Middlesbrough Corporate Headshot Photographer | Portable Studio on the Move

My work as a freelance press, PR and corportate photographer can see me zig-zag round the North East, sometimes between Harrogate and Darlington, Newcastle and Stockton all in a few days. So having a set of top quality lenses and equipment that I can use to quickly set up a portable studio in any location is a must.  My everyday portable studio kit includes a 7ft high wafer-thin screen that folds up so small it will go in the boot of my hatchback; a set of ultra fast Canon L Series lenses and a top of the range tripod; all of which means I can shoot in any conditions. 

My brief for a recent photography job at the Middlesbrough head office of Fabrick Housing Group was to take corporate head shots, three-quarter and full length photos of Chief Executive Alison Thain and two of the directors. Fabrick Housing Group is made up of landlords and developers Erimus Housing and Tees Valley Housing, as well as housing support charity Norcare. Together the partners in the group manage more than 15,000 homes from North Tyneside to York and provide a range of specialist services.

The images will be added to its photo library and used in newspaper and magazine editorials, and brochures as well as on the company’s website at www.fabrickgroup.co.uk and other online information sources. My commercial, marketing and advertising agency clients want good value for money from their photoshoots, which is why I plan ahead and take a range of kit along so I can deliver a set of shots that can be used for all sorts of purposes.  Having taken two professional Canon 5D mark3 cameras with me, I set up the portable studio in 20 minutes and with very little fuss. 

Where possible I like to take portraiture photos without flash, as it can sometimes kill the spontaneous natural moment I am looking for. My fast lenses were expensive but are ideal for low light conditions, and fantastic to capture corporate reportage photography.  Being able to create studio conditions on the move means I can also set up a flash in front of a subject and behind the screen, to give a true white background that allows designers to use cut outs and other clever layout techniques.

Senior business figures are busy people and photo sessions need to be short and sweet, so I worked fast as they chatted together, and took a series of colour and black and white photos showing them looking professional but relaxed - and all without them having to ‘perform’ for the camera. I rounded off by taking a few extra shots as they moved into the boardroom, and an hour after arriving I had a good selection of crisp, clean shots that met the brief, and I was able to pack up my portable studio and leave the directors free to get on with running a busy company. 

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Direct Website Link to Dave Charnley Photography