First and something to mind throughout the creative process: Lawyers are not a photogenic bunch. Alas, despite this misfortune of nature, they, like realtors, seem obsessed with pictures of themselves.
Here are a few tips to help you out. You’re an advanced class, one of my best, so I’ll go quick.
Lawyers want to convey rigidity, strength, dominance. They’re representatives of our no-nonsense legal system: Have them stand proud but perhaps with a slight “come hither” look in their eyes. Crossing arms further conveys confidence that a simple high school yearbook background might elide.
Lawyers are thought a cold, tough breed, sharks sporting suits but with worse manners. A bit of PR might be required of you by the firm. This friendly persona can be captured with the proper lighting--well, proper lighting and a bit of Photoshop. For tougher customers, try softening the border of your picture to reduce hard edges. Even better, get rid of edges altogether or place your subject between his/her office and the Twilight Zone.
Additionally, lawyers of all ilk take an oath (equivalent to doctors’ Hippocratic) to defend freedom. Freedom© being copyrighted by the U.S., what better way to display your love of the oath than to put a patriotic reminder of your nation behind you. Or, better yet, capture them volunteering at their local flag shop .
So, class, I hope you were taking notes. Your homework for next week: Generate a successful lawyer pic for one of your clients. For a reference, you can view representative examples of photographic excellence by following this and this link .
Class diss-missed.
Envy all people, let none annoy thee.
* Limited educational value. Primarily for our shared enjoyment and to justify my hours of looking through the results of “lawyer” on Google image search.
** Veiled Monty Python allusion.