When you talk to CEOs and CFOs about the future of their organization, you need to use visuals to tell that story. For Peter Walleghem, Managing Director of Aremis Belgium, we looked for portraits that inspire confidence without being over the top.
The reason
Peter joined Aremis Belgium as Managing Director earlier this year. Aremis helps large companies and government agencies in Belgium, France, Switzerland, Austria, and Luxembourg prepare their workplaces for the future: from hybrid work strategies to design and layout to smart, data-driven building management.
Peter's photo is appearing more and more often: in articles, on speaker profiles, and in event announcements. But the photos he had were snapped quickly between meetings. He himself felt that they no longer reflected the company he represents.
A portrait requires trust—or builds it
Over a nice cup of coffee in our studio in Willebroek, Peter explained it very clearly. Aremis works with clients who expect premium service. That means everything has to be just right, from the first conversation down to the smallest detail.
If your image doesn’t match what you sell, you’ll have to go out of your way to prove who you are in every conversation. If you present yourself as too impressive, you’ll set expectations you can’t live up to. In either case, you’ll lose trust. A good portrait simply shows who you are. That may not seem like much, but it’s actually a lot.
What Peter Was Supposed to Convey
- Trust. His clients opt for multi-year projects with large budgets. It all starts with a feeling: I’m in good hands with this person.
- Expertise. Anyone who talks to executives about hybrid work, AI, and the role of the office must come across as credible right from the start.
- Leadership. Not a loud leader, but a calm and pragmatic one. Someone who prefers action over words and makes clear decisions.
- Accessibility. Peter also wants to give his own team and young people opportunities. They should feel comfortable coming to him.
One photo shoot, four moods
A CFO in Germany or the UK has different expectations than a new colleague in Brussels. That’s why we tailored the attire to each target audience.
Dark backgrounds are beautiful, but not always practical. That’s why Peter received his photos in various formats and croppings: from a close-up headshot to wider shots of him standing and sitting, ready for LinkedIn, the website, and publications.
Small details, big difference
After more than twenty years of taking portraits, we know that the difference often lies in the little things. Crossed arms convey a different message than hands resting calmly on the table. A gaze that’s just a little warmer helps you gain your audience’s trust more quickly. That’s what we work on together during a shoot, until it feels right.
Twenty seconds to land
Peter didn't really want to talk about himself in his presentations. We understand that. Still, Kwinten gave him one tip: start with twenty seconds and one powerful image. Your audience wants to know who's standing in front of them. After that, you can focus entirely on the content.
“A photo shoot isn’t exactly my natural habitat. But thanks to the relaxed atmosphere and Kwinten’s professional guidance, I felt at ease surprisingly quickly. He takes the time to understand who you are and what you want to convey. As a result, the photos really feel like me.”
Peter Walleghem, Managing Director of Aremis Belgium
Peter, thank you for the candid conversation and for your trust.
Are you finding yourself in the spotlight more and more often, but does your photo no longer reflect who you are today? Find out how an executive photo shoot works on our page Portraits for Managers, or Please contact us for a cup of coffee at our studio in Willebroek.
