A glimpse into the soul of a business

In my life I feel like I have always been a wayward artist. Searching for my own style and form of expression, through exploration and studies of many different mediums.  As such, one of the pleasures of my life has been working for one of the premier photographers in New Haven, Merieta Bayati. I have served as her executive assistant for a little bit now and it has been very enlightening and educational to see her work. From conception to execution, I have really come to learn what really makes a good photo. There are a variety of clients that we serve, but for me some of the most interesting are strangely, the headshots. I believe it is because of the way my boss, the fabulous Merieta B. of Merieta B. photography, captures so much character and fun, while maintaining that signature professionality that usually makes headshots boring and perhaps a little vapid. Merieta has found such success with headshots, that she is now putting an extra emphasis on making it a bigger part of her business.

Silently observing in the background I have meditated on and pondered the purpose of headshots far deeper than I would have ever thought. I myself have a background in graphic design, so I know the importance of image and branding when it comes to business. However, my time with Merieta has enlightened me to a new perspective when it comes to this. I have realized that while it is important for a business entity to look like it belongs in business, it is also equally important, if not moreso, to show WHY someone should choose said business over another. This is where I see the genius in Merieta’s work, the way she can bring some of that personal and personable element to a type of photography that can oftentimes feel sterile. 

There is also an important element of consistency. Optimally for a business entity, its employees headshots should almost look like a set of team photos. They should show a team that is capable, commanding trust, but also personable, which can make the process of building trust easier. Consistent backgrounds, layouts and lighting provide the look of team cohesiveness, but bringing out a hint of each professional's personality is what provides that element of relatability. 

In the hunt for more answers I decided to interview the woman, the myth, the legend herself!

Yani: Good morning boss, thank you for sitting down with me to answer some of my questions!

Merieta: You’re very welcome, my pleasure, always!

Y: Thank you! So first off I wanted to know how you got started in photography, and what drew you to specialize in, amongst other things, headshots?

M:  It was by accident. I owned an event space and I wanted to make more money. People needed a photographer and I just thought, hey I can offer that. I had no dreams of being a photographer, but I added some add-on packages, bought a camera and Ta-Da!

Y: Oh wow, I had no idea! What is your approach when photographing headshots? How do you ensure professionalism and authenticity in your work? 

M:  Beforehand, I set the expectations, getting in touch with the subject, this is what you should wear etc. I set the tone upon their arrival. I am professional but I like to have a little fun too, which is important to show a hint of in a headshot. Professionalism but also people should be their true selves. Your personality should shine through your headshot. It’s so important to capture people's humanity.

Y: Can you share a memorable experience working with a corporate client on their headshots? What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?

M: I had an older lady come in, in her 70s, almost 80’s. She had so much wisdom and she looked incredible for her age AND she played music from her era that I really enjoyed and saved for a couple of my own playlists. She left me with some gems of wisdom and it was such a memorable shoot

Y: From your perspective, how do well-executed headshots contribute to a company’s brand and image?

M: Headshots set a tone for both companies and individuals. Whatever type of business you are doing, and however you want to be perceived needs to come off in a headshot. They should be consistent for a company to show the team, while not stifling people's individuality. A company should stick to one photographer, or at least style, so that things remain consistent.

Y: What advice would you give to professionals preparing for a corporate heads, hot session? Are there common mistakes they should avoid?

M: I would definitely tell them to avoid certain patterns in their clothing. Keep it simple, don't show too much skin (for the ladies). Not too much gaudy jewelry, keep it simple. Less is always more. So yea, keep the colors simple, patterns minimal and let the personality shine through

Y: What do you find most fulfilling about capturing headshots? Is there a particular aspect of your work that you find especially rewarding?

M: Knowing that I am making a difference in someone's life. I feel like I am contributing to someone's success, I am helping them show their best selves to the world, for whatever journey they are starting in their lives. 

Y: Wow, what a wonderful answer, and a great way to end our little session. I want to thank you so much for joining me and answering some of these questions!

In these answers I can see why Merieta is such a highly regarded photographer. It is so refreshing to see someone find something that they are so passionate about so unknowingly. As someone who believes in trusting in the flow of the universe, Merieta is a prime example of why. She clearly brings a passion for seeing people excel, and now having gained an incredible skill set in photography, turning the mundane into magic. As an artist myself, I can't help but appreciate and draw inspiration from her ability to bring so much personality into every photo!