I see a lot of photos on LinkedIn of people grouped together awkwardly as part of a press release or announcement. They’re often photographed up against a wall (the worst) and everyone looks a little uncomfortable because they don’t like having their photo taken.

There’s often no thought put into these kinds of photos. It’s a quick and dirty snap of the camera to get it over with. The problem with this is that a photo tells a thousand words. What are you communicating by an awkward photo of people backed up against a wall? You can do so much better with just a little guidance.

If you need to take a group staff photo, here is some advice to make your photo stand out from the crowd:

Firstly, wherever possible, warn people that photos will be taken. Allow people to feel good about what they’re wearing, give people time to sort their hair and make-up. People will immediately feel more relaxed with a camera in their face if they’re ready for it.

Secondly, a photograph should always be planned. Don’t leave it to the last minute. Think about what will be in the background and how you want people arranged. If you’re the person taking the photos, you need to direct people, not just wait for everyone to stand still long enough to take the photo.

Thirdly, everything you include in the photo is communicating something, whether you mean it to or not. What’s in the background, where people are looking, whether they have lanyards around their necks and who is standing in the middle are all things you need to think about. How can you use this to your advantage? How can you help to tell a story or show your company’s personality with this one photo?

Think carefully about where you take the photo too. Find a specific location that will add some interest, like a mezzanine, a bridge or in front of your building.

Here are some more quick tips for taking more engaging group photos:

Get everyone sitting down

People will look and feel more relaxed sitting down in a photo than standing up. Putting people around a table, on a staircase, on a wall or arranged on chairs in the middle of the office is going to look more intentional and less awkward. Let people sit in the most natural position for them.

Think about perspective

Photographing at eye-level is the norm, so why not shake things up? Stand at the top of some stairs and point the camera down at your group. Lie on the floor and point the camera up at them. It will automatically give the photo a different feel.

Outside is better

Inside (especially in an office) can look generic and the overhead lighting is doing you no favours. Weather permitting, head outside for a more natural look. The lighting will be better and the background will be a whole lot more interesting.

Choose a candid moment

If possible, take your time taking photos. Keep shooting as people are talking and laughing. Sometimes the more candid, relaxed photo, even if not everyone is looking at the camera, will come out 10 times better than anything posed. It also feels more authentic and shows more personality. Natural looking photos of teams at work can look great too. Shoot through a glass wall or through a doorway to add some interest.

Use height and depth to your advantage

Putting people in a row can work if you know what you’re doing, but we’ve seen it a million times. Instead, look at how you can make the most of height (of both people and the environment) and depth. It will add more interest to your photo if some people are standing higher up or further back while others are sat lower down and closer to the camera.

Use props

Is the team photo part of a big announcement or celebration? Maybe it’s introducing a new team. Why not get them holding signs or a banner to help communicate information. This is especially great if you don’t want to put loads of text with the image or the image might need to stand on its own.

Finally:

Who says it must be a group photo? Get creative by taking individual photos and putting them into a grid/collage. This can be so helpful if you know you won’t be able to fit everyone into the photo or someone is away!

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How do you make your group photos stand out from the crowd? Share you advice below.

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