What Should I Wear for My Headshot Session?
If there is one thing that stresses people out before a headshot session, it is figuring out what to wear. I hear it all the time. And honestly? It makes complete sense. Your wardrobe choices have a direct impact on how your final images look and feel. The good news is that with a little preparation, this does not have to be stressful at all.
After 18 years and thousands of headshot sessions, I have seen what works, what does not, and everything in between. Here is my honest, experience-based guide to showing up prepared and walking away with images you are proud of.
Color Matters More Than You Think
One of the most common mistakes I see is clients choosing colors without thinking about how they interact with their skin tone. Not every color photographs well on every person, and what looks great in your closet mirror may not translate on camera.
A few guidelines that hold up session after session:
For women, jewel tones tend to be universally flattering. Think deep teal, emerald, burgundy, or sapphire. They photograph beautifully and add richness without competing with your face.
For men, navy and other blues are always a strong choice. Classic black works too, but keep contrast in mind. If your backdrop is dark, wearing black can cause you to blend in rather than stand out.
The general rule: aim for contrast between your clothing and your backdrop, and choose colors that complement your complexion rather than wash it out.
Busy Patterns Are the Enemy of a Great Headshot
Tight, repeating patterns are one of the sneakiest wardrobe mistakes. On camera, they can create a visual effect called moire, which looks like a distracting shimmer or optical distortion in the fabric. Even without that technical issue, a busy pattern pulls the viewer's eye away from the most important thing in a headshot: your face.
Leave the small plaid, tight stripes, and busy prints at home. Clean, solid colors or very subtle textures will always serve you better.
Bring More Options Than You Think You Need
Do not try to make this decision entirely on your own at home. Bring several outfits and let me help you choose. I can see how each piece interacts with the lighting, the backdrop, and your coloring in a way that is impossible to predict from your bedroom mirror. Clients who bring options almost always land on something better than what they originally planned to wear.
Not sure what to bring? Check out my Headshot Prep Guide for more details.
Fit Is Everything
This is the piece of advice I feel most strongly about, and I have a story that illustrates it perfectly.
A client came in for a session after losing a significant amount of weight. She was excited, she had worked incredibly hard, and she deserved amazing photos. The problem was that her wardrobe had not caught up with her body yet. The clothes were hanging off her. Even though her face looked beautiful, when she saw the images, she felt like she looked sloppy and not like herself.
She went shopping, got some help choosing pieces that fit her new body, and came back for a reshoot. The difference was night and day. She looked polished, confident, and completely professional. Same person. Same studio. Different fit.
Here is what I want you to take away from that: It is the clothing's job to fit you. It is not your job to fit the clothing.
This applies at every size. Whether you have lost weight, gained weight, or your body has simply changed over time, make sure what you bring actually fits you right now. I can clip and adjust minor fit issues on the day, but if something is genuinely too big or too small, there is only so much I can do.
Accessories: Less Is More
When it comes to jewelry, keep this in mind: leave the statement necklace for another occasion. Anything that draws the eye downward or competes visually with your face is working against you. Simple, classic pieces are always the right call.
Glasses: if you always wear them, wear them in your photos. Your glasses are part of how people recognize you. If you sometimes wear them and sometimes do not, do both. Get a set of images each way so you always have the right option depending on where you are using the photo.
Hair and Makeup Tips
Hair: If you are planning a haircut or significant style change before your session, do it at least a week in advance. This is especially important for men’s haircuts or shorter styles in general. A fresh cut sometimes needs a few days to settle before it looks its best on camera.
Makeup: I generally recommend wearing slightly more than your everyday look. Not so much that you look unlike yourself, but a little more defined. Fill in your brows more than usual. Add a little more color to your lips. Stick with matte finishes. Dewy products can photograph as shine, which creates a distraction in the final image.
If your budget allows, I strongly recommend booking a session with a professional makeup artist beforehand. I am lucky to have Looks by EMA just a few doors down from my studio in Algonquin. She works with my headshot clients regularly, handles both makeup and hair styling, and then walks you right over when you are ready. It is a seamless experience, and the difference in the photos is always noticeable. There is also something about getting your hair and makeup done that makes you feel more confident in photos as well.
Dress for Your Industry
What you wear should reflect not just who you are, but what you do and who you are trying to attract.
Doctors and dentists: I love photographing physicians and dental professionals in their white coats. It immediately communicates your profession and builds trust. For doctors, especially, I often do a set in your coat and a set in something slightly more casual. It gives you versatility depending on where the photo is being used.
Lawyers: You want authority. A well-fitted suit, polished and put together. You are the shark in the room and your headshot should say that.
Real estate agents: Business casual, but intentional. You want to look like someone people want to be around and trust with one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives. Approachable and professional in equal measure.
Creative professionals: You have more flexibility here. A hair artist, makeup artist, or painter can express more personality through their clothing because that personality is part of their brand. Lean into who you are.
The main point, no matter what your industry is, comes down to one thing: your headshot should look like the version of you that your ideal client is hoping to find.
Your Headshot Is a Business Tool. Treat It Like One.
I want to close with something I think about a lot, because I see clients get too hung up on what they look like, not liking themselves, personal insecurity, or claiming that they are just not photogenic and they lose sight of the bigger picture.
When I needed to choose a new primary care doctor, I went through a long list of in-network providers. The ones without photos? I skipped them immediately. It was not a conscious decision. It was instinct. I want to see who I am about to trust with my health. If there is no photo, something feels off.
It turns out that instinct is backed by research. According to Healthgrades, 52% of consumers would choose a four-star physician with a photo over a five-star physician without one. A photo is not just a nice addition to your profile. It is actively influencing whether someone chooses you.
That is what I mean when I say a headshot is a business tool. It is not a portrait for your family album. It is doing the job of introducing you before you ever speak a word to someone. It is telling your ideal client whether or not you are the person they want to hire.
So when you are choosing what to wear, think about it from that angle. What does the person I most want to work with need to see in order to feel confident choosing me? Dress for that person. Show up for that person. And then trust me to capture it.
Ready to book your headshot session? As someone with almost two decades behind the lens, you can trust me to help you have your best headshot ever!
Carol DeAnda is a Certified Professional Photographer and Master Photographer based in Algonquin, IL, serving the Chicago northwest suburbs. DeAnda Photography specializes in headshots, corporate events, family portraits, and weddings.