The old saying, "You are what you wear," couldn't be more true when it comes to professional headshots. Your choice of wardrobe can greatly impact the impression you make in your photos. As a photographer with 20 years experience, I’ve helped hundreds of clients look and feel their best. I'm here, start to finish, to guide you through the process to select the perfect look for your upcoming executive portrait.
Why Does Wardrobe Matter?
Your clothing is an essential part of your image, as it can convey a range of messages and emotions to your audience. Whether you're aiming for a friendly, approachable look or a more formal and professional presence, or want to be sure you come across as the expert you are, your wardrobe plays a crucial role in achieving this look in a headshot.
Consider Your Brand and Audience
Before you dive into your closet, take a moment to think about your personal brand or the message you want to tell. Are you a corporate executive, a small business owner, a nail tech, an author, educator, or a brand consultant? Each of these professions will have very different ideal wardrobes as they’re telling very different stories.
For visuals, ideas and samples to help you dress to impress your customers, you can send us an email to receive our full headshot guide!
Keep It Timeless
While fashion trends come and go, the best wardrobe choices for headshots are often classic and timeless pieces. Solid colors and simple patterns are great choices because they won't distract from your face - you are the main focus after all! You should also try to avoid clothing with other brands’ logos or clothing with a lot of text on it to minimize distractions within your portrait. This also keeps your headshots timely and relevant for a long time.
Be Conscious of the Colors You Choose
Choose colors that complement your skin tone and bring out your natural features. Generally, earth tones, blues, and grays are safe bets. Bold colors can work too if they match your brand or personality, and if our goal is to grab the audience's attention. Just be cautious not to choose colors that overpower you.
Necklines and Necklaces
The neckline of your clothing can have a significant impact on the overall composition of your headshot. V-necklines can elongate the neck, while higher necklines can create a more formal look. For headshots specifically, you often don’t want statement pieces like something overly ruffled or disproportional earrings that can draw too much attention away from you and your message. If you're wearing a necklace or earrings, make sure it enhances your outfit rather than overpowering it.
Want to get really in-depth with the psychology of your image? Schedule a call with Sarah and she’ll help you choose colors, neckline and even shape/material of your jewelry to fit your desired look. Pearls versus diamonds, circles or squares, gold or silver… they all tell a subtly different story.
Layering and Texture
Layering can add depth and interest to your headshot. Consider adding a blazer, cardigan, or scarf to your outfit. Textured fabrics can also add a subtle touch of dimension and choosing a sweater or cardigan can read as inviting, safe and comfortable (perfect for therapists, caregivers, etc).
Comfort and Confidence
Above everything else, choose clothing that makes you feel comfortable and confident. When you're at ease in your outfit, it will come through in your expressions, making your headshots more natural and relaxed.
Plan Ahead and Bring Options
It's a good idea to bring multiple clothing options even to a short headshot portrait session. We can help you decide which outfits work best with the lighting, background, and your overall goals. This also ensures that you get a variety of portraits that you can use for different branding strategies. Even when we’re looking for one final headshot, we use our time together to create a variety of images for other possible uses (email signature, linked in, blog or website header, social media, brochures and business cards, etc).
