1. Preparation for your business headshot
It is important to plan your outfits well before attending a business headshot photoshoot. Select garments that you are comfortable in which fit you well. Make sure you have a good nights sleep the night before and ensure all your outfits are ironed and prepared, ready for your photoshoot. It is always a good idea to have 2 or 3 outfits, even if you do not end up wearing them all, especially if you are wearing one to work that day, before the shoot.
2. Personality & Style
Pick outfits and garments that represent you and your business or the company you work for. Think about the persona you are trying to recreate. Depending of the nature of your business you may want a look that conveys an image of formality, knowledge, and trust or you may want a look that conveys a more creative, approachable vibrant persona.
3. Bold colours and black work best
Plain, mid tone bold colours work best with business headshots. Avoid colours that are close to your own skin colour. For example women with Caucasian skin tones should avoid beige, white and pastel colours as these may make her look washed out and appear unflattering to her skin. A man with darker skin tones should avoid darker shades and black.
The trick to making your business headshot stand out for all the right reasons is to select a colour which contrasts your skin tone. As examples of these rich greens and teals work well with people with Asian or Latino skin tones, deep reds, royal blue and emerald green work well with paler Caucasian skin tones and deep yellow, rich purple and ruby red work well with people with darker skin. Black can look professional, but at times can look a little sombre, so if you have a black outfit try adding a splash of bold mid tone colour using a tie, scarf or pashmina.
4. Avoid busy patterns
Try to avoid selecting an outfit with a busy pattern on it. You want the viewer of your head shot to focus on your face and expressions and not be distracted by the patterns on your dress or shirt.
5. Choose clothes that fit well and are comfortable
If you are wearing an outfit that is too tight or too revealing it will show in your expression in the photographs. Avoid outfit that are too tight across the shoulders or chest. Stretched necklines or bulging button holes will look unprofessional. Avoid clothes that are too loose too though as these can appear to make you look heavier and scruffy.
6. Try layers
If you have limited time or a limited suitable selection of outfits try an outfit with layers. A crisply ironed tailored bold coloured shirt with a black jacket is a strong look and you can simply remove the jacket for a different look. Try different coloured ties, scarves or pashminas to add another layer. Women can try a strong simple necklace like a silver pendant or a string of pearls to add a simply yet elegant layer to an outfit.
7. Avoid bare arms and low cut tops
Showing too much flesh in a headshot can distract from your face, so it’s best to avoid sleeveless tops or low-cut tops. You also risk showing your armpits in some poses so it’s best to keep them covered up. There are exceptions to this rule though. If a sleeveless top works well with the persona you are trying to create, for example with a professional athlete. If you are unsure if this is an option that would work well for you it is best to speak to your photographer beforehand to get their professional opinion.
8. Hair styles
It is best to come to the business headshot photoshoot with your hair styled in the way you wear it to work. However try to avoid putting your hair up tight, as this can put extra tension on your face. You are welcome to bring a hairbrush with you to your photoshoot, if you would like to try one or two different styles.
9. Makeup
When planning your makeup for a headshot photoshoot it is best to keep it simple. Try to avoid heavy makeup and opt for a lighter more natural look. If you are prone to oily or shiny skin a translucent powder can take the shine off. You can bring this to the photoshoot for any last-minute touch-ups. If you want to wear lipstick again please bring it with you so it can be touched up before the start of the shoot. If you like the idea of a professional makeup artist, I can recruit one for an additional fee, so that your makeup looks flawless for your professional headshot photographs.
10. Glasses
If you wear glasses every day at work or when visiting clients it’s best to wear them for the photoshoot. However, if you only wear them for occasional use you may choose to not wear them. Good, well-proportioned glasses can frame the eyes beautifully. However dirty lens can ruin a photograph so please make sure your glasses are cleaned thoroughly before the photoshoot.