What To Wear For Your Headshot Session

What To Wear For Your Headshot Session

One of the biggest questions when it comes to scheduling a headshot photo session is “What should I wear?”. While you can certainly wear whatever you like, there are definite go-to guidelines that will guarantee that you look your best in photos. Here are a few suggestions:

1. AVOID PATTERNS AND STRIPES.

While patterns and stripes might look great day to day, for headshots you definitely want to stick to solid colors and non-distracting fabrics. Some patterns can actually create optical illusions like moire in images. Bold stripes will also distract the eye away. The key here is to keep things tidy and simple so that the attention is on your face, not on what you’re wearing.

2. FOR A SLIMMER LOOK, CHOOSE FORM-FITTING & FIGURE-HUGGING 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. 

3. AVOID TRENDS

It’s best to choose something modern yet classic that won’t put a timestamp on you in six months. You can’t go wrong with a classic button-down shirt, a v-neck pullover, suit jacket, or similar style that speaks to your industry.  

 3. SELECT SLEEVES THAT ARE FLATTERING.

Most people have concerns about the way their arms look. While this isn’t an issue if you’re wearing a suit or a blazer, for women who want to wear a dress in their headshot, sleeves can play a big role. The rule of thumb is to avoid cap sleeves as they will make your shoulders look wider in pictures. If you have toned arms, sleeveless shirts and dresses are recommended, or choose the universally flattering 3/4-length or long sleeves. Once again, you’ll want to make sure that the sleeves are form-fitting and not puffy as that will make your arms look larger or might actually draw attention away from your face if the sleeves are elaborately designed.

4. COLORS, PATTERNS AND LOGOS

 Although many people love to wear black, it tends to be a clothing color that can be hard to photograph as it can fall flat in pictures. Consider elegant alternatives like navy, grey or eggplant. A color that closely resembles your skin tone should also be avoided, as you won’t get those contrasting lines between you and your clothing. Avoid logos unless they somehow tell the story of your brand, such as your own logo, or a fashion blogger repping a particular brand.

4. EYEGLASSES

Eyeglasses and lens glare can be tricky.  If you normally wear glasses, plan to wear them for your picture. It’s ideal if they have a non-glare coating, but if they don’t, consider borrowing a pair of glassless frames for your session; otherwise, we can remove the glass glare in post-production for an additional charge.

I hope you found these tips on what to wear for branding or professional headshots helpful. Spending a little time in advance of your shoot preparing your clothing will ensure that your photos are not let down by a poor choice of outfit. You will come out of the session with a great set of images that show you & your brand in the best possible light.