Here’s what I’ve learned about dressing for a headshot session after thirty years of putting people in front of a lens.
Solid colors are almost always the right call
A solid-color top reads cleanly on camera and keeps the focus where it belongs — on your face. Jewel tones tend to photograph especially well: deep blues, burgundy, forest green, charcoal. Classic gray is reliable. Navy is almost universally flattering.
What to avoid: loud patterns, narrow stripes, and anything with a tight geometric print. These can create a moiré effect on camera — an unpleasant visual shimmer that is difficult to fix. Logos and busy graphics are also worth leaving at home, unless your logo or graphic is part of your outfit.
Think about contrast
If you have a fair complexion, a very pale top can make you look washed out. If you have a deeper complexion, very dark clothing can make it harder to separate you from a dark background. Neither is a hard rule, but it’s worth keeping in mind when you’re picking between two options.
Fit matters more than fashion
Clothes that fit well photograph better than expensive clothes that don’t. A well-fitted blazer from three years ago will serve you better than a trendy oversized piece that obscures your shoulders. The camera compresses depth, so things that look intentionally relaxed in person can just look ill-fitting in a photo.
For men: a blazer or sport coat almost always improves a headshot, even over a simple shirt. You don’t need a tie unless your industry calls for one. For women: neckline matters — something that frames the face without being distracting. V-necks, crew necks, and simple collars all work well.
Grooming and finishing details
Get your hair cut or styled a few days before the session, not the morning of. Fresh cuts can look a little severe, and you want to look like yourself at your best, not like you just left the barber. Same goes for color treatments.
If you wear glasses, my standard lighting setup usually mitigates glare, but not always, so I’d recommend bringing a pair without lenses if you have them, or planning to shoot both with and without. This is by no means a make or break issue though.
A couple things people forget
First, the collar. Check it in a mirror before you leave the house. It sounds obvious, but a crooked collar or an undershirt showing through a button-down is the kind of thing that nobody notices until they see the photo. Second, necklaces. If you wear one, make sure it’s aligned correctly and the pendant is centered. I do look for these things, but it’s still possible I’ll miss it, especially if I’m doing a lot of back to back team headshots in quick succession. It takes three seconds to fix beforehand, but takes considerably longer in post.
If you have questions about whether something specific will work, feel free to reach out before your session. I’d rather answer a quick email than have you show up in something that doesn’t serve you well.