Your Headshot Should Look Like You in Court, Not at a Party

Define Your Courtroom Persona Before You Shoot

Think of the most credible person you know in your field. That’s your target. We’re not aiming for a stiff, scowling mugshot. We’re aiming for the version of you that walks into a room and people listen. I ask clients to bring three adjectives they want their photo to project. “Approachable, competent, and direct” is a great combo. “Creative, thoughtful, and established” is another. Write them on a sticky note and put it on your mirror. Your expression and posture will follow those words.

One corporate lawyer told me she wanted to look “unshakeable.” We talked for ten minutes about what that meant to her—calm eye contact, a solid posture, a slight tilt of the head that showed she was listening. The resulting photo got her a comment from a senior partner: “Now *that* looks like someone I’d put in front of a judge.” That’s the goal.

Choose the Right Jacket and Neckline Combo

This is where most people get it wrong. The collar of your shirt or blouse must work with your jacket’s lapel. A gap creates a sloppy line. A tight bunch looks strained. For men, leave about a half-inch of shirt collar visible above the jacket collar in the back. For women, a V-neck shell under a blazer is a powerhouse—it creates a clean, vertical line that elongates the neck and frames the face without distraction.

Color matters more than you think. A deep navy or charcoal jacket reads as authoritative and timeless. A bright, saturated color pulls all the attention. I once had a client insist on a fuchsia blazer; in every shot, you stared at the jacket, not her eyes. We switched to a steel grey. Suddenly, you saw her confident smile first. Bring two options. One safe, one you love. We’ll shoot both.

Position Your Shoulders and Lean In Slightly

Standing square to the camera is for team photos. It makes you look wider and can seem confrontational. Instead, turn your body about 45 degrees away from the camera, then turn your head back. This creates a more flattering, dynamic line. Now, here’s the magic move: lean your upper body slightly toward the camera, from the waist. Not a huge dip—just two or three inches.

This lean does two concrete things. First, it makes you look engaged, like you’re interested in the conversation. Second, it subtly sharpens the line of your jacket and brings your face forward, making it the clear focal point. Practice in a mirror. Turn, then lean. You’ll see the difference instantly. It’s the difference between a statue and a person.

Avoid the Common 'Over-Smiling' Mistake

Party smiles use every muscle in your face. Courtroom smiles are in the eyes. A full, toothy grin can look unserious or salesy in a professional context. We want the expression you make when you recognize someone you respect across the room. Your mouth may be closed or slightly parted, with the warmth radiating from your eyes. I tell clients to think, “I know the answer,” not “Say cheese!”

Try this: relax your face completely. Now, think of something that genuinely makes you feel capable and assured. Don’t force a smile. Just let that feeling show. I’ll often chat with you about a recent professional win to capture that natural, confident expression. We’ll shoot a range, from neutral to a gentle smile. You’ll be shocked at how much more authority you project when you’re not grinning.

Select the Final Image That Feels Authentic

You’ll look at 30-40 images. Your first instinct will be to pick the one where you look “most attractive.” Resist it. Instead, look for the photo that looks most like the *professional* you. Which one would you trust if you saw it on a law firm website or a board bio? Show your top three choices to a brutally honest colleague or mentor. Ask them: “Which person would you hire for a serious project?”

A tech executive chose a shot where his smile was smaller than his favorite. He said the chosen one “felt like the me who runs meetings.” That’s the keeper. The photo isn’t for your dating profile; it’s for the moment before you speak, when someone is deciding whether to listen. The right one will feel like a firm handshake, not a hug.

The best headshot doesn’t hide you; it presents the most capable version of you that already exists. It’s the visual proof of your readiness. When you get it right, you don’t just look the part—you feel it, and everyone who sees that photo will feel it, too. Start with those three adjectives, and build everything from there.