Headshot Style Guide

What to wear headshots

Thank you for choosing

Iamdedicatedtocapturingyouruniquepersonalityandfeaturesinthemost professionalwaypossible.Weknowthatdeterminingwhattowearisjustasdifficultas findingtherightphotographer.Eventhoughyourfaceisthefocusofyourheadshots, whatyouwearstillmatters.Everydetailinyourheadshotwillcontributetoyourfirst impression,includingyourclothing,whichiswhywe’veputthisguidetogether.

Ihopethisbrochurehelpstoeasyanyoverwhelmandgiveyousomeguidanceto findthebestoutfitsforyourupcomingheadshotphotos.

outfit session tips

ChoosetheRightColors

Choosecolorsthatcomplementyourhairaswellasyourcomplexion.Takecolor psychologyintoconsideration.Whatmessagedoyouwanttoconveyusingcolor? Notsurewhichcolorslookbestonyou?Lookatoldphotosoraskpeopleyoutrust.

MakeSureItFitsYouWell

Youroutfitshouldfityouwell.Anoversizedjacketorbaggyblousesimplylooks unprofessional.

AddLayers

Ifyouwanttomakeyourheadshotsinterestingwithoutusingpatternsandbig jewelry,layeryourclothinginstead.Justdothisinmoderationifyouwantittohave therighteffectthough.

KeepItWrinkle-Free

Eventhoughyourscheduleisbusy,showinguptoyourheadshotsessioninwrinklefreeclothingisnon-negotiable.

ConsiderYourNiche

Ifyouwantyourheadshotstoappealtoemployersandclientsinyoursector,factor thisintoyouroutfitchoice.Ifyou’reacreative,findwaystoaddatouchoffunto yourheadshotoutfitwithoutitbeingtoodistracting.

A Clothing Color guide

Herearesomegeneralguidelinesforhowtochoosetherightcolorsforyour headshotsandtheeffectthatdifferentcolorsandshadescanhave.

StartwithaNeutralorSolidColor

Basingyouroutfitonaneutralorsolidcolorwillensureyoudon'toverwhelmthe frame. Thinkwhite,cream,black,ornavyblue.

ContrastforBlackandWhite

Ifyouplantotakeblackandwhiteheadshots,choosecontrastingcolors. For example,ifyou'replanningtowearawhiteshirt,optforablackornavyblazer. Wearingalightershirtwithanequallylightjacketwon'tworkforthisstyleof photography.

KeepColorCombosSimple

Layeringisgreatforaddinginteresttoyourheadshots,butifyou'regoingtodoit, makesureyourcolorcombinationsworkwelltogether.

ReduceLightReflectionUsingDeeperColors

Ifyou'replanningtohaveyourheadshotphotosessionoutdoors,choosedeeper colorsinsteadofpale,lightcolorstoavoidlookingwashedoutduetolight reflection.

DrawAttentionwithBoldShades

Whileaboldnecklaceorearringswilldrawattentiontoyourface,itwillplacethe focusonyouraccessories. Ifyouwanttodrawmoreattentiontoyourfaceinyour headshots,wearboldershadesaroundyourneckline.

ConsiderBranding

Ifyourheadshotswillbeusedonyourwebsiteandmarketingmaterial,consider yourbrandcolors. Findsmallwaystoworkthesecolorsintoyouroutfitsothatyour photosarecomplementary.

Here'salookatthepsychologyofcolors. Choosethemostappropriateoptions foryourheadshots:

White: purityandinnocence

Black: mysterious

Orange:optimistic

Yellow: intelligentandjoyful

Red: passionateandenergetic

Green: nurturingandgrowth-oriented

Purple:creative

Pink:playfulandloving

Brown:secure

Gold:successful

Grey:unemotional

Styling tips for women

Deciding What to Wear

AvoidTooMuchDistraction

Patterns,logos,andloudaccessorieswillalltakethefocusoffyourface,whichis whyit'sbesttosticktosolidcolortopsandblousesandtoned-downaccessories. It'salsobestnottoweartopsthataretoolowcutasitwillhavethesameeffect.

MakeSureitFitsYouWell

Eventhoughyourheadshotsonlyfocusontheupperhalfofyourbody,it'sstill importanttomakesureyourtoporblousefitswellasthislooksthemost professional.

LongSleevesareBetter

Shortsleevesaddskintotheedgeofaheadshot,andcanalsobedistracting,which iswhylongsleevesarebetter.

AvoidTransparentClothing

Sinceyouwillbetakingphotosinproperlighting,makesurethatyourtopwon'tbe transparentinbrightlight.

ChoosetheRightUndergarments

Whateveryoudecidetowear,makesurethatyourbraisnotvisible.Checkforstraps andanybumpsthatthefabricmightcreateunderyourtop.

How to Style Your Hair

GoPro

Ideally,ifyouhavesomeextrabudget,it'shighlyrecommendedthatyouhirea professionaltoassistyouwithyourhaironthedayofthesession.

Don'tMakeBigChangesattheWrongTime

Ifyouareplanningtocutorcoloryourhairforyourheadshots,don'tdoittooclose toyoursession. Youneverknowwhensomethingmightgowrong,oryouaren't happywithyournewlook.

OptforaNaturalStyle

Notonlyshouldyoufeelcomfortable,butpeopleshouldstillbeabletorecognize you. Optforahairstylethatyouwouldlikelyweartowork. Upstylescanreally openupyourfaceandneck.

Don'tGoCrazywiththeCurls

Curlingyourhairforyourheadshotsisfine,butdon'tgooverboard,notifyouwant yourphotostostilllooklikeyou.

HairsprayisYourFriend

We'veallhadtodealwithfly-awaysbutthey'renotidealforyourheadshotsession astheycanbedifficulttoeditout. Haveasmallcanofhairsprayonhand.

What to Do About Makeup

HireaProfessional

Asmentionedwithyourhairstyle,it’sbesttohireaprofessionalmakeupartistfor yourheadshotsession.

KeepItNatural

Yourheadshotmakeupshouldmakeyoufeelcomfortableandconfident,soifyou don’tgenerallywearredlipstick,thisisnotthetimetodoit.Keepingyourmakeup asnaturalaspossibleisthebestwaytopreventitfrombecomingadistraction.

AvoidHIghlighter

Becausehighlightercanmakeyourfaceappearshiny,it’sbesttoavoiditontheday ofyourshoot.

GoEasyonthePowder

Remember,yourphotographerisgoingtouseahigh-resolutioncamera,which emphasizesthedetailsofyourskin,includingyourpores.Toomuchpowdercan resultinanunflatteringresult.

Caring for Your Skin

HydrationisEverything

Drinkenoughwaterintheweekleadinguptoyoursessiontokeepyourskinlooking suppleandhealthy.

BookaFacial

Foranaddedlayerofhydration,treatyourselftoafacialafewdaysbeforeyour session.Thisisnotthetimetotryanynewpeels!

ScheduleaWax

Unfortunately,facialhaircanstandoutinaheadshot,whichiswhyyoushould scheduleawaxafewdaysbeforeyoursession.Donotwaxthedaybeforeyour shootasyoucouldstillbered.

ExfoliateandMoisturize

Gentlyexfoliatingyourskinafewdaysbeforeyoursessionwillclearawayanydead anddryskinandflakes.Makeapointofmoisturizingtwiceaday–thisisoverand aboveyourfacial.

GetSomeSleep

Gettingenoughsleepmakesamassivedifferencetoyourface.Youwilllookmore energizedandyourmakeupartistwon’tneedtocoveruppuffyunder-eyebags.

This is the most classic look for business headshots. You can't go wrong with a black blazer. Make sure you choose a well-fitting blazer that accentuates your body shape, as this will be the key item to this look. Styling the blazer with simple black trousers and a white blouse brings this outfit together. Don't forget, you can also remove the blazer while taking photos which gives you two great looks out of one.

Blouse-VinceCamuto/Blazer-VinceCamuto/Trousers-MMLaFleur/Shoes-MGemi

A skirt and blouse option is a perfect combination for the woman looking for a more feminine style. This outfit here is a great example of a monochromatic look, using different tones of neutral beige throughout the outfit. Wear your blouse tucked in to accentuate your waist line and add a belt for extra detailing. If you're looking to add a little personality to this outfit, a silk scarf is a great accessory to give this look a little flair.

Blouse -MMLaFleur/Skirt-MMLaFleur/Scarf-BananaRepublic/Belt-Express/Shoes-AnnTaylor

Work in a more casual environment? White is a great option for those looking for something a little more carefree. I love pairing a white silk blouse with jeans and nude shoes, which gives your look a little more of an unassuming feel. If you're looking to add a tailored aspect to this style, throw on a white blazer, which screams statement item.

Blazer-BBDakota/Jeans-MotherDenim/Blouse-Vince/Shoes-KarlLagerfeld/Earrings-Nordstrom

Styling tips for men

Deciding What to Wear

OptforSolidColors

Solidcolorsarealwaysbetter.Notonlydotheylookmoreprofessionalbutthey’re notdistracting.

ThinkTwiceAboutWhite

Awhiteshirtiscertainlyprofessionalbutkeepinmindthatdoesreflectmorelight.If youaregoingtowearawhiteshirt,thenitisbettertowearsomethingdarkeroverit too.

FittedisBetter

Whateveryouwear,makesureitfitsyouwell.Baggy,looseclothingjustlooks unprofessional.Thisisalsowhyit’simportanttochooseandtryonanyoutfitsafew daysbeforeyourshoot–itgivesyouthechancetotailoryourshirtandjacketor comeupwithaplanB.

UndershirtsAreNotRecommended

Youmightwearanundershirtdaily,buttheydotendtoshowupinphotossince brighterlightingisused.It’sbesttoskiptheundershirtforyourheadshots.

What to Do With Your Hair

ChooseYourAppointmentDateWisely

Ifyouaregoingtocutyourhairbeforeyourheadshotsession,don’tdoittheday before.Cuttingyourhairafewdaysbeforeensuresthelineslookabitmorenatural. Italsogivesyourhairachancetorecovershouldsomethinggowrong.

ShaveattheRightTime

Ifyougenerallyshavethehaironyourheadeveryfewdays,shaveitadayortwo beforeyoursessionforthebestresults.

AvoidRazorBurn

Whileyourfaceshouldlookneatthedayofyoursession,youalsowanttoavoid razorburn.Whetheryou’reshavingyourfacecleanorsimplytidyingupyourfacial hair,usetherightshavingcreamandmoisturizeyourfaceafterward.

TidyUpEarandNoseHair

Don’tforgettotrimanynoseandearhairbeforeyoursession.

Caring for Your Skin

StayHydrated

Waterisyourskin’sbestfriendsodrinkupdailytheweekbeforeyourheadshot appointment.

ShieldYourSkinAgainsttheSun

Stayoutofthesunasmuchaspossibletheweekbeforeyoursession.Andifyoudo needtostepoutside,applysunscreen.

GetSomeShut-Eye

Under-eyebagswillshowupinyourphotosandmakeupcanonlydosomuch,so makeapointofgettingenoughsleep,particularlythenightbeforeyoursession.

A well-fitting navy suit is a fantastic option when taking corporate headshots. Those in more professional industries will want to opt for a more conservative look such as this. Don't forget to accessorize, these items add important details to your look. Brown leather shoes and a belt pair nicely next to the navy which will elevate your style.

Blazer-Bonobos/Toursers-Bonobos/Shirt-Indochino/Belt-AllenEdmonds/Shoes-AllenEdmonds/Tie-Bonobos

Looking for a modern alternative to a suit? This look takes a light khaki blazer, a subtle barely there plaid print and pairs it with chinos and a classic chambray shirt, making the outfit read a bit more casual. This is a great option for the man who might not need to look as conservative in his headshots.

Blazer-Bonobos/Trousers-Bonobos/Shirt-ProperCloth/Belt-Mr P/Shoes-JohnLobb

For business casual looks or those in a more creative industry, try this look. A bomber is a great alternative to a suit jacket or blazer while still giving you a polished look. Pairing the bomber with a polo, like this sweater knit, will give you the option of going sans jacket in your shots. Keep your accessories simple with classic white sneakers and a watch to round out the look.

Sweater-Theory/Watch-Shinola/Bomber-Theory/Shoes-CommonProjects/Pants-JCrew