IBM Employee Headshot Experience: Creating Lasting Value Through Employee Engagement
For the past two years, One Tree Studio has partnered with IBM Canada to provide professional headshots as part of their employee engagement initiatives. Rather than offering a short-term perk or one-time benefit, IBM wanted to provide employees with something valuable that they could continue using after the event ended.
By incorporating premium photography into its employee engagement strategy, IBM provided employees with a valuable asset that could be used for LinkedIn, networking, company profiles, or other professional opportunities.
“We love having the One Tree Studio team onsite for headshots! It’s by far our top engagement event we host at IBM Canada. ”
A Seamless Experience for Hundreds of Employees
Over two days, One Tree Studio photographed more than 300 IBM employees through a dedicated headshot booth experience. Employees accessed a custom landing page created specifically for the IBM event, where they could learn about the experience and select a time slot that worked best for their schedule.
By allowing employees to manage their own appointments, IBM organizers avoided the administrative work of coordinating hundreds of individual sessions. Participants arrived at their scheduled time, received a professional portrait session, and returned to their regular activities with minimal disruption.
Demand was strong throughout the event, with appointment slots filling quickly and both days reaching full capacity as employees took advantage of the opportunity to receive updated corporate headshots. The response showed that employees appreciated having access to a professional benefit they could continue to enjoy beyond the event itself.
Creating Value for Employees and Organizers
Employee engagement initiatives are most successful when they create a positive experience for both the participant and the organizer. By partnering with One Tree Studio, IBM was able to offer a high-value benefit to employees while keeping the planning process simple for their internal team.
The entire experience, from scheduling to image delivery, was designed to minimize the administrative work required from IBM’s organizers. Employees received professional portraits they were proud to use, while organizers could focus on their other responsibilities knowing the photography experience was being handled from start to finish.
Professional Images Employees Can Continue Using
Each employee received a professionally photographed headshot with images delivered through a private online gallery. Participants could quickly access their photos after being photographed, while those who wanted additional retouching had the option to purchase enhanced versions directly without requiring any involvement from IBM organizers.
During the event, a slideshow displayed some of the strongest portraits alongside IBM branding, giving employees another opportunity to see the finished images as they were created.
The result was an updated personal headshot employees could use for LinkedIn, networking, company profiles, and future career opportunities. IBM also gained a consistent library of professional images that could support internal communications, branding, and future initiatives.
A Continued Partnership with IBM
After two years of partnership, One Tree Studio continues to support IBM’s employee engagement efforts by providing a professional headshot experience that employees look forward to each year.
At One Tree Studio, we believe employee initiatives are most impactful when they provide meaningful value beyond the moment itself. By combining professional photography with a seamless experience, we help organizations create benefits employees can continue to appreciate well after the event. Whether you're planning an employee appreciation event, company initiative, or internal engagement opportunity, we'd love to help create an experience that delivers lasting value for your team.
