What to Wear for Your Headshot Session
A styling guide for clients of Headshots by Reem — Orange County
I photograph two to three outfits in a session, so bring a handful of staples you know you look and feel great in — we will choose together. Deciding what to wear is often the hardest part, and every detail contributes to the first impression your photos make.
This guide is here to ease the overwhelm. And the part most people actually worry about — how to stand, what to do with your face — is not your job. You do not have to be photogenic. You have to be directed, and that part is mine.
Outfit Session Tips
Five things that matter more than anything else in your closet
Choose the right colors. Pick colors that complement your hair and complexion. Not sure which suit you? Look back at photos you liked of yourself, or ask people you trust.
Make sure it fits you well. An oversized jacket or baggy blouse reads as unprofessional on camera. Fit does more for you than any other detail.
Add layers. Want interest without patterns or big jewelry? Layer instead — in moderation, so it stays the accent and not the subject.
Keep it wrinkle-free. However busy the week, arriving wrinkle-free is non-negotiable. Steam or press everything the night before.
Consider your niche. Dress for the employers and clients you want to attract. If you are a creative, add a touch of personality — just not enough to distract.
A Clothing Color Guide
How to choose the right colors — and the effect different shades can have
Start with a neutral or solid. A neutral base keeps the frame calm. White, cream, black, navy.
Contrast for black and white. Pair a white shirt with a black or navy blazer. Light on light will not read.
Keep color combos simple. Layering works when the colors sit well together. Two or three tones is plenty.
Go deeper outdoors. Choose deeper colors over pale ones so the light does not wash you out.
Draw the eye upward. A bold necklace pulls focus to itself. Wear the bolder shade at your neckline instead.
Consider your branding. If these photos live on your website, work your brand colors in.
The psychology of color
Pick what fits the message you want to send.
Bring This, Skip That
A quick visual test for anything in your closet
Bring
- Solid colors, one tone per piece
- Necklines that sit close to the collarbone
- Long sleeves and structured shoulders
- Matte fabrics that hold their shape
- One layer you can add or remove
- One delicate piece — and a few shots without it
Skip
- Stripes, checks, and busy prints
- Logos and visible branding
- Sheer or shiny fabrics
- Very low or very wide necklines
- Statement necklaces and big earrings
- Anything you have not worn in a year
The test: photograph the outfit on a hanger with your phone. If your eye lands on the clothes before the label, it is too loud for a headshot.
The Outfit Formula
Three pieces, and you are done
01 Base
A solid top in a color that suits you. Nothing printed, nothing sheer.
02 Layer
A blazer, jacket, or knit — one clear step darker than the base.
03 Accent
One deeper or warmer note at the neckline. A scarf, a tie, a delicate chain.
Worked examples
- Corporate. White blouse, black blazer, black trousers.
- Softer. Cream blouse, beige skirt, tan belt and a silk scarf.
- Creative. Grey knit polo, navy bomber, dark jeans.
- Conservative. White shirt, navy suit, brown belt and shoes.
Build two outfits this way and a third you simply love. That is the whole packing list.
Styling Tips for Women
Deciding what to wear
Avoid too much distraction. Patterns, logos, and loud accessories take focus off your face. Stick to solid tops and quiet jewelry.
Make sure it fits you well. Headshots only show the upper half of your body, so a top that fits well through the shoulders does most of the work.
Long sleeves are better. Short sleeves bring bare skin to the edge of the frame, which pulls the eye away from your face.
Avoid transparent fabrics. Studio lighting is bright and unforgiving. Hold your top up to a window first and check that it stays opaque.
Choose the right undergarments. Check that straps stay hidden and nothing lines under the fabric.
Bring a second look. A blazer you can add or remove gives you two finished looks from one outfit.
Colors that photograph well
Any of these works as your base. Add one deeper tone at the neckline if you want the eye to travel up to your face.
The classic
You cannot go wrong with a black blazer. Choose one that fits well through the shoulders and waist — it is the key piece. Take it off partway through and you have two looks from one outfit.
Blouse and blazer — Vince Camuto · Trousers — MM LaFleur · Shoes — M.Gemi
Monochromatic neutrals
A skirt and blouse if you want something softer, built from different tones of the same beige. Tuck the blouse in to define your waist, and add a belt for detail. A silk scarf gives it flair.
Blouse and skirt — MM LaFleur · Scarf — Banana Republic · Belt — Express · Shoes — Ann Taylor
Lighter and less formal
Work somewhere more casual? White is a great option when you want something lighter. A white silk blouse with dark jeans and nude shoes feels easy. Add the white blazer for the tailored version.
Blazer — BB Dakota · Blouse — Vince · Jeans — Mother Denim · Shoes — Karl Lagerfeld
Hair, Makeup & Skin
Preparing for the day
Hair
- Arrive camera-ready. Come with your hair already done. I handle touch-ups on set.
- No big changes late. Cut or color several days out, not the day before.
- Keep it natural. Wear the hair you would wear to work.
- Easy on the curls. Not so many that the photos stop looking like you.
- Hairspray is your friend. Fly-aways are hard to retouch. Bring a small can.
Makeup
- Want an artist? Ask early. I can connect you with one — they charge separately ($300). Email me at least a week ahead.
- Keep it natural. If you do not usually wear red lipstick, today is not the day.
- Skip the highlighter. It reads as shine under studio lights.
- Go easy on powder. A high-resolution camera picks up texture.
Skin, in the week before
- Hydrate daily. Water through the whole week keeps skin supple.
- Exfoliate and moisturize. Gently, a few days out, then moisturize daily.
- Book a facial. A few days before — and no new peels.
- Wax early. Never the day before; redness needs time to settle.
- Sleep. Especially the night before — makeup can only do so much.
Everything here is small on its own. Together they are the difference between a good photo and one you keep using for years.
Styling Tips for Men
Deciding what to wear
Opt for solid colors. Solids look more professional and they never compete with your face.
Think twice about white. A white shirt is certainly professional, but keep in mind that it reflects more light. If you wear one, layer something darker over it.
Fitted is better. Baggy clothing reads as unprofessional. Try everything on a few days before the shoot — that leaves time to have a shirt tailored, or to find a plan B.
Skip the undershirt. You may wear one daily, but under bright lighting it tends to show through.
Let accessories do a little work. A watch, a good belt, a tie in a deeper tone. Small details, but they are what make an outfit look considered.
Colors that photograph well
Navy and charcoal are the safest suits on camera. Keep the shirt one clear step lighter than the jacket.
The navy suit
A well-fitting navy suit is a fantastic option for corporate headshots, and the right call in a more conservative industry. Do not skip the accessories — brown leather shoes and a matching belt lift the whole look.
Blazer, trousers and tie — Bonobos · Shirt — Indochino · Belt and shoes — Allen Edmonds
Blazer and chinos
A modern alternative to a suit. A light khaki blazer in a barely-there plaid with chinos and a classic chambray shirt reads a little more casual — good if you do not need to look conservative.
Blazer and trousers — Bonobos · Shirt — Proper Cloth · Belt — Mr. P · Shoes — John Lobb
Bomber and knit polo
For business-casual, or a more creative industry. A bomber is a great alternative to a suit jacket and still reads polished. Over a knit polo it gives you the option of losing the jacket partway through.
Polo and bomber — Theory · Trousers — J.Crew · Shoes — Common Projects · Watch — Shinola
Grooming & Skin
Preparing for the day
Hair and shaving
- Choose your appointment date wisely. Cut your hair a few days out rather than the day before. The lines look more natural, and there is time to recover if something goes wrong.
- Shave at the right time. If you shave your head every few days, do it a day or two before the session.
- Avoid razor burn. Your face should look neat, but not raw. Use a good cream and moisturize afterward.
- Tidy up ear and nose hair. A small thing that a close-up lens makes a large thing.
Skin
- Stay hydrated. Water is your skin's best friend — drink up daily the week before.
- Get some sleep. Under-eye shadows show up in photos. Prioritize the night before.
- Shield against the sun. Stay out of it where you can, and wear sunscreen when you cannot.
If You Wear Glasses
Glare is my problem to solve, not a reason to take them off
Keep them on. If you wear glasses every day, wear them in your headshot — that is the face people will recognise when they meet you. Reflections come from the angle of the light, and the angle of the light is something I control.
Clean the lenses before you leave. Smudges and dust catch studio light and are far harder to retouch than a reflection.
Check the fit. Frames that sit crooked or slide down photograph that way. If yours have loosened, most opticians will straighten them free in a few minutes.
Skip the transitions. Photochromic lenses can darken under bright light and hide your eyes. If you have a non-tinted pair, bring it.
Consider a second pair. Heavy or very dark frames can shadow the eyes. If you own a lighter pair, bring both and we will compare on screen.
Bring the case. We will take a few frames without them too, so you have the choice later.
If You Wear a Head Covering
The same rules as any other layer — colour, fabric, and fit
Pin it before you arrive. Arrive draped the way you want to be photographed. Small adjustments on set are easy; starting from scratch under lights is not.
Bring pins and a spare. A second scarf in a different tone gives you a second finished look without changing anything else.
Choose a colour that separates. A dark hijab on a dark background merges into it. Pick a tone a clear step away from the backdrop, or tell me and I will light for it.
Matte over shiny. Satin and silk catch highlights along every fold. Jersey, cotton and crepe hold their shape and stay quiet on camera.
Keep the drape consistent. If we shoot two outfits, pin the second the same way, so the set looks like one sitting rather than two.
Frame your face. Set the front edge where it sits naturally for you — too far forward shadows the eyes, and the eyes are what the photograph is for.
Your Countdown
The week before your session
Choose your outfits
Try everything on, check the fit, and start drinking water daily. Book your hair and makeup now if you want them.
Haircut, color, facial, wax
Everything that could go wrong or leave you red belongs here — not later. Gently exfoliate, then moisturize daily.
Steam and press
Get every piece wrinkle-free and hang it together, so nothing is decided in a rush. Shave a head or beard now.
Sleep, and pack
Rest is the one thing retouching cannot replace. Pack your looks, hairspray, and any accessories the night before.
Arrive a little early
Come with clean, natural hair and makeup, and bring your options on hangers. We will choose together.
Nothing on this list takes long. Doing it in this order is what makes the difference.
Common Questions
The ones I am asked most before a session
What colour should I wear for a headshot?
Start with a solid neutral — white, cream, grey, navy, brown or black — and let one deeper tone sit near your neckline. Neutrals keep attention on your face; the deeper note pulls the eye upward.
Can I wear patterns or stripes?
Better not to. Fine stripes and checks can shimmer at high resolution, and any print competes with your face. If you want visual interest, get it from layering two solids instead.
How many outfits should I bring?
We photograph two to three. Build two using the formula above, add a third you simply love, and bring them on hangers.
What should I wear for a LinkedIn photo specifically?
Dress one step above what your clients see you in day to day, and keep the neckline simple — LinkedIn crops to a small circle, so anything below the collarbone disappears.
Does my industry change the answer?
It changes the register more than the rules. Conventions differ by field — see attorney headshots, physician headshots and financial advisor headshots for what tends to work in each.
What should a whole team wear?
Give everyone a short brief: solid colours, no logos, one layer. Consistency across a team page comes from a shared palette plus matched lighting and cropping — more on that on the corporate headshots page.
Should I wear my glasses?
Yes, if you wear them daily. Reflections are handled with lighting rather than by taking them off, and we will still take a few frames without them so you have both.
What if I wear a hijab or other head covering?
Arrive pinned the way you want to be photographed, bring a spare scarf in a second tone, and choose a colour that sits a clear step away from the backdrop. See the section above for the full list.
What if I get it wrong?
You will not, because we choose together before anything is photographed, and you pick your favourites on screen before you leave.
Take the guide with you
The same guide as a printable PDF, with illustrated look boards for women and men — six outfits you can copy piece for piece.
Download the PDF Book your session