What to wear to your headshot session
You would almost think this doesn’t matter - ‘how much of my upper body will you even see?’ Even if it’s a sliver, wearing something that not only makes you feel great but has the right shape and colour will make a great deal of difference.
Dress type - casual, formal or somewhere between?
Whether you’ve been sporting that work-from-home vibe or not there’s no doubt that our never-ending Melbourne lockdown life has changed the way we think about work attire.
Casual seems to be the default but maybe you want to show that you’re relaxed and approachable but still passionate about what you do by dressing up your look to make it look professional. Dress up a t-shirt with a blazer or cardigan to add more lines and definition to your headshot or accessorise a simple blouse with a minimalist necklace.
It’s always good to provide options with a casual outfit but at the end of the day if you're in a white-collar industry that expects a classic shirt, tie and suit option then bring it along. The more options the better. But consider adding more personality with a coloured tie or a shirt that has a bit more character than a simple white one - we want a curated combination of elements that catch the eye of the viewer.
How it makes you feel
I think the most understated aspect of deciding what to wear is how the clothing makes you feel. Do you feel comfortable, does this clothing make you feel like you are at your best? This of course translates into how you look in your photos and whether or not your expression looks natural. In the lead-up to your shoot, decide what to wear well in advance and try wearing the outfit for a day, gauge how you feel and if it’s not an “I look great for sure” then shove that one back in the closet and try something new.
Background colour
Whether you decide what you want to wear first and then pick a complimentary background colour or vice-versa this is definitely one of the key decisions for your headshot session.
The background colour options include the following:
Green
Black
Grey
White
Beige
Brown
I’m a big fan of contrasting colours so my personal preference, my aim is to have you stand out against the background in a complimentary way.
I like to work with the following background colour and clothing combinations:
Logos and patterns
Unfortunately, logos and patterns do not photograph well, they’re usually distracting and pull attention away from your face - we want people to focus on you and not your clothes. Of course, if the logo is part of your business then go for it but otherwise best to work with block colours.
Even a pin-striped pattern or any repetitive tight patterns is a no-go, the camera does not handle it well and creates this effect called moiré which can create this wavy banding across your torso which looks like a digital blip - so please leave that one at home.
Fabric
There are some fabrics like cotton, rayon & suede etc which are a bit more forgiving with creases and camera lighting, however, most of the time silk or satins are not. They are just too shiny and you guessed it, distracting to the eye.
Hair & make-up
Camera lighting can wash out your face, so when it comes to a professional headshot session your makeup needs to be more pronounced than what you would normally do.
Gentlemen, there’s no shame in putting on some powder to blot out any extra shine, particularly on your nose, forehead and chin
When it comes to hard, try and tame your hair as best as possible so that we are avoiding any flyaways - do what you need to, use wax, hairspray, or any product that does the trick.
Preparation
This goes without saying but preparation is key! Please ensure your clothing comes neatly pressed, clean, pill and lint-free.
I hope these few tips have helped you feel primed and ready to approach your next Melbourne headshot session with absolute confidence.