Are you unsure about what to wear for professional headshot photos? No worries, we’ve got you covered!
After years of experience in headshot photography, we know the best colors for headshots female and male professionals alike, plus plenty of tips and tricks for looking your best in all your professional business portraits whether you need one for your company’s website, or just want a fresh and updated profile picture for LinkedIn!
Whether this is your first time figuring out what to wear in a professional headshot, or you’re a seasoned pro, it’s always helpful to have a checklist of reminders. Here are our top headshot dos and don’ts for colors, style, and accessories.
The first thing we ask our Houston headshot clients is what industry they work in and why they are needing a headshot.
Your profession can greatly dictate how to dress for your professional business photo.
For example, corporate headshots what to wear guidelines for the financial or oil and gas industry will need something more conservative than casual professional headshots for an art director or realtor!
The goal is to get the right headshot style for your needs!
These professional headshot outfits guidelines are meant to be the starting point, but we recommend bringing your own personality to your headshot.
This is YOUR personal brand!
Tip #1 – Color and Patterns (for all genders) Do’s and Don’ts for your next Headshot Photography Session
✓ Do wear solid colors. When choosing what color to wear for headshots, solid colors are your best choice for flattering corporate headshots. Patterns or prints can distract and date your photo.
✓ Do choose mid-tone colors in blue, green, wine, and purple as these tend to be the best colors for headshots.
✗ Don’t wear tops that match your skin tone as they will blend your face into your clothes.
✗ Don’t wear bright red or orange unless it’s part of your personal brand.
💡 If you are coming in to update your corporate headshot or because it is required by your company, make sure to check for any branding guidelines or standards for the company you work for. Some businesses like all the employees to have similar looking headshots, especially if these headshots will be on the website.
💡 A fail-safe tip is to pick a top that accentuates your eyes.
What does this mean for you and your eye color?
Here’s a guide for what colors to wear to make your eyes pop:
| Brown eyes, wear: Navy, Gray, Maroon |
Hazel eyes, wear: Dark neutral (brown or gray), Orange, Lavender |
| Blue eyes, wear: Neutrals (beige or taupe), Shades of blue to match, Shades of pink to contrast |
Green eyes: Purple, Forest green, Deep red |
That’s why our client’s love working with us! We help you choose the right outfit for the right headshot!
Tip #2 – Women’s Style and Fit Do’s and Don’ts for your Next Headshot Photography Session
✓ Do wear shirts that have a crew, boat, or narrow V-neckline. These types of shirts are always flattering and will lay nicely. We want to be sure we can see your top after the image is cropped.
✓ Do bring a couple of jacket choices if you typically wear a jacket to work.
✗ Don’t feel the need to wear a jacket if you do not typically wear one to work, you do not need to wear a jacket to look professional!
Also, make sure your clothes fit well. Generally, a little snug is better than baggy and loose.
💡 Try them on a few days before your session just to check.
✗ Don’t wear the following:
- short sleeves or sleeveless styles (unless showing off your arms is important to your personal or professional brand)
- low necklines
- busy or trendy patterns or plaids
- turtlenecks
- shiny fabrics — no silk or satin
Tip #3 – Women’s Accessories Do’s and Don’ts for your Next Headshot Photography Session
✓ Do try to keep jewelry to a minimum. In our own experience, less is more when it comes to accessories. Some things to keep in mind:
Stud or small earrings are best—simple pearls, diamonds, or other gemstones.
✗ Don’t wear jewelry that is too flashy or distracting. Again, less is more when it comes to accessories.
💡 If your signature brand is big jewelry, however, bring it along, and we’ll work together to choose the best options for your headshot. We want your
headshot to be representative of you and your personal brand!
Tip #3 – Men’s Style and Fit Do’s and Don’ts for your Next Headshot Photography Session
✓ Do make sure your clothes fit well. This is especially important for men’s collars, sports coats, and suit jackets.
✓ Do wear a navy or gray coat. Think of your headshot being someone’s first impression of you. Typically, navy suits are best for first impressions, meetings, and interviews. Navy is a great option if you are needing an updated headshot for LinkedIn!
✓ Do bring a couple of sport coat options if you are going for a business casual look. A sport coat can be worn with or without a tie.
✗ Don’t wear a suit coat without a tie. This gives the impression that you are dressing “down.” If you do not wish to wear a tie for your professional headshot, we suggest wearing a sport coat, not a suit coat.
✗ Don’t wear a black coat. Black suits are meant for extremely formal events.
✗ Don’t wear a shirt that causes gaps at the back of your neck and gaping between buttons.
✗ Don’t wear a shirt with a very tight collar. This will cause your neck to “protrude” over your collar- even a little bit over the collar will not look flattering in the photo.
💡 Grooming tip: Please come with hair/beard neatly groomed. Also pay attention to nose and ear hair.
In conclusion…
We’ve covered the essential elements of what to wear for head shot sessions. Whether you’re wondering about the best color shirt for headshots or how to dress for a professional headshot, we can guide you through all aspects of headshot clothing for her and him.
After years of experience in taking business headshots, we can guide you through what to wear and what not wear to help you look your best in all your business portraits.
We hope you enjoyed our tips for how to dress for your Houston Headshot Photography session!
Finally, we’d love to talk to you about planning your next headshot session.