There’s no better way to showcase who you and your online service-based business are than through a well-planned picture. And we like to think we’ve perfected the art of the photo pose here at NAV. It’s our poses that help us get the most out of our pictures, and today, we wanted to share a few of our favorites that you can use for your next photoshoot!

1. Typing and Happy About It

The “Typing and Happy About It” pose is exactly how it sounds. You’ll sit in front of the camera with a big smile, your computer and keyboard in front of you, and you’ll pretend like you’re typing.

Though it might sound silly (and feel silly in the moment) this pose checks all our biggest boxes. It shows you hard at work, it heavily features a computer (which is perfect for an online service-based business), and smiling in a professional photo shows off a relaxed, friendly energy to potential customers.

This is also our favorite go-to pose because it’s easy to model for and shoot. Whether you’re photogenic or scared of the camera doesn’t really matter here because you don’t have to look at the photographer. You’re directing your face at your computer screen rather than posing for a portrait, so as long as you can pretend like you’re working, you’ll get a good photo!

How to Get The Best Photos:

• When posing, look at the top of your computer screen rather than the middle like you would if you were actually working. This makes sure you’re not shielding your eyes from the camera by tilting your face down and looking like you’re asleep or have your eyes closed.

• Don’t actually type on your keyboard! The movement is distracting and won’t make for a clear shot. Just hover your hands in place over the keyboard or hold down at a set position and it will look like you’re hard at work in the photo.

• Take these pictures from a 45-degree or side angle, and shoot down at the person in the picture from above rather than meeting them at their level. This ensures the computer doesn’t block whoever’s in the picture.

2. Writing and Happy About It

This one’s similar to ‘Typing and Happy About It,’ but with good old-fashioned pen and paper rather than a computer and keyboard. Though we prefer posing with computers to communicate the idea that we’re a technology-friendly business, there’s something classic about writing in a notebook that makes for a great photo.

One way we get around ‘Writing and Happy About It’ pictures coming across as dated is by putting computers in-frame as background details. That way, the writing notes on paper shows that you’re attentive and detail-oriented while the technology in the backdrop shows you’re still a cutting-edge company.

How to Get The Best Photos:

• Follow the advice we gave for the ‘Typing and Happy About It’ pictures. Don’t actually write in your notebook, just hold your pen and hover your hand over the page. And remember to take these pictures from a 45-degree angle with the photographer above the person in the picture rather than at eye level.

3. Active Listening on a Phone Call

Many meetings happen either online or over the phone these days. So pictures of you talking on the phone give the impression that you’re speaking with a client, showing potential customers how attentive you are to their interests.

One downside to these poses is that they require a bit more acting than most. It’s not enough to just hold a phone to your ear and take a picture; you have to pretend like you’re in the middle of a great conversation.

Make sure you’re smiling, or at least look engaged, and sit or stand in front of the camera causally like you’re actually on the phone rather than posing for a picture.

How to Get The Best Photos:

• Don’t talk during the picture (it’s called “active listening on a phone call” for a reason)! There are a couple of reasons why, but more than anything, it just looks weird to be photographed mid-sentence. 

4. Holding a Drink

Holding a drink can make a great standalone photo or a dynamic prop for a picture of you on a call or sitting behind a computer.

One of our favorite things about holding a drink in a picture is that it’s easy to communicate a lot about the person in the picture. For example, someone holding a coffee mug can showcase a casual but business-minded vibe, while a group shot of people holding a beer can show people a more laid-back, friendly side of your business. 

How to Get The Best Photos:

• Our big tip for this one is to keep your drink prominently in the frame without actually drinking out of it. The movement can be distracting and raising a cup all the way to your mouth will block your face.

• Posing with a drink is most effective when you pair it with a different pose, like talking on the phone or looking at a computer. Just drinking from a coffee mug doesn’t communicate anything business-related, but it can make a boring phone conversation photo more personal and dynamic.

5. Over-The-Shoulder Working

This pose is where you take a picture over the shoulder of someone typing at their computer or writing in a notebook. You won’t see the face of the person in the picture like you do with other poses, but you do get the chance to showcase your workspace. Because of this, you’ll want to make sure your desk is clean and only has props that communicate the tone you want for your business.

The biggest downside to over-the-shoulder photos like this is that you have to pay close attention to what’s on screen. For example, if you’re just staring at your desktop wallpaper, it won’t exactly communicate the idea that you’re hard at work. 

How to Get The Best Photos:

• Use this unique angle as a positive, putting any finished projects on your computer screen and showing them off in a way that feels less braggy than if you were to just share screenshots of your favorite work.

6. Working Together

We’re more fond of solo photographs than group ones, but there are still a few poses we like for pictures with two or more people. Our favorite for group pictures is to get two people together to look at a computer or notebook, looking like they’re working together or sharing notes.

The best thing about group pictures is that you can share the idea that you work in a team-friendly, collaborative with just one photo.

How to Get The Best Photos:

• Make sure the people in the picture are turned at a 45-degree angle while the photographer shoots them straight on.

• Pictures of your group laughing and smiling are great but try to refrain from talking. Again, it’s impossible to be photogenic while in the middle of a sentence!

7. Group Conversation

The name of this pose is a little bit misleading since you won’t actually be having a conversation in your group conversation picture. Again, we don’t recommend posting any pictures where the camera catches you talking, since it just looks weird on camera. But if you can capture the moment in a chat with a good friend where you’re both laughing, smiling, and enjoying each other’s company without talking, it can make for a great picture.

Group conversation pictures are the most effective way to showcase your company’s friendly work atmosphere with an image.

How to Get The Best Photos:

• Make sure everyone in the picture ignores the camera person and focuses on each other! Staring into the lens is the quickest way to make your pictures look more uncomfortable and nothing like an actual conversation.

• If your photos are coming out too boring, feel free to add props that make them more interesting and showcase your personality. Computers, beverages, or any piece of your office decor can make your pictures more fun to look at.