Are you seeking to create or revise your portfolio and in need of a better, It can be really stressful to choose what to wear for your professional headshots because there are so many different alternatives. Professionalism in any business reflects your personality and the way you appear and communicate with someone. For that, you have to look good. Most women who are new to an industry might be confused about what to wear for a professional or business headshot.
As an experienced portrait and headshot photographer, I have helped several women, including female models, leveled up their online presence with well-exposed and stunning photographs.
To help them with sorting out their dress, choosing the right color, and posing perfectly for a professional headshot, we are providing this guide. We are going to go over everything in detail so that you are fully prepared for your next shoot.
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Whether you are a beginner or a professional, these tips will help ensure you have a smooth headshot experience with your photographer. You will also learn some of the best outfits for this type of portrait. So, keep reading!
How should a woman pose for headshots?
Here’s my number 1 headshot posing tips for women:
Maintain good posture, elongate your neck, relax your shoulders and jaw, wear a genuine, slight smile, and ensure your eyes are engaged with the camera.
10 headshot tips for women
Without further ado, here are the best tips to follow:
1. Hire a professional photographer for your headshot
Your headshot is the first impression that potential employers, clients, or business partners will have of you. Thus, I suggest hiring a professional portrait photographer to take the picture. This way, you can be sure of getting a well-polished image, which can set you apart from your competitors.
Headshots come across my desk daily. Only the highest-quality shots have a chance at making it further – Adam Jacobs, Managing Director of Bubblegum Casting and Hunter Talent.
In a sea of faces, a well-lit and edited headshot captured by a professional can help you to be easily remembered by your potential employers. Therefore, do not attempt to take selfies with your smartphone, as it can mar your portfolio and chances.
Portrait photography aims at capturing the personality, character, and emotions. It can either be candid or artistic. Portrait photography requires more than just the ability to understand your camera settings, lighting, and composition.
You must also possess the ability to connect with your subjects and capture their unique qualities. So, it is a difficult but rewarding genre of photography.
Click Below to read a comprehensive guide to learning and mastering the art of portrait photography.
2. Pose with confidence
Your headshot must exude confidence and professionalism if you want to get the full attention of your potential viewers. As you might probably know, recruiters are seeking people who are confident in themselves and what they have to offer, so you have to make a grand first impression with your headshot.
Learn to stand tall, relaxed, and confident if you want your headshot to make it further from the desk.
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How To Pose? Ways To Look Better In Photos – Women Edition
3. Pose your best angle
Another important tip is posing your best angle. By this, I mean standing in a position that will reveal your jawline, shape, and attractiveness. This may include facing the camera straight-on or at about 45-degree.
We all have distinct facial structures and body proportions. This means that we have unique flattering angles. If you haven’t discovered yours, I recommend discussing it with your photographer to see how he/she can help you identify it.
4. Consider your potential employers
Furthermore, ensure your headshot aligns with the core values of the industry you are targeting. If you are unsure of the values, I suggest you conduct simple internet research or seek help from the company’s staff and tailor your headshot accordingly.
This way, you can make a great positive first impression and demonstrate that you understand their brand identity and you are ready to identify with them. This will significantly boost your chances.
Bonus tip: Go for a professional and confident headshot if you are aiming for a leadership position in a corporate firm. If you are pursuing a role in a more casual or creative field, like photography, I suggest you opt for a casual headshot that will reflect your creativity.
5. Focus on your eyes
They say the eyes are the window to the soul; the will and emotions are seen in the eyes. So, consider using subtle eye makeup to make them stand out and entice your potential viewers.
6. Relax and be yourself
Yes, be at ease and yourself if you want powerful head portraits. Wear clothes that will make you feel comfortable, hire a professional photographer with a sense of humor and experience working with women, and avoid overly forced or unnatural styles.
7. Consider your location
I will suggest having your professional headshots taken in a well-lit photo studio. But if you want it done in an outdoor setting, ensure the place is clean, well-exposed to natural light, and void of distractions.
8. Keep it natural
Do not hide your face behind heavy makeup. Instead, try as much as you can to appear natural, except if you are applying for the role of a makeup artist. If not, I suggest you avoid using shimmery or sparkly products that can create unwanted reflections in the photo or make your headshot look bad.
9. Consider using props relevant to your niche
Consider using props that align with your personality and are relevant to the role you are aiming for. For instance, you can hold a camera if you are a female photographer, a paintbrush or sketchbook if you are an artist, and some flowers if you are a florist or interested in nature.
10. Consider wearing appropriate outfits
While most people will say, “Wear an outfit that will make you feel amazing,” I suggest you wear something that resonates with the role you are aiming for. Your potential employers might find some dresses offensive, so consider picking an appropriate dress for your headshot.
Conversely, if you fancy an outfit that your target employers might find offensive, I recommend you look somewhere else for the role – probably a place where you both will be on the same page about styles and dresses. Nonetheless, below are a few outfit suggestions to help you get started.
What to wear for headshots – suggestions for women
1. Opt for solid-colored dresses
I have been taking headshots for more than five years, and if there is one thing I’m sure about is that solid-colored dresses work well for headshots. This is because they can draw attention to your face and minimize distraction.
Therefore, I suggest that you go for neutral colors like black, white, and gray. You can also consider others you feel will complement your complexion and make your head portrait appear bold and unique.
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2. Rock timeless tops
You may use a particular headshot anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. So, steer clear of trendy or overly casual outfits that may not stand the test of time.
3. Avoid dresses with busy patterns and logos
Similarly, you should avoid dresses with busy patterns, large logos, or distracting elements. This is because they can divert attention from your face and even make your photo appear cluttered.
4. Avoid plunging necklines or overly revealing tops
Furthermore, I suggest you opt for a modest neckline for your headshot. Avoid plunging necklines or overly revealing tops because they can make you appear unprofessional.
5. Keep jewelry and accessories simple
Except if you are aiming for a role in the fashion industry, I suggest you go for minimalist jewelry and avoid chunky pieces.
Ultimately, it’s best to consider the dress code of the firm you want to work with and tailor your headshot outfit accordingly. But if you intend to use a particular headshot for a longer period of time, then wear a timeless outfit for the photo.
What To Wear For A Professional Or Business Headshot
Adapt Your Clothes According To Your Field
There is no simple, universal solution for how to dress for a professional headshot. Because of this, photographers can’t just instruct people to wear black blazers. In fact, wearing a black blazer is the worst choice for various professions and individuals. Blazers can have a too-corporate vibe to them, which can be off-putting if you’re starting out in acting or a startup sector. Even if wearing a blazer is a must in the industry where you work, it’s better to choose light colors like blue or pink to give a good vibe.
You can reflect yourself differently for a professional headshot only when you wear a very formal dress with simple colors. You can wear a simple shirt with a coat over it to look professional for your field in your headshot. The color combination can range between dark and light shades.
Make It Seem Simple And Comfortable
Make sure you truly like wearing and feel completely comfortable in the ensemble you choose. Your dress will be obscured in the picture if your clothing is too baggy. You run the danger of showing buttonholes, pulling, and strained seams if you wear them too tightly. Your neckline and shoulders will appear different, even in a headshot. Don’t dress too overly. Rather choose to go with a simple yet comfortable dress that looks nice. Something like this:
Avoid Stripes And Patterns
While patterned and striped clothing may look wonderful during the day, you should absolutely avoid wearing them for headshots. We absolutely want to stay away from certain patterns if at all possible because they can really produce optical illusions like moiré in photographs, which must be fixed in post-production. Bold stripes will also draw attention away from you, the subject who makes the picture.
Maintaining order and simplicity will help draw attention to your face rather than your clothing. Wear a dress that has very light or no textures at all for your professional headshots. This is to help you reflect professionalism in your photos.
Attention to Necklines
Let’s now discuss necklines. Most women look beautiful in v-necks, which also draw attention to the neck and have a slimming effect. Just watch out for an excessively low neckline. Also acceptable are plain scoop necks. Do not, however, wear turtlenecks. You might appear to have no neck if you do this, though. Additionally, exposing some skin makes it easier for the person seeing your photo to focus on your face and eyes.
Blouses with frills or extra fabric at the neckline can draw too much attention to your bust line, giving you the appearance of being wider. Stay away from that too. A business jacket or blazer, a shirt or blouse alone, or a dress are all good options for women’s wardrobe, giving them more possibilities. It always looks wonderful to use the solid, medium to dark tones with colorful accents. Pay close attention to your neckline; it should ideally end before the photo crop, so go for more revealing clothing.
Wear Simple Makeup
Keep your makeup subtle and straightforward. Natural makeup should complement your polished appearance when you get your first business headshot. Given that regular makeup would seem different in studio lighting, hiring a makeup artist may be a wise investment. When you are carefully prepared for a professional photoshoot, you will see how simple makeup will enhance your facial features for a professional headshot.
Think About Donning Vibrant Colors
By using different colors in your headshots, you can accomplish a variety of tactics. Usually, when a photographer takes a headshot, he wants the viewer’s attention to immediately go to her eyes and grin. When people should be gazing at your face, bright, strong colors can deflect attention. No one will be able to identify your best-looking colors for you better than you can, so consider them. There is a reason why you are attracted to a certain color, or something really compliments your skin tone.
Pro Tip: If you want to attract attention, think about using vivid colors. If you want people to relate to you and your personality, opt for neutrals and soothing tones. A shade that highlights your eyes is advantageous because it will draw attention to your expression even more.
Pick Out Form-Fitting Apparel
It may seem counterintuitive, but choosing more form-fitting clothing will help you appear thinner in photographs. Most women love to look slim and wear tight apparel to reflect their figure perfectly. A loose shirt has the drawback of undoubtedly making you appear bigger than you are. In a still image, you can only make out the exterior contour of a body. You will be able to get the most attractive photographs if you are wearing clothes that fit snugly around your body.
The same rule applies to button-down shirts and dress shirts: make sure there is no slack material, especially when you sit down. This is also the reason why choosing the right arm position and leaving enough space around the torso is crucial when striking a slimming and appealing pose for pictures; without it, the subject would look larger than they actually are.
Go With Hairstyles That Match With Your Outfit
To capture who you are on your best day, not someone else should be the aim. You might wear a shirt for a professional headshot, for which you also have to dress your hair accordingly. Avoid straightening curly hair if you have it. If you don’t appear like yourself in your photographs, you won’t ever feel confident displaying them in a professional headshot. A quick piece of advice for women is to wear their hair down whenever feasible or to make sure that any ponytails or updos you choose show off how beautiful your hair actually is.
Try Formal Business Wear In Range Of Colors
You must decide the colors you will wear in your headshot after eliminating any clothing possibilities with garish patterns or stripes. You can test out different outfits from your wardrobe first before going for a professional photoshoot, e.g. try a dark blue/black dress or something like that. You can’t simply stand in jeans or shorts to go for a photoshoot. While using a perfect dress, you also need to focus on the color that you are wearing because it will make out a perfect or worst frame once you decide to start taking pictures.
Some hues are always attractive. Anybody will look well wearing traditional office clothes in shades like blue, navy, or dark gray. After that, you can explore jewel tones like purple or pale neutrals like peach or ivory. Additionally, it’s usually a good idea to have a variety of options. Although many photographers may advise against using pure black or white, in the end, it really depends on how you wear it and what background you mix it with.
Pro Tip: Regarding color, you should also think about whether you have a go-to hue that you always wear.
What Should You Not Wear For A Business Headshot?
We also have some suggestions for what to avoid wearing for professional headshots, such as apparel with a history of poor photography or that has a reputation for being unprofessional. These outfits are the absolute worst for headshots.
Related Article: ” What To Wear For A Professional Or Business Headshot? For Men “
Avoid Dressing Too Casually
Even if you work in a field where business casual is the standard, you might want to dress more formally for your headshots if you want to come across as more assured and in charge. According to research, simply dressing more formally can help you feel more in charge and powerful, which can affect how you pose and seem in pictures. Stay with formal options like suits, ties, and formal blouses if you need an extra confidence boost.
Avoid Wearing Apparel With Logos Or Graphics
Avoid wearing apparel with oversized slogans and images as well. Instead of a clothing brand, your headshot should represent your personal brand or the brand of your business. When you wear clothing with obvious logos, you serve as an advertisement for that apparel company and take attention away from your face. Instead of just glancing at your headshots, people should be able to judge whether they want to do business with you. When your clothes are free of graphics or trademarks, this is the simplest to do.
Keeping Patterns To A Minimum
Even though patterns are entertaining, they could be a bit much for a business headshot. They may detract from the focal point of the image, which is you. If you frequently utilize patterns to convey your personality, we advise wearing them sparingly, like a patterned pocket square in a suit jacket or a patterned camisole worn under a blazer. Professional headshots call for smaller, less noticeable patterns