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CLOTHING, COLORS & STYLING TIPS FOR HEADSHOTS


The goal of a great headshot is to present yourself in a professional and/or fun and approachable manner, so choose clothing that makes you feel confident and comfortable, flatters your body type, and represents your industry or profession.​

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Here are some tips on how to dress for your head shot:

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FOUR QUICK TIPS:

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1)  Choose colors that flatter your skin, eyes & hair first and foremost.

Stick to solid colors over busy patterns, which will distract from your face.

 

2) Choose structured, timeless clothing rather than trendy pieces or excessively worn items.

Opt for fabrics that lay well, flatter your body type, and don't look sloppy or wrinkle easily, like linen.

Avoid boxy styles which can add weight rather than flatter your body.

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3)  The camera loves layers.

Blazers, jewelry, sweaters, ties, scarves, jackets or vests can add visual interest to your headshot

Keep jewelry and accessories to a minimum as too much bling can be distracting.

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4) Grooming is important.

Make sure your hair and makeup are done well. Men should consider a fresh haircut or trim, while women should wear makeup that enhances their features without being too heavy. (25% more than normal is suggested.)

Ladies, we suggest wearing your hair down verses up in a pony tail or pulled tightly back.

See below for more grooming tips and suggestions for you headshots.
 

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NEUTRAL COLORS

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Neutral tones such as gray, black, navy, ivory, white and soft blues are timeless and won't ever go out of style. 

Most people can wear 1-2 of these colors very well.  Additionally, softer pastels or muted jewel tones work well for many.

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MORE CLOTHING SUGGESTIONS:

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  • Ladies - 3/4 or full length sleeves  are almost always more flattering than short sleeves. If you have toned arms & shoulders, sleeveless can work well.

  • Some women feel sleeveless tops may show too much skin, so in this case, a higher neckline is suggested, or bring a blazer.

  • Avoid very strong patterns like bold, wide horizontal strips (those add weight)

  • Avoid busy animal prints, large polks dots or geometric, block patterns. Avoid logos.

  • Avoid linen, it wrinkles upon touch and clothing wrinkles are rather difficult to Photoshop out

  • Heavy tweed blazers, or boxy double breasted ones may add to the appearance of weight

  •  Avoid very low cut tops, or deep v-necks if you prefer cleavage not to show

  • Neon colors photograph weird and will completely distract from your face

  • To minimize your neck/jowel or chin area, consider a scarf, cowel neck top, or statement jewelry, or we can pop your shirt collar up

  • To minimize weight, choose darker solid colors, or layer with a dark, fitted blazer over a top

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BRIGHT & BOLD COLORS

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Strong colors, especially jewel tones, can really make the image pop, command attention and flatter your skin. Keep in mind that your eye may be pulled first to the color, and second to the face and eyes -- not necessarily a bad thing, unless you really want the attention going to your face & eyes first in a close up head shot.

More Grooming Tips for your Head shots

Ladies Clothing

  • Choose colors that look best on you and flatter your skin tone. We recommend solids or very subtle patterns.

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  • Neutral and soft colors are timeless, and bold jewel tones bring pop & energy.

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  • Avoid strong patterns like big stripes, color blocked shirts & busy animal prints as they pull attention away from your face. Avoid neon colors; they photograph weird.

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  • Avoid super low cut necklines if you don't want to reveal cleavage, and sleeveless tops if you don't like your arms.  Showing too much skin can steal attention from your face, and may bug you over the long term.

Hair & Makeup

  • The camera and lighting can wash you out, so we typically recommend slightly more makeup up than normal, especially at your lash line, cheeks and lips. But keep it so you are comfortable with your look.

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  • For hair fly-aways and broken root pieces, we recommend hair spray or light weight gel to lay these down at the crown of the head. Back lighting can illuminate them and they are very difficult to Photoshop out.

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  • Pay special attention to your mascara and eyeliner and clean up any smudges. See below for tutorials

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  • Best not to try a new hairstyle for a photoshoot. Wear it how you like it best.

Tips For Men

  • Men typically wear a button up with or without a tie, and a jacket.  Many prefer to do a shot with the jacket & tie, and a few without for variety.

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  • We recommend putting Visine in your eyes the morning of the shoot to help with redness and broken arteries.

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  • Some men have very wayward or bushy eyebrows that they notice more in the final photos. We recommend using water or hairspray, or a light gel, to groom the strays and neaten them up a little.

Finishing Touches

  • If you wear transition glasses that go darker in the sunlight, consider a back up non-transition pair if possible.

 

  • Your nails may show in the photos, so consider having them groomed or done prior.

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  • Right before the photos, apply a fresh coat of lipstick, powder away any shine, and comb your hair, or hairspray your roots.

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  • Schedule photos for after your highlights or root touch ups are done, if possible.

 

  • Men and women can put Visine into their eyes the morning of the shoot to help brighten and whiten them

Here are some great YouTube video makeup tutorials for woman of all ages.
 
Women Over 40

Makeup tips to open up the eyes and make you look 10 years younger
Clean & Classy Corporate Makeup
Eyeliner Do's & Don'ts To "Lift" Mature Eyes! Mistakes to Avoid
Makeup for Mature Skin by pro makeup artist

All Ages

6 Camera-Friendly Makeup Tips for PHOTOS + VIDEOS
EyeShadow for beginners for a soft glam look
10 Minute Transformational Makeup

 
Outfit Planning for Lifestyle Branding Sessions

Because personal branding photo shoots are designed to capture various looks, you can opt for several outfits and backgrounds. Most people want approachable, lifestyle feeling photos with more of an editorial look for their branding and social media. 
 
Here are some suggestions in planning for these sessions:

 

  1. Bring several outfits/options! I can help you choose from your wardrobe what might photograph best.

  2. Bring layers - blazers, jean jackets, other outerwear, scarves, jewelry, etc.

  3. Bring a few staple accessories that could work well with your different looks.

  4. You can maximize different looks by changing just the top items (jeans or pants can be paired with different tops to give a variety of looks)

  5. Bring both neutral colors and jewel or pastel tones that look good on you.

  6. Consider getting your makeup and hair professionally done if you are able, but if you are not, just apply 20-30% more to compensate for the camera washing you out a little. I suggest a stronger eye - somewhere between day time and night time looks. 

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Group Photos with a Cohesive Look

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When photographing smaller teams, you may consider having everyone coordinate by choosing 2-3 general colors to work from.

Though with larger groups, this may be difficult as individuals will want to wear specific colors that work best for them. 

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