What
TO WEAR
FeEl Your Best, Look your best
How to Dress for your headshots
Wardrobe is important. Not only do clothes convey a lot about who you are, they can make you feel confident.
Feeling confident, comfortable, and relaxed is the first step to a successful session. Here is my best advice for choosing what to wear for your headshots.
Setting the Tone
What kind of image do you want to convey? Serious and businesslike? Laid back and casual?
Cutting edge or creative? Who you are and what your profession is will dictate this for you.
Choosing your outfit
- You can simply start with a color that you like, or choose an item of clothing that you know you feel great in. If you don't know where to start, here are a few tips:
- Layering is great. Jackets, sweaters, etc., will all help to frame the face and add interest. Don't be afraid of accessories like scarves or necklaces as long as they don't overwhelm.
- Long sleeves are best for headshots, since some of your arms will show which can distract the eye from your face.
- Patterns are OK as long as they don't overwhelm. Think small checks vs large plaids or florals. Don't ignore your bottom half. We may take some shots in seated poses and your pants may show.
- For men: The standard business look is suit/jacket, dress shirt and tie. Business casual can be a jacket and open collar shirt, or shirt with no tie.
- For women: Define your waist rather than hide behind baggy clothes. Belted jackets, peplum tops, and fitted blazers are great for this. V, or Scoop necks are flattering and elongate the neck.
- Feel free to bring a few options (including accessories) to your session and we can look through them together. If you are doing a custom session, we'll photograph you in more than one outfit.
A bit about Color
- In general, darker colors are better and more flattering. Jewel tones and richer neutrals like chocolate, dark gray, or navy, are great alternatives to black.
- A neutral base with a pop of color adds interest.
- People often hear that they should stay away from black and white, but it's really a matter of personal taste, and skin tone. You don't want black to drag you down, and you don't want white to wash you out. Both colors do well accessories or layers.
- A fail-safe tip is to pick a top that accentuates your eyes.
Other Tips
- Please be sure that clothes fit well - A too-big blazer or button down will look messy. Don't forget to press your clothes - I can't stress this enough.
- Hair should be worn as you normally would, but hairspray will tame flyaways. Blowouts are a great idea, and retouch your roots if need be. Best time for a haircut is a week or so prior to your session.
- Make-up should be kept natural, and it can be a nice treat to have it professionally done. False eyelashes are OK as long as they aren't overdone. Avoid anything with shine. Matte is best.
- Groom or shape your eyebrows a day before your session. Men should shave close to the time of the session to avoid five o'clock shadow.
- Feel free to bring a few options (including accessories) to your session and we can look through them together. If you are doing a custom session, we'll photograph you in more than one outfit.
- Drink lots of water and be well rested ahead of your session.
- Lastly, because everyone asks -- yes, I have some photoshop tricks up my sleeve, and I'm willing to use them (sparingly).
