These specifications ensure all attorney portraits are consistent across offices and meet the firm’s brand and website standards. Please review this document carefully before and during each session. All photographers working with the firm should follow these guidelines. 

1. Background and Lighting 

• Backdrop: Use a seamless UNIFORM background color. 

• Lighting: 
  • Employ soft, even lighting with minimal shadows.
  • Use a large soft box as the main light on the left side of the camera (slightly above eye level). 
  • Add a smaller fill light on the right side and a subtle edge light behind and above the subject to create separation from the background. 
  • Avoid harsh contrasts, mixed light sources (flash + fluorescent or tungsten) and glare on glasses or skin. 

• Goal: Clean, natural and modern look with evenly lit subjects. 

2. Framing and Composition (sample suggestions) 

• Crop: Photograph each subject from the waist up so the image can be cropped as either a headshot or quarter-body portrait. 

• Orientation: Subjects should face slightly to the photographer’s left or directly forward, depending on firm preference. 

• Posture: Relaxed but confident. Shoulders back, head up and a natural stance. 

• Arms: Follow firm guidelines, arms crossed or at sides, but ensure consistency across all portraits. 

• Eye Level: Maintain consistent camera height and eye line across all sessions. 

3. Expression and Tone 

• Aim for confident, approachable and professional expressions. 

• Encourage slight variations so subjects look natural and comfortable, not overly posed. 

• Smiles should be genuine and subtle, avoid forced expressions. 

4. Attire and Presentation 

• Confirm the firm’s dress code before the session: 
  • Business formal or business casual? 
  • Ties required for men? 
  • Jackets required for all? 

• Avoid clothing that blends into the background (no white shirts or blouses against a white backdrop unless paired with a darker jacket). 

• Solid, neutral colors photograph best; avoid bold patterns or bright hues. 

• Ensure grooming and wardrobe details are checked before each shot (e.g., straight ties, smooth collars, lint-free jackets). 

• Glasses may remain on unless glare becomes unmanageable. 

5. Technical Specifications (suggested) 

• Camera Settings (Recommended): ISO 200, f/8, 1/125 sec. 

• Lighting Ratio: 4:1 for men; 3:1 or 2:1 for women. 

• White Balance: Adjust for accurate skin tones. 

• Format: Shoot in RAW; deliver final edited JPG and high-resolution TIFF files. 

• Resolution: 300 DPI for print, web-optimized version at 1500px on the long side. 

6. Post-Production 

• Ensure background is pure white and consistent across all images. 

• Perform standard retouching: remove blemishes, reduce flyaway hairs, correct color balance and even out lighting. 

• Maintain natural skin texture: avoid excessive smoothing or over-editing. 

• Deliver both high-resolution, web-ready versions (allowing in-house staff to edit for LinkedIn).

7. File Naming and Delivery 

• Name files consistently: 
  lastname_firstname_office.jpg 
  Example: smith_jane_chicago.jpg 

• Provide all files via secure file transfer or shared firm drive. 

• Include contact sheet or thumbnail gallery for review. 

8. Consistency Check 

Before submitting, confirm that all portraits: 

• Match in background color, lighting and crop. 

• Align with the firm’s framing (head-and-shoulders or waist-up) and pose direction. 

• Reflect the firm’s tone: professional, cohesive and current.