ATTORNEY HEADSHOTS
What Are Lawyer Headshots?
Attorney headshots are a type of business portrait photo typically used for company websites, business cards, press releases, and LinkedIn profiles. For your average attorney, the most popular place their headshots is on their law firm’s website.
These professional headshots focus on showcasing the subject’s professionalism, friendliness, and competence.
A great headshot is the perfect first step for building an awesome personal brand that helps you get hired faster, improve your credibility at a firm, or attract new potential clients.
Are Lawyer Headshots Important?
Have you ever met someone that you instantly either liked, or disliked?
Perhaps you knew why you felt that way about them, or perhaps you didn’t, but most people are prone to generating “first impressions” of other people in just 1/8th of a single second. These first impressions can have dramatic impact on who they hire, buy from, and otherwise listen to.
These days, most first impressions start online.
Hiring managers at law firms use LinkedIn to screen applicants. Potential clients use research potential attorneys. Other lawyers use LinkedIn to judge the credibility of others in their field.
A great lawyer headshot is critical for making a good first impression with these people – and so can have a major impact on your career and firm.
What Do I Wear for Lawyer Headshots?
It depends on your personality, specialty, and where the photos will be placed!
For conservative industries like law and finance, we usually recommend the standard suit-and-tie, or female equivalent.
Otherwise, the best rule-of-thumb is to take a look around LinkedIn to see how peers and partners in your industry are dressed. Make sure to pay closer attention to people who are successful vs whomever is in your immediate network.
Remember, dress for the job you want, not the job you have. If you’re still not sure, then ask us! We’re always happy to provide guidance.
How Do I Pose for Lawyer Headshots?
No need to go crazy on your poses for attorney headshots. In our sessions, we tend to focus on minimalist poses. We’ve seen other photographers force clients into some truly bizarre poses. But, we avoid this practice like the plague.
We are, after all, showcasing your professionalism — not our photography.
At the beginning of your session, you should warm up with simple and straightforward poses. Simply stand there and smile.
Later, we will work toward some arms-crossed headshots that are popular among lawyers, as they convey strength.
What Backdrops are Best for Lawyer Headshots?
For most attorneys, we recommend a studio backdrop based on neutral colors. (White, off-white, grey, or black.)However, it’s also quite common and popular to use your office as the backdrop for your photos. This background can showcase an upscale office and appear a bit more friendly.
But, there’s nothing wrong with a classic studio backdrop. These background can also be easier to keep consistent across an entire law firm.
If you’re a senior partner you should probably have several photos of yourself that you can use across platforms. Ideally, you would have a couple outdoor photos to supplement your studio headshots.
If you have the same exact headshot on LinkedIn, the company website, and press releases, it can look a bit amateurish.
How Should I Prepare for Lawyer Headshots?
There are three keys to preparing for your headshot ahead of time.
First, if possible, try to get some sleep, exercise, and sunshine in the weeks before your session. Our editing team airbrushes your selected photos before delivering them to you, but your preparation will help ensure that the photos look as natural as possible.
Second, make sure to briefly wear your desired clothing a couple days before your session. You want to make sure that your outfits still fits properly and doesn’t need dry cleaning.
Third, take a look at some prior photos of yourself and see if there are any that you particularly like. When you arrive at the studio, show those photos to your photographer, and that will help us find an angle that you find flattering.
What If I’m Not Photogenic or Hate Getting My Photo Taken?
We’ve got you covered! Most portrait photographers are unfortunately guilty of creating a cringe-y environment for their clients. They force you into awkward poses and don’t truly understand what clients are looking for from their session. Either that, or they rush you through the session.
At NB, we strive to create a fun & stress-free environment for every client. At our studio, we play upbeat music and constantly get feedback from the client so that we can work towards an amazing headshot that you’ll be proud to show online.
How Much Do Lawyer Headshots Cost?
Lawyer headshots can cost anywhere between $89 and $1500 depending on geography, package, and provider.
When considering pricing, remember to look at a) licensing (who owns the photos) and b) retouching fees.
In terms of licensing, photographers typically only give you ownership for photos that you buy from them. This fee is separate from your “session fee,” which just covers the time spent inside their studio.
If you want to use your photos on a press release, advertisement, magazine, or book cover, you may have to pay additional licensing fees.
For retouching, many photographers charge between $50 and $150 per photo. Calculate those fees into your total session cost.
If you’re looking for a less expensive option, there are also Virtual Headshot services that start at $49/photo.
Seven Attorney Headshot Tips for Success
Whether you’re an attorney for a large firm or the owner of a small practice, attorney headshots can help establish credibility and help you attract clients. For visitors to your website and social media accounts, your photos are the first impression they’ll receive. If you look confident, competent, and trustworthy, people will be more willing to allow you to represent them in a court of law. Read on to learn our seven tips for great lawyer headshots.
Tip #1: Choose Your Clothing, Jewelry, and Hairstyle Carefully
You should wear classic styles that won’t look old-fashioned or outdated in a year or two. That way, you can use your headshot longer without needing to replace it. Wear formal clothing like a suit or a dress with a blazer, and dress in solid colors. Too many patterns could encourage viewers to pay more attention to your clothes than your face. Black and blue look great on almost everyone. You can also wear white or gray. A light shirt with a darker jacket over it usually looks best.
Pick clothing that fits well, with no spots that look too loose or tight. To look your best, visit a tailor or seamstress and get your suit fitted. Then, remember to iron it before your photoshoot. Your hair and jewelry should look as classic and understated as your clothing. Avoid large bracelets, necklaces, or earrings that could draw attention away from your face, and don’t change your hair too much. It should look similar to the way you wear it every day.
Getting a haircut or having your hair styled by a professional before your photoshoot is a great idea, but you should choose a stylist that you trust. A bad haircut could force you to reschedule your headshots. For men who tend to get five o’clock shadow, a fresh shave may be necessary right before afternoon appointments. Lawyers with beards should make sure they look neatly trimmed.
Tip #2: Use Some Makeup
A bit of concealer can cover up acne, dark circles, and skin discoloration for men and women. You can also use foundation to make your skin color look more even and apply powder or mineral makeup to eliminate shiny skin. Choose the brand and color you want to use carefully, and apply it at least once before your photoshoot. That way, you’ll have time to try a different shade if needed. Avoid heavy makeup, and try to create a natural look. A professional makeup artist can give you recommendations on the best makeup for you and how to apply it.
Tip #3: Relax and Be Yourself
Many people don’t like having their pictures taken, so they look nervous or uncomfortable in photos. Do your best to relax, and remember that your photographer will get several pictures. That way, you can try out a variety of poses and then pick the best one.
A skilled photographer can use lighting and photo editing to make you look your best. For excellent photos, just follow their directions and enjoy the experience. You can reduce stress and make yourself look more relaxed by preparing for the photo shoot and choosing your outfit as soon as possible. Also, get plenty of sleep the night before and plan ahead so you can get there early. That way, you won’t feel rushed if you oversleep or get stuck in traffic.
Tip #4: Learn About Some Common Poses
Often, what looks best in a photograph is different from what looks best in real life. Leaning in a bit if you’re sitting or shifting your weight to one leg when you’re standing can make you look more attentive and approachable. Try to look at the camera and avoid putting your chin up or down too far.
If you don’t feel like giving a big smile, try a small grin. You can also smile before the photographer takes the picture. Even if you stop smiling before the photos, you’ll look more amenable than someone who never smiled. A skilled photographer can make you look serious but not angry, stressed out, or standoffish. Squinting a little, also called “squinching” or “smizing”, will add some interest to your eyes and make you look more engaging.
Tip #5: Choose a Background That Suits Your Brand
You can have your headshots done outside the local courthouse, inside your office, or on a city street. A real estate lawyer might choose to get photos in front of an appealing home, and someone who specializes in environmental law could get great pictures in a park or forest. You can also get your headshots done in front of a famous landmark or a plain background provided by the photographer.
Make sure your clothing contrasts with the background nicely. For example, if you’re wearing a gray suit in front of a set that’s mostly the same color, you could blend in too much.
Tip #6: Pick an Image That Looks Polished and Professional
A headshot with a funny slogan or your head on a comic book character’s body will be memorable, but it won’t increase viewers’ faith in your legal skills. A professional headshot will make you look attractive and successful. While you might be able to get a good picture by taking a selfie or getting a friend to help, the photos will look like an amateur took them. Getting the right lighting and photo editing from an expert with the latest equipment can make a big difference.
Tip #7: If Multiple Lawyers Work at Your Firm, Choose a Consistent Style
The headshots for a law firm should look similar but be different enough to make them interesting to viewers. Many firms take photos for everyone in their offices, and some use a photographer who offers a variety of backgrounds pre-approved by the firm’s partners. Firms will also need to decide whether they want lawyers to smile or look more serious in their headshots.