Introduction

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s Chair and CEO/MD as featured in the 2024 annual report
In July 2024 GrayNoise was pleased to be commissioned to capture new board portraits of seven directors and eight executives for Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s 2024 Annual Report and website.
The bank ranks among Australia’s largest banks, with a team of 7,000 employees dedicated to helping more than 2.5 million customers achieve their financial goals. Driven by a purpose to contribute to their customers’ and communities’ prosperity, they aim to be Australia’s bank of choice.

Executive portraits in the context of the annual report
Pre-shoot planning
To create a cohesive look, we collaborated closely with the bank’s team, aligning with their brand guidelines while enhancing the visual appeal of the annual report. Following a location scout, they arranged with the building manager to repurpose an untenanted floor in their Sydney office as a temporary on-site studio.
Drawing from examples in our portfolio and references from outside sources, we proposed various looks and treatments that would complement the bank’s colour palette. After input from stakeholders, we settled on a distinctive pale plum background. It was refreshing to see a financial services client embrace a vibrant colour over the more conventional blues and greys, aligning well with the bank’s tone of voice—friendly, confident, calm, and accessible. The formal attire of the senior executives added a balanced professionalism to the fresh, approachable background.
The shooting process
Scheduling directors and executives is always a challenge, so we coordinated the shoot on a day when all were present for board meetings. With efficiency in mind, we pre-set the lighting and camera setup to minimise disruptions. Working at about five minutes per person, the shoot flowed smoothly with the camera tethered to a laptop for real-time review by subjects and stakeholders. We completed individual portraits of all 15 subjects, as well as a few group shots of the incoming and outgoing CEOs together, within a two-hour timeframe.
Final outcomes

Example treatment options provided as part of the proofing process
Following the shoot, we curated a proof gallery for final selections by the team and provided example treatment options. Once chosen, the images were retouched for consistency and provided in various crops and resolutions. The images lent themselves to versatile use—circular headshots in the annual report and banner portraits on the bank’s website—effectively showcasing the fresh background and friendly tone.

Board headshots in the context of the annual report design

Board headshots in the context of the website design
In conclusion
It was a pleasure working with a team open to creative collaboration and invested in achieving high-quality board portraits. From planning to delivery, the process was seamless, and the bank’s team was pleased with the final images.









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