Vinson threw up his hands in mock horror, rolled his eyes and intoned “Oh, God forbid!” The court burst into laughter, and Fabian caught their gleeful moment with high-speed flash. An article later published by The Saturday Evening Post explained: Wanting the subjects more tightly grouped, Pennington said, “Justice Clark, will you move to the left?” At this request Chief Justice Frederick M. In 1950, his quick thinking-aided by new high-speed lighting equipment-led to this spontaneous and humorous moment in the Court’s family album of group photographs. All rights reserved.One of the new photographers in the 1940s was Fabian Bachrach, Jr., who ran a distinguished national chain of portrait studios. A new class photo generally won’t be taken until another justice joins the court.Ĭopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

The justices also were photographed together at Jackson’s ceremonial investiture last week. Jackson is standing at the far right.īecause no cameras are allowed in the courtroom when the justices hear arguments, the class photo is one of the few times the group is photographed together. The justices sit in order of seniority with the longest-serving justice, Justice Clarence Thomas, sitting on Roberts’ right. The four remaining justices stand behind them. Five of the justices are seated in their black robes with Chief Justice John Roberts in the center. Jackson participated in her first arguments this week because the justices began their summer break when she joined the court.įriday’s formal photo captured by news photographers is sometimes called the group’s “class photo.” In it, the justices are positioned in front of a red curtain, similar to their courtroom’s red drapes. It’s also the first time the court has had two Black justices.

It’s the first time white men don’t hold a majority on the court and the first time four women have served together. With her addition, the court marks a number of firsts. The new image includes Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black female justice, who joined the court in June.

But it has never looked quite like the one taken on Friday.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The group photo of the Supreme Court’s nine members is a long-standing ritual.

Download supreme court class photo 2022