To smile or not to smile - that is the question....

I was pondering this question yesterday while talking to a group of #solicitors about headshots.  I normally like to get the warmth and friendliness of my clients across in business headshots (plus a bit of a smile does wonders for the old bone structure!) but while we decided that this would be the look SOME of their potential clients would be after - especially with family law where the client may be feeling vulnerable and daunted - for others who want the rottweiler fighting their corner it may be the last thing they’re after. 

We were trying to decide how photographers should deal with this dilemma - would it be best to go for the middle ground - serious yet not too scary - or would it be better to decide on an image, whether friendly and warm or serious and ready to fight and go for that? Alternatively, would it be good to get a variety - some of the members of the team friendly and others looking more serious…

Having shot a fair amount of lawyers in the past couple of years (with a camera that is!) I have tended to go with what I generally think works best - warm, friendly yet very professional and personable but - lawyers out there...what do you think?

If you'd like to look at some examples of this please do!