What Not To Wear For Headshots | Rockville Headshot Photography

Okay, so I want to tackle a subject that comes up often but is just not phrased as “What Not To Wear For Headshots.” It’s usually asked, “What should I wear?“

Here are some tips to follow if you’re wondering, what should I not bring?

Clothes That Don’t Fit!

I would bring several different outfit options to your headshot session. But, only bring what fits you well. don’t try and squeeze into a suit or dress that you haven’t worn since prom. If you feel like a million bucks putting it on, it’s going to resonate in your expression.

I do see from time to time people trying to fit into clothes that are just too small. The problem is that it doesn’t look good, natural, or comfortable. If you’re not feeling AMAZING in what you’re wearing, it’s going to show on your expression, and that’s certainly not the look we’re going for.

As part of your headshot planning process, make sure you have a suit that fits you perfectly. Have it dry-cleaned or pressed early and have it ready to go. Better yet, bring a couple of shirts to shoot in for variety.

Bold Patterns Are Distracting In Headshots

It’s often fine to have light, simple patterns on a shirt. Try and stay away from really crazy, bold patterns. They can easily date a headshot. We all remember that Stussy sweatshirt from the ’90s, right?

I like to keep the shirts fairly conservative. Go a bit nuts on the tie, if the tie has bolder colors or patterns, that’s easier on the eye and less distracting from your face. That being said, if you have an outfit that has cultural significance, that’s a different story, as that pattern may add context to how you might use the headshot. In the image below, we chose this shirt as it had special meaning to her and her brand.

Stay Away From Logos In Your Headshot

We want our headshots to be evergreen. We want to be abe to get as much time out of them as possible and Logos are a quick way to date your images.

Logos are a quick way to distract from your face and your expression. They also easily date an image, and this can reduce the mileage you might be able to get from a headshot.

Now, if we’re shooting your headshot with your brand logo or the logo of the company you work for, that’s a different shot. If you have a shirt with a logo that you just HAVE to shoot in, let me know, and I can always clone it out in post.

Colors Too Close To Your Skin Tone

The last tip I have for you is to stay away from colors that are too close to your skin tone. You run the risk of blending into your shirt. You can have bold colors, but find a color that compliments your skin tone, matches your eyes, and or that you feel you look amazing in! I generally shoot against a grey backdrop, so most colors pop really well of that color I also shoot my grey drop as a bright white backdrop. I love this image below because the blue he chose, though different, is all complimentary. The blue stripes in the suit match and the pattern in the tie is super cool and interesting, but none of it is too much.

Also, check out How To Look Good In A Headshot

If you have any questions or want to book a session with me, click here and reach out! Looking forward to getting you in front of my camera.