26 Sep Organizing a Team Portrait Session in Lausanne: Practical Tips

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In today’s business world, company image goes far beyond logos and slogans. It lives through the people who represent the brand every day. A team portrait session is one of the most effective ways to project unity, professionalism, and culture.

In Lausanne, where companies operate in highly competitive international markets, well-executed portraits can make a lasting impression on clients, investors, and partners. But organizing a smooth and efficient team photo session requires more than just gathering employees in one place. It’s a matter of planning, logistics, and collaboration with the right professional photographer in Lausanne.

Why Invest in a Team Portrait?

Team portraits offer both internal and external benefits. They build morale by celebrating collective identity, while also serving as versatile communication assets.

  • Externally: they reinforce your brand on your website, brochures, annual reports, and LinkedIn.

  • Internally: they give employees a sense of belonging and pride in the company.

For businesses in Lausanne — from banks and law firms to startups and NGOs — a strong visual identity is a must. A professional team portrait session demonstrates that the company values its people and pays attention to detail.

Start with Clear Objectives

Before booking the session, clarify what you want to achieve. Do you need:

  • Individual headshots for each employee?

  • A group photo of the entire team?

  • Smaller departmental portraits?

  • A mix of studio-style and editorial-style images?

Different goals require different approaches. Defining this early helps your photographer design the right setup and allocate time accordingly.

Choosing the Right Location

Location plays a key role in the outcome of team portraits. In Lausanne, you have three main options:

  • In-studio sessions: Best for consistent, polished results with controlled lighting. Ideal for companies that want uniformity across dozens of headshots.

  • On-site sessions: Setting up a mobile studio at your office reduces travel time for employees and ensures convenience. All that’s needed is a space of about 4×4 meters with a power source.

  • Outdoor sessions: Lausanne offers beautiful backdrops — Lake Geneva, Ouchy, the Cathedral, or the Flon district. Outdoor portraits are less formal and can emphasize creativity and openness.

The choice depends on your brand values and the message you want to convey.

Scheduling and Timing

Time management is one of the biggest challenges in team sessions. Without proper planning, employees may wait around, creating frustration and disrupting workflow.

A practical guideline is:

  • 5–10 minutes per person for individual portraits.

  • 20–30 minutes for a group portrait, depending on team size.

For a team of 20 people, expect a half-day session including setup and breaks. For larger companies, consider splitting sessions across multiple days or departments.

Preparing Employees

Preparation is key to ensuring everyone feels confident in front of the camera. A week before the session, send employees a simple guide covering:

  • Clothing recommendations (solid colors, minimal patterns, avoid flashy logos).

  • Grooming tips (neat hair, clean glasses, light makeup if desired).

  • The importance of punctuality to avoid delays.

In Lausanne, where teams are often multicultural, it’s a good idea to provide the instructions in both French and English.

The Role of Expression Coaching

Not everyone is comfortable being photographed, and forced smiles or stiff postures can undermine the final result. That’s why expression coaching is crucial.

A professional photographer will guide employees step by step:

  • Adjusting shoulders and posture.

  • Directing gaze for confidence and openness.

  • Helping employees smile naturally without looking staged.

This personal attention ensures the portraits reflect authenticity rather than discomfort.

Coordinating Outfits and Style

Consistency doesn’t mean everyone has to look identical, but there should be harmony. Companies can:

  • Suggest a color palette (e.g., navy, grey, white).

  • Encourage smart business attire for formal industries.

  • Allow slightly more casual styles for startups and creatives, while keeping professionalism in mind.

For group portraits, coordinated clothing helps the team look unified without being overly rigid.

Logistics on the Day of the Shoot

Smooth execution on the day depends on planning:

  • Assign a coordinator to liaise with the photographer.

  • Prepare a detailed schedule with time slots for each person.

  • Ensure the chosen location is ready (meeting room cleared, outdoor permits if needed).

  • Have water or coffee available, especially for longer sessions.

This level of organization helps reduce stress and keeps the atmosphere positive.

Post-Production and Delivery

The work doesn’t end with the photo session. Editing and retouching are essential for professional results.

Good retouching removes temporary imperfections, balances light, and ensures consistency across the team’s portraits. The key is subtlety — portraits should look polished but natural.

Professional photographers typically provide an online gallery for selection, allowing employees to choose their preferred shot. Final delivery in high resolution ensures flexibility for web, print, or media use.

Mistakes to Avoid

Many companies underestimate the effort needed to organize a team photo session. Common mistakes include:

  • Not allocating enough time, resulting in rushed portraits.

  • Failing to prepare employees with dress codes or tips.

  • Choosing an unsuitable location without enough space or good lighting.

  • Over-editing portraits to the point they look artificial.

Avoiding these pitfalls ensures a smooth experience and professional results.

Why Lausanne Companies Benefit Most

Lausanne’s reputation as a hub for education, business, and innovation makes professionalism especially important. Whether you’re a startup at EPFL, a law firm near Place Saint-François, or an NGO by the lake, your image must resonate with an international audience.

High-quality team portraits reinforce credibility and show clients and partners worldwide that your organization values excellence.

Conclusion

Organizing a team portrait session in Lausanne requires planning, communication, and the expertise of a professional photographer. With clear objectives, thoughtful scheduling, and attention to detail, your company can transform a simple photoshoot into a valuable branding opportunity.

If you’re considering such a project, work with an expert like Gabriel Gorgi, professional photographer in Lausanne. With experience in corporate portraits, expression coaching, and large-scale team sessions, he ensures the process is smooth and the results impactful.

Your team deserves to be represented at its best — because strong portraits reflect a strong company.