Outfit choice shapes how your headshots turn out more than almost anything else, including the location and the light. The good news: the rules are simple, and you probably already own something that works.
Colors that photograph well
Rich, solid colors keep the attention on your face. Navy, charcoal, cream, forest green, burgundy, camel and slate blue all photograph beautifully and work for almost every skin tone.
Stark white, neon and very bright colors tend to overpower your face on camera. Busy patterns and large logos pull the eye away from you. For a headshot, your face is the point.
Years ago, a family showed up to their session dressed almost entirely in red. It made the shoot pretty difficult, and it’s a big reason I steer clients toward the colors above.
Five rules for headshot outfits
1. Solid colors for headshots
Save the patterns for a brand session, where variety helps. For the photo that goes on LinkedIn and your company website, solids win every time.
2. Bring 2–3 outfits
Different looks give you options for different platforms: something more formal for your company bio, something softer for social media.
3. Fit matters more than brand
Well-tailored clothes read as polished at any price. Steam or iron everything and hang it up the night before. Wrinkles show more on camera than in a mirror.
4. Dress for your industry
An attorney and a creative director need different things from their photos. Dress for how you want to be seen in your field, one small step above what you’d wear on a normal workday.
5. Glasses? Ask about anti-glare
Glare on lenses is manageable during a session, but an anti-reflective coating prevents it. If you wear glasses every day, wear them in your photos so people recognize you.
What I see most often
The two outfits I see most that don’t work on camera: an empire-waist dress (unless it’s a maternity session) and a work polo tucked into pants. Instead, I suggest a fitted dress with more structured, angular lines, or a pressed button-up. Even a good, plain T-shirt works better than the polo.
And one thing I tell every client: get your nails done, eyebrows waxed, and everything trimmed and cleaned up the day before. And drink a lot of water.
Before every session, I ask clients to send photos of their outfit options. I’ll tell you what will photograph best and what to leave at home, so you walk in confident.
Planning a brand session?
A personal brand session needs a wardrobe plan, not just an outfit. My free guide, The Professional’s Guide to Personal Brand Photography, has one, along with a brand session shot list and a session-day checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color should I wear for a professional headshot?
Solid, rich colors photograph best: navy, charcoal, cream, forest green, burgundy, camel and slate blue. Avoid stark white, neon, busy patterns and large logos, which pull attention away from your face.
How many outfits should I bring to a headshot session?
Bring two or three. Different looks give you options for LinkedIn, your company website and social media from a single session.
Should I wear my glasses in my headshot?
If you wear them every day, yes, so people recognize you. An anti-reflective coating helps prevent glare, and glare can also be managed during the session.