5 Tips for Holiday Corporate Photography & Videography

The holiday time is great for freelancers looking to excel at holiday corporate photography. Now that businesses are hosting parties and events, there is much demand for professional photographers and videographers who know how to capture the moment. However, it’s more about showcasing the company culture through visual storytelling.

This guide offers proven strategies for enhancing your portfolio this holiday season, pulling in more people to hire you, and showing off what you know about corporate settings. If you take pictures or make videos for work, now is the time to step up your game.

Why You Should Care About Holiday Company Photography

This kind of photography makes a brand feel more authentic, boosts engagement, and helps build a strong team presence online and for recruitment.

Why it’s good for you:

• Higher demand during Q4: Companies often allocate budget for events at this time.
• Creative freedom: Holiday decor and lights provide creative opportunities for storytelling.
• Portfolio growth: Such events provide new, lively content for your work.

1. Add Light to Company Holiday Photos

Good lighting is key. This is true especially if a venue has dim or unusual lighting. Balance natural, artificial, and decorative lighting to get clear, strong photos.

Pro tips:

• Use natural light: Put people near windows in the daytime.
• Golden hour advantage: Afternoon events get nice, soft light.
• Add festive lighting: String lights or LED can serve as effective backdrops or sources of soft light.

Use a light bounce or diffuser to soften harsh overhead lighting. This minimizes undesirable shadows while retaining the warm holiday ambiance.

2. Set Up the Scene with Decor

A big advantage to holiday corporate photography is access to decorated environments. From trees to custom signs and catered displays, these elements tell a cohesive visual story about the event.

How to use decor right:

• Plan your shots: Frame people holding wreaths or in front of backdrops to add meaning and layers.
• Match colors well: Make sure decor colors work with what people wear and the brand.
• Add depth: Use foreground and background elements to give your photos layers.

Make your client’s brand pop, but not get lost in the holiday aesthetics.

3. Catch Real Moments in Holiday Company Photos

While posed shots are customary, catching people’s genuine expressions in moments of spontaneity builds emotional connections. These are the types of pictures companies want for their website, social media, or year-end recaps.

How to stay real:

• Use a zoom lens: Achieve a close-up feel from afar without disrupting people’s interactions.
• Be ready: Have your camera out for unplanned moments like cheers, laughs, gift exchanges.
• Pick good views: Use angles that keep clutter out of the shot.

The result? A set of authentic photos that tell a story clients will want to share.

4. Video Adds More to the Moment

Video brings life, sound, and emotion; it is essential for teams that seek comprehensive content. It’s also a valuable addition for freelancers who offer both services.

Must-have shots:

• Setting up and showing the decor
• Welcome remarks or speeches
• Group interactions or employee testimonials
• A festive conclusion, such as gift exchanges or toasts

Create short-form clips (under a minute) for platforms like LinkedIn or Instagram Reels. This makes your deliverables valuable and reaches more people.

Learn to make event videos better with Adobe’s video guide. 

5. Give More to Clients

A good shoot is more than just photos and videos—it’s about the experience and what comes after.

Give more with:

• Fast edits: Send a preview or highlight reel within 48 hours.
• Organize delivery: Put together pictures by theme or activity for ease of use.
• Flexible usage rights: Include social media, internal, and promotional licensing built into your rates.

Always send clients to your Funnel page so they can hire you again or refer you to others. Funnel lets creative professionals attract quality clients and showcase their best work during peak seasons. If you want more holiday corporate photography jobs, having a complete, polished profile is key.

Get Found Through Funnel

Holiday company photography is a smart way to grow your reputation, secure loyal clients, and create the impactful contact people want. By mastering lighting, knowing when to capture key moments, and streamlining your workflow, you can stand out in a competitive field.

With Funnel helping you be seen, you will stay top-of-mind when companies want the best. Start getting your profile and pitch ready for the holiday season now!

Sign Up as a Creative Pro

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I prepare for a corporate holiday photography shoot?

To prepare for a corporate holiday shoot, arrive early to scout the venue, bring versatile lighting equipment, and align your shot list with the company’s brand guidelines. Focus on key moments like team interactions, speeches, and decorated environments that showcase the event’s atmosphere.

Why do companies hire photographers for holiday events?

Companies invest in holiday photography to capture their team culture, boost social media engagement, and build brand reputation. Professional photos also enhance internal communications, recruitment efforts, and end-of-year marketing content.

What should be included in a holiday corporate event photo or video package?

A comprehensive package should include candid and posed photography, short highlight videos, edited deliverables in multiple formats, and clear usage rights for social, internal, and commercial use. Offering fast turnaround and organized galleries adds extra value for corporate clients.