If light defines the very essence of photography—no light, no photo!—framing defines its boundaries to highlight the main subject.
Whether horizontal (landscape orientation) or vertical (portrait orientation), square, in 3:2, 4:3, 16:9, or even 21:9 format, framing is an essential component in creating a strong image.
Framing means choosing one or more elements as the main subject and leaving others outside the frame.
What makes a good corporate portrait?
- A good corporate portrait should represent you as a reliable, friendly and determined person.
- A good corporate portrait can also, in some cases, illustrate the link between your job and your personality.
To this end, adopting the right framing is a prerequisite for any professional wishing to effectively promote their image. Whatever your profession, this article will help you choose the best framing(s) to enhance your personal branding.
1. Full body portrait
Full body shot of a model – Source : Bernadette V sur Pixabay
This type of portrait frames a subject in their entirety, from head to toe.
In vertical mode, whether against a solid or natural background, it is THE unavoidable format for any model or actor’s photo book. And for a good reason! This framing displays all of a person’s features: figure, face, hair, etc. It also perfectly highlights clothing and other fashion accessories.
In horizontal mode, especially in your workplace, it allows you to integrate the background scenery as a secondary subject to create an environmental portrait.
This option is particularly interesting for professionals where the work environment is a potential photo subject in itself, e.g., technical and industrial professions, crafts, athletes, and more generally, any outdoor profession.
In that regard, we will automatically rule out white-collar workers and their “dumb desk” background… Sorry, but your cabinets, office chairs, and houseplants are NOT photogenic! 🤫
Some good examples of full body horizontal portraits:
- Farmer, beekeeper, or winegrower in front of his field
- Antique dealer sitting among his collection
- Artisan luthier in his workshop
- Brewer in his brewery
- Site manager, surveyor, crane operator, or mason in front of a building under construction
- Factory manager at his workplace
- Horse breeder in front of his stud farm
- Fisherman in front of a port
- Nurseryman or landscaper in front of a flower garden
- Race car driver in front of his vehicle
- Athlete in action
2. American shot, aka ‘Cowboy shot’
This one frames the subject from roughly mid-thighs up.
The “cowboy shot” refers to American cinema, and more specifically to the Western genre, where the camera, when filming duel scenes, framed the actors’ faces down to their gun belts.
Today, this framing remains a good choice for portraits of artists (musicians, actors, painters, etc.) and artisans (cooks, bakers, carpenters, ceramists, etc.) because it ideally showcases a person with their work tools, e.g., a tool belt or a chef’s apron. It also remains a classic in fashion (apart from shoes) and advertising.
If taken in the workplace, apart from the “good old office” (and its uninteresting cabinets), this shot allows for context through the background and enhances a subject’s personality, thanks to the greater zoom on the face, compared to a full body shot.
This framing takes on its full significance in professional use when it is, at the very least, displayed in large format on a website or, better still, printed in a brochure, magazine, or even on a billboard.
⚠️ Beware of misuse! Not everyone can be a cowboy! Contrary to some beliefs, this shot has become overused and unsuitable for office jobs. And standing by idly with your arms crossed won’t change anything…
Some good examples of ‘American shot’ portraits:
- TV presenter
- Actor
- Bodybuilder
- Model
- Chef in his kitchen
- And all of those mentioned above for the full body shot…
3. Medium shot portrait aka waist shot
Waist shot for a woman – Source : nastya_gepp sur Pixabay
Slightly tighter than the American shot, this shot stretches from the waist to the head which allows for even more isolation, especially when framed vertically.
This type of framing is, quite rightly, very popular for fashion or actor portraits, especially against a solid background, as it highlights the subject’s silhouette, body language, and, above all, the clothing they’re wearing.
When shot horizontally, this framing, in addition to enhancing the subject, adds context.
Like the American shot, this one delivers its full potential when displayed in large format on a website, or, better still, printed in a newspaper or magazine.
Medium shot for corporate portraits : overrated, outdated?
For over 20 years, this type of composition has been THE standard for resume photos, back in the days when you had to get your portrait taken at your local photographer’s, then print it out and carefully affix it to your resume.
A lot has changed since then: the internet, social media, and square profile photos have become the new norm. And yet, the medium shot persists, somehow, in the corporate world… And yet… In 2025, we can legitimately question the added value of this shot for corporate portraits!
Not everyone has the physical requirements of a model. While debates about inclusion rage on, it’s surprising to see how popular this shot remains in a number of professions where physical appearance should play no role at all.
Furthermore, with the widespread use of small screens (mobiles and laptops) and our now habit of infinite image scrolling, the medium shot, like the American shot, has definitely lost its luster! Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Tinder & co have imposed profile photos in square XXS format and Likes in 1 second flat. There is, therefore, reason to wonder:
- Unless you’re an arm wrestling champion, why devote more space to your arms than your face?
- Why devote more space to your tie or neckline than your face?
- Will a recruiter or client hire you because they admire the way you stand by with your arms crossed?
Still doubt it? Look at the examples below:
Medium shot = tailor shot?
What is the objective benefit of the medium shot for these professionals?
- Selling suits, ties, or watches for men? 🤔
- Selling push-up bras, nail polish, or jewelry for women? 🙄
😶 The truth is harsh:
No one cares about your tie! 👎🏻
Some good examples (mostly non-corporate) of medium shot portraits:
- Model
- Artisan baker
- Writer on the cover of his book
- Director/manager, as part of a publishing project
4. Medium close-up shot
MCU shot for a woman – Source : A. Babienko sur Pixabay
Another essential portrait framing, suitable for all fields and styles!
The medium close-up shot (MCU) frames the subject from just above the head down to about midway on their torso.
Unlike the previously mentioned shots, the MCU shot by giving more space to the face, reveals more of the subject’s psychology, while preserving the subject’s general attitude.
When displayed on a website in a reasonable size (at least a few hundred pixels wide), it will give a nice “lifestyle” look to a corporate portrait. As such, it is particularly suitable for any independent profession using their website as a showcase.
Some good examples of medium close-up shot portraits:
- Doctor with stethoscope
- Any profession if the photo is displayed properly online or printed as part of an editorial project
5. Headshot
Linkedin Headshot on white background – Cédric Puisney
This shot focuses on the essence of our personality: the face, especially the eyes and the smile.
This very intimate way of framing allows, like no other, to reveal a subject’s psychology and soul, regardless of the image size or the medium used. Because it directs all attention to the eyes, the headshot is certainly the best framing for a professional portrait, regardless of your profession.
Furthermore, this shot has the advantage of not stigmatizing people with body inhibitions, unlike most of the other shots mentioned above.
The only drawback is that, if poorly executed, a headshot can exacerbate flaws:
- Skin problems, double chin, etc.
- Disproportionate facial appearance. Speaking of which, have you ever noticed how distorted our faces look, with an exaggeratedly enlarged nose, when we take selfies?
- A completely wrong facial expression… This still works, to a certain extent, with wide shots, where the face occupies a marginal place in the photo, but not with a headshot!
Hence the interest in calling on not just a simple corporate portrait photographer, but a photographer specializing in headshots!
You’ll be guaranteed a perfect result, thanks to technical mastery, and above all, thanks to personalized coaching to help you pose like a real model.
Forget about forced smiling that makes you wonder: “What am I doing here in the middle of these strobe lights?” 😮💨
Conclusion
Whether you’re a model, actor, lawyer, marketing project manager, financial director, or human resources consultant, take the time to think about your personal branding, your communication objectives, and the different platforms on which you interact with your clients, colleagues, and/or future employers.
This will help you choose the right image format(s) and the right corporate portrait photographer who can best showcase you.
In summary:
OK: 100% recommended
? : Possible use, but not optimal
x : Not recommended for use
| Full body shot | American shot | Medium shot | Medium close-up shot | Headshot | |
| Actors | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK |
| Models | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK |
| Lawyers | x | x | x | OK | OK |
| Artisans | x | OK | OK | OK | ? |
| Artists | x | OK | OK | OK | OK |
| Office workers | x | x | x | OK | OK |
| CxO | x | x | OK | OK | OK |
Brussels-based professional photographer, specialized in Events (corporate ; weddings, baptisms…) + Portraits + Architecture.
I offer my services in all Belgium and the nearby countries.
