Should I bring different outfits for my headshot session?
I get this question a lot. A headshot photographer should encourage people to bring a couple of different outfits.
I know that I have a couple of shirts that I find comfortable. Of course I assume they look good on me too. But just because they feel good doesn’t mean they photograph well.
Different textures and colours look different in photographs. Remember the saying, ‘the camera adds ten pounds to you’? It’s not actually the camera that does that. It’s often the type of clothing. Heavy patterns, frumpy collars and frills all add to the heavy-ness of a photograph. Sometimes the most slimming or flattering clothing is a solid color and often it’s dark. Sometimes the colour matches your eyes highlighting them. Bright colours can draw more attention to your face as well and that is the goal!
Most men show up with one outfit. Guys… bring a couple of choices. Most women show up with more than two. I once had a lady bring a suitcase full of tops. Know what? In the end a suitcase is better than just one outfit. If you don’t have the choices available we are forced to work with what we have.
I recently worked with this lady who brought her favourite top and it looked great on her. But when we switched tops the difference in the photograph was obvious to both of us. The collar was less obvious and maybe the colour helped bring out the blue in her eyes. Either way, I’m glad she had the choice. The green looks nice but the photo above, with the blue top, made her headshot pop!
Bring more than one top to your headshot session. Photographers shouldn’t try to charge you more for outfit changes either. If they do I’d say you’re working with the wrong photographer. His or her goal should be to get the best image they can of you no matter how many times you have to change.
