You know those moments when everything just clicks during a shoot? That’s exactly what happened when I photographed Michael Ramer for Attorney at Law Magazine recently. For attorney photography in New Jersey, your environment and expression communicate just as much as your resume — and that’s exactly why this session worked so well.

Mike’s a vocational expert witness who spends his days in courtrooms throughout New Jersey, providing testimony that actually changes people’s lives. So when Attorney at Law Magazine wanted to feature him, they needed photos that captured both his professional credibility and his approachable personality.

After 30 years photographing legal professionals across the NYC metro area, I’ve learned that attorneys and expert witnesses need something different from their portraits. It’s not just about looking good – it’s about projecting the right combination of authority, trustworthiness, and approachability that helps them win cases and attract the right clients. That’s exactly what we set out to capture with Mike.

Mike’s work isn’t your typical 9-to-5 legal job. As Attorney at Law Magazine details in their profile, he evaluates employability and economic outcomes for people who’ve lost not just jobs, but entire careers – construction workers with spinal injuries, professionals dealing with long-term illness, individuals facing steep barriers to reentering the workforce. In one particularly memorable divorce case, he even found himself being cross-examined by an unrepresented spouse, who he ended up telling had the skills to become an attorney herself. His assessments directly impact settlements and people’s futures, which means when he walks into a courtroom, his credibility needs to be unquestionable before he even speaks. That’s what these portraits needed to convey.

Finding the Right Setting for Attorney Portraits

Here’s the thing about photographing attorneys and legal professionals – the environment matters just as much as the person. For New Jersey legal professional photography, especially expert witness headshot photography, the setting needs to reinforce credibility and expertise.

Mike works in courtrooms, so that’s where we started. There’s something about photographing someone in their actual workspace that brings out their authentic confidence.

We shot in a courtroom in Northern New Jersey, and the setting told half the story. The rich wood paneling, the American flag, the judge’s bench – these visual cues immediately communicate authority and credibility. For corporate attorney portraits throughout the NJ/NYC metro area, that environmental context is everything.

The Courtroom Session

The first series of images shows Mike both at the judge’s bench and standing in the courtroom gallery. What I love about these shots is how natural Mike looks. He’s not posing – he’s just being himself in a space where he’s completely comfortable. That’s always my goal with corporate photography. I want people to forget the camera exists.

We did a mix of seated portraits at the bench and full-length standing shots. The seated images have this great formal quality – perfect for LinkedIn, his website, or any professional materials. Meanwhile, the standing shots in the gallery show his full presence and confidence. These work beautifully for magazine features and larger marketing pieces.

The lighting in courtrooms can be tricky. You’ve got these mixed light sources – fluorescents, natural light from windows, sometimes older fixtures. But that’s part of what makes the images feel authentic rather than studio-manufactured. I balanced everything to keep the warm tones of the wood while making sure Mike’s face was perfectly lit.

Taking It Outside

After we wrapped the courtroom session, we headed outside for something a bit different. The outdoor shots against the brick architecture gave us a completely different vibe – more relaxed and approachable while maintaining professional polish.

One shot has Mike leaning against a brick column, another captures him walking with his briefcase and folders. These aren’t just portraits; they’re moments with narrative. The formal courtroom shots work perfectly for expert witness bios and LinkedIn, while these outdoor images shine in magazine spreads and social media where personality matters as much as credentials.

How the Right Photos Help Legal Professionals Win Business

Here’s what I’ve learned from three decades of photographing attorneys, judges, and expert witnesses throughout Northern New Jersey and the NYC metro area: the right professional portraits directly impact how potential clients perceive you before they ever meet you.

When Mike’s images went live on his website and LinkedIn after the Attorney at Law Magazine feature, he told me he noticed an immediate difference in how law firms responded to him. The courtroom shots instantly communicated his expertise and credibility. Attorneys hiring expert witnesses want to know you can handle yourself under pressure, and these images showed exactly that.

Additionally, the magazine used the portraits as the anchor for their feature story, with the judge’s bench shot establishing Mike’s authority right at the top of the article. Then the outdoor photos added approachability throughout the piece – showing he’s not just an expert, but someone attorneys actually want to work with. That combination is gold for any legal professional building their practice.

As a result, legal professionals consistently choose to work with photographers who understand their industry. With over 580 five-star reviews, I’ve built my reputation on creating images that don’t just look good – they help my clients attract the right opportunities and command the fees their expertise deserves.

The Magazine Feature Results

Attorney at Law Magazine featured Mike’s story across multiple pages, and the images we created became a key part of how they told his story. The courtroom portraits anchored the opening spread, immediately establishing his credibility. The outdoor shots added visual variety throughout the article, keeping readers engaged while maintaining that professional polish.

But here’s what matters most: Mike now has a complete library of professional images he can use everywhere – from his expert witness profile to speaking engagements to future media opportunities. One photo shoot, multiple uses, consistent professional image across every platform. That’s the ROI legal professionals need.

Planning Your Own Professional Photography Session

If you’re an attorney or legal professional in the Northern New Jersey area thinking about updating your professional photos, here’s my advice after three decades and hundreds of legal professionals photographed: think beyond the basic headshot.

Consider where you actually work and what environments communicate your expertise. Courtrooms work great for litigators and expert witnesses. Law firm conference rooms provide polished corporate backdrops. Even architectural elements around your office building add visual interest.

On top of that, my clients consistently tell me that having both formal and relaxed options – seated and standing shots, tight headshots and environmental portraits – helps them present a cohesive, professional image across every platform where potential clients find them.

Equipment and Approach

For a shoot like this, I’m working with professional camera gear that can handle the varied lighting situations we encountered – from the courtroom’s mixed lighting to the bright outdoor afternoon sun. I shoot with both prime and zoom lenses to give us flexibility in composition without constantly moving equipment around.

But honestly, the gear matters less than the approach. I’m watching for those moments when Mike relaxes into the environment, when his expression shifts from “I’m being photographed” to just being present. Those are the keepers. Those are the shots that look natural rather than staged.

Corporate Photography in Northern New Jersey

I’ve been photographing corporate events, professional portraits, and business headshots throughout the NYC metro area for over 30 years now. Working with professionals like Mike – people doing meaningful work in their fields – is one of my favorite aspects of this job.

Whether it’s documenting a major corporate event, creating executive portraits, or shooting for publication in industry magazines, the goal is always the same: capture authentic moments that tell the right story.

Ready to update your professional image? I work with attorneys, expert witnesses, and legal professionals throughout Northern New Jersey, the NYC metro area, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley. Let’s create portraits that help you win the cases and clients you deserve.

Book your corporate photography session: Call or text me directly to check availability, or view my complete corporate photography portfolio to see more work with legal professionals and business leaders. Most attorney sessions can be completed in 1-2 hours, with images delivered within one week.

My 580+ five-star reviews speak to the experience, but the real proof is in how these photos help you grow your practice. Let’s talk about what you need.

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Let’s Work

If you’re an attorney or legal professional looking for professional portraits in Northern New Jersey, Bergen County, or the NYC metro area, I deliver authoritative, authentic images that help you win business and command the fees your expertise deserves. With over 30 years of experience and 580+ five-star reviews, Alex Kaplan Photography has you covered.

We’ll discuss what you need the photos for, plan the right locations and looks, shoot efficiently. No hard sell. You either need new professional portraits or you don’t.

If you do, I’ve got 30 years of experience and 580+ five-star reviews backing up the work.

📞 Call or text: 917-992-9097
🌐 alexkaplanphoto.com
📍 Based in Northern NJ

Serving Northern NJ, Bergen County, NYC, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley since 1995.