A professional headshot is a powerful tool to showcase your personal brand, whether you are an entrepreneur, an actor, a model, or a corporate employee. Your headshot can make a lasting impression on potential clients, employers, or collaborators, so you want to look your best and convey your personality and professionalism.

But how do you choose what to wear for your headshot session? What colors, styles, and accessories will help you stand out and look confident and approachable? Here are some tips and tricks to help you dress for success in your headshot photos.

1. Dress for your industry and audience. Different industries have different expectations and norms when it comes to professional attire. For example, if you work in a corporate or legal field, you may want to opt for a formal and conservative look, such as a suit or a blazer and slacks in solid, neutral colors like navy, black, or gray. On the other hand, if you work in a creative or tech field, you may want to show more of your personality and style with bolder colors, patterns, or casual clothing. Think about who will see your headshot and what message you want to send them. Dress like your boss or someone you admire in your industry.   
2. Choose colors that flatter your skin tone and hair color. While there is no one-size-fits-all rule for what colors to wear for headshots, some general guidelines are to avoid neon shades, flesh tones, and white. Neon colors can create unnatural color casts on your skin, flesh tones can blend into your skin too much, and white can wash you out or make you look pale. Instead, opt for colors that complement your skin tone and hair color. For example, if you have warm undertones, you may look good in earthy tones like brown, green, or orange. If you have cool undertones, you may look good in jewel tones like purple, blue, or pink. If you have dark hair, you may want to contrast it with lighter colors. If you have light hair, you may want to contrast it with darker colors.

3. Avoid distracting patterns, logos, images, or accessories. You want your headshot to focus on your face and eyes, not on what you are wearing. Therefore, avoid anything that can draw attention away from your face or make your headshot look busy or cluttered. This includes patterns like stripes, checks, polka dots, or florals; logos or images on your clothing; thin straps or low-cut shirts that can show too much skin; and accessories like hats, sunglasses, scarves, or jewelry that can obscure your face or neck. Instead, opt for simple and solid clothing that fits well and enhances your features.

4. Add layers and textures for variety and interest. While you want to keep your clothing simple and solid, you don’t want it to be boring or bland. One way to add some variety and interest to your headshot is to layer different pieces of clothing or use different textures. For example, you can wear a jacket over a shirt, a cardigan over a blouse, a sweater over a dress shirt, or a vest over a turtleneck. You can also choose fabrics that have some texture or depth to them, such as wool, denim, leather, velvet, or lace. Layers and textures can create dimension and contrast in your headshot and make it more dynamic and appealing.

5. Bring multiple outfits to change into during the session. One of the benefits of hiring a professional photographer for your headshot is that they can help you choose the best outfit for each shot. They can also advise you on how to adjust your clothing for different poses and backgrounds. Therefore, it’s a good idea to bring multiple outfits to change into during the session so that you have more options and flexibility. You may want to bring outfits that suit different purposes or audiences in your industry. For example, if you are an actor or a model, you may want to bring outfits that showcase different aspects of your personality or range of roles. If you are an entrepreneur or a corporate employee, you may want to bring outfits that suit different levels of formality or occasions.

6. Include men’s, women’s and children’s clothing options if applicable. If you are taking headshots for yourself only, then you only need to worry about what suits you best. However, if you are taking headshots for your family or team members as well, then you need to consider what works well for everyone involved. You may want to coordinate the colors and styles of the clothing so that they look harmonious and consistent in the group shots. You may also want to choose clothing that is appropriate for the age and gender of each person. For example, for men’s headshots, avoid wearing an undershirt that can show through the shirt collar or buttons; for women’s headshots, avoid wearing clothing that is too tight or too loose that can create unwanted wrinkles or bulges; for children’s headshots, avoid clothing that is too childish or too mature that can make them look out of place or uncomfortable.

7. Prepare your clothing in advance and iron it before the session. Last but not least, make sure you prepare your clothing in advance and iron it before the session. You don’t want to show up with wrinkled or stained clothing that can ruin your headshot. You also don’t want to waste time and money on choosing or buying new clothing at the last minute. Plan ahead and select your outfits a few days before the session. Try them on and see how they look and feel on you. Make any adjustments or alterations if needed. Iron them and hang them on hangers or fold them neatly. Bring them to the session in a garment bag or a suitcase to keep them clean and wrinkle-free.

In Conclusion

Your professional headshot is more than just a photo of your face. It’s a representation of your personal brand, your professionalism, and your personality. Therefore, choosing what to wear for your headshot is an important decision that can affect how others perceive you and interact with you.

By following these tips and tricks, you can dress for success in your headshot and make a lasting impression on your audience. Remember, the key is to choose clothing that suits your industry, flatters your features, and reflects your style.

If you need more help or guidance on what to wear for your headshot, don’t hesitate to contact us at 720-772-6115 or email me directly at randy@photograffx.com. We can help you create stunning headshots that showcase your best self and help you achieve your goals.