye to the easy-going atmosphere you’ve just built up. The result? You’ll get someone who looks more like they’re waiting for a bus than enjoying a photo shoot. It’s crucial to keep that friendly banter going to capture those genuine smiles.

The Finished Goods

To wrap it up, here are a few of the polished shots I’ve chosen. Each one screams “professional” but still has that warm, approachable vibe—exactly what ABL is all about.

So, that’s the gist. With the right approach, commercial photography doesn’t have to be a dreaded task. Far from it; it can actually be a bloody good time. Cheers!