What to Wear for Professional Headshots: A Complete Guide
Choosing what to wear for professional headshots can feel like one more thing to worry about before your session, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. The right clothing should help you look polished, confident, and like yourself—without distracting from your face. Whether you’re updating your LinkedIn profile, company website, or professional bio, a little planning can make a big difference in your final images.
What Should You Wear for a Professional Headshot?
For most professional headshots, simple, well-fitting clothing works best. Solid colors, clean lines, and classic pieces keep the attention on your face and expression. Think about what you would wear to meet an important client, attend a professional event, or represent your business—you want to look polished, but still like yourself.
Best Colors to Wear for Professional Headshots
Color can make a big difference in how your headshot looks. In general, solid colors photograph beautifully because they keep the focus on your face. Navy, blue, burgundy, green, cream, gray, and other rich or neutral tones are all great choices. The best color for you will depend on your skin tone, hair color, background, and the overall look you want to create.
If your brand has specific colors, you can also incorporate them subtly through a blouse, jacket, tie, or accessory. You don’t need to match your brand colors exactly—the goal is to create an image that feels cohesive with the way you present yourself professionally.
What Colors Should You Avoid for Headshots?
While there are no absolute rules, very bright neon colors, extremely busy patterns, and colors that closely match your skin tone can sometimes be distracting in a headshot. Small, high-contrast patterns can also create visual issues on camera, so when in doubt, simpler is usually better.
Black and white can both photograph beautifully, so you don’t need to avoid them altogether. The key is creating enough contrast between your clothing, your complexion, and the background. During a professional headshot session, I can also help you decide which wardrobe options will photograph best.
Should You Wear Patterns for a Headshot?
Patterns aren’t necessarily off-limits for professional headshots, but they should be chosen carefully. Subtle patterns can add personality and interest, while bold prints, narrow stripes, or very busy designs may compete with your face and can sometimes create distracting effects on camera.
If you love a patterned piece, bring it with you along with a solid option. During your session, we can look at both and decide which photographs best. I always recommend bringing a few wardrobe choices so we have options and can create some variety in your final images.
What Necklines Look Best in Headshots?
Necklines matter more in a headshot than you might expect because the camera is focused primarily on your face and upper body. For women, simple necklines such as a V-neck, scoop neck, crew neck, or collared blouse usually photograph beautifully. Choose a neckline that feels comfortable and flattering, and avoid anything that requires frequent adjusting.
For men, a well-fitting collared shirt is a classic choice and can be worn alone or layered under a blazer or jacket. A tie can create a more traditional or formal look, while an open collar tends to feel more relaxed and approachable. The best choice depends on your profession and how you want to present yourself.
Should You Wear a Blazer for a Professional Headshot?
A blazer is one of the easiest ways to add structure and polish to a professional headshot, but it isn’t required. For corporate, executive, legal, financial, and other traditional professions, a well-fitting blazer or jacket can be an excellent choice. For entrepreneurs, creatives, and professionals in more casual industries, a blouse, sweater, button-down, or other polished top may feel more authentic.
One of my favorite approaches is to photograph a few different looks during the session. Starting with a jacket and then removing it can quickly give you both a more formal headshot and a more relaxed option without requiring a complete outfit change.
What About Jewelry and Accessories?
Jewelry and accessories can add personality to your headshot, but they shouldn’t compete with your face. Simple earrings, a delicate necklace, or a classic watch usually photograph beautifully. If statement jewelry is part of your personal style or brand, you can absolutely incorporate it—just make sure it feels intentional.
Glasses are completely fine for professional headshots as well. If you normally wear glasses, I generally recommend wearing them for at least some of your images so your headshot looks like you. If you have multiple pairs, feel free to bring them and we can decide which ones photograph best.
How Many Outfits Should You Bring to a Headshot Session?
I recommend bringing a few wardrobe options to your headshot session, even if you aren’t sure you’ll wear all of them. Having choices allows us to see what works best with the background, lighting, and overall look you want to create.
At my McLean studio, we’ll review your clothing options together before we begin. I can help you decide what will photograph best, and during the session we can create different looks with simple changes such as adding or removing a jacket, changing a top, or switching accessories. You don’t need to figure everything out before you arrive—that’s part of the guidance I provide.
What Should You Bring to Your Headshot Session?
In addition to your wardrobe options, bring any accessories you may want to include, such as glasses, jewelry, ties, or jackets. It’s also helpful to bring a lint roller and any hair or makeup products you might want for quick touch-ups.
Most importantly, don’t worry about arriving knowing exactly how to pose or what to do in front of the camera. I guide you through posing and expression throughout the entire session so you can relax and focus on getting a headshot that feels confident, approachable, and like you.
Professional Headshots in McLean and Northern Virginia
What you wear is only one part of creating a great professional headshot. Lighting, posing, expression, background, and feeling comfortable in front of the camera all make a difference in the final image.
At my McLean, Virginia studio, I work with professionals throughout Northern Virginia and the Washington, DC area who need updated headshots for LinkedIn, company websites, speaking engagements, marketing materials, and other professional uses. Every session is fully guided, from wardrobe choices to posing and expression, so you don’t need to know what to do in front of the camera.
If you’re preparing for a professional headshot, bring a few clothing options and don’t overthink it. We’ll choose the pieces that photograph best and create an image that feels polished, approachable, and true to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best color to wear for a professional headshot?
Solid colors such as navy, blue, green, burgundy, cream, gray, and other rich or neutral tones tend to photograph beautifully. The best choice depends on your coloring, the background, and the professional image you want to create.
Is black okay to wear for a headshot?
Yes. Black can look polished and professional in a headshot, especially when there is enough contrast between your clothing and the background. Adding texture, a jacket, or a subtle accessory can also keep an all-black outfit from looking too flat.
Should I wear a blazer for my headshot?
A blazer is a great option if you want a polished or more traditional professional look, but it isn’t required. Bringing a blazer gives us the option to photograph you both with and without it, creating more variety during your session.
Can I wear glasses in my professional headshot?
Absolutely. If you normally wear glasses, wearing them in your headshot can help the image feel more like you. If you have more than one pair, bring your options and we can determine which photographs best.
How many outfits should I bring for professional headshots?
I recommend bringing a few options rather than arriving in only one outfit. You don’t necessarily need complete outfit changes—a different jacket, top, tie, or accessory can quickly create a different look.
Ready to Update Your Professional Headshot?
Your headshot should look professional, but it should also feel like you. My goal is to make the entire process easy—from helping you choose what to wear to guiding you through posing and expression during your session.
If you’re wondering whether it’s time to update your professional headshot, I’ve put together a guide to help you decide. When you’re ready for a new headshot, I’d love to work with you at my private studio in McLean, Virginia. I work with professionals throughout Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, and every session is fully guided from start to finish.
Learn more about my professional headshot sessions and book your session here.
