What to Wear for a Professional Headshot
There’s truth to the adage “clothes make the man” or woman. The way we dress conveys information about our identity both in and outside of the workplace, and has a direct impact on what others believe about us. That includes beliefs about how much influence and power we have, how smart we are, and even how much money we make. All of this affects whether hiring managers, coworkers and clients consider us trustworthy and reliable.
Beyond having the right professional pose and portrait style, what you choose to wear in your headshots will help establish your professional identity within your network. Since most people will see your professional headshot before they meet you in person, your wardrobe in professional headshots is also an important part of making a great first impression.
As you prepare for your headshot session, consider these wardrobe tips and tricks for great professional portraits!
Style Tips for Professional Headshots
Dress Like Your Boss
Appropriate dress in the workplace varies widely by industry. Lawyers and doctors are generally expected to dress in a more formal and conservative way, whereas those working in technical or creative roles may look out of place if they come to work in a suit and tie.
When in doubt, look to your boss or another industry leader you respect and admire. The way your superiors dress is usually a good indicator of what’s appropriate for your industry, and will help you convey confidence without appearing as if you’re trying too hard.
Avoid Overly-Casual Clothing
Even if you work in an industry where informal dress is the norm, consider wearing more formal threads for your headshots if you want to appear more confident and authoritative. Wearing more formal clothing can contribute to a feeling of power and control, which can impact your posture and presence in photos.
The way you feel behind the camera will impact how you appear in your photos, so consider formal clothing options that make you feel good about yourself. Stick with formal options like suits, ties and formal blouses if you need an extra boost of confidence.
Opt for Suit-Inspired Portraits
For better or worse, clothing traditionally perceived as more masculine — including trousers, blazers and suit jackets in darker hues — can have a significant impact on perceptions of intelligence and ability, especially when it comes to people in management and leadership positions.
Avoid Older, Worn-Out Clothing
Everyone has one favourite piece of clothing that they’ll wear over and over — but over time, even the nicest blouses and shirts will begin to show signs of wear. This is especially true of brightly-coloured clothing or knitted fabrics, which could fade or show signs of pilling. Opt for newer clothing or “dry clean only” items that won’t show these tell-tale signs of wear to ensure your clothes make you look tailored and put together,
Less is More - Stick with Simple Jewelry
The best professional headshots enhance your natural features without distracting from them. For this reason, simple jewelry is a better choice for professional headshots – especially if your headshot will be cropped closely to your face (as most are).
So long as you have the right hair and makeup for your headshot session, jewelry should just be a “finishing touch.” Make sure the pendant on a necklace is visible above the crop of the photo. For earrings, stick with simple metallic or gemstone studs. Wear dangling earrings with caution. Hoop earrings and anything that dangles tends to be caught in hair and gets lost in the photo anyway.
Colours Make a Difference
What Colours To Wear for Headshots
Colours influence our moods, thoughts and behaviors – and how certain wardrobe hues can influence what others believe about us. Red conveys confidence and energy, whereas navy blue and black elicits a sense of dominance and authority. Think about the message you want to convey in your professional headshots and select colours accordingly.
Dark colours are perceived as more formal, dominant and authoritative
Light colours make the wearer appear more friendly and approachable
Some bright colours convey confidence and energy
Muted colours are conservative and less threatening
High-contrast pairings like a dark jacket and light shirt can create a powerful image that conveys influence and authority
Stick with Solid Colours
Simple colours and subtle patterns usually look best on everyone. Bold or busy patterns tend to distract from your face and can lead to moire, an unpleasant visual rainbow side effect of repeating patterns.
Contrast with Your Skin Tone
Professional portraits look best when your skin tone, your clothing and your backdrop all contrast as a general rule. When choosing what colours to wear, make sure the colour is significantly darker or lighter than your skin tone so you don’t look nude from afar.
Clothing Fit
Wear a Higher Neckline
Keep in mind that headshots are typically cropped closely around your head and face. Even work-appropriate tops with lower necklines could end up looking more provocative than intended in professional headshots that are cropped closely.
For men who plan to wear a button-up shirt, make sure the buttons won’t connect below the crop of the photo. For women, blouses and tops with higher necklines are best. Women in particular are perceived to be less competent if their clothing is considered provocative or revealing.
Opt for Tighter Clothing
More closely-fitted clothing tends to look cleaner and less distracting than loose or baggy clothing, especially for formal or business-casual photos. If you plan to wear a blazer or suit jacket, make sure it fits closely around the shoulders and arms – even if that means it’s slightly too tight. If you’re concerned about your waistline, don’t worry – most headshots are taken with jackets and blazers unbuttoned, as the creases along your ribs tend to show at the bottom border of the photo.
The same goes for collared shirts and blouses. If you plan to wear a collared shirt buttoned to the top, make sure it fits snugly around your neck. Loosely-fitted collars leave distracting gaps that draw attention away from your features.