What to Wear for a Professional Headshot?

When was the last time you updated your headshot? Was it 6 months ago? A year ago? Longer? Do you even have professional photos of yourself?

If you’re missing this crucial element of personal branding, it’s hurting your credibility.

In this article I’m going to give you my top tips for taking professional headshots that boost your brand and build authority.

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If you’re new here, I’m Missy of Simplified Wardrobe, an Ethical Personal Stylist & Capsule Wardrobe Curator. I help ambitious, eco-conscious womxn who want to look great, feel confident, and simplify their lives.

Find more information about personal style, capsule wardrobes, and color analysis over on Instagram. You can also download my free 10-page Guide to Defining your Personal Style.

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So, why are professional headshots so important?

If you don’t already know: a good headshot is necessary for your career. These days, you at least need to be on LinkedIn, not to mention other industry-specific sites and social media like Twitter or Instagram. It’s best to also have a personal blog or website. 

All of those profiles and websites need consistent and high quality photos of YOU because gate keepers will be searching for you, and they need to know number one that all of these are the same person, and number two, that you are professional and keeping up with modern trends in your industry.

And yet a lot of people are using selfies, grainy photos from college, or don’t even have a profile photo at all. 

Now, I know some people are uncomfortable being photographed. You feel awkward. You don’t know what to do with your hands (what do I usually do with my hands??) And you really don’t know what to wear.

With the following tips, you’ll be more confident  and comfortable getting in front of a camera.

#1. Avoid loud clothing

For a magazine spread or a fashion blogger, color is great. Not so much for a business professional.

Why?

Because a fashion shoot is meant to highlight the clothes, not the model. You will be using your photos on social media and personal websites to showcase you. Your clothing should highlight you, not detract.

DON’T: Wear bright colors, busy patterns, gaudy jewelry and accessories, especially near your face.

DO: Wear clothes and jewelry in your best neutral or more subdued solid colors colors or subtle patterns.

#2. Professional Hair and Makeup

Getting your hair and makeup done for a photoshoot seems like a good idea, right?

Well, maybe. 

It’s entirely reasonable (and fun!) to get your hair and makeup done for a fancy event like a wedding or a holiday party: you want to look elevated and extra special.

However, that’s not how you want to look for your professional headshots. You want to look professional of course, but more importantly, you want to look like yourself. 

If you have a makeup artist you work with regularly and trust to make you look like the best version of yourself, then go for it. Otherwise, stick to doing it yourself, have a trusted friend help you, or do a trial run with a make-up artist to make sure they know the more natural look you’re going for. Again, you want to shine, not the makeup.

I once did a photoshoot and got my makeup done by a “professional.” It was a rushed appointment, and I’d never worked with her before. By the end, I looked at myself in the mirror in shock. She assured me that “in photos it won’t look as harsh”, and I trusted her because I didn’t have time to do anything else anyway. Spoiler: I looked like a clown.

DON’T: Overdo it with the hair and makeup.

DO: Go for a more natural look by doing your own makeup or working with someone you trust.

#3. Location, Location, Location

As far as where to shoot goes, try to think about what you’re trying to communicate about you, your personal brand, and your professional work.

Your photographer might shoot in a studio location, so thinking about specific locations might not be an issue. However, you might have to choose a colored background or set. Choose something neutral and medium intensity: gray or taupe are great options. Stay away from true black, stark white, bright colors, or busy patterns.

If you’re finding a location, think about a setting that showcases the work you do. Is it sitting at a laptop in a coffee shop? Or maybe inside your studio or workshop? When in doubt, a nice brick or wood paneled wall is a great spot for a headshot.

DON’T: Neglect the background, choose something too boring or something too busy.

DO: Consider a location that highlights what you do, whether that’s the materials, the setting, or props. If your shoot is not on location, then choose a neutral background of medium intensity that doesn’t clash or blend into your clothing, hair, or face.

#4. Make sure your Clothing fits well

Make sure you can move easily, nothing is pulling, gaping, riding up, or falling down. Make sure there aren’t loose threads or visible signs of wear or stains.

I recommend wearing something at least slightly fitted but not skin tight. You should be able to see that you have a body but not every nook and cranny. You don’t want to look like you’re drowning or suffocating in your clothes. Again, the focus should be on you. 

Wearing the same or similar color head-to-toe can create a sleek effect, again highlighting your face. And of course, you can never go wrong with a crisp blazer, whether it’s a full suit or over a band tee, a blazer always adds an element of polish.

DON’T: Wear oversized or otherwise ill-fitting or distressed clothing (even if it’s meant to be that way because of #fashion).

DO: Wear professional clothing that fits your body perfectly. Add bonus sleekness by wearing a monochromatic outfit.

5. Don’t Worry about looking Silly

I admit, I feel silly being photographed, especially out in a public space. I even feel pretty silly right now talking to this little screen. 

When I get in my head thinking, “Who am I to be posing in front of the camera? Will people think I’m full of myself if I look like I’m taking myself too seriously?” I end laughing or making awkward faces, and not in a cute, lady-laughing-at-yogurt kind of way. In a mouth-contorted-double-chin-creating way.

I do not look like a confident, business professional.

Here’s what to do instead:

Hold smiles and other expressions for longer than feel comfortable. That way, your photographer can get a photo where your eyes are open and you aren't in movement

Move around less in general

Cheat out, which means turn slightly to the camera even if you’re taking more candid photos

Be aware of your facial expressions

For head on shots, push your head forward and angle your chin down

Do what your photographer asks, and I do it seriously without laughing about feeling awkward or silly

DON’T: Make it a joke. I know it feels awkward in front of a camera, but you just have to get over it

DO: Be aware of your face. Hold poses and expressions for longer than it feels natural. It’s a silly process, but it’s also important. You can take it, and yourself, seriously.

#6: Wear Something You Would Wear

A lot of people want to go out and get all new clothes for photoshoots, but photoshoots and big events are not good times to be defining your style. More likely than not, you’ll end up in clothes that don’t really feel like you, might not fit very well, and that you don’t wear ever again.

Instead, wear items you love and feel good in that you would wear during your normal life. Sure, you might want to go a little dressier than normal, but no need to go out and buy a full suit for photos when you normally wear business casual.

DON’T: Wear something you think a “professional business person” would wear but that you don’t feel good in.

DO: Wear something you love and feel comfortable and confident in. It will come through in the photos. As I said before: these photos should look and feel like you.

BONUS Tip: Create a Mood Board for your Photographer

If you’re more of a visual person, I’ve collected a ton of examples of professional headshots for every style, personality, and industry.

It’s helpful to save your favorites to a Pinterest Board of your own or screenshot them and save in a folder on your phone to show to your photographer. That way, you’re more likely to get the exact vibe and look you’re hoping for.

See all the professional headshots

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What if you don’t own anything like that?

If you don’t have anything in your closet that’s professional, comfortable, and that makes you feel confident, well, that makes me sad. Everyone should have items in their closet that make them feel amazing. 

If you’d like to make a wardrobe upgrade so that all of the clothes in your closet fit your body well, look great on you, and make you feel confident, I would love to help you out. 

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