Locations You’ll Love for Seattle Business Portraits Utilizing Natural Lighting Outdoors and Scenery

Take the guesswork out of it and use this list as a guide to the best locations around the Seattle and Bellevue areas for taking business portraits and other types of portraits. There are so many fun places to take pictures, but when photographing professionals or using natural light you really want to use unique locations that provide the best chance of obtaining that great look you’re going for. So, without further a-due, here goes!

1 – Kerry Park, Downtown Seattle / Overlooking the Seattle skyline from Queen Anne hill

One of the more popular local tourist attractions and home to many-a-wedding-engagement portraits, this location puts you level with the top of the Space Needle from the NW side of the city. Early in the morning and later in the evening produce the best lighting unless you’re assisted by some friendly clouds that will serve as a nice natural diffuser. Usually we’ll use a very simple setup here, however what I would recommend for optimal results is to bring styling products with you as many times it’s quite windy atop this area regardless of time of year.

2 – Pike Place, Downtown Seattle / Corner of Pike and 1st St in downtown Seattle

Who doesn’t like the Pike Place sign!? lol…it’s pretty much a signature to the city. Depending on the type of Seattle business headshots style we’re looking to capture, some commercial/lifestyle headshots look great with a local item as a background. Utilizing the rustic bricks/cobblestone walkway, passerby and signage really make this one of the most favorite locations! Best parking is a couple blocks away to avoid a steep tourist-rate parking or if you’re lucky enough to find a meter, but even those are $3.50/hr.

3 – Greenlake, Seattle / Northside of Greenlake off the 65th St exit & Ravenna

Home to runners, walkers and a great view! Many times I’ve worked with my clients to capture fun portraits using a variety of backgrounds depending on their wishes. The lighting is always great in this area regardless of time of year and there are many local coffee shops for easy meeting up.

4 – Bellevue Park, Downtown Bellevue / Just off the 4th St exit one block south of Bellevue Square

Home to a half-mile jogging trail, a children’s play area, three parking areas, a giant tree at it’s epicenter, and a beautiful man-made large pond with waterfall, Bellevue Park ranks Number-One on my list. I’ve probably photographed over a hundred professionals and high school seniors at this location in my years as a Seattle Business Portrait photographer. There are several benches located around the park and some nice steps with a view of the entire park on the north end as well that are always popular.

5 – Fremont, Seattle  / Just north of Downtown on the NW end of Lake Union

Variety, artsy and eclectic come to mind in Fremont. The Fremont Bridge, Burke-Gilman trail or downtown Fremont make for rustic and energetic backgrounds with a story.

6 – SODO (or South Downtown), Seattle / Easy access from I-90 and any exit south of the I-90 interchange

What an evolution this hyper industrial area has undergone since the late 1990’s! SODO is home to the most rustic backgrounds you’ll find outside the Pioneer Square area except with a little more breathing room. Capturing personality-focused Seattle business portraits is paramount in this area or for any other type of photography such as modeling or commercial portraiture. Best thing to do is spend 30-45min driving around the area to scope out your favorite backgrounds then complete your session with a good frame of mind for the uniqueness of the area.

7 – Alki Beach, West Seattle / Located off the West Seattle Bridge then onto the north end

Let’s get beachy! For our 5-6 months of warmer weather this is one of the city’s hotspots for cruising, playing beach volleyball and enjoying a stroll along the boardwalk with good eats and local flavor. Capturing the beach-like feel with driftlogs, huge water-laden rocks and the best dynamite view of the Seattle skyline, this is THE SPOT in warmer weather! More so for family portraits, however this spot is very popular with some of my business portrait clientele. Just make sure you ‘rap’ with Fish n’Chips!

8 – Pioneer Square, Downtown Seattle / Located off the James or Yesler St exits

Here you’ll find a wide variety of settings including many colors and styles of brick, some industrial with a mixture of trees for a unique setting only found in this area of town. From traditional awnings by local businesses to the heart of this area’s brick walkways or perhaps rustic signage on buildings from the early to mid 1900’s, this area is one of favorite locations and was home to a former photography studio co-op I used to belong to. Graffiti optional!

9 – Madison Park, Seattle / Located south of the Arboretum park and 15-20 blocks East of Seattle University bordering Lake Washington

‘Home away from home’ is how I like to think about this area. It’s just one of those hidden little treasures in the city that most don’t know about unless they’re local…and even then…it’s surprising how many locals have never been down. Madison Park is like stepping into a tiny town with one stoplight, there’s a quaintness and coziness about this area that’s rare in King County. There’s a small beach area as well so bring your towel for after your session! Great spot for variety and that small town feel for your Seattle business portraits.

10 – University of Washington Campus, Seattle / Located north of Downtown off the 45th St exit or off the 520 Highway

Go Huskies! (tough to say because I’m a Washington State University grad) but this area is just so full of energy and excitement half the time it’s difficult to ignore. For grandiose, stature, and plushness this campus has it all! You’ll be mesmerized by the apple trees, their ‘Red Square’ central campus and circular waterfall. Don’t forget about all their sports cathedrals and signage. If you’re looking for a wide variety of settings in just a short walk, consider utilizing all the UW offers!

Article by Julian Michael of JM Photography, based in Seattle/Bellevue area since 2007

Professional Headshots Styling

It’s amazing how many people forget how big of a deal the styling element of professional headshots is. We’re talking about something that most business people do once every two to three years and only take a few minutes.

My advice for Headshots Styling

Everyone needs a stylist or at least an opinion on their attire from a qualified professional…whether they admit to this or not! From the newbie in real estate or mortgage to the VP’s and C-level execs I photograph, they all ask my opinion on attire. From hair and makeup, to jewelry and accessories, to shirts, ties and blazers, and ESPECIALLY ‘COLOR’, it’s super important to pay attention to these details.

We’re talking about your Personal Brand here … that’s all.

Your image = Your ‘Personal Brand’.

However simple this may sound, many people don’t give enough thought to this concept. If your target audience/clientele is very conservative, then you should show this in your professional headshots styling. If your audience is more casual then maybe there’s no tie, we use natural light and the style is a little more modern.

Professional Headshots Styling Advice for Women

Color is SUPER important. Sometimes that favorite jacket you have might not match your skin tones. Or perhaps that necklace you love to wear doesn’t go with your outfit you’re selected for your headshot. Usually we’re thinking about ‘hair’ and ‘accessories’ for the most part since usually we have some ‘go-to’ power outfits if you’re considering a headshots session. Always look for simplicity and accessories that highlight your personality as a reference.

Professional Headshots Styling Advice for Men

Trim that beard, make sure you get your tie straight, and surely wear a shirt that’s pressed and looks great for your headshots session! Keep it simple and clean unless your personal style is busier, jazzier or whatever is the latest craze in your industry or scene (see also ‘Tech, startups and marketing). Today the trend is towards a polished look with a little scruff, even in the conservative sectors (outside of accounting and legal or course). Wear that best suit jacket, your power ties and simple shirt colors that do not distract from your face for your headshots.

Professional Headshots Photography Styling in Bellevue & Seattle

You like to look good! In fact, you probably like to look ‘great’!! The first step is deciding what is the best style for your professional headshots session then making it happen!

It’s important to  be certain your personality and wardrobe match, both in style and color. It’s even more important that the portrait looks like ‘you’ and not some perceived person that isn’t you so that when your clients meet you they actually meet the ‘real’ you. It’s amazing how many professionals I meet and know that use a professional headshot that barely looks like them and/or is from 8-12 years old!! Be current and real.

Men’s Professional Headshots Photography Styling Essentials

Clean, crisp, professional. Trustworthy, respectful, confident. These are the most common words business professionals of all backgrounds ask of their appearance and image. Here are three tips to make this happen:

Tip #1 – Show up ‘ready’ and prepared for your headshots session. Select your best outfit(s), make sure your hair is looking great by getting a fresh haircut within two weeks of your session and mentally prepare to be relaxed.

Tip #2 – Look the part. If your wardrobe is too traditional and you’re going for a more modern headshot look, think about doing a little shopping for a new shirt, tie, and/or blazer with a little color like an orange, kelly green or red. Likewise, if your wardrobe is too modern for your clientele, look for more basic colors like navy, grey and black tones.

Tip #3 – Color tells a lot, so own it! Think about if you’re a more aggressive or passive person and what the color you wear will say about your image. Here’s a great link to color perception.

Women’s Professional Headshots Photography Styling Essentials

Professional, younger, beautiful. Confident, trustworthy, stylish. These are the top words I hear from female business professionals about their appearance goals. To make this happen you’ll need to be prepared, relaxed and confident in yourself. Two great tips for your portrait session:

Tip #1 – Get your hair styled and cut within a few days of your session. Most women really love their hair freshly cut and styled, some even have their hair done the same day as their session and come directly from their stylist to their appointment.

Tip #2 – Think carefully about your accessories and jewelry. Simple is must different than busy. Tasteful is must different than drab. Sometimes when in a hurry women will arrive with jewelry or accessories they just ‘grabbed’ but doesn’t match the style of their outfit or isn’t the style they’re looking to personify. Just make sure to take an extra moment.

Tip #3 – Have confidence!…that your portrait will turn out amazing! You won’t look like you did at 25 or 35 years old if you’re 55, but you can look like you’re genuinely having a great time and authentic. This can be achieved by enjoying your session with you photographer and being confident in yourself.

So enjoy your session and be stylish, confident and enjoy your experience! See you soon for your session!

Julian Michael

Seattle Business Photographer | Serving Seattle, Bellevue & Tacoma areas

One of the questions Julian and the team get asked most often is “what are the best locations for Seattle business photography?” As you might expect, the answer is simple—there’s no one size fits all in business! Different companies require different locations with different identities. Below are seven of the best places you can take corporate pictures and headshots to capture you and your staff in the best light!

Downtown/Uptown

Nothing conveys modern hustle and bustle like the city center of Seattle. With a clean and commercial vibe, and architectural variety ranging from old to new, there are countless places to take your business photos. Try various plazas, the steps of the courthouse, and near the monorail, just for starters. Maybe you can get in some teambuilding at Gameworks!

Pioneer Square

With its brickwork streets and countless landmarks, Pioneer Square has an old school charm like that of New England. Seattle business photography there benefits from the rich foliage, the vast sidewalks, standing room, and the park at the center of it all. The muted green and red hues are perfect for that down-to-earth feeling that many businesses want!

Kerry Park

Only a handful of cities in the world have a skyline as unique as Seattle’s—trust us we’ve looked! You can get a clear view of the entire city and the Space Needle from Kerry Park, which is wide enough for great group shots. This location will instill your team and customers with more local, home-grown pride than drinking a Rainier at a Sounders game dressed in Northface!

Ballard & Magnolia

These neighborhoods are custom-made for businesses that want to convey a hip attitude combined with an antique aesthetic. This creative aura and architecture is the reason they host their inspiring Art Walk every year. You can also find interesting ways to use big landmarks like the Ballard Locks—it could illustrate the different stages of a work process, or climbing the steps to success. Take advantage of the shipyards and wide terraces for your business photos!

Madison Park

Madison Park provides some of the best locations for Seattle business photography, like its large golf club, arboretum, and expanses of private beaches. It’s great to give your employees a little fun on their photo field-trip! The buildings give a quaint, small town look, with a classy finish that’s sure to rub off on your corporate portraits!

SoDo

Spanning the industrial district and including Safeco and CenturyLink Fields, SoDo is to Seattle what SoHo is to New York—a vibrant, retro neighborhood. With many big warehouses converted into artists’ lofts and studios, it’s perfect for manufacturing and creative groups alike! Use SoDo for old town backgrounds and local sports fandom.

West Seattle

West Seattle is ideal for outdoor business photography. With the boardwalk around Alki Beach, a startup can capture a laid-back, young sensibility. The stunning, open views of the Puget Sound show the vast possibilities on the horizon for your company. Also, the lack of big chains in the area means you can get a really distinct look for your team in front of all the mom-and-pop shops. Everyone likes rooting for the little guy, right?

Why Shoot Seattle Business Photography On-Location?

While there’s nothing wrong with a controlled, studio environment for business headshots, there are many elements that studios can’t provide.

• Natural lighting gives you and your team a softer, more approachable appearance. Also, people tend to behave more naturally in an outdoor environment, which always leads to better photos.

• Unique backgrounds from the best locations for Seattle business photography create visual interest—trees, beaches, buildings, sculptures and streets are far more exciting to look at than a blank wall! You can use these backgrounds to say things about your business, like that you’re environmentally friendly, modern and in-the-know, or simply always on the go.

• Space to move around means not only will you and your team be more relaxed, but also that you’ll be able to take more interesting team shots. Maybe everyone is standing side to side, arms linked, or making a human pyramid to show growth and the business structure—the possibilities are endless on-location!

By Julian Michael > Contact him for your on-location business photo shoot today!

Best Locations for Seattle Business Photography

What Makes Your Portrait Special? by Your Seattle Headshot Photographer

What makes your headshot special? Is it the tilt of your head, or the depth of the background, or maybe the angle of the light? All these little details change from person to person, but on the other end of the camera is the one who always knows how to bring all the elements together—the photographer. There are plenty of people who own a nice camera in Washington, however experienced photographers need more than just great work. So why should you choose me as your Seattle headshot photographer? I’ll tell you!

1. Customer Service Always Comes First

You can choose to shop anywhere, but you’ll always prefer to buy where you’re treated well and received warmly. It’s the same with photography—you can hire anyone you like to snap a photo, but ultimately it comes down to communications and relationships and someone who understands how to take quality ‘portraits’. I’ll always take care to take my clients’ wishes, listen and listen more, and provide them with first class service because I value each and every interaction.

2. Honoring Our Agreed Deadlines & Turnaround

Is there anyone who wants to wait two weeks to see proofs? Sadly I’ve heard many stories of photographers that make their clients wait far too long. I’ll make it easy for you and always make certain you’ll view your images in 2 to 4 business days tops! Ultimately it’s about respect and commitment to your clientele. I respect your time and in working with important and busy professionals I know well that the sooner you’ve seen your proofs and chosen your winners, the sooner I can edit and get you the crisp, professional headshot you deserve.

3. Reliability is Guaranteed

Far too often I receive communications from someone needing an Seattle headshot photographer or event photographer because another person cancelled on them or couldn’t honor their commitment. This simply shouldn’t happen. Never have I cancelled on anyone less than a week out unless I was deathly ill or had a family emergency, and those combine for the one time I had to reschedule in the past six years. Once I’ve agreed to a session we are a GO and I will be there with bells on! This is a clear example of what separates amateurs/hobbyists from professionals. In my 15 years of experience I’m well aware of my client’s deadlines and expectations. In today’s marketplace you have your word, your reputation and your portfolio, not necessarily in that order. When you have my word, you can trust I’m yours during the time specified.

4. Follow-up, Follow-up, Follow-up

We’re all super busy…understood. Instead of just waiting, I am proactive in making sure your project is completed on time and all questions are answered. Whether it’s a potential headshot session we discussed that I’m checking in on to schedule, or a quick call to see which proof you’re leaning towards, I will always take the initiative to open up communications because I want to be certain your needs are met and your expectations are exceeded. That’s what you should look for in an Seattle headshot photographer.

5. Variety Makes Everyone Smile

I love to see and make people smile, and from different angles, lighting and composition. Instead of photographing my clients from just one angle, I constantly aim to represent variety by finding the best and most flattering angle to best represent their visual image. Most of my clients have a difficult time selecting their favorite single or set of images because there are so many positive selections to choose from!

by Julian Michael > Contact him today to look your BEST ever!