Searching “what to wear for headshots” can be exhausting! One person might say “don’t wear bold colors”, while another blog tells you “yes, you should use color”, and you’re left wondering which is correct!
As professional photographers with years of experience making people look and feel amazing, you can bet we have opinions! That’s why we created this little cheat sheet to help you decide, once and for all, what to wear. We’ve seen what works best for our clients and what leaves them with images that make them happy. So use us, learn from us, trust us – we’ve got you!
Keep reading for pro tips on what to wear for your upcoming headshot session.
Your Guide to What to Wear for an Amazing Headshot Session
Let’s start with a few things that we consider A-OK in headshots:
- PATTERNS: totally fine, just keep them simple and subtle. Leave your Hawaiian shirt at home. :D
- COLOR: don’t hide in neutrals. Headshots are typically captured on a neutral background, so color makes you pop. If a certain color makes you look amazing – wear it!
- LAYERS: a jacket or blazer provides polish and structure to any outfit.
- STYLE: business-casual attire wins – collars, button-down shirts, tailored cuts, and sleek fabrics. Avoid clothing that is overly baggy on top or wrinkles easily.
- ACCESSORIES: add them with intention – scarves, earrings, jewelry, and eyeglasses all add to your personal style, but don’t go overboard or they can quickly steal focus from you!
- NECKLINES: choose necklines that frame your face – collars, lapels, structured tops – but avoid low-cut or off-the-shoulder as these can create unflattering illusions when cropped in tight.
- MAKEUP: It’s true what they say – go a little darker on makeup, especially blush and eyeshadow. Flash can wash you out!
Now let’s talk about the things that we want to avoid:
- LOGOS: wearing busy patterns, logos, or graphic tees distracts from your face
- STYLE CHANGES: getting a new haircut, first-time makeup look, or fresh spray tan right before your headshots can leave you with images that don’t look like the real you.) If you plan to do any of these, do it a week or two in advance!
- TOUCH-UPS: consider bringing blotting powder for shine or a lint roller for stray hairs/fuzz. While we do retouch all images, a quick once-over before your shoot will always help.
- EYEGLASSES: avoid eyeglasses with glare-prone or self-tinting lenses (like blue blockers or Transitions), or bring a backup pair
Remember, we’re always here to help! If you’re uncertain about a clothing item or just want additional suggestions, don’t hesitate to ask us before your session!
Additional Prep for Your Headshot Session
Hey overachiever – feel like that all sounds easy, and you’re ready for more? A little extra prep before your headshot session can go a long way! Here are some additional suggestions to help you truly have the best headshot session experience possible:
Hydrate the day before and the day of your session
Hydration works wonders! It makes your skin glow, and it can also help reduce puffiness and dark circles.
Get enough sleep the night before your session
Sleep is always important, but especially so the night before your headshot session so you can show up with bright eyes and energy. A good night’s rest can also help improve your appearance!
Don’t stress about posing or how you’re going to look on camera
You don’t need to worry about coming to your session knowing exactly what to do with your hands, your best angle, what different poses to try, etc. We handle all of this for you and will guide you every step of the way!
We completely understand if you feel nervous before your headshot. This is totally normal, but remember we are here to help you feel relaxed and confident. You’ve got this!
Ready To Book Your Headshot Session?
Bottom line – everyone needs a headshot. It’s your first impression to the business world, and it should tell them exactly who you are!
Looking for a Texas headshot photographer for your corporate headshots or individual professional headshots? Whether we’re setting up at your conference to capture all 500 attendees, or photographing an executive one-on-one in their office, at See Pink, we’re all about delivering on what matters – making you look good.
You can reach out to us here or go here to learn more about our headshot services.
We look forward to what we can create together!
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