Are you a lawyer looking to update your headshot for your website, social media profiles, or marketing materials? Or perhaps you’re a photographer who has a headshot session scheduled for a lawyer?
A professional headshot is an essential component of your personal brand and can help you establish credibility, build trust with potential clients, and make a positive first impression.
In this article, we’ll provide you with four expert tips for taking a successful lawyer headshot that conveys confidence, approachability, and professionalism. Whether you’re working with a professional photographer or taking the photo yourself, read on to learn how to create a winning lawyer headshot.
We’ll be covering the following topics (click on a bullet point to jump to that section):
What is a Lawyer Headshot?
A lawyer headshot is a photo of a lawyer. At some point during their career, they are going to need one or more headshots.
The reason for this is simple: law firms and other companies often use these photos in their advertisements and on their websites.
These jobs usually involve direct contact with clients and colleagues, so images used in these advertisements are important.
Some signs and flyers use your face to make an impression on customers or clients, while other messages such as mass mailings probably will not be seen by the person whose eyes you want to catch; these people could be future employers who need a lawyer.
Why Do Lawyers Need Headshots?
Lawyers need headshots because it is likely that they will be used for professional purposes.
They also make a statement about the image of your law firm or career as a whole.
What Type of Lawyer Headshots Are There?
There are many different types of lawyer headshots, depending on the purpose.
Formal
The most common type is for business purposes; these headshots often include a suit and tie or other formal attire, but can also be casual (lawyers do not always wear suits).
Informal
For networking purposes, informal shots are fine too, like those taken at picnics or other social events. These can be in groups or just you with your name tag.
When applying for a job, you will be sent to the company’s Web site where they usually have a headshot of one of their employees; this is used so potential customers will know what the person who served them looks like.
A different type of marketable headshot is for authorized spokespeople.
Lawyers who represent the company in media interviews and other functions may need a picture to send to the media outlet so they know who is representing them.
When Should You Get a Lawyer Headshot?
The best time to get a good headshot is when you have time to do it well. You don’t want to try and squeeze in a photo shoot before an important court date, but neither do you want to leave your photo until the last minute.
The more relaxed you are during this process, the better the result will be. This is also the time to consider what your end goal is.
You need a headshot that will serve its purpose for this particular job.
This means ensuring it is of high enough quality, conveying the message you want, and reflecting who you are as an individual.
Once you have decided on a good photo opportunity, make sure the lighting is right. It should be natural light and be bright enough to see your face without harsh shadows.
Consider what you will wear and bring a similar outfit (or something close) to the photo shoot.
If you want a formal headshot, wearing a suit and tie is appropriate; if you’re appearing in court or speaking on behalf of your law firm, it’s best to dress the part.
How to Take a Lawyer Headshot
When taking pictures, there are three important aspects: lighting, background, and camera angle.
By using these elements properly, you can ensure your headshot is attractive.
1. Lighting
Lighting should be consistent across the entire photo, with no areas that are too bright or dark. Instead of being nervous about being photographed, consider it a chance to relax and have fun.
The lighting used in lawyer headshots is a critical component of creating a professional and polished image. The right lighting can help to highlight your features, create depth and dimension, and convey a sense of approachability and trustworthiness.
When it comes to lawyer headshots, it’s essential to use soft, diffused lighting that illuminates your face evenly and avoids harsh shadows or highlights.
Natural light is often the best choice, as it provides a flattering, soft glow that is both timeless and sophisticated.
However, if you’re shooting indoors or in low light conditions, you may need to supplement with additional lighting sources, such as a softbox or umbrella lights, to achieve the desired effect.
2. Background
For the background, you can either keep it clean and simple or you can choose your setting as your background.
If you want to keep it clean and simple, opt for a white background, black background, or textured background.
If you want to choose your setting as your background, then have a nice office or bookshelf background.
3. Angle
When it comes to the angle, try to have the camera a bit above eye level and have the camera ever so slightly tilted down.
There are many ways that you can position yourself when taking a lawyer’s headshot. If you are sitting, try to sit upright and relax your shoulders.
It is important to make sure that your eyes are open throughout the photo shoot. This will ensure a more natural look at the post-production editing of the image.
4 Lawyer Headshot Tips
1. Comfortable Smile
One of the most important tips for taking a good lawyer headshot is to smile. It doesn’t have to be a big smile, just a comfortable grin that looks natural and friendly on your face.
Having a comfortable smile is a crucial component of a successful lawyer headshot. Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you, and it can convey a sense of warmth, approachability, and confidence.
To achieve a comfortable smile, it’s important to relax your facial muscles, breathe deeply, and think of something that makes you happy or brings you joy.
Don’t force a smile or try to look overly serious; instead, aim for a natural and relaxed expression that reflects your personality and professional demeanor. Remember, a comfortable smile can help to establish a connection with potential clients and make a positive first impression.
2. Practice Pose
Practicing posing is another essential tip for a successful lawyer headshot. Knowing how to position your body and angle your face can help to create a more flattering and professional image. Before your photoshoot, take some time to practice different poses in front of a mirror or with a friend.
Experiment with different angles and expressions to find the ones that work best for you.
The goal is to create a confident and approachable image that reflects your professionalism and personality. By practicing your posing ahead of time, you’ll feel more comfortable and confident during your photoshoot, resulting in a more successful headshot.
3. Dress Well
For more professional headshots, dress in a formal manner to convey the message you want.
This can be achieved by dressing in clean, pressed clothes with minimal patterns. The color scheme should be consistent for all your dress pieces.
For example, if you are wearing an outfit that is black and white, make sure your tie matches this scheme so it does not take attention away from the headshot itself.
4. Watch the Accessories
Be extra careful about accessories as they have a habit of drawing attention away from the face.
For a more informal headshot, find a setting with natural lighting and wear something that reflects who you are as an individual.
Think about your hobbies as this will help create a relaxed atmosphere when taking the photo shoot. You could even do it at home if you have the necessary equipment.
How Should Lawyers Dress for Headshots?
For traditional headshots, dress in clothing that you would wear on a typical day at work.
Note that colors do matter, as these images will be used to represent your firm or career.
It is best to wear a dark suit and tie for men, while women can either try a dark dress or a pantsuit instead of the traditional skirt-and-dress combination outfit.
Dark clothing will stand out more than lighter clothing, which can be lost in the background of some headshots.
If your office is more casual than traditional or you are not sure about what to wear, then try asking someone else who regularly wears business clothes for advice on what looks good in photos.
What do Lawyer Headshots Look Like?
Lawyer headshots should look professional and convey trustworthiness.
It is important to avoid smiling excessively, as this can make you look foolish.
Instead, try to look like the confident and competent person that you are.
What Can Lawyer Headshots be Used For?
Lawyer headshots can be used for a variety of purposes:
- marketing materials
- business cards
- websites used by law firms
- advertisements in magazines or newspapers
- other promotion materials.
Do Lawyer Headshots Matter?
Yes, law firm headshots matter. To create a good impression on customers or clients, your image is worth the investment.
Good lawyer headshots are also necessary for marketing materials to potential employees.
Even if you are not directly involved with advertising or marketing, your headshot is still important for websites and other promotional materials used by the firm.
What are the Requirements for Lawyer Headshots?
Lawyer headshots should be taken in a studio with professional quality cameras and lighting equipment.
These photos should meet current styles of professional photo shoots, which call for wearing formal business attire rather than casual clothing.
How Much do Lawyer Headshots Cost?
The cost of headshots will vary depending on the photographer and where you live. On average, expect to pay $300 to $600 for your lawyer headshot.
If you are looking for additional services such as touch-ups or use of photos in various marketing materials, then be prepared to pay more for these add-ons.
Where Can You Find a Lawyer Headshot Photographer?
There are many photographers available through online searches or referrals from friends and family.
You can also ask other lawyers you know who they use for their own headshots, as this is an important piece of business information for professionals in the field.
If you want to find candidates within your area, search for keywords like “headshot photographer” along with your city and state on your favorite search engine.
Final Remarks
We hope you enjoyed this guide on headshots for lawyers.
This guide is also a part of our Headshot Photography Hub, so be sure to check that out for further headshot photography tips and insights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a lawyer headshot different than a regular headshot?
Yes, a lawyer headshot is typically different than a regular headshot because it is specifically designed to convey a sense of professionalism, trustworthiness, and approachability that is consistent with the legal profession. Lawyer headshots often feature a neutral or solid background, use natural or soft lighting, and emphasize a confident and approachable expression.
What do lawyers wear for headshots?
When it comes to dressing for a lawyer headshot, it’s essential to choose clothing that reflects your professional style and conveys a sense of confidence and competence. Generally, lawyers should opt for conservative, neutral-colored clothing such as a tailored suit or blazer, blouse, or dress that fits well and flatters your body shape.
Nate Torres is an entrepreneur, growth marketer, and photographer and writes mostly on those topics. Nate runs his own professional photography business and photography blog called Nate Torres Photography. Nate enjoys learning about new digital marketing strategy and new ways to think creatively. He is also a photography speaker and author on Photofocus.