What to wear for your headshot session.
The most common question I get is what to wear for your headshot session. This is important, so it’s a good question. Your clothing choice affects the first impression you will give people.
Women and men will be different. Here’s my suggestions for each:
What to wear for your headshot session for women:
- Headshots are from the waste up so we will only need to worry about tops.
- Solid colours show up nicer than anything with a busy pattern. When they say that the camera makes us look heavier they are actually referring to patterns. So I suggest that a solid top would be best.
- Colours are important. I’m sure you have colours that you know work better for you. You eye colour will ‘pop’ with the right choice of tops.
- Bring choices with you. Most people bring two or three options and we can shoot all of them to see what looks best. If you don’t bring it though we won’t know so don’t be shy to bring a suitcase full. Yes. Someone did this. I thought it was great!
- Many women wear a jacket for business. I recommend that you bring those to your session as well. They look great if it is part of your brand.
- Jewellery looks best when it is subtle. Large hoop earrings will distract from your eyes. So will necklaces. If you want to wear jewellery I suggest you limit it. Stud style earrings and smaller necklaces would be best so as not to distract from your face.
- Try not to wear clothing that is seasonal. Your headshot is for 52 weeks a year so a big sweater won’t be appealing in July. Even though you might think it won’t matter your viewers subconscious mind will see it. One way or another it dates the photo to a certain time of year. If it’s July and your wearing a sweater it may give the viewer the feeling that this is an old photo.
- Some like to schedule hair appointments before a headshot session. I think that’s great especially if it helps you to feel your best. If that is not possible I can suggest that you try to look like you normally do. You’re welcome to bring any styling products you like to your headshot session. I don’t have these items on hand.
- Hair and makeup are part of your look obviously. I recommend light makeup. Obviously I am a guy so I won’t pretend to know all there is about makeup. But I do know that less is more in this case. My lighting set up is called beauty lighting and it makes everyone look beautiful. If makeup is too thick it will look caked on. I am told a liquid foundation is better than powder. Eye makeup should be light as well. If you would like the services of a hair and makeup artist I have someone who is great. She can set up here in my studio. She’s worked on television and magazine shoots. She’s experienced with what looks best for the camera. There is a charge for her services so please advise me in advance if this is something you’d like. We would also have to coordinate schedules for the three of us.
- Also if you have different hair looks that you regularly wear I think it’s a great idea to come prepared to change it up. It’s great to get as many different looks as possible and we will have time to shoot them all if you like.
- Sometimes ‘spots’ or skin blemishes can appear just in time for your session. Those are no problem at all to remove. I typically use light Photoshop techniques to remove blemishes that aren’t part of you. So please don’t worry about last minute blemishes.
- If you wear glasses only part of the time bring them. We can shoot some with and some without. It’s another look and will be fun. Of course if you wear glasses all the time I will be able to work around any reflections caused by the lighting. Please bring a glass cleaner with you. Dirty or smudgy glasses will show up on your headshot.
What to wear for your headshot session for men:
- Headshots are from the waste up so we will only need to worry about your shirts and jackets.
- Solid colours show up nicer than anything with a busy pattern. When they say that the camera makes us look heavier they are actually referring to patterns. So I suggest that a solid shirt colour versus plaid or busy patterned would be best.
- Colours are important. We all have colours that we know work better than others for us. You eye colour pops with the right colour choice of shirts.
- I suggest that you bring choices with you. Funny enough I find that most men bring more clothing choices than women do. Bring two or three options and we can shoot them to see what looks best.
- If your business is anything corporate I recommend a jacket for sure. Bring along a tie if you ever wear one as well. A jacket always makes things look professional. That said, if you never wear one I recommend a collared shirt rather than a t-shirt.
- T shirts may be part of your brand. I have had fitness trainers where t shirts. I would say you should stay away from anything with a logo on it. We’re not trying to promote Nike. The focus is on you and a logo will distract.
- Shirts should be nicely pressed especially around the collar. I’ve had men bring a shirt that is supposed to be iron-free. Often iron free leaves the collar flat. So I recommend ironing your shirts especially around the collars so they stand up and look crisp.
- Try not to wear clothing that is seasonal. Your headshot is for 52 weeks a year so a big sweater or sweatshirt won’t be appealing in July. Even though we think it won’t matter your viewers subconscious mind will see it. One way or another it gives us a feeling of a certain time of year. If it’s July and your wearing a sweater it may give a viewer the feeling that this is an old photo.
- If you wear glasses only part of the time bring them. We can shoot some with and some without. It’s another look and will be fun. If you wear glasses I will be able to work around any reflections caused by the lighting. Please bring a glass cleaner with you. Dirty or smudgy glasses will show up on your headshot.
- If you get your hair cut try to have it done a few days before your shoot. I don’t know why but when we men get our hair cut it looks freshly cut for a couple of days. Give it a couple days so you look natural.
- Most importantly bring your confidence and your smile. We’ll catch them both.