We use a spatial light modulator (SLM) to mimic the effect of gravity and steer the light from a laser to observe Einstein rings with a laboratory camera. The derived programming of the phase of the SLM follows a logarithmic dependence with impact parameter. As expected, we also observe arcs when the source and lensing object are not in line with the observer. Measurements for distinct parameters are consistent with the expectations. The coherent optical beams that are programmed to follow gravitational lensing trajectories have a transverse mode consistent with Bessel functions, yet they do not exhibit the non-diffracting properties of Bessel beams: They expand linearly with the propagation distance. The addition of a vortex phase also produces patterns that coincide with Bessel modes of order given by the topological charge of the vortex.