What to Wear (and Avoid) for a Headshot Session
One of the most common questions we get at C King Media is: “What should I wear for my headshot?” And it’s a smart question because what you wear directly impacts how polished, trustworthy, and approachable you appear in your final image.
Below, we’ll walk you through exactly what to wear (and what to avoid) so you look confident and camera-ready on shoot day.
Best Outfits for Headshots
When in doubt, think simple, solid, and well-fitted. Here’s what tends to work best:
Solid colors over patterns: Stick to clean, solid tones navy, black, gray, soft blues, or earth tones. These keep the focus on your face and don’t distract the eye.
Layers add structure: Blazers, jackets, or even cardigans help create shape and give a professional polish.
Minimal accessories: Jewelry should be subtle think classic earrings, a single necklace, or no accessories at all. Less is more.
Classic over trendy: Choose pieces you won’t regret six months from now. Timeless always photographs better than seasonal trends.
What to Avoid Wearing
These common style pitfalls can make even the best lighting and camera work fall flat:
Loud patterns or logos: Bold prints, stripes, and logos pull focus and can be distracting in tight headshots.
Wrinkled or ill-fitting clothes: The camera sees everything. Iron your outfit and make sure it fits well especially around the shoulders and neckline.
Neon or overly bright colors: These can cast color reflections on your face and affect skin tone in the photo.
Low necklines or busy collars: Keep it structured and simple. Overly trendy collars or deep necklines can age poorly or feel less professional.
Pro Tips for Headshot Prep
Bring 2–3 outfit options: Especially if your shoot includes multiple looks or you’re unsure what will photograph best. We’ll help you choose on set.
Dress for your industry: Corporate professionals, creatives, educators, and entrepreneurs may all have different norms. We’ll help you strike the right balance.
Focus on fit and comfort: If you feel awkward in an outfit, it’ll show in your expression. Wear something that fits well and makes you feel confident.
What We Provide
At C King Media, our sessions are guided and relaxed. You don’t need to be a model we’ll coach your posture, guide your expression, and help you feel comfortable throughout the shoot.
Need us to come to your office or workplace? Learn more about our mobile headshot sessions for businesses.
Ready to update your headshot?
Book your session now and we’ll take care of the rest.