What to Wear to Your Headshot Photo Shoot

Choosing what to wear to your photo shoot can be hard! But don't stress it; I'm here to help. I created this style guide to help you decide what to wear to your outdoor headshot photos with Becks Photography. When you book a headshot session with Becks Photography, you may change once during your session if you'd like. This could mean simply adding or removing a jacket, or changing your whole outfit.

BE COMFORTABLE AND CONFIDENT IN YOUR PHOTO SHOOT OUTFIT

The most important advice I can give you is to wear something you're comfortable and confident in. Confidence looks great on everyone! 

Headshot photos are all about capturing your professional self. You want to express yourself by picking an outfit that you love, while also dressing for the job or position that you want. Consider these things...

1. What outfit do you wear often to work, a wedding, or a nice dinner that expresses who you are and makes you feel great?
2. Are you in the medical field? Consider wearing your white coat, or scrubs
3. Do you have a uniform for your job? Consider wearing a branded outfit or uniform
4. Do you have a "fun" career? Bring a prop like a computer, paintbrush, camera, etc.
5. If you have chosen a location in nature, consider shoes other than heels

CHOOSING THE BEST COLORS FOR YOUR SKIN TONE

It's important to choose a color that looks best with your skin tone! If you have very fair skin, it's best to wear something a little darker. If you have very dark skin, it's best to wear something lighter. Creating contrast between your skin and your clothes creates a beautiful visual that help highlight you! Believe it or not, ask ChatGTP, if you ask "what colors look best on someone with ____ insert your skin tone, hair and eye color," it will suggest colors that look great on you and colors to avoid!

CHOOSING YOUR OUTFIT(S)

Professional OUTFIT

The most common outfit to wear when having professional headshots taken is naturally, a professional outfit like a suit. For a moment, picture walking into the office on your first day of a new job as a CFO. You got hired for the job and you are nervous, you've never been a CFO before but you nailed your interview with confidence and you got the job. You have been too worried about the position to ask the dress code and it's the morning of your first day. Do you A)Wear jeans and a polo(every office is more casual now) B)Wear a button up and khakis (that's good enough, right?) or C)Wear your new, $700 suit. You know what they say, it's better to be too dressed up than to be under dressed. When choosing a nice outfit of your outdoor headshot photo shoot there are some things to consider...

• Consider wearing a jacket, when can get a nice variety of photos by taking it off and leaving it on
• Try to avoid patterns, solid colors are more professional and photograph well
• If you wear glasses, there may be a glare, especially if they are not the anti-glare glass
• Men, stick to classic colors like black, grey, navy, white, baby blue
• Women, choose a color that looks nice with your skin tone

CASUAL OUTFIT

Now some of us are lucky like me, and have a "fun" job. As a photographer, I don't need to wear a suit for my headshot photos. Think about your job (or the job you want) and what you want to portray. For example, I want my headshots to portray that I am kind, fun, welcoming, easy to work with and... that I'm a photographer! For my headshots, I wear a "Becks Photography" shirt, jeans and my favorite shoes. I hold my camera and I laugh for my headshots. Very non traditional, I know, but this is who I am and what I want to portray to my clients and future clients. On the other hand, my husband is in construction management. He has a blue collar job but it's a job that demands respect. Therefor, he wore a branded jacket and did not smile.

When choosing a more casual outfit of your headshot photos there are some things to consider...

• Tight fighting clothing photographs better then loose fitted clothes
• Solid colors photograph better than patterns
• It's best to choose a neutral, earth tone or pastel color
• Choose an outfit that will coordinate with your job
• Use your outfit and location to express who you are

THIS ONE'S FOR THE GIRLS

First things first, please make sure that you are wearing the correct undergarmets for your outfits. I suggest nude colors and strapless if necessary. I cannot edit out straps and lines so please plan accordingly. On to the fun stuff, let's talk about your hair and make-up! Again, the best advice I can give you is to be you, and be comfortable. Now I'm not talking about laying on your couch after a long day comfortable, I'm talking about so confident that you're radiating, comfortable! Think about what how you'd do your hair and make up to attend a wedding, go to Christmas dinner. You want to look your best but it's not the day to try a new hairstyle or make up trend. Some tips for hair and make up...

• natural colored and looking make up looks best
• typically women look best with their hair down
• less is more
• don't forget to paint your nails or remove your chipped nail polish

LAST MINUTE TIPS AND TRICKS

• Iron or steam your clothes
• Remember to brush your teeth
• Put on the nice jewelry. Remove your everyday Apple Watch and rubber ring and put on your nice watch and gold wedding ring
• Remove everything from your pockets
• Do not wear a hair tie on your wrist before your session

In conclusion

• Wear something you're confident in
• Avoid patterns
• You know your personalty and career best, choose clothing that helps you portray your message.

I'm looking forward to our session together

If you have any specific questions or concerns about what to wear for your headshot photo shoot please feel free to reach out to me!