What to Wear for a Professional Headshot

Written By Ryan Dunbar

Wardrobe, shown on real sessions

Wear what you would wear for the setting the photo is for.

Headshot of a man in a charcoal suit with an open white collar, grey background
WornCharcoal suit, open collar
Headshot of a woman in a solid red short-sleeved top, light grey background
WornSolid red top with sleeves
Headshot of a man in glasses, a black suit, white shirt and black tie, light background
WornBlack suit and tie, glasses

That is the rule the studio gives every client before a session. A suit for the boardroom, a solid top for a creative team, a jacket and tie for a formal firm. Everything below is detail, and every detail is shown on a client photographed in the studio.

01

Fit at the shoulders and collar matters more than formality

Most of what the camera sees in a headshot is shoulders and collar. A jacket that sits flat on the shoulders and a collar that lies clean do more for the photograph than how formal the outfit is. Check both in a mirror before you choose.

Headshot of a woman in glasses and a navy blazer over a white top, light grey background
WornNavy blazer over a white top
Headshot of a man in a blue-grey blazer and an open-collar white shirt, white background
WornBlue-grey blazer, open-collar shirt
02

Solid colors over busy patterns

Solid colors photograph better than busy patterns, fine stripes or big logos. Clothes that fight for attention pull the eye away from your face. Mid-tones and darker colors suit most people. Color itself is fine when it is solid, as all 3 of these are.

Headshot of a woman in glasses and a plum blazer over a black shirt, light grey background
WornPlum blazer, black shirt
Headshot of a woman in a magenta blazer over a black top, light background
WornMagenta blazer, black top
Headshot of a woman in glasses and a pale blue jacket over a white top, light grey background
WornPale blue jacket, white top
03

For a corporate look, sleeves or a jacket

If the photograph is going on a company site or a LinkedIn profile, pick something with sleeves or a jacket. A tie is optional. A jacket with an open collar and a shirt and tie without a jacket both read as business.

Headshot of a man in glasses, a navy blazer, lavender open-collar shirt and pocket square, grey background
WornNavy blazer, open collar, no tie
Headshot of a man in glasses, a light blue shirt and patterned tie with no jacket, light background
WornShirt and tie, no jacket
04

Wear your glasses if you normally do

If people know you in glasses, wear them. The photograph should look like the person who walks into the meeting. In the studio the lights are angled to keep reflections off the lenses, so glare is the photographer's job, not yours.

Headshot of a woman in glasses and a black blazer over a sage green top, light background
WornGlasses, black blazer, green top
Headshot of a man in glasses, a black suit, white shirt and black tie, light background
WornGlasses, black suit and tie
05

Bring a second option

The first choice can fight with the background. A second option means the session is never stuck with it. The same kind of outfit reads differently on a mid-grey background and a dark one.

Headshot of a man in a navy suit, white shirt and red patterned tie, mid-grey background
WornNavy suit, red tie, mid-grey background
Headshot of a man in a navy suit, white shirt and red tie, dark background
WornNavy suit, red tie, dark background

How many outfits to bring depends on the session:

SessionWardrobe
Studio Headshot1 outfit, 1 background
Professional SessionSeveral outfits and backgrounds
Executive PortraitUnlimited wardrobe
06

Hair, makeup and grooming

Get your haircut 1 week before the session, not the day before, so it has time to settle. Keep makeup close to your everyday look, with a little powder to control shine. The goal is the same as the wardrobe: you on a good day, not a different person.

Headshot of a woman in a black blazer over a white top, dark background
WornBlack blazer, white top, dark background
Portrait of a woman in a white jacket with arms folded, light background
WornWhite jacket, light background

The night before

  • Outfit chosen for the setting the photo is for
  • It fits cleanly at the shoulders and collar
  • Solid color, no busy pattern, fine stripes or big logos
  • Sleeves or a jacket, if the look is corporate
  • A second option packed
  • Glasses, if you normally wear them
  • Haircut done about 1 week ago
  • Makeup close to everyday, powder for shine

Where this comes from

WhatSourceChecked
Wardrobe, glasses, hair and makeup guidanceATX Headshots client prep guidance, as given to clients before a session2026-09-24
Wardrobe allowed per sessionATX Headshots session descriptions2026-09-24
PhotographsATX Headshots studio sessions. Captions state only what each client wore2026-09-24

Clients get the same guidance in the prep email that comes with their booking. What each session covers is set out on the ATX Headshots studio session page.

Ryan Dunbar
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