Alright fellas, let’s take some of the guesswork out of what to wear for your business headshot photo.
Below are some straight-forward tips to help narrow your focus and make it easy for you to put yourself together so you look like a boss in your headshot.
**If you work in the visual or performing arts, these tips don’t necessarily apply to you. What you wear for your headshot photo should reflect your personal and professional aesthetic as an artist.
A good rule of thumb for your professional headshot photo is to wear something you would wear to an interview for your ideal role.
If you’re the boss, dress as if you are going to give a presentation to your investors or a room full of your peers.
When in doubt, skew slightly more formal. Your business headshot is like a dinner party–it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.
Bonus Tip: Put together a *head-to-toe* look. Studies show that what we wear has a direct impact on how we perceive and carry ourselves and this comes through in photos. Even though your bottom half won’t show in your headshot, the effect of knowing you’re in a killer outfit will.
Across most professional industries, nothing beats a collared shirt to make a man look sharp and professional.
A collared shirt by itself is a solid foundation skewing a tad casual; add a jacket to take it up a notch; add a tie for maximum polish.
GUARANTEED WIN: The contrast and structure of a dark jacket paired with a light-colored dress shirt looks good on every man.
What you wear in your business headshot needs to fit you damn-near perfectly around the neck and shoulders.
This means that boxy-ass suit jacket you haven’t worn for two years is *out*. Either take it in to be tailored or get a new suit.
Your dress shirt should also fit you properly (yes, even if it’s going underneath a jacket). Not sure what a proper fit is? Here are two helpful links:
This seems like it should go without saying but I’ll say it anyway:
You can’t look like a boss if it seems like you just rolled out of bed.
I know you’re busy but please, schedule your headshot photography session far enough in advance that you have time to wash, iron, and lint-roll your clothes. Or, better yet, take them to the dry cleaner.
You can’t go wrong with neutrals in your professional headshot–black, charcoal, navy, and white are classic and totally timeless.
To stand out from the crowd, consider adding a pop of color with a pocket square or tie.
Bonus Tip: Men wearing red are perceived as having higher power and status (there’s a good reason presidential candidates often wear red ties).
Being well-groomed shows people you’re on top of your sh*t and take good care of your appearance. Hopefully you’re well groomed most of the time but definitely take the time for thoughtful grooming before you immortalize yourself in your new professional headshot photo.
Beardy? Make sure you trim and edge that puppy (if you’re newly bearded, here’s a handy 5-min video on How to Trim Your Beard)
Clean-cut? Shave the morning of your headshot photography session.
Bonus Tip: Use Crest White Strips at least three times during the week before your headshot photos are taken so your teeth are pearly white.
If clients and colleagues are likely to encounter you wearing glasses, it’s a good bet to wear your glasses in your business headshot photo.
Plus, studies show that glasses enhance the perception of intelligence
If you wear your glasses only some of the time (say, for reading), bring them to your headshot photography session so you can shoot some portraits with them on and some without.
And that’s it! Dressing for your business headshot photo is fairly straight-forward. Here’s a quick review…
Ready to get your spankin new headshot?
