Team Photography for Businesses: How to Photograph 10, 30, or 100 People Without Spending All Day
“We need to photograph the entire team, but we don’t want it to take forever.” I hear this from HR regularly. And I get it — the cost to the company is not just the photoshoot itself, but mainly the time of people who are being photographed instead of working.
That is why I always aim to be as efficient as possible. And I have tested this approach across dozens of team photoshoots.
Real numbers from actual projects
Axians — 75 photos in 2 days
For Axians (the Czech branch of VINCI Energies, 300+ specialists), we planned a two-day shoot. We combined business portraits with lifestyle photography.
- 30 portraits against a uniform background
- Several scenes of lifestyle photography
- 30+ lifestyle photos from the work environment
- Approximately 75 delivered photos in total, including light reportage
Two “categories” of photography — portraits and lifestyle — were perfectly manageable in one to two days. The key was thorough planning ahead of time.
Human 1st — 80 photos in 3 hours
With Human 1st, it was even more intense. We were shooting with 15 people and needed different types of photos with different people — both group and individual shots.
During the three-hour session, we delivered a total of 80 photos. That is the result of careful planning and fast-paced work with an assistant.
As Barbora Prokesova from Human 1st put it: “We know that quality PR cannot be built with phone photos. That is why we invited Marek Topolar to our Monday company photoshoot. Just like us, he emphasizes detail, quality, and authenticity.”
How much time it actually takes
Here are approximate numbers you can count on:
Classic business portrait (uniform background):
- ~5 minutes per person
- 10 people = just under an hour (+ lighting setup)
- 30 people = about 3 hours
- 50 people = a full half-day
Lifestyle portrait (5 photos per person):
- 10-15 minutes per person
- 10 people = about 2-3 hours
- 30 people = a full day
Combination of both types (portrait + lifestyle):
- 10 people = half a day
- 30 people = 1-2 days
- 50+ people = 2 days
Tips for HR departments
Here are practical tips that have proven effective:
1. Create a schedule of people
Make a list of who will be photographed and when. Ideally in 30-60 minute blocks so people can rotate smoothly and nobody is left waiting.
2. Share the photographer’s recommendations
Before the shoot, send the team information about what to wear and how to prepare. I always provide these recommendations — it saves time on the day.
3. Plan the shoot with the photographer
The better you plan in advance, the more efficient the actual shoot will be. Walk through the spaces with the photographer, figure out the lighting, agree on a schedule.
4. Account for setup time
The actual shooting is only part of the time. I need to set up lighting, backgrounds, and test my settings. For large shoots, I work with an assistant so everything runs smoothly.
5. Stay flexible
Even with the best planning, someone will show up late or have a meeting conflict. A good photographer anticipates this and can adjust the schedule on the fly.
Why efficiency does not mean compromising quality
Efficiency does not mean the photos will be worse. Quite the opposite. Thorough preparation means I know exactly what I want to shoot when I arrive. I am not experimenting or trying things out. I come in with a clear vision.
Every shot is thought through, every photo has its purpose. And in post-production, I give each one maximum care.
I break down the differences between the two types of portraits in detail in my article business portrait vs. lifestyle portrait.
How to plan it
- Reach out with the approximate number of people and your requirements
- We discuss the concept — what exactly you need
- I prepare a schedule — who, when, where
- The photoshoot — according to plan, efficiently
- Selection and post-production — you choose the final photos from a preview gallery
Planning a team photoshoot? Let’s talk — we will walk through it together and prepare a plan tailored to your needs.
