The New Rules of Law Firm Headshots: What 20 Years of Industry Insight Reveal

The New Rules of Law Firm Headshots: What 20 Years of Industry Insight Reveal

Every legal marketer eventually discovers that headshots, despite appearing simple, are one of the most complex brand assets a firm manages. They require creative direction, logistics, psychology, technical expertise, and long-term consistency. Few people have seen this complexity play out as clearly as Barry Benton, who has spent 20 years working closely with major firms on high-volume, multi-office photography challenges.

What the Most Successful Firms Do Differently

Across all his observations, Barry sees three consistent traits among high-performing marketing teams:

1. They operationalize photography.

They design systems—not one-off shoots—to support long-term consistency.

2. They integrate photography into brand governance.

They connect creative strategy to photographic direction with clear standards.

3. They think beyond the website launch.

They see visual identity as a living system that must evolve with the firm.

His insights reveal why traditional approaches fall short and what modern marketers must understand to build a sustainable, strategic visual identity.

Headshots Have Evolved from Images to Infrastructure

Historically, headshots were localized and infrequent. But today’s legal landscape has changed dramatically:

• Firms span dozens of offices across countries and continents.
• Hybrid working makes availability unpredictable.
• Lawyer movement is constant.
• Recruiting storytelling is now a major brand driver.

Despite this, most firms still approach headshots as a one-off creative task. Barry sees the consequences: inconsistent results, misaligned expectations, and internal teams overwhelmed by logistics.

Strategic insight:

If a firm operates across multiple offices, it doesn’t have a headshot project, it has a headshot program. And programs require structure.

Why Consistency Matters More Than Creativity

Many marketers can tell when a headshot looks wrong, but struggle to explain why. That’s because photography contains technical variables most brand guidelines never address, including:

• Lighting direction
• Shadow depth
• Posing style
• Expression and posture
• Retouching approach
• Background tone and texture

When these elements vary by office or photographer, the brand becomes fragmented, even if the website layout is perfect.

Barry routinely sees firms with beautifully designed identities but no translation of that identity into photographic standards. The result: each office interprets “professional, modern, and approachable” differently.

Strategic insight:

Your visual identity needs a photographic style guide as detailed as your typography and color guidelines.

The Scheduling Burden No One Talks About

In large firms, the photography itself is rarely the hardest part. The real strain is coordination.

Across hundreds of engagements, Barry has heard the same stories:

• Multi-tab spreadsheets tracking attendance
• Endless reminder emails
• Lawyers canceling last-minute
• No centralized view of who’s been photographed

For many marketers, scheduling becomes the most time-consuming responsibility during a website redesign, yet this cost is almost never accounted for in planning.

Strategic insight:

The hidden cost of headshots is not the portrait, it’s the administrative labor required to shepherd hundreds of people through the process.

Beyond Bios: The Rise of Narrative and Culture-Driven Imagery

Headshots may be foundational, but they no longer meet every need. Firms now rely on photography for:

• Recruiting
• Employer brand storytelling
• Diversity and inclusion narratives
• Internal culture expression
• “Day-in-the-life” visuals
• Custom stock photography featuring actual employees

Barry notes that some firms are even restricted from using generic stock imagery due to bar association rules, making authentic, employee-centric photography essential.

Strategic insight:

Your people are your brand. Your photography should reflect the real culture clients and recruits will experience.

The New Aesthetic: Approachability Is the New Professionalism

In the past, law firm portraits favored seriousness, formality, and composure. Trends now lean toward images that feel:

• Warm
• Human
• Approachable
• Confident without rigidity

But the most interesting shift is geographic nuance. Barry frequently sees firms balancing global brand alignment while maintaining local cultural expression.

Strategic insight:

Consistency does not require uniformity. It requires intentional alignment.

A Final Thought: Imagery Has Become a Strategic Lever

Today’s legal audience (clients, recruits, media, and internal stakeholders) expects authenticity and cohesion. Headshots aren’t simply images; they are a reflection of culture, professionalism, and brand clarity.

The question for modern legal marketers is no longer:

“How do we get headshots done?”

But rather:

“What should our photography say about who we are, and who we want to become?”

 

Book a consultation with Gittings Global and discover how our visual strategy can elevate your brand.