HEADSHOTS STYLE GUIDE

MYTH ONE: You have to wear black to look professional! If you love black, go for it! Otherwise, navy, charcoal gray, deep green, warm neutrals or colors that complement your natural color palette are great choices.

MYTH TWO: White equals crisp and polished! White can look clean and crisp, however soft creams, ivory, light grays, or pale blue photograph like a dream and provide the same polish look.

MYTH THREE: Patterns are a hard no! Tiny, subtle textures, and low-contrast patterns photograph beautifully.

MYTH FOUR: You should dress exactly like your job title! Clients connect with people, not job descriptions. Dress for your brand personality, whatever fits you (approachable, creative, polished, bold).

MYTH FIVE: Blazers are mandatory! It just depends on the look you want, if you don’t like a blazers we recommend well-fitted layers, structured tops, or cardigans.

Outfit Myths

Top Tips

THINGS TO DO / BRING

HYDRATION PREP: Stay hydrated. Water helps your skin look clear and glowing.

MOISTURIZE: Hydrated skin photographs better. Keep it light, think glow not shine.

STEAM & PREP OUTFITS: Hanging outfits the night before helps everything photograph clean and polished.

LIP BALM: Keeping your lips hydrated, makes a big difference.

ACCESSORIES: A necklace, earrings, or something that correlates to your brand.

BRING YOUR BRAND MINDSET: Think about what you want to convey in your headshots. Confident, approachable, professional, etc.

THINGS TO AVOID

NOT THE RIGHT FIT: Clothes that fit poorly. (Too loose or too tight).

NOT REALLY YOU: Style(s) you’re not comfortable with (feeling awkward will reflect in your photos).

SUPER TRENDY PIECES: Headshots should age well. If it might feel dated next year, skip the outfit/accessory.

NEON COLORS: These colors can reflect onto skin tones and overpower the image.

SPRAY TANS RIGHT BEFORE: Fresh spray tans can sometimes appear uneven or orange on camera, we usually recommend giving yourself at least a week buffer just in case.

Selecting Your Outfit

When choosing your outfit for your headshots, think beyond just what looks good. Your clothing should reflect your personal brand, align with your industry, and communicate the message you want people to associate with you. Whether your style is polished and professional, creative and bold, or relaxed and approachable, your outfit plays a key role in that first impression.

At the same time, comfort and confidence are just as important. Choose pieces that fit well, allow you to move naturally, and make you feel like the best version of yourself. If you feel uncomfortable or overly restricted, it will show in your expressions and posture.

Most importantly, wear something that feels authentic to you. The goal of your headshots is not just to capture how you look, but to showcase who you are.

Outfit Examples:

Blazer

  • Young man in a black suit and purple shirt standing outdoors in a natural landscape during daytime.

  • A young woman standing in a body of water, holding a bouquet of grass, wearing a teal dress with floral embroidery, smiling at the camera.

  • A woman in a black lace dress standing in a field of tall grasses with a lake and forested hills in the background.

  • A young man standing outdoors on a bridge in a forested area, wearing a light-colored suit and glasses, with yellow leaves on the trees around him.

  • Young man in a black suit and patterned tie standing outdoors in a grassy area with trees in the background.

  • Woman in a navy blue dress walking through a grassy field with tall trees with yellow leaves in the background.

  • A woman in a patterned dress standing in calm water, looking off to the side.

Iconic White

  • A smiling young woman with long blonde hair, wearing a brown crop top and a white skirt, sitting on a fallen log in a grassy field with trees in the background.

Classic Black

  • A young woman with wavy brown hair, wearing a black long-sleeve shirt and blue jeans, sitting by a large tree near a body of water during late afternoon or early evening, with a blurred background of green trees and water reflects sunlight.

  • A young woman with curly hair and a black long-sleeve shirt sitting in a grassy field with wildflowers, smiling at the camera.

  • A young man with dark hair and a goatee standing outdoors among green foliage, crossing his arms and looking at the camera.

  • A young woman with wavy blonde hair, blue eyes, and light skin, wearing a black top and a gold necklace, sitting outdoors at a table with her arms crossed, looking at the camera with a neutral expression.

  • Young man with curly brown hair wearing a black button-up shirt and patterned belt, standing with arms crossed in front of a dense green leafy background.

  • Portrait of a young man with short dark hair, wearing a black leather jacket over a gray hoodie and a black shirt, standing outdoors in front of blurred background of buildings.

  • A young man with short curly hair and fair skin sitting on wooden stairs outdoors, wearing a black shirt with white polka dots and ripped jeans, looking at the camera with a slight smile.

  • A young woman smiling on a train platform with two trains, one yellow and one silver, in the background.

Colorful