What to Wear for a Professional Headshot Session
Wondering what to wear for a professional headshot is one of the most common questions we get before a session, and it’s worth getting right. The camera picks up on details you’d never notice in a mirror: a pattern that vibrates on screen, a color that washes out your skin tone, a collar that bunches oddly when you turn your head. Here’s how to walk in prepared.
Stick to Solid Colours
Busy patterns, small checks, and fine stripes can create a strange visual buzzing effect on camera called moiré. Solid colours photograph cleanly and keep the focus on your face rather than your outfit. If you want texture, choose something subtle, like a slightly ribbed knit, rather than a bold print.
Choose Colours That Complement Your Skin Tone, Not Your Wardrobe Favourites
Jewel tones (navy, burgundy, forest green, deep teal) tend to flatter most skin tones and photograph well against a variety of backgrounds. Avoid pure white if possible, it can blow out under studio lighting and can wash out your features if it doesn’t suit your skin tone. Pure black can look severe and tends to lose detail in shadow areas. A good middle ground is a dark, saturated colour rather than the extremes of black or white.
Fit Matters More Than Brand
A well-fitted top is the single biggest factor in how polished a headshot looks. Ill-fitting shoulders, a collar that gapes, or sleeves that bunch will show up clearly, especially in a shot cropped at the chest or shoulders. If you’re unsure, err toward slightly fitted rather than loose. It’s worth trying on your outfit and taking a quick phone photo beforehand to check how it sits.
What to Wear by Industry
(A guideline – not hard and fast rules)
Corporate and Finance
A blazer or structured jacket in navy, charcoal, or black, paired with a simple top underneath, reads as polished and trustworthy. Keep accessories minimal.
Creative Industries
You have more room to show personality here. A well-fitted knit, a subtle statement piece of jewellery, or a distinctive but not overwhelming colour can help convey your creative identity without distracting from your face.
Healthcare and Academia
Clean, simple, and approachable tends to work best: solid tops in muted or jewel tones, minimal jewellery, and an overall look that feels credible rather than flashy.
Layer for Options
Bringing 2 to 3 outfit options, including at least one layered look (a blazer over a top, for example), gives you and your photographer flexibility during the session. Different outfits can also serve different platforms, a more formal option for LinkedIn or a company website, and a slightly more relaxed one for a personal bio page or social media.
Small Details Worth Checking
- Necklines: crew and V-necks both work well; just make sure the neckline sits naturally and doesn’t gape or ride up.
- Jewellery: simple and understated. Avoid anything that catches the light aggressively or dangles distractingly if you’ll be moving your head between shots.
- Glasses: if you wear them regularly, wear them for the shoot too, it’s more authentically you. Your photographer should know how to angle lighting to avoid glare and will guide you in posing.
- Hair and makeup: slightly more polished than your everyday look tends to photograph better, since camera lighting can flatten features. A touch more definition than usual (brows, lip color, a light powder to reduce shine) goes a long way.
What to Avoid
- Busy patterns, fine stripes, or small checks
- Bright, saturated colors that pull attention away from your face
- Wrinkled or overly loose clothing
- Logos or text on clothing
- Anything brand new that hasn’t been worn or tried on beforehand
The Bottom Line
Your headshot should look like a polished version of you, not a costume. When in doubt, choose something you already feel confident and comfortable in, then let good lighting, composition, and a bit of preparation do the rest.
Ready to Book Your Session?
If you’re not sure your wardrobe has the right options, bring a few choices to your session and we’ll help you pick the strongest one on the day, that’s part of what makes a bespoke sitting different from a quick phone photo.