I do a lot of headshots for professionals in many walks of business life, and the approach to each industry varies. For example, a social media blogger might want to look fun, cosmopolitan and trendy in her online portfolio. A yoga instructor will be looking for natural portraits accenting her abilities, utilizing the environment. And real estate agents want to look informed and well connected, with access to the most beautiful homes to serve their client’s needs.
I always ask my clients what business they are in, where their photos will be displayed and in what medium, and what their overall vision is for how they want to present themselves. Lawyers come to me for headshots, and often are unsure of how they want to portray themselves as a professional. Not too stern, but not a pushover. Tough, but trustworthy. Professional, but still likeable and easy to work with. I’ve been working with this lawfirm all year, updating headshots as they hire new employees, and we’ve taken this question seriously. So what makes for a great headshot for lawyers?
A SHARP SUIT, WITH PROFESSIONAL STYLING
Come dressed to impress for your portraits with a power suit, as if you were already at work. Consider having your hair and make up professionally done by a stylist. It’s the foundation of a great headshot.
SIMPLICITY, WITHOUT DISTRACTIONS
Your overall style should be clean and simple, without distracting elements like oversized jewelry and hair pieces. The focus is on your and your professionalism. Compared with other industries, such as fashion bloggers or style experts, you’re not being hired for your personal style and fashion statements. Show potential clients that you are ready to focus on them.
A LOCATION THAT EMPHASIZES YOUR FIRM’S STYLE
Whether you work for yourself or a firm, you’ll want to showcase the overall atmosphere where you work. The location you choose – whether urban cosmopolitan or earthy natural – says a lot about your law firm. A simple understated backdrop can be a powerful statement about you. A neutral backdrop puts the focus on you.
SHOW YOUR SMILE
You want to come across as friendly, since lawyers can often be intimidating. With a genuine smile, you’ll come across as likeable and trustworthy to clients.
CLOSE UP AND PERSONAL
The eyes are the focal point of a photograph. Your headshot should be a close up shot of you looking into the camera – a pose that comes across to viewers as showing honesty. “Looking away” shots can be fun and work for certain industries, but a clear shot of the eyes can gain the trust of the viewer, which is important for a lawyer’s work.
See more headshots from this lawfirm in the Woodlands here.
Do you need headshots? Contact me for your session by contacting me directly with this CONTACT FORM. See my headshot gallery and read about rates and packages HERE.