Wondering what to wear for your headshots? With over 25 years of experience, I’ll guide you through outfit choices that flatter your look and shine on camera.
What to Wear for Headshots
Guide: Do’s and Don’ts for Clothes -
What to Wear for A Professional Headshot in LA
Karen Vaisman Photography
Los Angeles, California
Premier Photography Studio - Agoura Hills
Author: Karen Vaisman
30 years of experience as Professional Headshot Photographer, BFA in Photography, Syracuse University, NY - Master Retouch Artist
Unlock the Secrets to Stunning Headshots with Karen Vaisman Photography! Discover how the right outfit can transform your professional image, making every detail from tie to toe absolutely perfect for the camera.
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Karen Vaisman Photography
Tips | Outfit Examples | Best Colors | What NOT to Wear | Textures & Patterns | Makeup & Hair | Men & Women Tips | Retouching | FAQs
11 Professional Headshot Tips to Prepare for your Business Headshots session
Headshot Session
Photoshoot Headshot Outfits & Attire - Female & Male
Karen Vaisman Photography
Premier Photography Studio - Agoura Hills, California
Brief Summary:
Elevate Your Professional Image with Karen Vaisman Photography! Whether you're an executive aiming for your next career leap or a small business owner looking to enhance your online presence, Karen's expert tips on professional headshots are your ticket to success. Here's a concise guide on how to dress and what to wear to make your headshots pop!
Key Takeaways:
Fit Matters: Ensure your clothing fits well; ill-fitting clothes can detract from your professionalism.
Wrinkle-Free: Always press your clothes; wrinkles are magnified by high-resolution cameras.
Lint and Hair-Free: Dark fabrics show lint and pet hair easily; remove these before your session.
Color Choices: Opt for solid colors. Dark shades are slimming, while bright colors like red make you stand out.
Accessorize Wisely: Simple jewelry and a professional watch can enhance your look without distracting.
Prep Your Tie: Know how to tie your tie, and consider a red tie for a pop of color that draws attention.
Professional Makeup: Opt for a clean look with enhanced eyes and matte skin to avoid shine.
Hair Perfection: Neat, styled hair aligns with your professional image. Avoid a fresh haircut right before your shoot to let your hair settle.
Digital Retouching: Take advantage of Karen's master retouching skills to subtly enhance your image.
Crafting the perfect professional image is an art. Trust Karen Vaisman, with over 30 years of experience, to capture your essence with precision and style. Ready to make a striking impression? Contact Karen for a free wardrobe consultation and prepare to transform your professional presence!
PODCAST -
Tips on How your Sharp Wardrobe Can Make or Break your Image - Listen up!
1. Photoshoot Headshot Outfits - Make Sure Clothes Fits Properly
Properly fitted clothing in a headshot is crucial as it ensures the focus remains on your face and expression, presenting a polished and professional appearance. Ill-fitting attire can create distracting creases or bulges in what you are wearing, detracting from the overall impact and effectiveness of your professional image. Knowing what to wear for headshots and choosing colors is key! Find out what to wear for work, business casual headshots are “in.”
Take your related professional headshots wardrobe to the dry cleaners or use an iron. Professional digital cameras pick up EVERYTHING – pro lenses are razor sharp and a very non-professional look for you is wrinkled attire. Men – particularly note your collars are pressed and the neck button closes in the clothing you are wearing.
2. Press your Clothing for Your Headshot Photoshoot
3. Bring your Clothing on Hangers
Yes, I have had clients show me their wardrobe for the headshot shoot by removing it from their handbag, rolled in a ball. Not a good idea and not recommended! See wrinkled clothing photo. Your portaits are an investment, what you wear for headshots - i.e. wrinkle-free clothing will make you shine in your business headshot!
4. Remove Lint from Headshot Outfits
Please note removing lint (or pet fur) prior to your headshot session is key. Especially dark clothing – lint will show! Please be very detail oriented about what you wear for headshots. Especially for dark clothing removing lint, and then cover your clothing with a garment bag before arrival is important (remove pet hair!). Please take note if clothing is older and has “pilling” (small balls of fluff on the surface.) Modern digital cameras with professional lighting will accentuate this type of distracting spots and degrade your images, they won’t work well.
Prepare for your corporate headshot session. Arrive in pressed, lint-free clothing. Karen Vaisman offers retouching services which can correct these oversights, but it is best to arrive prepared.
BEFORE and AFTER Retouching - ELEVATES Your image
- Karen is a Master Retouch Artist -
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Professional Retouching - Digital Slenderizing
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Retouched - Hair Clean Up, Face Slenderizing, Skin Smoothing, Clothing Wrinkle Repair
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Retouched - Face Slenderizing, Double Chin Repair, Undereye Circles, Hair Repair, Teeth Whitening
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before and after teeth
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Retouched Eyes, Undereye circles, Eye Whites, Digital Eye Lashes
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Look Natural! Gentle Retouching - Skin and Teeth Clean Up - Add Soft Makeup, Eyelashes, Whiten Teeth
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Retouch Skin, Undereye Circles, Whiten Eyes, Whiten Teeth
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Skin softening, eye & Teeth whitening, Undereye Wrinkles, Hair Cleanup, remove shadows, smooth clothing
What is the Best Color Tie to Wear for Headshots?
Business casual is popular these days but in a small business porait on linked in details matter. A small color pop of red in your tie will draw in the eye gaining you attention in the competitive online marketplace. Learn how to properly tie a tie and present yourself as a high class businessman will impress your clients and bring your personal brand up to the next level. Details count!
Red Ties add the pop of color you need and send a powerful message
What to Wear For Headshots
Photoshoot outfits need to look crisp and professional. Knowing what to wear for a professional photo shoot depends on proper wardrobe preparation. Clean lines, well press clothing matters. Go the extra mile to look like you stepped off the pages of GQ magazine to protect your photographic investment.
5. Wearing A Tie or No Tie for Men?
The more casual business attire is popular nowadays. A lot depends on your personality and the business you are in. It might not be recommended for the high tech sector, but bankers and lawyers still need a tie to represent their client in court with a suit and tie.
Bring a Tie: I recommend bringing a few just in case and we can photograph you for your headshot with and without a tie. More often than not, my client’s choose the look with a tie, it just looks more “finished” in a small LinkedIn profile photo or your website. Bring both, so you will have more options.
Red Tie - A red tie will draw attention in your headshot (think “stop sign"), especially in a small headshot photo on LinkedIn. Red is the best color tie to get noticed. Avoid wearing busy patterns.
Choosing what to wear for your professional headshot Female and Male
It can make or break the look of your personal brand
Dark colors are slenderizing for a business headshot. White or light colors usually adds perceived weight for a professional portrait.
Best Colors For Headshots Female
6. Colors - Dark Clothing is Slenderizing
Color should compliment your skin tone. Wear clothing with vibrant solid colors (red, royal blue, teal, turquoise, black, navy) for your photo session. White for a shell or blouse is great, but as a jacket or pants it usually adds weight. Black is the most slenderizing. A jacket or blazer with a button or closure is recommended as it helps form a “V” which will give you a more slender look. Women usually look better with arms covered, unless you have arms like Michelle Obama! “V” necks for women are slenderizing for round faces by elongating the neck area.
7. Wear Clothing with Constructed Shoulders - Best Tops for Headshots
A crisp corporate look always looks more professional in a business headshot (business suit) to wear for photoshoot outfits. Should you wear baggy clothing or wear clothing that is fitted? Best attire includes tops for headshots that are fitted clothing (not too tight) in a photographer will always be more flattering in a headshot.
8. White Color Wins! White Shirts, White Blouses, White Shells
Corporate attire for women - wear a white shirt or white shell for women always brings out your smile and the whites of your eyes. Bright colors look good too against a dark suit Wear red, always a good choice (shell for women, tie for men). Please note, “see-through” sheer fabric under studio lights will show your lingerie underneath. Keep that in mind while selecting your blouse for your professional headshot.
“In a small headshot the focus should be on your eyes – so keep it simple with solid colors.”
What you wear REALLY matters - see the difference…
Why Clients Love Their Headshot Experience with Karen
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Why Clients Love Their Headshot Experience with Karen *
Trusted by professionals from LA to Ventura — see why clients love their headshot experience with Karen.
Client Testimonials
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Mish Polak
“Karen is the most amazing photographer. For someone who hates having their picture taken, she actually had me loving my own photo. She has such an amazing eye with everything from the background color, what you’re wearing, make-up, to how relaxed you are so that your smile looks natural. Thank you Karen for flawless headshots!”
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Tina Thomas
I must say working with Karen was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The final photographs are nothing short of stunning. Her skillful retouching., she struck the perfect balance, enhancing the images just enough to bring out their full potential while still maintaining the natural essence of my appearance. The end results were simply fantastic! I highly recommend her to anyone in need of top-notch photography services.
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Terry Benzel
“I am not photogenic but Karen is very talented at figuring out how to get me to relax and capture the true me. She knows how to apply just the right amount of touch up to make me look great without overdoing it. Even if you aren't in the area she is worth the drive!”
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Brenda Guess
“I flew in from the Bay Area for Karen to take my photo. I can never adequately express what a wonderful experience it was having my picture taken by her! She helped me prepare and I felt so comfortable. She took incredible shots! I loved how she touched up my photos and provided my photos so promptly. I highly recommend Karen!”
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JR Rackley
“Karen made this experience very comfortable and fun. The final photos came out perfect and the retouches were spot on. I would recommend Karen Vaisman Photography to anyone.”
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Miranda Frederick
“My experience with Karen was tremendous. We were having such a good time our session - we laughed like old friends. Not only did she do a great job, I requested a Rush and I received the photos in less than 24 hours. I highly recommend Karen for your next photo shoot. She's a true professional.”
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Bill Richardson
“Karen puts her clients at ease and captures the essence of who you are and she makes it fun. Her photography and retouching skills are outstanding.”
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Susana Cabrera
“From the moment I walked into her studio, it was clear that Karen is not only an incredibly talented photographer but also an absolute professional in every sense of the word.”
Want to love your headshot too?
No pressure — just helpful wardrobe guidance and expert tips to look your best.
Call Karen today at (818) 991-7787
Photoshoot Outfits - Dress for Success!
What Clothing to Wear & Bring to Your Business Portrait Session
Professional headshot clothing will clearly state your personality type and your personal brand reflecting the industry you are in. In your business headshot photo, your career should be made clear by your style based on your industry, the colors you choose, how you dress, which outfits types you pick to represent who you are. You don’t have to wear designer clothing but you should be comfortable, it will show on the confidence you project. Avoid distracting patterns or jewelery. Wear something that makes you feel confident and successful for your professional headshot session.
9. What to wear and what NOT to wear - Professional Headshot Tips
A few professional headshot tips on what to wear for headshots:
Solid Colors Please! - Wear solid color clothing, vibrant colors recommended to stand out online. What to wear for professional headshots female plus size can be found here (hint dark colors slenderize!)
No Patterns - Clothes with patterns detract from the face.
Avoid logos - Focus should be on you alone. For realtors I suggest you may want to match your corporate real estate colors for you business cards without using the logo.
Focus on your eyes: In a small headshot the focus should be on your eyes – so keep it simple with solid colors. (Avoid knits, plaids, stripes too close together – they tend to cause a weird effect in digital cameras – a moiré pattern which can’t be removed).
Background Choices: Be sure to check our website for variety of background color choices or outdoor backgrounds and advise us in advance of your selection.
Color: Choose your clothing colors you are wearing to coordinate to bring to your photoshoot.
Background Color: Give some thought to your background color choice and coordinate your clothing to your selection. You may want to match your brand colors when deciding what to wear for headshots so your clothing will match website or your business card.
Color for Men: Men - a red tie, often satin or shiny photographs very well and helps you pop off the page.
Style - Business vs Casual / Personal: If your business is more casual, types of clothing like a business shirt or golf shirt can look nice as a headshot outfit if the clothes are well-pressed. Do you have to wear a blazer for a professional headshot? No but a constructed shoulder helps in a tightly cropped photo. If you are not wearing a jacket, darker shirts are recommended, and turtlenecks on men can look particularly good in a headshot if it is your style. I would avoid t-shirts, casual sports clothes or jeans with holes unless you are making a style statement purposely or if you are using these portrait images for online dating the clothes rules will shift.
What NOT to Wear - Textures and Tiny Patterns
Moire patterns occur when fabrics are resized in the computer. These moire patterns cannot be removed during editing are caused by highly textured fabric, plaids, tightly woven stripes, knits in fabric. For digital photography, solid smooth color fabrics work best. Bring a few jackets to make sure your photoshoot is a success! Tightly patterned and striped ties can cause the same effect. Preparation is key!
Avoid Tiny Patterns
Avoid small patterns - they cause moire patterns in digital cameras that cannot be corrected with editing. Solid clothing is the safest bet for your business portrait.
Avoid Textured Fabrics
Even in Solid Colors
Solid colors with a texture can also cause moire patterns with digital cameras. Smooth fabirics (avoid knits) are your best option for your business portrait.
What is the best color to wear for a professional headshot?
Read Blog Post On Choosing Colors to Wear for Your Headshots
10. Hair Tips
In professional headshots hair is very important.
Please bring a comb or brush – or better yet see your hair stylist prior to your shoot.
Hair Stylist Recommended - We offer recommendations for makeup and hair stylists.
Represent Yourself with Style - Hair style and cut should be consistent with your personality.
Men’s Beards and Mustaches – if your shoot is late in the day beware of 5 o’clock shadow in your business headshot photo. Please take care while shaving to avoid cuts or missing areas – it is hard to correct in post-production images so we appreciate careful shaving. Please take care to trim your mustache carefullly so hair doesn’t curl into mouth.
Eyebrows - Eyebrow trimming (and combing) is also helpful.
Nose Hair - Men often forget nose hair trimming - in a closeup photo, details count!
Haircuts - A useful professional headshot tip: we recommend you get a haircut a few days prior to photoshoot. We find that hair often will not behave and may stick up if it is too short. Plan accordingly.
11. Makeup and Nails
Here is another Blog Post Detailing Digital Makeup - Retouching for Headshots Provided by Karen Vaisman Photography
Nails
Nails: I recommend neutral color nails, or French manicure so your nails will match all of your outfits (especially if you pose with your arms folded). Want to know how to pose for headshots for females? Read our posing blog posts of helpful tips to improve your confidence, approachability and learn how to smile!
Makeup
What to wear for headshots female - A professional makeup artist for women always improve the look of a shoot, with clean looking skin and great eyes. False eyelashes always enhance the look. We offer a great FREE service. Karen Vaisman is a master retouch artist and offers digital eyelashes FREE with your retouched headshot. Please DO apply your own makeup before the shoot and Karen can enhance it.
We recommend applying makeup darker than normal as the lights tend to wash a person out.
Please apply powder for shiny skin. Powder is always recommended to reduce shine.
Lipstick darker than you skin tone with a crisp lip line really enhances your smile.
Clear lip gloss reflects well under the lights and is recommended.
Emphasize your eyes; with eyeliner heavier on the outer “V” of the eyes (fully enclosing the eye in eyeliner tends to make eyes look smaller).
Please bring extra makeup with you for touch ups, particularly eyeliner lipstick, and lip gloss and makeup base to cover blemishes.
Retouching - Digital Eyelashes and Makeup Included FREE by Karen Vaisman Photography
Yes these eyelashes were done in Photoshop by Karen Vaisman, master retouch artist. Skin smoothed and undereye circles and crows feet and wrinkles gently softened as well. Eyes whitened. The subtlety is what makes it so natural looking. She recommends you wear your normal make up (enhanced for lighting will wash you out a bit.) Karen will retouch on top of your regular makeup.
Matching or Contrasting your clothing to the Background
Read more in depth on our blog.
Corporate Portraits & Professional Headshot Session Tips
Headshot Session Tips for Women
What to wear for headshots modeling
What to wear for headshots actress
How should I dress for a Professional Headshot?
Extra Makeup - Please arrive with makeup applied due to limited time during photo session. Bring extra makeup for touch ups.
Lipstick <a few colors darker than skin color recommended>
Lip gloss - adds dimension when studio lights hit your lips
Eyeliner (accentuates the whites of your eyes)
Makeup base
Powder - IMPORTANT - to remove shine caused by photo studio lights.
Jewelry - Bring extra jewelry for choices. Small and simple is usually best. Be sure length of necklace does not interfere with neckline of clothing (shorter or longer).
Color - The best color to wear for professionals is usually solid, vibrant and dark colors. See this blog for more details.
A great look! Solid dark colors are slenderizing. The tie is well tied and goes up to the neck. Clothing well-pressed and lint free, white shirt enhances the eyes, red tie draws attention (like a stop sign). Well-posed confident stance sends a message that he is ready to rock the world!
Headshot Session Tips for Men
Extra Ties - Avoid busy patterns and small close patterns on ties. Ties - bright red recommended - shiny satin often looks great! (Pre-tie your tie often helps speed up the photo shoot.)
Shirts - Solid colors and white for shirts are best.
Extra Jacket or Suit - Just in case for moire patterns
Watches - decide if you want to wear one in your photo in advance - please clean it the shine will reflect any dust. If you pose with arms folded your watch will definitely be featured in the photo.
Reminders for Men & Women
Hair Brush(hair clips, hair spray if you use it.)
Lint Brush - please remove lint before arrival and bring clothing in a wardrobe bag on hangers.
Extra outfits to change of clothing (On hangers, pressed, lint free in a variety of solid colors - avoid knits. Select color to coordinate with background color)
Glasses - Avoid transition glasses. Our indoor/outdoor studio will cause the glasses to darken. Make sure glasses are spotless clean as our extremely sharp camera lenses will accentuate every spot of dust, detracting from your eyes.
More Tips and FAQs - need even more guidance? check out our FAQs.
Tips on What to Avoid
Tips on What to Do
Wear clothing that makes you feel comfortable. Dress comfortably not necessarily formal suited to your personality - but a constructed fit (especially shoulders) usually shows up better on camera for a crisp, clean business headshot photo. It is not necessary to wear designer clothing. The clothing color, that it is lint-free and well-pressed clothing and that fits well is the most important criteria for what to wear for your corporate headshots to turn out spectacular!
As a professional headshot photographer I hope the outfits for headshots content provided here on “What to Wear for Professional Headshots” helped you maximize your investment in great business portraits! I advise the best colors for headshot outfits to wear for corporate headshots should coordinate with your studio background color and your personal brand (and perhaps your website and business card colors).
Want a FREE “what to wear” consultation prior to your corporate headshot session with Karen Vaisman Photography in her Agoura Hills, California studio?
Call today!
(818) 991-7787
rETOUCHING MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE
Want to look extraordinary in your Professional headshots?
Your 30 minute session is just a click away….book now!
Does Your Personal Brand, as Professional Need a Boost?
Clothes Styling, Hair & Makeup and
Professional Retouching
of Your Headshot Will Make Your Photo Pop Off The Page, Naturally!
Master Retouch Artist, Karen Vaisman offers:
Slim down digitally! Weight-loss (face, bust, arms and of course waist)
Skin softening - lessens signs of age without removing your personal characteristics, keeping your “look.”
Minimize a bald spot or graying hair
Smooth crow’s feet, wrinkles or under-eye dark circles
Minimize a double chin
Whiten and straighten teeth or remove braces
Brighten eyes, add catch lights
Remove wrinkles from clothing and clean up bumps and unsightly bulges from clothing arms and waist
Stray hair clean up and remove lint from clothing for that professional "crisp" look!
Beautify your look with digital eye-lashes
Add a virtual, green screen or transparent background (Karen can place you in Paris if you’d like…digitally!)
Retouched portraits offer a PROFESSIONALLY BRANDED LOOK to help you up your real estate sales! Karen Vaisman is renowned for her years of experience as an acclaimed retouch artist included in her real estate head shots session. Your images will be finely tuned and professionally retouched. Your portraits will be emailed to you shortly after your session.
FAQs
Get in Touch - FREE Consult!
Want to connect with us? We'd love to hear from you! Let us know how we can help you or if you have any questions about our professional headshots and master retouch services in Agoura Hills/Los Angeles, CA.
info@karenvaismanphotography.com
5624 Silver Valley Ave, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
(By Appointment Only)
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