Picking The Right Outfit For Corporate Headshots & Portraits
One of the most important topics I like to cover before a session is wardrobe.
On the surface, it might seem unnecessary. After all, your clients probably do a fine job dressing themselves every day for work. What we help them is slightly nuanced - more like answering the hypothetical question “if you had to pick one outfit to wear for the rest of your career, what would it be?”
As with most creative decisions, I like to step back and ask:
Who is the audience?
What do I want them to take away?
For example, if the audience is mostly peers and colleagues, something friendly and approachable might be ideal if they want to generate conversation to increase reach.
If the audience is made of followers who see your clients as a thought leader, it might make more sense to dress them a level up - to hint at authority and sophistication, to earn trust.
As for what we want them to take away: For friends and colleagues, the goal is more likely to be connection and sharing, while a thought leader is more likely trying to promote expertise and position themselves as a trusted source.
And both of these roles look different.
When an audience looks up to somebody, that individual has permission — even an obligation — to dress a level up. If someone is trying to connect with peers, that could work against them.
Use Style Intentionally
In the gallery below, there are some clear differentiators, that become creative tools:
Layered vs. Unlayered
Ordinary vs. Extraordinary Colors
Glasses vs. No Classes
Imagine walking past these outfits on the street — which would stand out?
—If I had to pick one, I’d probably say the green jacket. Is it because the Masters champion gets the Green Jacket? Or is the jacket Green because of something inherent in the color green? We can get into that when we look at color theory, for now, just be aware of such connotations.
Now consider scenarios when she should try to stand out, and when it would be better for her to blend in.
—Some examples might be when delivering a presentation to people who paid to see you speak, or speaking to your company. Perhaps an award ceremony. If they are the distinguished individual in a room, their headshot on display is begging to support that. On the other hand, if she is looking to make new connections with potential investors, business partners, etc., it might play better to stand up with a more reserved outfit in the headshot.
Again, it comes back to who the audience is, and what impact you want to give off with the headshot.
Let’s break down some of the shots in the gallery:
Navy Blazer + White Shirt: This is a classic “safe” corporate color scheme — professional, reliable, instantly familiar. The color scheme echoes 80% of suits seen in The Loop, so it’s easy for the viewer to place it as “professional” as a opposed to a headshot of an actor, for example.
Black Tank Top: Sleeveless is obviously more casual. What keeps it professional is the turtleneck, the color and fabric. Since it does have that built in hint of “modernism”, I chose to shoot it on a white BG, so the final result would have a very intentional corporate-casual look of the “Peter Hurley” clean white background.
Tan Blazer on Black: Stylish, yet professional, it sends the signal “I have taste. I know the rules — and I choose to ignore them.” That suggests confidence, autonomy, and maybe she even pays for a stylist - a signal of status.
When putting together wardrobe with your clients, here are some simple tips to keep in mind:
Dress For The Industry: Different professions have different standards and expectations. Where some might expect a tailored suit, others might find it to be overkill.
Simple & Timeless: While you want a headshot to stand out, it's important to avoid clothing that distracts from the face and expression. Go for simple, usually solid pieces that will withstand the test of time, and consider using the tools we have like lighting and background to help it come together more intentionally (like the solid black turtle neck on a white background.)
Solid Colors: These work well because they don’t steal attention from the face. In a fashion portrait, we might want the viewer to notice the clothes, not in professional headshots. Avoid patterns or prints as they can end up really hurting the image if something lands right where the frame should be cropped.
Complement Skin Tone: Certain colors enhance complexion and make people appear more vibrant and healthy. Earth tones such as blues, greens, and warm neutrals tend to be universally flattering. However, don't be afraid to experiment and always ask the client to describe their favorites - before the session if possible.
Jewelry: Necklaces, earrings, etc. can be distracting, and like patterns on clothing, sometimes become even worse when you go to format/crop your images. Play it safe and opt for short, simple necklaces and earrings that let the face take center stage.
Consider Brand and Message: A headshot is a reflection of the personal brand and the message people want to convey. Think how their clothing can align with their message. For example, for a lawyer aiming to appear fearless and intelligent, a tailored, dark suit can send a strong message. For a money manager looking to build trust, it might make sense for them to peacock just a tad - something with a little flavor such a vest, special stitching, etc.
Bring Options and Accessories: Multiple clothing options allows you to diversify over time and across platforms, so it doesn’t look like everything they have came from one shoot. Plus it also helps to see a few different flavors.
Remember, one of the keys to a perfect headshot is to look the part honestly, and wardrobe is one of the most important factors in reflecting that honesty. So use the above tips to help them hone in on the specifics, but above all, make sure the clothing they are in truly reflects the human you are seeing.
If you are a potential client, curious about what would work best for your shoot, set up a discovery call here.
