Corporate photography plays a bigger role in brand perception than many businesses realise. Your photos appear on websites, social media, proposals, press releases, job ads, and marketing campaigns.
They shape first impressions long before a conversation ever happens. When images are outdated, inconsistent or clearly staged, they can quietly undermine trust.
So, how often should businesses update their corporate photos? The answer depends on how your business evolves, where the images are used, and what story you want your brand to tell.
Why corporate photos date faster than you think
Unlike logos or written messaging, photographs age visually very quickly. Hairstyles change, offices get refurbished, uniforms evolve, and brand styles shift. Even subtle changes can make images feel out of step with your current business.
Technology also plays a role. Photography styles that looked modern five years ago may now feel flat or overly posed. Image quality expectations rise constantly, especially as websites and social platforms prioritise high-resolution visuals.
When corporate photos no longer reflect how your business actually looks or operates, audiences start to question authenticity, even if the content itself is accurate.
A general rule of thumb
For most businesses, updating corporate photography every two to three years is a sensible baseline. This keeps imagery aligned with current branding, staff and working environments.
However, this is not a hard rule. Some businesses may need updates more frequently, while others can stretch longer if their brand and team remain stable. The key is relevance, not just age.
When you should update corporate photos sooner
Certain changes signal that it is time to refresh your corporate photography, regardless of when the last shoot took place.
If your team has changed significantly, old photos can quickly become misleading. New hires, leadership changes, or team growth all affect how your business presents itself. Featuring staff who no longer work with you can feel careless or confusing.
A rebrand or website redesign is another clear trigger. New logos, colour palettes, and messaging should be supported by imagery that matches the updated look and tone. Reusing old photos with new branding often creates a visual disconnect.
Office relocations or renovations also matter. If clients visit your premises or see your space online, outdated photos can create false expectations.
Finally, changes in service focus or target audience often require new imagery. A business shifting from start-up mode to enterprise clients, for example, may need more polished and confident visuals to support that transition.
Different photo types, different timelines
Not all corporate photos need updating at the same frequency.
Team headshots usually require the most regular attention. Staff appearances change, and headshots are often used in high-visibility areas like about pages, LinkedIn profiles, and proposals. Updating headshots every two years is common, with rolling updates as new staff join.
Office and environment photos tend to last a bit longer, especially if the space does not change much. These can often be refreshed every three to four years, unless there has been a renovation or move.
Brand lifestyle and action shots, such as teams collaborating or staff at work, may need more frequent updates. These images are closely tied to culture and energy, which evolve over time. Using outdated lifestyle imagery can make a business feel static.
The impact on marketing and recruitment
Corporate photography is not just about looking good. It directly affects marketing performance and recruitment outcomes.
In marketing, fresh imagery improves engagement. Updated photos perform better on websites, ads, and social platforms because they feel current and relevant. Stock images are easy to spot and often fail to convey trust or personality.
In recruitment, corporate photos influence how potential employees perceive your workplace. Candidates want to see who they will work with and what the environment feels like. Outdated or overly staged images can suggest a lack of transparency.
Businesses that update their corporate photography regularly tend to present as more active, professional and confident.
Cost vs value considerations
One reason businesses delay updating photos is cost. However, corporate photography should be viewed as an investment rather than a one-off expense.
Updated photos can be used across multiple channels for years. A single shoot can supply images for your website, social media, presentations, media kits, and internal communications.
When weighed against the impact on brand perception, lead generation, and recruitment, regular photography updates often deliver strong value.
Planning photography updates as part of your broader marketing cycle makes budgeting easier and avoids rushed, reactive shoots.
Signs your corporate photos are holding you back
If you are unsure whether it is time to update, there are a few red flags to look for.
If your photos do not match how clients describe your business today, they are likely outdated. If staff avoid using company images on LinkedIn or proposals, that is another signal.
Low engagement on visual content or feedback that your website feels dated can also point to tired imagery. Sometimes the issue is not the design or messaging, but the photos supporting them.
Working with a corporate photographer
Professional corporate photography is about more than taking pictures. A good photographer helps plan shots that align with your brand, audience, and usage needs.
This includes deciding on tone, styling, locations, and how images will be used across platforms. Businesses that treat photography strategically tend to get far more mileage from each shoot.
For businesses in Perth, working with a local corporate photographer also helps capture environments and workplace culture that feel genuine and relevant to local audiences.
Building photography into ongoing brand management
Rather than viewing corporate photography as a once-every-few-years task, many businesses now treat it as an ongoing process.
This might include smaller annual shoots, updating headshots as staff change, or capturing new content during major projects or milestones. This approach keeps image libraries fresh without the pressure of large, infrequent shoots.
Final thoughts on updating corporate photos
Most businesses benefit from updating corporate photography every two to three years, with additional updates triggered by team changes, rebrands, or shifts in direction.
Fresh, accurate imagery supports trust, credibility, and engagement across marketing and recruitment. In a visual-first digital landscape, corporate photos are not a nice-to-have, they’re a key part of how your business is perceived.
If your images no longer reflect who you are today, it may be time to bring them up to date.