Universal Robots needed a library of authentic photographs that would communicate its corporate culture and show its engineers working directly with the company’s collaborative robots, commonly known as cobots.
The photography took place at Universal Robots’ Boston office, where we captured employees interacting with the technology in their actual working environment. The resulting images were created to support the company’s online presence and recruiting efforts, while also providing high-resolution files suitable for print materials.
Showing the People Behind the Technology
The goal of the assignment was not simply to photograph the cobots. Universal Robots wanted to show the people who develop and work with them.
That meant creating photographs in which the employee, the cobot, and the interaction between them were all immediately understandable. The images needed to feel authentic to the workplace while remaining polished enough for corporate marketing and recruitment.
By showing engineers actively engaging with the technology, the photographs helped present Universal Robots as both an innovative robotics company and a compelling place to work.
Creating a Clear, Uncluttered Composition
One of the primary challenges was controlling the visual complexity of the office environment.
Workspaces naturally contain monitors, cables, furniture, equipment, and other elements that can compete for attention. Careful composition was necessary to make the environment feel clean and organized while keeping the focus on the employee and the cobot.
The touchscreen controller was an especially important part of the story. It demonstrated how the engineer controlled and interacted with the cobot, so it needed to be clearly visible rather than obscured by the employee’s hands, body position, or the camera angle.
Balancing Natural and Supplemental Light
The office had existing window light, which helped establish a natural workplace atmosphere. I balanced that available light with professional strobes to provide greater control over the employees, equipment, and surrounding environment.
This approach maintained the authentic appearance of the Boston office while giving the photographs the clarity and polish required for corporate marketing.
Lighting industrial and technical environments often requires finding a balance between atmosphere and precision. The environment should feel real, but the people, machinery, and important technical details must still be clearly defined.
Directing Employees Without Losing Authenticity
Although the photographs were intended to represent real working situations, careful direction was essential.
I directed each employee on where to stand in relation to the cobot, how to position their body, and how to hold the touchscreen controller. Small adjustments made it possible to see what the engineer was doing while maintaining a believable interaction with the technology.
This type of direction is an important part of successful corporate lifestyle photography. Employees do not need to be professional models, but they do need clear, comfortable guidance so their actions look natural and communicate the intended story.
A Versatile Corporate Image Library
Universal Robots received a collection of fully edited, high-resolution JPEG files suitable for online marketing, recruiting efforts, and potential print applications.
The finished photographs presented the company’s engineers, workplace, and collaborative robotics technology as parts of one cohesive story. The client was very happy with the results.
For technology and manufacturing companies, effective industrial photography is about more than documenting machinery. It should also communicate the expertise of the people behind the technology and help prospective customers and employees understand the organization.
Photography for Robotics and Technology Companies
Mark Mendoza Photography works with robotics, automation, manufacturing, and technology companies throughout Greater Boston and New England. We create custom image libraries that showcase products, processes, facilities, employees, and corporate culture.
If your company needs authentic industrial or corporate lifestyle photography, contact Mark Mendoza Photography to discuss your project.