We had the opportunity to create dramatic corporate portraits recently, when two very different professionals trusted us with their branding images – Brad Ashlock, a horror fiction writer, and Chris Ambas, CEO of Swiftly Legal.
At first glance, their industries could not be more different. Yet both shared the same objective, requiring portraits that convey presence, confidence, and authority.
Understanding Client Needs
Chris Ambas – Executive Leadership Portraits
Chris leads a progressive family law firm and wanted portraits that projected professionalism, leadership, and trustworthiness. The images needed to resonate with clients, colleagues, and media while supporting Swiftly Legal’s forward-thinking brand.
Brad Ashlock – Author Portraits
Brad writes gritty, pulpy B-movie-style horror fiction. He needed images that reflected the intensity, drama, and darkness of his novels for use on his website, author profiles, and book covers.
Though the subjects are from different industries, both required a tailored, strategic approach to achieve a compelling visual identity.
The Secret to Dramatic Corporate Portraits
The dramatic effect for Chris’ image was achieved through a combination of:
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In-camera white balance adjustment: The camera was set to 3200K rather than the standard 5000K. This cooled the skin tones when lit with studio flash, creating a cinematic, moody aesthetic.
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Directional side lighting: Carefully placed lighting sculpted the face, adding depth, shadow, and dimensionality.
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Black background: Removing distractions reinforced focus on the subject and enhanced the dramatic effect.
This approach, refined over my 15 years in fashion photography, is rarely applied in corporate portraiture. It allows the portrait to communicate authority and intention rather than just a neutral likeness.
Chris’ portraits now communicate confidence and authority, Professionalism and composure, and Gravitas without appearing harsh. The resulting images now enhance his personal and company brand, reflecting leadership and trustworthiness.
For Brad’s image, the combination of a cool tonal shift, dramatic side lighting, and a black background created portraits that are dark, moody, and cinematic, perfectly aligned with his horror fiction brand, while also being versatile for websites, social media, and book covers.
Brad was thrilled with the final images, which capture the essence of his creative persona. You can purchase his books here from Amazon.
Why Dramatic Corporate Portraits Work
Flat, evenly lit headshots are the default in corporate photography. Dramatic portraits stand out because they capture attention instantly, communicate authority and depth and reinforce personal branding across websites, LinkedIn, and marketing materials
For CEOs, executives, and professionals, investing in high-quality, cinematic portraits is not just aesthetic; it’s strategic choice and I very much enjoy creating them. Maybe it’s time to revisit yours?