What Should I Wear for My Professional Headshot?
This is the number one question I get from new clients! It feels like a lot of pressure, right? Your headshot has about 3 seconds to make a first impression - and your clothing choice plays a big role in that snap judgment. As a headshot photographer, I've seen how the right outfit can make someone look confident and professional, while the wrong choice can be distracting or even diminish their credibility.
The goal isn't to have the most fashionable outfit, but to choose clothing that supports your message or brand and lets your personality shine through. Your headshot should communicate who you are professionally without your clothes stealing the show. We want your face and expression to be the hero!
Headshot vs Half/Full-body Photos
The first thing to consider is how much of your outfit we will even see. If you are needing only headshots, then the only parts of your outfit we’ll see will be from the chest upward. If you want to build your branding with some half-body or full-body shots, then we need to consider the whole outfit and maybe even shoes.
General Style
Rules are made to be broken, but it is helpful to know the “rules”. Here are a few things I suggest when considering what to wear.
- Fitted clothes always look more polished and slimming. A loose-fitting outfit may be comfortable and be stylish, but can look sloppy in a photo. Opt for something that fits well and shows your outline.
- Solid colors are my go-to recommendation for headshots because they create a clean, timeless look that keeps the focus exactly where it belongs - on your face. That said, subtle patterns can absolutely work beautifully in headshots! I love beautiful large-scale muted plaids you see on quality sport jackets, small prints, or textured fabrics. The key is choosing patterns that complement rather than compete. When in doubt, ask yourself: "Am I looking at the person or their outfit first?"
- Make sure your clothes are well-pressed and camera-ready! A nice crisp collared shirt and pressed jacket looks so polished and professional in a headshot (when that fits your business). If you are wearing a polo shirt, casual cotton shirt, or anything else, you want it to be wrinkle-free and and not faded.
- Dress for the industry you are in. If a suit and tie is the norm, that’s great, and if you’re work is less formal and you can lose the tie, that’s perfect. If you’re in computer tech and a t-shirt is industry-standard, go for that. Polo shirts, casual clothing, or uniforms are all great for headshots when that is what represents you and your profession best!
- Jewelry is generally best when kept to a minimum. It again all about keeping the focus on you and not letting anything else take too much attention.
Options!
At my studio, I encourage clients to bring several outfits with them. We can review them together and decide what works best. I like to photograph them in a number of outfits so that they have more image variety to choose from at the end of the session. I’ve seen many times where that one jacket or cardigan you didn’t think much of turns out to look amazing in a photo!
Over my years as a headshot photographer, I've noticed that clients who follow these wardrobe guidelines not only look better in their photos, but they also feel more confident during the session - and that confidence shows in their final images.