The question I get asked most before a headshot session is not about lighting or poses. It is “what should I wear?” Good news: it is much simpler than it feels, and a few small choices make a big difference to how the final photo looks.
I photograph corporate and LinkedIn headshots across Liverpool, in the studio and at offices all over Merseyside. This is the advice I send every client before the day.
The short version
- Wear what you work in, one notch tidier. It should look like you on a good day.
- Go for solid colours. Mid to dark tones photograph best.
- Skip busy patterns and big logos. They pull the eye away from your face.
- Add a layer. A jacket or structured top gives shoulders a clean shape.
- Bring a spare. A second top gives you options on the day.
1. Dress like you, on a good day
Your headshot should look like the person a client meets on a Monday morning. If you wear a suit to work, wear the suit. If your office is smart casual, a crisp shirt or a knit with a blazer is perfect. The goal is to look like yourself at your best, not like someone else.
2. Choose solid, mid to dark colours
Navy, charcoal, deep green, burgundy and soft blues all photograph beautifully. They keep attention on your face and work against most backgrounds. Very bright whites can glow under studio light, and neon colours can reflect onto your skin, so keep those for another day.
3. Avoid busy patterns and logos
Small checks, tight stripes and busy prints can shimmer on camera, and large logos turn your headshot into an advert. If you love a pattern, keep it subtle and let a plain jacket frame it.
4. Think about the neckline
Most headshots are cropped at the chest, so the neckline does a lot of work. Collars, v necks and structured layers frame the face nicely. A jacket or blazer is the easiest win of all, because it gives your shoulders a clean, confident shape.
5. Glasses, jewellery and grooming
If you wear glasses every day, wear them in your photo. I will angle the light to keep reflections down. Keep jewellery simple so it does not steal the show. For grooming, go with your normal routine: a fresh haircut a week before usually looks better than one the day before, and a little powder or a matte moisturiser helps with shine under the lights.
6. Bring options
Bring a second top or jacket in a different colour. It takes seconds to change and gives you a choice for your website, LinkedIn and speaker bios. If you are not sure what works, bring both and we can decide together on the day.
Your headshot outfit checklist
Pack the night before
- Your main outfit, ironed
- A second top or jacket in another colour
- Glasses if you wear them
- A comb or brush
- Any lip balm or powder you normally use
Before you walk in
- Pockets emptied
- Lanyards and badges off
- Collar and jacket straightened
- A glass of water and a deep breath
Questions people ask
What if my team all wear different things?
That is fine and normal. I send wardrobe guidance before the day so everyone knows the general direction, and the lighting and background keep the set consistent even when the clothes vary.
Should I wear makeup?
Wear whatever you normally wear. The camera likes an even complexion, so a little powder to take away shine helps, but you do not need anything special.
Can I change outfits during the session?
Yes. For individual sessions a quick change is easy and gives you variety for different uses.
More guides for headshots: How to get a great LinkedIn profile photo and Team headshots at your office: how the day works.
Need new headshots?
Let’s get you a photo you actually like
Tell me whether it is just you or the whole team, and where you would like to shoot, and I will come back with availability and a clear quote.