Liverpool Headshot Studio

There’s truth to the adage “clothes make the man.” According to researchers, the way we dress conveys information about our identity both in and outside of the workplace and significantly impacts what others believe about us. That includes beliefs about how much influence and power we have, how smart we are, and even how much money we make – all of which impact whether hiring managers, co-workers and clients consider us trustworthy and reliable.
Beyond having the right professional pose and portrait style, what you choose to wear in your headshots will help establish your professional identity within your network. In addition, since most people will see your professional headshot before meeting you face-to-face, your wardrobe in professional headshots is also an essential part of making a great first impression.
As you prepare for your headshot session, consider these wardrobe tips and tricks for great professional portraits!

What’s considered appropriate dress in the workplace varies widely by industry. Lawyers and doctors, for instance, are generally expected to dress more formally and conservatively. In contrast, those working in technical or creative roles may look out of place if they come to work in a suit and tie.
When in doubt, look to your boss or another industry leader you respect. The way your superiors dress is usually a good indicator of what’s appropriate for your industry and will help you convey confidence without appearing as if you’re trying too hard.

Even if you work in an industry where an informal dress code is a norm, consider donning more formal threads for your headshots if you want to appear more confident and authoritative. Research suggests that simply wearing more formal clothing can contribute to a feeling of power and control, which can impact your posture and presence in photos.
The way you feel behind the camera will impact how you appear in your photos, so consider formal clothing options that make you feel good about yourself. If you need an extra boost of confidence, stick with traditional options like suits, ties and formal blouses.

Consider the different people you interact with during the working day and what clothing is most appropriate in each of those settings. Do you tend to wear the same types of outfits regardless of who you’re interacting with, or do you tailor your clothing choices to your audience?
If you regularly interact with different types of people throughout your day — which is often the case for entrepreneurs, consultants and salespeople — make sure you have a headshot that fits each of your audiences. Instead of trying to split the difference with an outfit that doesn’t fit any scenario well, book a headshot photo session that allows for multiple outfits and backdrops.

For better or worse, clothing traditionally perceived as more masculine — including trousers, blazers and suit jackets in darker hues — can significantly impact perceptions of intelligence and ability, especially when it comes to people in management and leadership positions.
According to a study that examined the connection between clothing style and hiring recommendations, blazers and trousers contributed to applicants being perceived as more forceful and influential than those wearing other types of clothing. Suits and trousers in darker colours also contributed to more favourite hiring recommendations for leadership and management positions.

Everyone has one favourite piece of clothing that they’ll wear again and again — but over time, even the nicest blouses and shirts will begin to show signs of wear. This is especially true of brightly-coloured clothing or knitted fabrics, which could fade or show signs of pulling each time it’s washed. So to ensure your clothes make you look tailored and put together, opt for newer clothing or “dry clean only” items that won’t show these tell-tale signs of wear.

The best professional headshots enhance your natural features without distracting them. For this reason, simple jewellery is a better choice for professional headshots – significantly if your headshot will be cropped close to your face (as most are).
So long as you have the right hair and makeup for your headshot session, the jewellery should be a “finishing touch.” For necklaces, make sure the pendant is visible above the crop of the photo. For earrings, stick with simple metallic or gemstone studs, and wear dangling earrings with caution. Hoop earrings and anything that dangles tends to be caught in hair and gets lost in the photo.

Colour theory refers to the science of how specific colours influence our moods, thoughts and behaviours – and how certain wardrobe hues can control what others believe about us.

For instance, red conveys confidence and energy, whereas navy blue and black elicit a sense of dominance and authority. Think about what message you want to say in your professional headshots and select colours accordingly.

Dark colours are perceived as more formal, dominant and authoritative

Light colours make the wearer appear more friendly and approachable

Some bright colours convey confidence and energy

Muted colours are conservative and less threatening

High-contrast pairings like a dark jacket and light shirt can create a powerful image that conveys influence and authority

Stick with Solid Colours

Regardless of your portrait style and setting, simple colours and subtle patterns usually look best on everyone. Bold or busy patterns tend to distract from your face and lead to moiré, an unpleasant visual side effect of repeating patterns.

Contrast with Your Backdrop: When choosing colours for your professional headshots, consider your portrait backdrop. Unless you’re getting a company-branded headshot, choose wardrobe colours that contrast with your background, so you stand out. This is especially true if you plan to have black and white headshots – a dark top against a dark background could make you look like a floating head!

Contrast with Your Skin Tone: As a general rule, professional portraits look best when your skin tone, clothing, and backdrop all contrast. When choosing what colours to wear, make sure the colour is significantly darker or lighter than your skin tone, so you don’t look nude from afar.

Keep in mind that headshots are typically cropped closely around your head and face. Therefore, even work-appropriate tops with lower necklines could end up looking more provocative than intended in professional headshots that are cropped closely.
For men who plan to wear a button-up shirt, make sure the buttons won’t connect below the crop of the photo. Women, in particular, are perceived to be less competent if their clothing is considered provocative or revealing, so blouses and tops with higher necklines are best.

More closely-fitted clothing looks cleaner and less distracting than loose or baggy clothing, especially for formal or business-casual photos.
If you plan to wear a blazer or suit jacket, make sure it fits closely around the shoulders and arms – even if that means it’s slightly too tight. If you’re concerned about your waistline, don’t worry – most headshots are taken with jackets and blazers unbuttoned, as the creases along your ribs tend to show at the bottom border of the photo.
The same goes for collared shirts and blouses. If you plan to wear a collared shirt buttoned to the top, make sure it fits snugly around your neck. Loosely-fitted collars leave distracting gaps that draw attention away from your features.

What you wear for your professional headshot session has a significant influence on what those photos will say about you – but nothing matters as much as the quality of your photographer. So if you’re a Merseyside or North-West professional and want to book a headshot session, check out the rest of this page for more information and get in touch.