No matter what business you’re in, having a well produced headshot on your website, LinkedIn page or your business card is an effective way to make a great first impression.

Whether you’re producing your own headshot or hiring a professional, it is important to have a clear idea of what type of image you want to portray. Choosing what to wear shouldn’t be difficult.

It’s about conveying your personality and professionalism.

While we live in a world where people are more open minded, I believe it’s important to show that you care about what you do and how you want people to perceive your personal brand. You can be fun, creative and wear something comfortable but still look like you are serious when it comes to business.

MEN

For men, a jacket without a tie is always a good option. For a more formal look, a solid color tie is probably the way to go. Avoid lines, logos or busy patterns in any clothing item. A good level of contrast between your jacket, shirt and tie creates a powerful image that looks good in both color and black and white photos.

If you’re wearing a color shirt it is recommended that to mix a light color shirt with a dark jacket or a dark color shirt with a lighter color jacket.

WOMEN

Women have so many choices that can make wardrobe selection a bit more time consuming. For real estate, banking or executive jobs, business attire with solid colors is always a safe way to go. Some accessories can add color to a darker, more serious looking outfit, but it’s important to not let it become a distraction. Scarfs can look really nice if they are well coordinated with the rest of your outfit. A nice jacket or a blazer give you the opportunity to try a couple of different looks during a limited time session. Avoid wearing long earrings or jewellery that is too distracting and pendants that hang really low.

Simple and understated makeup that looks natural always looks better in photos. Revealing or partially see-through clothing create a less professional tone, so they are not recommended for business headshots. Dressing up is always better even in industries with more relaxed dress policies. It will also boost your confidence during a photo shoot.

If you’re really struggling on choosing what to wear, it is always a good idea to go online and search for business headshots for people in your industry and just find the images that you feel are more in line with what you want. If you are having an individual photo session, feel free to contact your photographer and share photos of outfits you own or images you’ve found online that are close to what you want to wear. The more communication you have before your photo session the better.

You may also want to ask your photographer what types of backgrounds he or she will use and how that may influence your wardrobe choices.

Keep in mind that a professional headshot will not make or brake your business. It is more about conveying your personality and professionalism. It’s about showing that you care and you take pride on what you do. What you wear provides an opportunity to display individuality and personality but it doesn’t need to be a cause of stress and confusion.

As a the lead photographer at DeCarlo Media, my goal is to make your photo session a fun experience that leaves you with images that will help you achieve your professional goals. I am committed to making you feel completely comfortable with how you look and get the best professional headshots we can get. Leave the stress at home. It is my job to make sure you look your best. You will.

For questions call me at 480.200.0630 or email me at andrew@decarlomedia.com