Clients often ask what they should wear for a professional headshot. The short answer is: wear something that fits well, suits the way you work and does not compete with your face. A headshot has a small frame. On LinkedIn, a company website or a conference program, the viewer may see it at little more than thumbnail size. Simple choices usually survive that reduction better than complicated ones.
This guide covers the advice I give clients before a headshot session in Princeton. These are not rigid rules. They are a reliable starting point, and we can adjust them for your role, industry and personality.
Begin with fit, not color
A well-fitting jacket, blouse, shirt or knit will generally photograph better than something oversized. Extra fabric can gather around the shoulders and neckline, making the garment look untidy even when it feels relaxed in person. You do not need anything uncomfortably tight; aim for a clean outline that follows your shape without pulling.
Try the outfit while sitting and standing. Move your arms, turn your shoulders and look in a mirror from several angles. If you spend the entire session adjusting a collar or tugging at a jacket, it is probably not the right choice.
Solid colors are the safest foundation
Solid colors keep the image calm and let your expression do the work. Navy, charcoal, deep green, burgundy, cream and mid-tone blue are dependable options, but the right color depends on your complexion, hair, background and brand. Both light and dark clothing can work.
Very fine stripes and tiny checks can create a distracting moiré pattern on screens. Large, high-contrast patterns can also take over a close crop. Texture is different: a subtle knit, woven jacket or matte fabric can add depth without becoming the subject of the photograph.
A useful test: take a quick phone picture from the chest up, then shrink it until it is about the size of a LinkedIn profile photo. If the clothing attracts attention before your face, simplify it.
Bring a second option
Even when you need only two final images, bringing another jacket, shirt or top gives us useful flexibility. One option might feel more formal for a company biography; another can feel more approachable for LinkedIn or speaking engagements. A quick layer change can create variety without turning a focused headshot appointment into a full branding session.
Bring garments on hangers rather than folded into a bag, and check them for lint, wrinkles and loose threads. If you wear a jacket, bring the shirt or blouse you plan to place beneath it so we can judge the complete neckline.
A simple neckline and solid color keep attention on the person rather than the wardrobe.
Match the level of formality to the work you want
Your photograph should make sense in the places where clients, colleagues and employers will encounter it. An attorney or financial advisor may want a jacket for the primary image. A therapist, designer or consultant may prefer something softer. If your normal working style is relaxed, dressing several levels more formally can make the result feel like a costume.
Think about the next opportunity rather than only your current position. The right headshot should feel credible for the client, role or stage you are moving toward while remaining honest about who you are.
Keep jewelry and accessories intentional
Jewelry is welcome, especially when it is part of how you usually present yourself. The question is whether it supports the portrait or competes with it. Very reflective pieces, noisy bracelets and oversized accessories can become distracting in a close crop. If you are unsure, bring them and we can make the decision while looking through the camera.
Glasses are not a problem
If people normally know you in glasses, you should usually wear them. I adjust lighting and positioning to control reflections. Clean the lenses before the session and, if you have several pairs, bring the ones you are considering. Clear demonstration frames can be useful only if they are identical to your normal glasses; otherwise, your usual pair will look more natural.
Headshots and branding sessions are different
A headshot session is focused: a concise appointment designed to produce polished portraits for professional use. Headshots start at $490 and include two final edited images, with additional images available to purchase. Full hair and makeup are not included with headshot sessions.
A personal branding session creates a broader image library, including headshots, environmental portraits and working photographs for a website, social media and editorial use. Full professional hair and makeup are included with branding photography. If you need several outfits, locations or different kinds of images, compare the headshot and branding options before booking.
A final checklist
- Choose clothing that fits cleanly through the shoulders and neckline.
- Favor solid colors or quiet textures over small, busy patterns.
- Bring one additional option on a hanger.
- Check garments for wrinkles and lint.
- Wear glasses and jewelry that are part of your normal professional appearance.
- Dress for the work and clients you want the photograph to represent.
You do not need to solve every visual decision before arriving. Direction is part of the session. Bring the strongest options from your wardrobe, tell me where the photographs will be used, and we will choose what works best on camera.