What To Wear For Professional Headshots
Introduction
Choosing the right clothing for your professional headshots can make a significant difference to the final images. Clothing affects how polished, approachable and confident you appear, whilst also helping to shape the overall tone of the photograph.
Whether you are updating your LinkedIn profile, preparing actor headshots, refreshing company branding, or simply investing in new professional portraits, what you wear should support the image you want to project rather than distract from it.
One of the most common questions I get asked before a session is “What should I wear?”. The good news is that you do not need an entirely new wardrobe or overly formal clothing to achieve strong results. The most successful headshots usually come from simple, well-fitted outfits that feel natural and comfortable to wear.
This guide explains what tends to photograph best during professional headshot sessions and how small choices in clothing can improve the final result.
Choose Clothing That Reflects You Professionally
The best headshots usually feel authentic to the person in them. Your clothing should reflect both your personality and your profession whilst still feeling natural and comfortable.
For some people this may mean a tailored suit or smart business wear. For others, particularly creatives or actors, a more relaxed and modern look may feel more appropriate. The important thing is that the clothing still feels professional and intentional.
As a general rule, I recommend dressing slightly smarter than you normally would day-to-day. Clothing that feels too casual can sometimes reduce the impact of the final image, whilst clothing that feels overly formal can make expressions appear less natural.
Different industries often suit different styles:
- Corporate professionals often benefit from structured jackets, shirts and neutral colours.
- Creatives and freelancers can usually work well with more relaxed styling whilst still keeping the overall look polished.
- Actors often benefit from simple, neutral clothing that keeps the focus on expression and versatility.
- Business owners frequently prefer approachable and confident styling that reflects their brand personality.
The goal is not to completely reinvent how you look. Instead, the aim is to present the strongest and most professional version of yourself.
Best Colours For Professional Headshots
Colour choice can have a major impact on how a headshot feels. Some colours naturally photograph better than others and can help keep the focus on your face and expression.
In most cases, solid colours work better than busy patterns or highly detailed clothing.
Colours that usually work well include:
- Navy
- Charcoal
- Dark green
- Burgundy
- Earth tones
- Soft neutrals
- Muted blues
These colours tend to photograph cleanly whilst keeping attention on the subject rather than the outfit itself.
Bright neon colours can often reflect unwanted tones onto skin, whilst very busy patterns can become distracting on camera. Tiny stripes and detailed repeating patterns can also create visual distortion in digital photography.
Simple clothing choices generally produce the most timeless results.
Should You Wear Black Or White?
Black and white clothing can work well in professional headshots, although both require a little consideration.
Black clothing can create a clean and modern look, particularly against lighter backgrounds. However, very dark clothing without texture or layering can sometimes lose detail in photographs.
White clothing can feel fresh and professional, although very bright whites may sometimes dominate the image or reflect additional light onto the face.
In many cases, softer tones and mid-range colours tend to photograph more naturally than extreme darks or bright whites.
Layering can also help. Adding a jacket, overshirt or textured fabric often creates more depth and separation within the image.
What To Avoid Wearing
There are a few clothing choices that can reduce the overall impact of a professional headshot.
I would generally recommend avoiding:
- Clothing with large logos or branding
- Tiny stripes or detailed repeating patterns
- Neon colours
- Creased or poorly fitted clothing
- Distracting accessories
- Clothing with excessive text or graphics
- Outfits that feel uncomfortable or unnatural
Smart watches and large jewellery can also date images more quickly depending on the style of headshot you are aiming for.
The simpler and cleaner the clothing, the more timeless the final photographs usually become.
What To Wear For Corporate Headshots
Corporate headshots are often used across LinkedIn, company websites, marketing material and press features, so consistency and professionalism are important.
For business headshots, I usually recommend:
- Well-fitted jackets or blazers
- Shirts or smart tops in neutral colours
- Clean and simple styling
- Minimal distractions
- Clothing appropriate to your industry
The style does not always need to be fully formal. Many modern businesses now prefer approachable and relaxed branding rather than overly corporate imagery.
For team headshots especially, coordinated tones and styling can help create a more cohesive visual identity across a website or company profile.
You can view examples of recent corporate and business headshots on my Liverpool Professional Headshots page.
What To Wear For Actor Headshots
Actor headshots are slightly different from traditional business portraits because the focus is usually on casting potential, expression and versatility.
For actor headshots, simpler is often better.
Neutral clothing tends to work well because it keeps attention on your face and allows casting directors to imagine you in a variety of roles.
I would usually recommend:
- Plain fitted tops
- Neutral colours
- Minimal accessories
- Layered looks
- Clothing that reflects your casting type naturally
It is usually best to avoid anything that feels like costume styling unless it is specifically required.
Strong actor headshots should feel believable, natural and expressive rather than overly styled.
You can also view examples on my Actor Headshots Liverpool page.
Should You Bring Multiple Outfits?
Yes — I would almost always recommend bringing multiple outfit options to your session.
Even small changes can create very different looks and give you more variety from the shoot.
Useful options to bring may include:
- Jacket and no jacket versions
- Different shirt or top colours
- Smart and more relaxed looks
- Different necklines
- Alternative layers or textures
During most headshot sessions we can review outfit choices together and decide what works best on camera.
Sometimes clothing that looks strong in person may photograph differently under studio lighting, so having options available is always beneficial.
Final Advice Before Your Headshot Session
Preparing properly before your session can make a noticeable difference to the final images.
Before your shoot I would recommend:
- Steaming or ironing clothing beforehand
- Getting a good night’s sleep
- Staying hydrated
- Bringing backup outfit options
- Avoiding rushing to the studio
- Wearing clothing you feel confident in
Most importantly, try not to overthink the session. A relaxed and confident expression will almost always improve the final result more than expensive clothing or complicated styling choices.
Professional headshots should still look like you — just on a particularly good day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What colours work best for professional headshots?
Neutral and muted colours such as navy, charcoal, burgundy and earth tones tend to photograph best because they keep the focus on your face.
Should I wear glasses in my headshots?
Yes, if you normally wear them. Modern studio lighting techniques can usually minimise glare effectively.
Can I bring multiple outfits to my session?
Absolutely. Bringing several options gives more variety and flexibility during the shoot.
Are patterns okay for headshots?
Simple patterns can work, although very detailed or repeating patterns are usually best avoided.
What should men wear for LinkedIn headshots?
A well-fitted shirt, blazer or smart knitwear in neutral colours usually works very well.
What should women wear for business headshots?
Solid colours, clean necklines and well-fitted clothing tend to create the strongest results.
How formal should my clothing be?
This depends on your industry and the style of image you need. I usually recommend dressing slightly smarter than your normal day-to-day appearance.
If you are looking to update your professional headshots in Liverpool, you can view portfolio examples, pricing information and current availability on this website.
Whether you need business headshots, actor headshots or personal branding photography, sessions are designed to feel relaxed, approachable and tailored to the type of images you need.
