What Women Should Wear When Taking a Professional Headshot

Did you know you only have seven seconds to make a first impression? That's a short time to get a lot across. 

First impressions matter, especially when you're looking for a new job. In today's social media-saturated world, having a professional headshot is a must for a good first impression. A business headshot versus a hasty selfie says a lot to a potential employer about who you are as a businesswoman. 

Your attire also makes a huge difference. Keep reading for how to dress for a professional photoshoot. 

Preparing for a Headshot

Before your appointment, take some time to consider what sort of look you want. Not sure? There are lots of places you can look to get ideas. 

Search #headshot on Instagram or Facebook and you'll see thousands of examples. Notice which types of headshots draw your attention. You should notice a trend. 

Identifying what makes the photos interesting to you can help you decide on the type of headshot you'd like. Bring some samples to your photographer. 

Lighting is a big part of setting a mood, so pay attention to what lighting you like the best. Do let the photographer guide you with this because photographers are experts when it comes to lighting! 

Business Casual

Is business casual the appropriate look for your industry? Here's what to bring to your session:

• One or two suit jackets

• Several tops, including a conservative v-neck, a boat neck, and a crew neck

• A couple of neat, trim, fashionable trousers or dress

Your clothes should always be clean, neat, and free of wrinkles. With a few options, the photographer can help you choose what looks best on you and what works best for the camera. 

What colors should you wear for business casual? Colors in hues that are a bit darker than your skin tone work well for most people. This keeps the attention on your face. 

Look for a color that brings out your eye color and flatters your skin tone. 

Strictly Business

If your industry is strictly business, bring a couple of well-tailored suits. Bring one with some smart trousers and another with a business skirt. 

The colors are similar to business casual. Avoid black tops since it's hard for the photographer to pull out the details in the finished print. A white blouse is not ideal but can work with a jacket of a different color. 

If grey flatters your skin tone and eyes, it works well if it has a good texture. 

Creative Industries

You'll have a little more leeway with your clothing in most creative industries. Do make sure you research the companies in which you're interested. Pay attention to how the successful women in those companies dress. 

Patterns 

If you're looking for what to wear for a headshot, solid colors work best. Avoid bright, busy patterns.

A bright pattern distracts from your face. Although the clothes are important, the focus of the photo is your face. 

Accessories 

It's tempting for some women to wear a signature or statement jewelry piece. It's a better idea to keep your jewelry selections simple. 

Are you known for big signature jewelry pieces? That may work in a creative industry but not so much in the business world. 

Instead, stick with either simple jewelry or no jewelry. If you have lots of piercings, you may want to take them out for the photos. Again, it does depend on your industry, so do your research. 

Stud earrings work best for most photos. 

Comfort and Fit

Try your clothes on a few days before your professional headshot. Make sure your clothes feel comfortable and fit well. This is important so you look and feel comfortable in front of the camera.

Avoid clothes that are too loose or baggy. It's unflattering and doesn't look professional. 

Before Your Headshot

Get a good night's sleep and avoid drinking alcohol. Alcohol dries out your skin so it won't look as smooth as you'd like for the camera.

Drink lots of water in the days leading up to your headshot. It helps your skin retain moisture and plumps up fine lines.

Speaking of moist skin, moisturize your skin well too. Avoid getting a facial or anything that could irritate your skin for a week before your headshot. 

Arrive a Few Minutes Early

Arriving a few minutes early for your appointment will help keep you from feeling flustered in front of the camera. You'll have time to check your hair, makeup, and outfit. 

Make sure you know where the photoshoot is ahead of time and program it into your GPS. Have the photographer's phone number handy in case you run into any problems. 

Cosmetics

How would you wear your makeup to your dream job interview? That's how you should wear it for your professional headshot. Keep it simple and natural. 

Avoid shiny, glossy products, and opt for a more matte look. If possible, apply your makeup in natural light. Use a little extra concealer on your under-eye area.

Do wear mascara to bring out your eyes. This makes you appear more engaging in your headshot. Keep your eyebrows neat and avoid heavy brow pencil.

Avoid bright, bold lipsticks. These colors bleed into fine lip lines around your mouth and can be hard to correct. 

Use neutral palettes so your makeup works with all your outfits. Be careful about staining your clothes with makeup when you're changing. 

You're Ready for Your Professional Headshot

If you want to make a great first impression on your job applications, you need a professional headshot. Dress for success according to your industry's standards. 

Use a simple makeup palette and choose clothing colors that work for your eyes and skin tone. Stick with dark hues but avoid all black. 

You've got this, and you're going to look great! 

Are you ready to position yourself for success with a powerful headshot that makes a great first impression? Contact us here today!