When I first saw Donald Trump’s new presidential image circulating online, I thought it was a joke, perhaps a meme or an AI-generated version of his mugshot. It made me smile, and I moved on with my day. Then, I started seeing the same photo again, this time on the accounts of notable photographers I follow, accompanied by captions like “interesting lighting.” That’s when it hit me: this is real!😱
If there’s one thing that defines Donald Trump, it’s his love for controversy and public attention. This profile photo perfectly represents him (and only him). Let’s break down why.
The Role of Professional Profile Portraits👩🏼💼👨🏼💼
As a headshot photographer, there’s a fundamental rule for professional profile images: they must represent the role you occupy. The purpose of such a portrait is to serve your business, company, or governmental position, ensuring the image aligns with the responsibilities of that role.
In Donald Trump’s portrait, I don’t see the President of the United States, I see Donald Trump, the individual. If I were to imagine an image representing a personalistic presidency, this would be it. Typically, presidential portraits leave room to showcase symbols of office, like the national flag. However, in this case, even the flag seems secondary; the entire focus is on him.
Facial Expression🙂
Daniel Torok, the photographer, mentioned to Jared Polin that the facial expression was designed to replicate Trump’s mugshot. This expression would work brilliantly for launching a reality show after such a mugshot, grabbing attention and followers.
However, in this context, it risks trivialising the serious role Trump occupies. It blurs the line between his personal image and the official world he represents. This lack of separation is evident in Trump’s eyes. That said, let’s be clear: Torok delivered what his client requested.
Lighting 📸
The photographer admitted to having no prior experience with studio lighting. His intention was to draw focus to Trump’s eyes, leading him to choose a dramatic lighting style with illumination from below.
This approach feels theatrical and, frankly, unconventional for a presidential portrait. In portraiture, this lighting style is typically reserved for villains; it’s often called horror lighting. As one colleague of mine aptly put it: an interesting lighting choice.
From a personal perspective, I prefer a softer light for my clients. I avoid strong shadows or harsh lighting in portraits, as it can be unflattering and accentuate every wrinkle in undesirable ways. At fifty years old, I can’t use this style for myself or my clients if I aim for a pleasing result. However, I do like to add a punch or “edge” to my photos (as my clients describe) that makes professional profile images stand out.
In Trump’s portrait, the goal was clearly different. He wants to make you feel unwelcome and even afraid.
Retouching 💻
I applaud the decision to retouch the image; it gives the portrait more character and a sharper finish. However, I won’t critique the technical aspects of the retouching here, as my focus is on the message conveyed by the image, rather than the skill of the professionals involved.
Final Thoughts
Although this portrait breaks the traditional rules of a presidential image, it’s an excellent representation of who Donald Trump is and how he perceives himself in this role. More than that, it hints at what we might expect from his presidency.
That said, I still don’t think this image is appropriate for the role he represents. This highlights the importance of ensuring your professional headshot communicates the right message, not just about who you are, but the role you represent.
Ultimately, this portrait challenges the conventions of presidential imagery and raises an important question: Should personal branding take precedence over the solemnity of the role?
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