How We Captured Headshots for the Town of Paradise Valley Council—In Under 35 Minutes

In the world of photography, tight timelines and high expectations are nothing new. But when the Town of Paradise Valley needed professional headshots and a group photo of their newly appointed city council members, we had just 35 minutes to make it happen.

This recent photoshoot is a perfect example of how the right planning, location, and setup can create powerful results—even with limited time.

If you're searching for a headshot photographer in Arizona who can handle on-location shoots for government, corporate, or association leaders, this is a story you’ll want to hear.

The Inquiry: “We Need Headshots for the Council—Fast.”

The request came through the President of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce, who reached out to Matt Young Photography on behalf of the Town of Paradise Valley.

They were updating their council materials and needed individual headshots for seven council members, as well as a group photo, on an incredibly tight schedule.

There was one major challenge: the council members are rarely in the same place at the same time.

After a bit of back-and-forth, a 35-minute time slot was secured when all seven members would be present in the same location. The window was short, but we were up for the challenge.

Pre-Production: Planning Around Space, Light & Speed

When you have less than 5 minutes per person to capture professional, polished headshots, preparation is everything.

Matt conducted a site visit in advance to scout the environment and ensure the best lighting and spacing for the shoot. A common mistake for office-based headshots is assuming a conference room will do—but these rooms often have tight dimensions, immovable furniture, and poor lighting.

Instead, we selected a large workshop classroom at the facility, giving us the breathing room and lighting control necessary to keep things smooth and efficient.

The Lighting Setup: Fast, Flattering & Flexible

With limited time, we opted for a universal lighting setup—as opposed to a more complex 3-light configuration that would require repositioning for each subject.

The goal was clear:

• Create even, flattering lighting across all seven subjects
  
  
• Maintain consistent positioning and angles
  
  
• Allow for rapid transitions between individuals

To make the posing process foolproof, we used a posing mat with pre-marked foot positions, allowing each council member to step in, hit their marks, and be coached into the ideal posture within seconds.

Execution: 35 Minutes, 7 Leaders, 1 Shot

With all council members arriving on time and the room already set, the session flowed like clockwork. Each individual received about five minutes in front of the camera, enough to capture multiple flattering angles while keeping the energy high and the process stress-free.

Once the individual portraits were complete, we wrapped with a formal group photo to round out the deliverables.

The Selection Process: Remote & Streamlined

Because of the time constraints during the shoot, we skipped the typical on-site review and instead provided each council member with a private online proofing gallery.

This allowed them to:

• Review images on their own time

• Select their favorite headshot(s)

• Provide any preferences for retouching

The entire editing and delivery process was completed in under five business days, ensuring the town had their assets ready to use in both digital and print materials quickly.

What This Shoot Proves About Municipal & Corporate Headshots

✔️ Preparation and pre-scouting are non-negotiable.

✔️ Lighting setups must match the context, not just the vision.

✔️ Systems (like posing mats) reduce confusion and save minutes.

✔️ Even high-level leadership teams can be photographed with ease—if the shoot is planned right.

Whether you're managing a city council, an association board, or a corporate executive team, Matt Young Photography can bring the studio experience to your space—anywhere in Arizona.

Ready to Elevate Your Image?

If you're a leader in Arizona looking to upgrade your headshots, personal brand, or media presence, I’d love to help.
Let’s capture your edge.

📞 Call me directly at 623-337-6077.

📩 Email me directly at matt@mattyoungphotography.com

📝 Or fill out the form at the link below.