What to Wear for Professional Headshots-What Expert Marketing Photographers Say!

Professional headshots are an important part of establishing your professional brand and visibility. A bad photo can make you appear unprofessional, untrustworthy, or unapproachable, so it's critical to plan your shoot ahead of time.

Other than the usual business casual standards, there are no real rules for what to wear for professional headshots. Don't ever show up in worn-out clothing or a jeans and t-shirt combo unless you want to look like a student instead of a professional. So there's a lot to think about, such as choosing the right outfit, color, pattern, texture, and accessories to ensure your photos reflect you as an expert in your field.

You may believe that what you wear is unimportant in a photo where everything has been digitally adjusted and nothing is visible, but keep in mind that first impressions matter to prospective clients or employers, even when it comes to things like your LinkedIn profile or an online resume.

You never know who might see your headshot, so keep these pointers in mind when deciding what to wear for a business headshot.

Style Tips for Your Next Professional Headshot Photoshoot

While a great photographer can capture your personality, you must show up prepared and ready to stand out. Here's how to do it:

Get the Basics Right

Before considering what to wear for professional headshots, ensure you've mastered the fundamentals.

Ensure your hair is clean, styled, and out of your face. If you normally wear glasses, ensure you have a clean, solid pair for the shoot. Remember to consider the season and whether or not you can layer your clothing appropriately.

Your Skin Tone Is Key

You may not realize it, but your skin tone significantly impacts selecting an appropriate wardrobe for your headshot session. Colors that do not complement your complexion should be avoided because they can make you appear sickly or washed out in photographs.

Avoid Busy Patterns, Prints, or Accessories

Knowing what NOT to wear during your headshot session is extremely important. If you're in your twenties, you probably feel at ease in jeans and a t-shirt. However, if you want to appear more professional and gain an advantage over your direct competition, you should update your wardrobe with multiple outfits of professional attire.

Prints, busy patterns, and accessories should be avoided. A solid-colored shirt in a neutral color, such as white or black, is always appropriate.

Consider Whether It's Appropriate to Wear Glasses

A pair of glasses can make you appear more intellectual and credible in a headshot for your LinkedIn profile or website. But if you're looking for retail or food service work, you might want to leave them at home.

However, this depends on your line of work. For instance, if your line of work generally involves you sitting at a computer all day, then future employers might feel a bit more confident looking at your resume.

Avoid Wearing Overly Casual Clothing

You want potential clients to see you as a professional, so avoid wearing anything too casual. It does not imply that you must wear a suit; rather, you should dress in a manner that conveys that you are serious about your business and what you do.

Choose Accessories That Stand Out

If you're unsure what to wear for professional headshots, consider using your accessories to draw attention. You can stand out and draw attention to your face with the right accessories.

Wear a tie or other darker accessories, for example, to draw attention to your face if you have light hair. Use a lighter-colored tie or another accessory to draw attention to your face if you have dark hair.

Consider wearing a solid-colored tie with a patterned shirt to draw attention to your face. Wear a patterned tie or other accessories with a solid-colored shirt to draw attention to your face and make you appear more approachable.

What to Consider When Choosing Your Outfit

Your Message

It is critical to consider the message you want your corporate headshot to convey. A suit or business attire is probably your best bet if you're a serious, buttoned-up professional. A more relaxed outfit might be appropriate if you're more casual and laid back. Consider how you want people to perceive you when they see your photo. Make sure your clothing conveys that image.

Your Branding and Style

Your clothing should also be consistent with your brand and style. A casual outfit may be appropriate if you have a simple, laid-back brand. A suit or business attire is probably your best bet if you want to project a professional image. Consider how you want people to perceive you when they see your photo.

Your Body Type

Another factor to consider when deciding what to wear for business headshots is your body type. If you're tall and thin, a suit or business attire may make you look like a skinny scarecrow. A more casual outfit may be appropriate if you are short and round, as it will help you appear more substantial in your photo, but try to avoid baggy clothing.

Your Style Personality

Consider your style and personality when deciding what to wear for business headshots. A suit or business attire is probably your best bet if you're a classic, elegant person. A more casual outfit might be appropriate if you're more funky and casual. Consider how you want people to perceive you when they see your photo. Make sure your clothing conveys that image.

Choose Kuoh Photography for Your Next Professional Headshot Session

In the digital age, working professionals must invest in high-quality photos of themselves to give their target audience a good first impression, be it on LinkedIn, an online resume, or social media channels.

Working professionals in the digital age must invest in high-quality photos of themselves to make a good first impression on LinkedIn, an online resume, or social media channels.

Kuoh Photography is a professional photography business specializing in headshot, product, and event photography. Rest assured that our work will help improve your career opportunities so you can get the job of your dreams.

Call us today at (415) 968-1004 to request a free quote for our services.