Most office walls are where good vibes go to die. You know the spot. It’s usually right by the breakroom or near the elevators, featuring a dusty, cherry-wood frame housing a pixelated employee of the month images that look like they were taken during a hostage negotiation. It's awkward. The lighting is harsh, the smile is forced, and the whole thing feels more like a "Wanted" poster than a celebration of hard work.
Honestly, we’ve all been there.
Companies spend thousands on "culture" but then use a grainy smartphone photo from 2019 to represent their best talent. It matters. It really does. When you put someone’s face on a wall—or digital Slack channel—that image becomes the visual shorthand for what success looks like at your company. If the image looks low-effort, the award feels low-effort.
The psychology behind the "Wall of Fame"
There is actual science here. According to researchers like those at the Social Psychology Network, visual recognition acts as a powerful social reinforcer. It isn't just about the person in the photo; it's about everyone else looking at it. When a team sees a high-quality, vibrant representation of their peer, it triggers a sense of prestige.
But when the photo is bad? It’s a joke. People walk by and smirk. The "recognition" becomes a source of mild embarrassment for the winner.
Think about the "Endowment Effect." When we are given something, we value it more if it feels high-quality. A cheap, flimsy print-out doesn't trigger that psychological "win." A professional, sharp image does. It makes the achievement feel permanent.
Stop taking "ID Badge" photos
The biggest mistake? Treating employee of the month images like security badges.
Stop.
Security badges are designed to be clinical. They are meant for identification, not celebration. For a recognition program, you need personality. You need life.
Why candid beats corporate
Every single time, a candid shot of someone actually working—or laughing—beats a posed shot against a white wall. Why? Because it’s authentic. We live in an era of "Instagram authenticity." We can spot a fake "corporate smile" from a mile away.
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If you want to highlight Sarah from Accounting because she saved the company $50k this month, don’t make her stand against a beige wall. Catch her at her desk with her favorite coffee mug. Capture the chaos of her workspace. That's real. That's Sarah.
Lighting is your best friend (or worst enemy)
Fluorescent office lights are the enemy of the human face. They create "raccoon eyes" by casting shadows downward from the brow bone. It’s unflattering. It’s yellow. It makes everyone look tired.
If you’re taking these photos yourself, move the person toward a window. Natural light is the great equalizer. It smooths skin tones and adds a "sparkle" to the eyes that no Photoshop filter can truly replicate. If you don't have a window, find a desk lamp and bounce the light off a white wall rather than pointing it directly at the subject.
Digital vs. Physical: Where do these photos actually go?
The medium dictates the style. If you’re a remote-first company, your employee of the month images are going to live on LinkedIn, Slack, or a company intranet like SharePoint or Greenhouse.
For digital platforms, go bold.
High contrast, saturated colors, and close-up crops work best for small screens. If someone is scrolling through a busy Slack channel, a full-body shot of an employee standing in a hallway is going to look like a thumb-sized blur. Crop it from the chest up. Make the eyes the focus.
For physical walls, you have more room to breathe.
I’ve seen companies move away from the "single frame" look. Instead, they use "Grid Walls" or "Clip Boards." This allows for a more rotating, gallery-style feel. It feels less like a static monument and more like a living history of the team.
The "Prop" controversy
Should you use props? It’s a polarizing topic in HR circles.
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Some say it’s cheesy. Others say it’s the only way to show personality.
Here is the rule of thumb: If the prop is meaningful to the person, use it. If the prop is a generic "Number 1" foam finger the HR department keeps in a drawer, skip it. I once saw a software engineering firm where the employee of the month got to pose with a vintage 1980s mainframe keyboard. It was a "thing" at their office. It had history. It was a badge of honor.
That works because it’s an inside joke. It builds community.
Technical specs you actually need to know
Don't just wing it. If you're printing these, you need high resolution.
- DPI Matters: If you’re printing an 8x10, you need at least 300 DPI (Dots Per Inch). Anything less and you’ll see those ugly little squares.
- Aspect Ratio: Stick to a standard 4:5 or 2:3. Why? Because buying custom frames is a nightmare and a waste of the budget.
- File Type: Use .PNG for digital (better color retention) and .TIFF or high-quality .JPG for print.
Real-world examples of doing it right
Look at companies like Zappos or Southwest Airlines. They don't do "boring."
Southwest, for instance, has a history of emphasizing the "heart" of their employees. Their recognition photos often feature employees in their actual work environments—on the tarmac, at the gate, in the cockpit. There is motion. There is a sense of "this person is doing something important."
Compare that to a law firm where everyone is wearing a navy suit against a grey backdrop. It’s hard to tell the 2023 winner from the 2025 winner. It’s stagnant.
The "Diversity of Roles" problem
One thing that often gets missed in employee of the month images is how we portray different types of jobs.
There’s often an unconscious bias toward "office" roles. The person at the computer looks "professional," while the person in the warehouse looks "laborious." We need to bridge that gap.
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If you’re recognizing a maintenance worker or a delivery driver, don’t make them put on a tie. Celebrate the uniform. Use an action shot. Show the tools of their trade. This elevates the role and shows that the company values the work, not just the image of work.
Common pitfalls to avoid
- The "Birthday Party" Photo: Avoid photos taken at office parties where there’s a half-eaten cake or a messy background. It looks sloppy.
- Heavy Filters: We aren't on 2012 Instagram. Avoid the heavy sepia or "beauty" filters that blur out noses. It looks unprofessional.
- The Same Pose: If the last six winners all have their arms crossed, the wall becomes a pattern, not a collection of individuals. Break the pattern.
How to handle the "I hate my photo" employee
This is the biggest hurdle. Most people hate having their picture taken.
"I'm not photogenic."
"I hate my hair today."
If you force a photo on a bad day, the employee will resent the award. Honestly, give them a choice. Let them submit their own photo if they have one they love. Or, give them 24 hours' notice so they can "prep" however they feel comfortable.
Recognition shouldn't feel like a punishment.
Actionable steps for your next winner
If you're in charge of this, here is your 3-step checklist for tomorrow:
First, look at your current "wall" or digital gallery. Is it consistent? If the photos are all different sizes and qualities, it looks like an afterthought. Pick a format and stick to it for at least a year.
Second, ditch the smartphone flash. If you’re using a phone, turn the flash off and find a window. If it’s dark, use a cheap ring light. You can get one for $20, and it will 10x the quality of your images instantly.
Third, ask the winner for one "fun fact" and include it in the caption or on the frame. It turns a face into a human. "Winner: Marcus. Fun Fact: Has a collection of 400 vintage comic books." Now, people have something to talk to Marcus about. The photo becomes a conversation starter, which is the whole point of social recognition anyway.
Recognition programs live and die by their execution. If you’re going to do it, do it with some style. Your employees spend 40+ hours a week giving you their best; the least you can do is make sure they look good when you’re bragging about them.
Avoid the hostage-photo look. Aim for something that actually looks like a celebration.