Brebners Staff Headshots - a Case Study
The three professionals above work for Brebners, one of the South East’s most respected accountancy firms with offices in central London and Kent. For almost 100 years Brebners has offered services to a diverse clientele, from multinational corporations to small owner managed businesses across various industries.
For the past two years, we’ve partnered with Brebners to deliver consistent, on-brand imagery that aligns with their vision.
In early 2023, Brebners approached Studio Grey to produce high-quality staff headshots that capture the essence of their company’s ethos and culture.
Staff Headshots are Marketing Documents
In today’s fast-paced world, many organizations depend on skilled, multidisciplinary teams to deliver complex services seamlessly. And when potential clients visit your website, they’re not just looking for information—they’re looking for proof. Proof that your team is capable, professional, and ready to deliver.
This is where staff headshots become a powerful tool. Think of them as the first handshake in a digital world. Research from Princeton University reveals that people form immediate assumptions about character and competence based on photographs. That means your team’s headshots aren’t just pictures—they’re the face of your brand.
To make the right impression, your headshots need to balance authenticity with professionalism. They should capture the unique character of each individual while reinforcing the values and identity of your brand. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about inspiring trust and confidence.
When we worked with the team at Brebners, we didn’t just take photos—we crafted a visual experience. Through collaborative mood boards and carefully planned shot lists, we helped their leadership team develop a distinct portrait style that perfectly aligned with their brand. The result? Headshots that didn’t just look great on their website but also told a story of competence, cohesion, and brand alignment.
Your team’s portraits have the power to speak volumes—make sure they’re saying the right things.
To ensure everything ran smoothly, we equipped Brebners with a comprehensive toolkit: a polished Final Mood Board, detailed preparation guides, and a set of brand guidelines. This wasn’t just about visuals—it was about setting the stage for a photoshoot that truly reflected their brand’s personality.
We know that managing the logistics of a staff headshots day can feel like juggling a dozen moving pieces. That’s why we went the extra mile, providing tailored planning materials like shoot schedules and clear reminders. This ensured every team member arrived on time, fully prepared, and dressed in the right outfit to showcase their best, most professional look. Think of it as transforming what could have been a stressful experience into a seamless, well-orchestrated event—where the results speak for themselves.
On the big day, we transformed the boardroom into a polished mobile studio, ensuring every detail was handled with precision. With the expert touch of Louise de Brookley, our professional makeup artist, each individual stepped in front of the camera looking their absolute best—confident and camera-ready.
Our photographer went beyond snapping pictures; they took the time to understand each person—their role, their personality, and the message they wanted to convey through their image. This personal approach ensures every photograph is more than just a picture—it’s a story, a statement, a connection.
Using cutting-edge technology, every shot was tethered to a computer screen, allowing subjects to see their images unfold in real time. Together, we perfected poses, adjusted body language, and experimented with lighting to create images that truly resonate. Each photo wasn’t just about how someone looked—it was about what their image communicated to their audience. The result? Powerful, professional portraits that speak volumes.
No two people are the same, and the same goes for how they look under a single lighting setup. Using one standard lighting scheme for staff headshots risks delivering portraits that fall flat—compromising the unique features and personality of your team members. That’s why we take a tailored approach to lighting, carefully adjusting it to the contours and features of each individual. The result? Flattering, professional portraits that bring out the best in everyone.
Great lighting isn’t just about brightness—it’s about balance. With skill and precision, our photographer ensures that the light falls evenly, enhancing each person’s natural features while maintaining a cohesive, polished look across your team. This attention to detail guarantees a consistent visual identity for your company while celebrating the individuality of your staff.
After the shoot, we make the process seamless. Each team member receives a folder of their best shots, giving them the freedom to choose the one they love most. From there, we handle the rest—every selected image is meticulously retouched and delivered in both monochrome and colour, perfectly optimized for your website, print materials, and social media platforms.
Professional headshots aren’t just photos—they’re the face of your business. Let us help you create images that make a lasting impression.
“Friendly and professional service throughout, with some great corporate headshots for the team. This is the second time we’ve used Studio Grey and would highly recommend.” – Brebners
Archiving and Maintaining Consistency
Every detail of the shoot—apertures, lighting setups, lenses, outfits, and the overall look and feel—is meticulously documented in our Professional Photography Guidelines. Think of it as the ultimate playbook, ensuring every aspect is captured with precision. This guide becomes our go-to resource, enabling us to flawlessly recreate the shoot anytime, anywhere—whether in our studio or at your office.
But we don’t stop there. Your images are securely archived in two separate locations and backed up in the cloud. This means your photos are never out of reach, ready to be retrieved whenever you need them. It’s not just professional photography—it’s peace of mind, delivered.
About the author
Mark Grey, MA, ARPS, is not just a photographer – he’s a master of his craft with over 40 years of experience capturing moments that resonate and tell a story. His work has graced the pages of Forbes, The Financial Times, and Vogue, as well as countless industry trade magazines, showcasing his ability to blend technical precision with artistic vision. Whether it’s the elegance of a fashion shoot or the professionalism of corporate imagery, Mark’s photography doesn’t just document—it elevates. With every shot, he turns ordinary moments into extraordinary visuals, proving why professional photography is an investment in impact and quality.
