Choosing the Right Clothing for Your Professional Headshot

A professional headshot is more important than one may think, but you may only realize it once your boss asks for one or it’s time for a big interview. The old one of you might be outdated, or you may not have one at all, which means it’s time to schedule a portrait session. Whatever the circumstance, as a professional photographer who has been doing this for many years, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. No one likes taking their picture, not even me, but I work my hardest to make it quick, painless, and end with a result you’ll like. 

What to wear? 

When getting a professional headshot, there isn’t exactly a one-size-fits-all answer regarding what to wear. As frustrating as this answer may be, it’s the truth. You have to ask yourself what you want your portrait to say about you. Who is your audience, and how do you want to be perceived? Your answer may require a full suit and tie or just the classic business casual– that is for you to decide. 

Let’s take it back to the basics and elaborate on a post I wrote a couple of years ago giving guidance on your clothing for a professional headshot. 

Fit

Maybe the blazer in the back of your closet is what you picture yourself in, but the fit isn’t quite right and leaves you feeling the opposite of confident. Pick something different! Your confidence shows in your photo. Find something that fits you well, flatters your body, and makes you feel photo-ready. 

I’ve said it once, and I will say it again. If your outfit doesn’t make you feel confident, powerful, intelligent, accomplished, however you want to feel, the camera can tell and will affect the entire shoot. You will never like your photos if you don’t like how you feel. 

Feeling good on the inside is just as important as looking good on the outside. Here are some basic rules to follow when picking out your outfit. 

• Stay away from large prints, small patterns and white. If you are not wearing a jacket a solid shirt looks best and if you are, a solid shirt with a patterned tie looks sharp. 
• Don’t wear a polo. The collar doesn’t hold its shape which can leave you looking unprofessional. 
• If you are unsure about an outfit, bring a back up to the shoot and ask your photographer what they think. A second opinion can be a big help. 

Have I washed this? 

As odd as it sounds, make sure your clothes are spotless. The camera can pick up the tiniest spots, stains, and even dust. I recommend you dry clean your coats and press your pants and shirts; it makes all the difference. You may even want to consider bringing your clothes to the shoot and changing there to avoid any last-minute coffee spill stains or wrinkles before photo time. 

What colors should I wear to my headshot session?

Color matters. Here are color combinations with different colors and tones that you may want to consider for your outfit. Typically you want to avoid high contrasting colors, anything shiny or too close to your skin color. Colors that are of a similar hue and compliment each other nicely are best. 

When bringing in a team, it is important to put together a color scheme in advance for all of your staff to adhere to. If all of the photos will appear on the same website landing page, cohesion among both the individual and group portraits are important. Having everyone photographed on a similar background, and choosing from one of the color palettes below, will give your business a more unified and professional appearance.

Ladies…

• Don’t try a new hairstyle the day of. It can be stressful if it doesn’t turn out how you want and leaves you short on time. 
• Don’t apply powder until right before the shoot. It helps cut down on the shine when it is freshly applied. If you have the room in your budget and would like, hire a makeup artist to be on set while you get your photos done to ensure you look your best. It is worth every penny and can save time in the editing stage. 
• If it is fitting for you, consider bringing a piece of statement jewelry. It can be a fun flare to your photos. If it’s trendy, it is excellent for any current photos, but we can also shoot some photos of you without it for less-dated pictures later. We want these to last you as long as possible.
• Be thoughtful of the neckline that you choose. The wrong move could make you look decades behind in the fashion trends. I recommend something classic like jewel, boat, Peter Pan or collared necklines. 
• If you wear glasses, clean them well before the shoot. Fingerprints are not professional.
  Please clean your glasses if you will be wearing them in your photo.

Men…

• Please clean your glasses if you will be wearing them in your photo.
• We want you to look sharp. Make sure you show up looking your best. Consider getting a clean shave and haircut a few days before. 

Should I smile?

You would be surprised how many people come into their session asking whether or not they should smile. This is something that is dependent upon your job and how you want the world to perceive you. It is important to remember that your headshot is the first time someone may interact with you – It solidifies their image of you in their head. Even though there’s such a significant difference in the clientele of a professional florist and a corporate litigator, your look is essential. One may require a personable, kind smile, while the other calls for a more stern, intelligent look- but either way, you need to look approachable and have a little twinkle in your eyes. 

I hope these tips leave you feeling more prepared and confident walking into your shoot. Please contact me to book a session on-site or at my Fayetteville photo studio. I would love to help you update your image.