What to Wear for Professional Headshots: A Guide for Those Who Identify as Women
Your headshot is meant to capture 'the real you,' so it's important to think about what you'd like to wear in your photos.
There are endless options under the “business attire” umbrella, so how do you narrow it down to an outfit in your closet or purchase an upgrade for your professional headshot session? I’ve outlined below some things to think about as you make your selections. Please, feel free to bring between 7 and 10 outfits so you have alternatives for your professional headshot session.
Ultimately, you should wear outfits that make you feel empowered and amazing. This will come through in your headshot photos.
What is a typical headshot?
A classic headshot photo is from the chest up, so you see only the upper part of the body. A branding image, in contrast, is usually 3/4 or a full-body photo. For your business headshot, we lean toward classic, so the focus is on your face and upper body.
Our goal is to exemplify your credibility through a professional headshot that will make you feel glorious.
What is the difference between professional headshots vs. personal headshots?
Business headshots are similar to personal brand photos in that both photos tell your “story.” The difference is in the words your audience will use to describe you from viewing your photo.
Your “story” is what and who you are portraying to the world. Think about your image and how you want your viewers to see you.
How do you want to be described from your photo?
Business headshots typically aim to depict a number of professional characteristics:
an expert in the field
credible
loyal
a leader
driven
hard working
approachable and confident
intelligent, etc.
In contrast, personal branding images might exude your personality by highlighting your:
creativity
fun-loving nature
friendliness
While in the studio, most of my clients will have photographs taken for both their professional and personal digital brands. Make sure you bring several outfits for both brand types.
What can I use my headshot for?
You may have in mind uses for your headshot, but you will find it useful in more ways than expected. This is something you can use across the Internet and for many types of interactions. Examples include:
Professional digital brand:
LinkedIn profile
Career transition or job interview
Company or business website
Email signature
CV
Teams/Microsoft Office/Slack
Board seat
Speaking engagement/bio
Company ID badge
And, the list goes on…
Personal digital brand:
Dating site
Divorce empowerment picture
Facebook or Instagram
How should my clothing fit for a professional headshot?
The most important aspect of any article of clothing is the fit, and that you feel fabulous in your clothes. Here are a few tips:
→ Check the neckline: remember that a business headshot will likely be cropped right below your sternum, so make sure you’re comfortable with the neckline. Depending on the height of the shell you’re wearing under your jacket, you may or may not see it in the final shot. If it’s important to you that it be seen, make the sure shell/neckline is high enough.
→ If you're wearing a jacket, the shell or blouse underneath shouldn't be pulling, gaping, or wrinkling.
→ If your top has a collar, it should be at a comfortable height and stand up well, without wrinkles. It should fit well.
→ Think form fitting: your top shouldn’t be too tight or too big. Many clients find getting their outfits (jackets, tops, etc.) tailored very helpful.
→Pay attention to any wrinkles around the arm holes, too.
Most importantly, I want you to wear items that you love. This will come through in the photos.
We have tricks we'll employ during the photo session to ensure a proper fit, but ideally, the outfit should conform to your shape and fit well from the onset.
What colors should I wear?
For a professional headshot, classic business attire colors like navy, dark gray and black work well for practically everyone.
To coordinate your color palette with your skin tone and hair color, I recommend wearing:
Earth tones — they work well for most skin tones, eye colors, and hair.
Darker neutral shades work well.
Pastels — If you love pastels, and they support your brand colors, bring options and we’ll try them.
Black — mostly everyone can wear black and it photographs really well.
Blues and grays for fair skin with blond hair and blue eyes.
Browns and greens for green eyes.
Light neutral shades including white and cream also work well.
Most importantly, bring colors that you love.
Textures work well, too.
What to wear for a professional headshot.
Should I wear solid colors or patterns?
Solid colors are typically better than patterns. If the print pattern is small, we’ll try it — the camera may love it. However, I suggest avoiding busy patterns.
Choose colors that work well with your skin tone and don't make you look red, yellow or green.
Medium to dark colors and white or light colors photograph well.
Avoid neon colors.
Should I wear a jacket?
Think about your career— if you’d typically wear a jacket, it will likely be a good choice for your professional headshot. If you're on a board or interested in joining a board, then I highly recommend having a business headshot with a jacket.
Creative fields can be less formal.
Wear a jacket that fits your style.
Black jackets and blazers photograph well, and can be fun when paired with a shell or blouse with a pop of color or neutral tone.
For your personal brand, denim jackets and leather jackets, vegan leather jackets are fun to wear. I want you to channel your inner wild child.
Nix the 80’s jackets with large shoulder pads, and make sure the arms fit well and don’t have too much loose fabric around the arm holes and sleeves.
The photos should reflect who you are. I want you to look like you and that means wearing what you would in real life, and what you love. If you wear what you love, it will come though in the photos.
Should I wear jewelry?
If you are in a creative field or jewelry is part of your brand, you should wear it. But if you want more of a conservative business look, I’d suggest not wearing jewelry in your professional head shot.
Your face should be the hero of your headshot, and when you wear jewelry, the viewer’s eye goes first to the jewelry and then to you.
My recommendation is that If you think you’d like it, bring it, and we'll see what you prefer.
Should I wear glasses during my professional headshot?
If you wear glasses, you should bring them. Glasses can be fun, and can add personality to your photo.
Bring multiple frames — even colorful frames — and we can see which pair or pairs you like best.
Don’t worry if there’s reflection. We can usually work around that, and what can’t be managed during the shoot can be managed in post-production retouching.
What type of shoes should I wear?
It’s best to wear flats or sneakers for your professional photo shoots. Why? High-heeled shoes may make you pitch forward. I want you to be comfortable during your shoot.
What beauty preparation do I need before my professional headshot?
Here are a few of my beauty tips:
Don’t get your hair cut the day before or the day of. You're going to have your photo for at least a year, and you want to be sure you love your hair.
Have your eyebrows professionally done.
Hydrate and get enough sleep the night before the shoot.
Be on top of your skin care.
Avoid salty foods a few days prior.
How should I do my makeup and wear my hair?
If you prefer having your hair and makeup done professionally, we can either coordinate with our hair and makeup artist before your session, or you can use your own team.
If you're doing your makeup yourself, aim for a natural look with a light foundation.
How would you want to look for your dream job? Let that inspiration shine through your makeup and hair style, but still come as you!
Avoid moisturizers with SPF and avoid using a bronzer. However, if you want a bronzer, you can bring one if you feel you'd like to add it after seeing a test shot.
What else should I know for the photo session?
Have fun! We’re going to capture the real you. I want you to enjoy your session and love your photos.
Finding the best attire can be tricky, so if you have any questions, please email me at alissa@allaboutheadshots.com. I’d love to hear from you!
About Alissa
Alissa is a professional headshot photographer who creates photos that capture your essence. Alissa is based in New Jersey and provides her headshot services in NJ and NYC. Check out more of Alissa’s portfolio on the homepage, and read more photo stories on the blog.