Choosing Clothing for Headshots

0 By Kim

It is hard to pick out that perfect top for your headshot session. I’ve done many, many headshot sessions for both men and women, boys and girls, for actors and for professionals. I can tell you what works for looking good on camera.

First things first, you don’t want to be overly trendy. For instance, I would steer women away from wearing a “cold shoulder” top just because that was a 1, maybe 2 season trend and it is no longer really a trend. Classic looks are best.

A rule of thumb–stick with jewel tones and some pastels for women, and girls. For both men and women, don’t use too much black or white and too busy of a pattern of the shirt. When in doubt, pick solid colors!

What to wear in more detail:

TEXTURE

Choose clothing that is playful and full of texture. Textured fabrics photograph beautifully — denim, sweaters, corduroy, linen and eyelet dresses are excellent choices. Some more ideas may include ruffles, ribbing, buttons, and patterns.

LAYERS

Layering is the best way to create interesting images. Layer clothing for a fun look with jackets, collars, button downs, etc.

ACCESSORIES

Use accessories to jazz up an outfit. By using hats, scarves, hair pieces, bags, a chunky scarf, a busy necktie, a swanky pair of boots, a thick belt or an interesting necklace– the image will instantly become more unique and interesting. We can remove, adjust, and add elements to an outfit to create a variety of styles.

COLOR

Colors to use: neutral type colors like gray, navy, brown, tan, beige, taupe, and denim (can act as a neutral) or intense, rich, saturated colors such as deep purple, sapphire blue, turquoise, red and emerald green are a some great color choices.

One approach is to choose a bold color and pair it with neutral shades such as denim, grey, or navy. Mixing solid colors with textured clothing can create a special, dynamic feel.

Colors to avoid: Blacks & whites in excess.

Blacks and whites should only be used in small amounts as those shades often do not make for the best photographs. Avoid these shades in your accessories as well.

Avoid nudes and light colors close to your face if you have a light complexion. Taupes, beiges, and pastels tend to wash you out unless you have a dark complexion. If you’re deciding between a light neutral and a darker option (light or dark denim, for example) select the darker one. It will have more substance.

STYLE

If you need some tips, you can choose something “classic” like a denim bottom and long-sleeved top. Clothing that is classic in style can really create a timeless look.

Stay away from clothing that would be considered “formal attire” or the image can look too “buttoned up” and unnatural. At the other end of the spectrum, be selective with T-shirts and polo shirts; try pairing them with dark denim or adding layers to keep the outfit visually interesting.

Wear nice shoes, as they will sometimes end up in your shots.

PROPER FITTED CLOTHING

Everyone should be in clothing that is fitted to their current size. Clothing that fits loosely can look sloppy in an image so make sure everyone tries on their ensemble before the day of the shoot to ensure proper sizing

Below are some great examples of headshots with good clothing selection: