When deciding what to wear for your headshot photoshoot, choose an outfit that best reflects your profession or niche. Business attire is a good option for corporate headshots, while actors may choose to wear something more neutral. Headshots for social media and blogs often incorporate matching colors or themes.
1) What to wear for a headshot
The ideal outfit for a headshot photoshoot will depend on your profession, but a few rules apply in all circumstances.
Your headshot should focus on your face, primarily your eyes and smile. It’s important that your outfit doesn't distract the viewer.
For headshots intended for corporate use, choose formal business attire that you’d wear to a client meeting. Make sure your clothes are tailored to flatter your physique and avoid any patterns or textures that might distract the viewer’s eye.
Actors often wear plain clothing for their headshots. We recommend a plain V-neck short-sleeved top in a color that accentuates your skin tone.
2) What are the best colors to wear for a headshot?
If you have a lighter skin tone, pair a stylish dark suit jacket with a top in a bright color like green, blue, or purple. This can create a framing effect that accentuates your face. You can highlight a darker skin tone with deep burgundy, emerald green, or bold red—especially when you wear a lighter shirt for contrast. No matter what, avoid colors that blend in with your skin tone and leave you looking washed out.
The aim of these color choices is to create a clear contrast that draws the eye to the main object of the photo: you! If the first thing you notice in a headshot is the outfit, something went terribly wrong with the styling. Don’t worry, we won’t let that happen to you!
3) What necklines are best for headshots?
In your headshot, your clothing’s neckline should be smooth, neat, and clear-cut. Avoid fussy accents like frills; they’ll draw the focus away from your face. Your ideal style will depend on your body shape. In our experience, V-necks tend to be the most flattering necklines, while turtlenecks or scarves are rarely a good call.
If you're unsure what to wear for your headshot photoshoot, a pre-shoot consultation can be invaluable. This helps you and your photographer fine-tune your wardrobe choices before the actual session and confirm that you’re on the same page regarding what you hope to get from the shoot. At Studio S Portraits, all of our headshot packages include a pre-shoot consultation and optional outfit changes, ensuring you’ll walk out with the headshot of your dreams.
Welcome to Studio S Portraits, a contemporary, magazine-worthy portrait photography studio run by Shruthi Venkatasubramanian. Based in West Boston, Massachusetts, Studio S Portraits has emerged as a premier provider of high-quality photography services, bringing a touch of artistic flair to headshots, personal branding, and portrait photography.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like 'How to smile for a headshot'.
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