Congratulations to Judge Beverly P. Proctor-Donald, who took her seat on the Stark County Family Court on October 1, 2026.
I've photographed a lot of people in my studio since 1988, but a judicial portrait carries a different kind of weight. It's the image that will hang in the courthouse, run in the paper, and represent the judge to the community she serves. It was an honor to make Judge Proctor-Donald's official portrait here at J. Albert Studios.
About the appointment
Governor Mike DeWine announced her appointment on August 5, 2026. She fills the seat held by Judge Rosemarie A. Hall, who retired on September 30.
Judge Proctor-Donald, of North Canton, brings more than three decades of legal experience to the bench. She earned her law degree from the University of Akron School of Law in 1996, ran her own private practice for 22 years, and most recently served as a magistrate in the Family Division of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas.
Family Court handles some of the most personal matters a family will ever face. Stark County is fortunate to have someone with her experience serving there.
The session
A judicial portrait has two jobs at once. It has to carry the dignity of the office, and it has to show the person behind the robe. Lean too far one way and you get a stiff, forbidding image; too far the other and it stops looking like it belongs on a courthouse wall.
I kept the setup classic: a dark gradient backdrop, a soft key light to shape her face, and a separation light behind her so the robe and her hair lift cleanly off the background. The pearls and white collar needed careful exposure so they held detail against all that black fabric.
The real work, though, is expression. Over the course of the session we talked, and I watched for the frame where her warmth came through without losing her composure. The selected image is that moment: approachable and authoritative at the same time, which is exactly what you hope for in someone who will sit in Family Court.
Two finishes, one portrait
The final portrait is delivered in color for everyday use: the court's website, press releases, and social media. I also made a black and white version of the same frame. Stripping out color puts the attention on light, shape, and expression, and it gives the portrait a timeless, archival quality that suits a judicial image. A subtle warm tone keeps it from feeling cold.
Having both gives a client options for print, for the courthouse, and for years of use to come.
Congratulations, Judge
Thank you, Judge Proctor-Donald, for trusting J. Albert Studios with this portrait. We wish you every success on the bench.
If you're a newly elected or appointed official, an attorney, or an executive who needs a portrait that carries both authority and warmth, I'd be glad to talk with you. Reach out to J. Albert Studios to schedule a session.
