Corporate photography has a reputation for being a little stiff — overly polished boardroom scenes, employees awkwardly pointing at computer screens, and perfectly coordinated smiles that don't quite feel genuine. You know the vibe.
But…professional imagery doesn't have to feel so formal.
When Robert Hidey Architects partnered with Solhaus Media for a Los Angeles commercial photography and video shoot supporting their website refresh, they wanted something different: imagery that felt natural, approachable, and representative of the people behind the firm.
In fact, one of the reasons they chose us was our lifestyle photography approach. They wanted their team to look like real people interacting in a real workplace, not actors recreating a corporate stock photo.
A Lifestyle Approach to Commercial Photography
For professional services firms, photography does more than document an office or introduce a team. It helps shape how people perceive the organization before they've ever had a conversation with anyone there.
And while professionalism is important, so is approachability.
For Robert Hidey Architects, we wanted to create a collection of images that communicated both. The firm's work is rooted in thoughtful design and collaboration, so we built our creative approach around the everyday interactions that bring those qualities to life.
The project was part of a larger website redesign, with the goal of creating a cohesive library of photography and video that could bring the firm's people, culture, and collaborative process to life. From “About” pages on their website to recruitment and future marketing materials, the imagery needed to do more than simply document the office. It needed to give prospective clients and future employees a genuine sense of the people behind Robert Hidey Architects.
The goal wasn't simply to show people working. It was to convey the relationships, energy, and personality behind the work.
The Art of the Unposed Photograph
Here's something that might surprise you: many of the most natural-looking moments in commercial lifestyle photography are actually carefully planned.
Before the shoot, we worked with the Robert Hidey Architects team to identify the spaces, activities, and interactions that would best communicate their culture. We considered everything from wardrobe and brand colors to composition, lighting, and how the final images would be used across their website.
On set, we provided just enough direction to create compelling scenes without making anyone feel like they were performing.
Instead of asking employees to smile at the camera, we encouraged them to have real conversations. During one of our larger conference room scenes, the team began swapping vacation stories and discussing favorite destinations. The smiles, laughter, and expressions that followed were entirely genuine.
That's the beauty of a lifestyle-driven approach. We can intentionally create the conditions for a photograph while leaving room for authentic interactions to unfold.
A Relaxed Feel, Backed by Professional Production
Creating imagery that feels effortless doesn't mean the production itself is effortless.
For this shoot, we brought in a dedicated lighting assistant to help shape and maintain clean, consistent lighting throughout the office. Combined with thoughtful composition and creative direction, this allowed us to create polished, professional images without sacrificing the warmth and naturalness that the client valued.
We also captured a collection of video B-roll alongside the photography, giving Robert Hidey Architects both still and moving imagery to incorporate into their digital presence.
By approaching photography and videography as one cohesive production, we were able to create a versatile visual library that could support multiple pages of their website, including their firm, culture, and careers sections, as well as future communications and marketing needs.
Professional, Polished, and Approachable
After the shoot, the Robert Hidey Architects team shared how much they loved the photographs and reiterated that our lifestyle-driven style was exactly what had drawn them to Solhaus Media in the first place.
For us, that reinforced something we've long believed: great corporate photography doesn't need to sacrifice personality for professionalism.
Whether you're an architecture firm, a professional services company, or a mission-driven organization, the images you use are an opportunity to make your brand feel more accessible and relatable.
Your audience wants to see the people behind the business, how they collaborate, and what makes your organization different.
As a Los Angeles commercial photographer and videographer, Solhaus Media combines photojournalistic storytelling, lifestyle photography, and strategic creative direction to create brand imagery that's as intentional as it is authentic.
Because looking professional and feeling approachable should never be mutually exclusive.
Los Angeles Commercial Photography That Feels Human
Your organization's imagery should do more than make your website look polished. It should communicate who you are, how you work, and what makes your team worth connecting with.
Professional commercial photography doesn't have to feel stiff or overly staged. With thoughtful creative direction and a lifestyle-driven approach, it's possible to create imagery that's polished, authentic, and approachable.
At Solhaus Media, we provide commercial photography and videography in Los Angeles, creating versatile visual content that supports your website, marketing, recruitment, and broader brand communications.
If you're ready to show the people and personality behind your organization, you can reach out here.
If you’re building or refreshing your website, check out our other relevant blog posts about commercial photography with Solhaus Media:
What photos does a business website actually need?
How to prepare for a business/corporate photo shoot (for teams, organizations, companies and corporate enterprises)
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MEET BERNADETTE
Hi! I'm Bernadette Marciniak, founder of Solhaus Media, specializing in strategic photo and video production for purpose-driven organizations, brands, and non-profits.
With roots in journalism and marketing, I help mission-focused leaders turn their work into powerful, story-driven media that builds trust, inspires donors, and drives impact. From event coverage to brand storytelling, I bring both a journalist's eye for narrative and a strategist's understanding of how content actually gets used.
When I'm not behind the camera, I'm a cat mom of two who loves good pizza, red wine, and way too many true crime documentaries.
Based in Los Angeles, the SF Bay Area, New York, and New Jersey. Working nationwide.
Discover how Solhaus Media used lifestyle-driven commercial photography, creative direction, and videography to capture the people, culture, and collaboration behind Robert Hidey Architects