Henrico Federal Credit Union

One of our favorite clients is the Henrico Federal Credit Union. We've had the pleasure of working with them for a few years now, creating images of their staff, members and directors. Recently we photographed five members of the HFCU management team.

Standard operating procedure for their shoots is to ask the subjects to wear what they wear to work on a normal day. The idea is that they'll be more recognizable to customers/members when their image shows up on the HFCU website, on a display poster or advertisement.

The set is always the same: high key background (a white seamless sweep) and lighting that is directional, but with no heavy shadows. Our goal is to provide images which can be "mixed and matched" by the graphic designers who work for HFCU.

Our stylist, Winifred, helped folks look their best for this shoot. And since she's a former professional model, she also helps us with posing. Hassan Pitts, was our lighting and digital tech assistant for the shoot.

The bonus for us crew members is that we talk about financial products with the staff. And we always learn something about what's going on in the industry, credit availability and interest rates.

Whenever I spend time with the HFCU folks, I also get a general "pulse" of the local economy.

For example, I learned that they're putting HFCU branches in some of the local high schools this year. Plus, they're holding financial planning and credit management workshops for students and teachers...free of charge.

How great is that?! High school students are prime candidates to learn about saving early in life and taking advantage of compound interest. Not to mention learning how to use a credit card responsibly and avoiding excessive debt early in their adult life.

That's one of the best things about being a commercial photographer. You get to learn a little something about each client's business and it helps balance your perspective as a business person. I guess it's my old college b-school head taking over.

All images Copyright 2009, Elaine Odell, Church Hill Photography, LLC.