CEO and Top Management Photos: How Representative Business Portraits of Leadership Are Created
Top management has very little time. That’s a fact I work with at every executive photo shoot. These people are extremely busy and need to work, not pose for photos. That’s why I have a proven process for getting maximum results in minimum time.
30 Minutes, 20 Quality Photos
In half an hour, I can produce a set of around 20 final quality photos. Photos that serve that person for the next year — on LinkedIn, on the website, in press materials, in magazines, at conferences, in internal materials, on social media.
Multi-purpose use. And it realistically takes just 30 minutes of their time.
How is that possible? Because I prepare everything in advance.
Preparation Is Key
Before I go to photograph management, here’s what I have ready:
- Location scouting — I know where we’ll be shooting and how the light falls
- Pre-set lighting — everything is ready before the subject arrives
- Clear vision — I know exactly what photos I want before we even start
- Assistant — for management shoots I often work with an assistant to get the best photos in the least amount of time
When the CEO walks into the prepared space, there’s no waiting, no explaining, no testing. We start shooting.
Examples from Practice
Jan Krejci — Managing Director of Dorsis
For Jan Krejci, managing director of Dorsis (a Czech manufacturer of premium concealed door frames and doors), we shot modern business portraits. The photos naturally capture his personality and professional confidence.
Krejci builds the company brand through his personal brand. For that, he needed photos that represent him accurately. He uses the result on LinkedIn, on the Dorsis website, and in the company’s communications.
Pavel Rydzyk — Personal Brand
With Pavel Rydzyk, it was about portrait photos for building a personal brand. Authentic, not overly stylized. We worked with natural light and a minimalist background. No overproduced photos — honest portraits that serve their purpose.
Lematec — Management in Four Personalities
For Lematec (industrial automation, 150+ projects in 30+ countries), I photographed the founder and three other top management representatives. I first photographed everyone on a clean white background and then in the exterior spaces of their office center.
In B2B automation, where deals are closed based on personal relationships, a professional LinkedIn portrait has a real impact on business.
As Lematec’s managing director put it: “I absolutely recommend Marek. He’s a true professional who is very accommodating and flexible. The result was truly worth it.”
Where You’ll Use the Photos
Management photos have broad applications:
- LinkedIn — profile photo, posts, articles
- Company website — About Us, Team, Leadership sections
- Press materials — annual reports, presentations
- Media — magazines (Forbes, Economia), interviews, conferences
- Internal communication — intranet, corporate materials
- Social media — company profiles, PR activities
Professional photography serves media and magazines as well
Types of Photos I Shoot
Classic Business Portrait
Clean background, professional lighting. The essential that everyone needs. Ideal for LinkedIn profile photos and websites.
Environmental Portrait
A portrait in context — in the office, at a desk, on the production floor. It shows context and connects the person with the company.
Lifestyle Portrait
More natural shots — at work, in conversation, in motion. Great for social media and marketing.
Creative Portrait
Unconventional shots that stand out from the crowd. Like what we did with YD Capital — 15 minutes outside for each person, a creative approach on Campus.
I describe how the entire collaboration process works step by step in my brand photography guide. I discuss the differences between individual types of portraits in the article business portrait vs. lifestyle portrait.
Need photos for your company’s leadership? Check out the portfolio or get in touch directly.
