The Different Framing Styles for Corporate Portraits

16 April 2025 | 16 April 2025 | 4 min |

In today’s professional world, corporate photography plays a crucial role in communicating a strong and consistent brand image. Through various corporate portrait framing styles, it highlights the team, whether for professional social networks or a company website. A well-crafted corporate portrait can significantly influence how a brand is perceived. Rétines, your trusted partner, excels at capturing these moments, showcasing both professionalism and personality in every shot.

Here’s an overview of the main types of framing in corporate photography that you can use during your next photo session, along with their impact on brand image and professional communication:

  1. Wide Shot or Establishing Shot

This framing includes the subject as well as their work environment, allowing for a richer story about the individual’s professional context. It is especially effective for illustrating a team’s dynamic at work or showcasing the scope of a project. The wide shot invites the viewer to explore the image, offering an overview that emphasizes the subject’s connection to their professional setting.

  1. American Shot

The American shot, cutting off the subject at mid-thigh, is traditionally used in film to depict duels and confrontations, but in corporate photography, it helps balance the representation of the professional with a glimpse of their environment. This creates both an intimate and open image, ideal for official portraits that will be used in various contexts, from press articles to company profiles.

  1. Waist Shot

This framing, cutting the subject at the waist, offers a great balance between the face and the professional context, without neglecting the details of the outfit, which can communicate a lot about the role and status of the subject. The waist shot is often chosen for corporate portraits intended for internal or external communication materials, such as newsletters or corporate websites.

  1. Chest Shot

Focusing on the upper body, this shot highlights the subject’s non-verbal communication, such as posture and attitude, while leaving enough space for facial expression. It’s a smart choice for portraits that aim to convey authority and confidence, such as photos of leaders or specialists.

  1. Close-up or Headshot

The close-up, focused on the face and shoulders, captures the subtleties of facial expression and highlights the personality and defining features of the subject. This type of framing is perfect for conveying authenticity and closeness, which are essential in creating a personal connection with the viewer, particularly on professional social networks.

  1. Extreme Close-up

The extreme close-up, isolating a specific part of the face or a detail, can create a strong and memorable visual impact. While used sparingly in corporate photography, it can be employed creatively to highlight a unique feature of the subject or to convey values of innovation and precision.

  1. Detail Shot

This framing is ideal for capturing elements that tell a complementary story to the main portrait, such as a craftsman’s hands at work or professional accessories that symbolize the subject’s profession. It adds a narrative layer to the overall visual communication, enriching the corporate message with meaningful details.

Each type of framing in corporate photography serves its own purpose and conveys a specific message. The choice depends on the objective of the photograph, the message the company wants to communicate, and how it wants to be perceived. A thoughtful use of different framings can not only strengthen a company’s brand image but also create a deeper connection with its target audience. Rétines, with its expertise in corporate photography, knows how to choose the ideal framing for each project, ensuring every portrait truly reflects the brand and its values.

Conclusion

In the field of corporate photography, framing, background, and lighting play a fundamental role in conveying a professional and authentic image. Rétines is here to help you capture the essence of your professionalism through expertly crafted corporate portraits. Ready to transform your brand image with portraits that speak for themselves? Get in touch with us!

Jérémy Carlo is the editorial director at Rétines, where he ensures the consistency and clarity of all content produced by the studio. His role goes beyond writing—he shapes the tone, structures the messages, and upholds a precise, demanding editorial line that stays true to the identity of Rétines. With a background in visual communication and solid experience in content strategy, he bridges the technical world of photography with clear, no-frills writing.

Jérémy works closely with photographers, art directors, and the commercial team to make sure every word published serves the image, the message, and the brand. From blog articles and client presentations to social media posts and internal documents—everything is filtered through his attentive eye. His strength lies in making complex ideas accessible without oversimplifying, and in highlighting the studio’s work without relying on unnecessary superlatives.

Through his writing, Jérémy helps Rétines exist beyond the image—by giving context to projects, emphasizing the thinking behind each shoot, and bringing to light the technical and aesthetic choices that drive each photograph.

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