How a Law Library in Naperville Became the Perfect Setting for a Judge's Campaign Portraits
A few years ago I attended a ribbon cutting for a local Naperville business. While everyone else was in the main room, I noticed the law library on the first floor. Beautiful shelving, books floor to ceiling, wonderful light. I made a note of it and filed it away, the way I do with every location that catches my eye.
I do this constantly. StrengthsFinder says input is one of my top strengths, and what that means in practice is I collect places. A notebook of rooms and doorways and the way light hits a wall at four in the afternoon, saved for a day when it matters.
The brief
When Elizabeth Austin, campaign manager for Judge Terra Costa Howard, reached out about headshots and branding photos, we had a real constraint. Judge Terra Costa Howard is running for reelection to Glen Ellyn. Shooting at the courthouse meant coordinating models and access, which was not practical - especially on a Saturday morning. Elizabeth asked what ideas I had.
I remembered that room. I reached out to a friend, a local realtor who now owns the building, and asked whether the law library was still there. It was. Bridget Salela and The Ville team opened the building on a Saturday so we could shoot. I brought my lights, and we made campaign portraits in a real law library.
Why the right location matters for campaign photography
A campaign portrait has to look like the work. Voters read the setting before they read the caption. A law library gives immediate visual credibility that a plain backdrop cannot, and because we controlled the lighting, the images look intentional rather than like snapshots.
The best part
At the end of the session Terra was telling me how heavy and how hot a judge's robe is. Then she made me put it on so I could feel it for myself. Probably the only time I will ever wear one, and easily my favorite part of the day. Wish I had captured a selfie of that experience! And honestly - it was super warm in there - I mean in a midwest winter - amazing but in a hot summer - yikes!
Where I photograph headshots and branding portraits
Emily Cummings Photography photographs headshots, branding, and campaign portraits at Studio 25 Naperville (25 W. Jefferson Ave) and Studio 25 Chicago in Streeterville, and on location throughout Chicagoland. Inquire at www.emilycummingsphotography.com.