I work at a large company for my day job. Although photography is not my main role there I have become the unofficial company photographer for events.
We have the naming rights for a baseball stadium and I've been asked to photograph my CEO there when the ballpark is empty. They're thinking pictures of him on the field or something with the name of the field in the background. These pictures will be used for various press purposes.
I'm wondering what would be some good poses that would be a appropriate for a CEO but also somewhat casual since he'll be on a ball field.
If it matters, I have a Canon 6D, 50 1.4, 100 2.8, 24-70, 70-200 (F4), 580 EXII, 420EX, and a 90EX.
I wouldn't ask the CEO. I would ask the PR and it's their job to find out. See if he plans on wearing a suit(formal photos) or khaki + polo(a little more casual). Then go from there. I would definitely, just go with the norm and not try to be overly creative unless asked. Go wide to warm up, then full length with the 70-200, then portraits with the 70-200. I always shoot wide first to get them warmed up. You don't want to start shooting headshots right off the bat. I would also see how much time they want to give you. You should try to knock it all out in five minute, but if the CEO really cares about the photos, he may give you ten minutes.
Having photographed a fair number of highly placed and paid executives, you really need to have a good idea of what you're going to do well before hand. Their time is extremely valuable and unless their hobby is photography, posing for photos is usually the last thing they want to do. You should be set up and have everything lit with a stand-in of similar height and clothing color before your CEO is even on the scene.
From your equipment list, I would be worried about your lighting capabilities. Well, not necessarily yours, but that of your equipment. I would do a test shot well before hand to make sure that you have enough light, especially after putting those little speedlites through softboxes or umbrellas. You may to overcome ambient light or shade your subject from any direct sunlight in order to light him how you want. You may need to rent gear to pull of your shoot, and if you do rent, you want to be able to get familiar with the rental gear before the shoot day.
About the most time I've been given in those situations is maybe fifteen minutes. The least has been about a minute. You can do a LOT in fifteen or twenty minutes, but as others have said, you have to have a plan and be prepared.
Funny this should come up now. I was just thumbing through Zack Arias blog and he's got a nice little post on how he did a session with the CEO at Coke. Check it out, you might find it useful.
That kind of shot is one of the few I would preview the location at the exact time the shoot is being done. This way you know what angles the sun is at for background etc. You can also look for unique spots that allow a close up of the CEO and the logo/theme of the field in one shot. Again knowing conditions and being set up ahead of time with the correct lighting. I always bring an assistant to move lights fast. Usually one or two sets already in place then another we can mover around fast. Most allow me 30 minutes but usually done in 15 to 20 depending on locations to keep everyone happy. Just never take more than agreed on.
I look for lots of color. Good body angle for the CEO. Like mentioned shoot slightly up is usually good. If he is heavy then hide some of the body. Good eye contact for most but at least one looking away ( or into the billboard or double page spread)Keep the crop required in mind. Is it for a full page, how much room for the header. Do they need space on the right or left side etc.
