FAQ: What should I wear for my headshots? 3 tips for preparing your portrait shoot wardrobe
One of the most frequent questions I get is “what should I wear?!”
First off: it totally varies, and I think some of the portrait wardrobe rules out there should be taken with a grain of salt — or broken completely. Outfits are unique to each individual, not to mention the type of shoot (brand vs. headshot) and priority usage (lifestyle magazine feature vs. corporate LinkedIn profile).
All this to say, I do think there are three things everyone should incorporate while planning their shoot wardrobe.
1 - the least exciting, yet most important: take extra care preparing your clothes prior to the shoot, from steaming to lint rolling
While some shoots do have a wardrobe stylist on set, or a rockstar assistant with a lint roller in one hand and a steamer in the other, there are many shoot scenarios where time is really limited… like when I’m squeezing in a quick shoot with an executive between meetings who needs a photo for an urgent press feature, or efficient individual headshots at a company offsite, amid a jam-packed schedule.
In real life, we all have a certain amount of wrinkles that are the norm — natural, and hardly noticeable IRL. Even sitting on a chair or train or car can add a few, natural creases. That said, on camera these little things tend to stand out more.
This is perhaps the least exciting tip, but take extra good care of your clothes prior to shoot day, particularly if it’s a quick one. Iron or steam your clothes, lint roll, bring anything prone to wrinkles on a hanger or in a garment bag. It’ll immediately help you feel more polished!
2 - Wear clothes that fit you well, even if that requires a trip to the tailor.
Any other Tan France fans here?! If you’ve never seen Queer Eye, Tan leads style and helps give the show’s heroes a wardrobe refresh. He taps into their unique personal style, paired with education on what works well for their body.
Tan often educates people how their size or shape clothes aren’t quite right for their body. Many episodes feature someone wearing shirts or jackets that are too big or baggy, with shoulder seams that: aren’t aligned with their shoulders. Tan teaches them how to buy the right size, often a tad more fitted, and also shares how to take things to the tailor, to make them work for their height and shape. A trip to the tailor can be as little as $10-20, and worth every penny!
I’m with Tan on this one. For photos, pieces that fit well are a bit more tailored are ideal. Wear items to beautifully fit your body, exactly as it is today!
Don’t get me wrong I love a flowy sweater, caftan or poncho, but they aren’t ideal for your go-to portraits.
3 - Tried and true > trend.
Once I had my makeup done for a friend’s wedding, and the makeup artist went with a very bold pink lip… a shade I never wear. I walked out and one of my friend cracked up (never a good sign - ha!) and said it looks awesome, but it’s just so not you. (A few hours and glasses of bubbly later it was off and replaced with a go-to tube of lipstick that lives in my purse!)
All this to say, I don’t want you to feel like that on your shoot day in your wardrobe. A ton of trendy styles could look awesome on you, but you may not feel like yourself in the photos.
Particularly if it’s a shoot with just one outfit, wear something that feels so true YOU and your personal style. Throw out any “rules” and wear the style, color or item you always throw on and feel most confident, most yourself in.
