Your headshot and branding images will work best for you when your clothing choices reflect YOUR personal style, are flattering to YOUR body, and appropriate for the type of impression YOU would like to make. I have photographed politicians and personal trainers, mortgage brokers and make-up artists, singers and surgeons - and they each had a different set of goals, and needed to speak to a different audience (or set of audiences). What follows are some general guidelines specifically for women, as well as some helpful tips for everyone. But this is only a start: I look forward to learning more about what you want your new images to say about you.
Pro Tip: Think about the different audiences or clientele you have, as well as the various ways you might interact with them (in the office, on zoom, in Court, as an instructor, at a speaking engagement, representing a Board, etc etc etc), and plan your outfits accordingly.
WARDROBE
01 Color: Choose colors that emphasize your eyes and flatter your skin tones. Solid jewel tones, plums, dark blue, and black translate particularly well on camera, and work with all backgrounds. People are sometimes worried about wearing black against a very dark background but many of my clients find it a sophisticated, understated look - and I completely agree. I promise you won’t look like a “floating head.”
02 Pattern: You can never go wrong with a solid. That said, please don’t be afraid of pattern. For those in conservative professions a tweed, herringbone or subtle plaid adds interest without sacrificing formality. For those in creative fields, feel free to express yourself! One note of caution re: patterns, if you are going to be photographed out of the studio, in another indoor location or out in nature, be careful your pattern doesn’t compete with the environment.
03 Cut and Fabric: For a leaner look, a cut that provides structure and waist definition is best. A well-placed drape or ruching is also extremely figure-flattering. Look for body-skimming fabrics such as silks and lightweight jerseys or knits.
04 Sleeves: 3/4 length and long sleeves look good on everyone. If you like your arms and it is appropriate for your profession, going sleeveless can also be a great choice - but watch out for bra straps!
05 Necklines: Wrap dresses and open necklines like scoop-necks, v-necks and boat-necks tend to create a longer, leaner line and are universally flattering. However, be careful that your neckline is not too low or too revealing. A simple black turtleneck is a striking and elegant look for those of us who might not be prone to chin/jaw "spillover."
06 Suits: If wearing a suit jacket is commonplace in your field, you can soften the look by carefully choosing what you wear underneath. A collarless blouse in a beautiful color, with a great neckline, or with an interesting texture or design detail will let your sense of style shine through without diminishing your polished, professional demeanor. Please make sure that your suit jacket fits well, and that your chosen blouse lies neatly underneath the jacket without bunching or pulling.
07 Accessories: Bring along belts, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, watches, silky scarfs, and so on and we can decide together what works best. Note: Necklace pendants should be at least the size of a nickel in order to read well in photos. Consider layering dainty jewelry for greater impact.
Your choice of shoes only matters if we will be creating full-body images -- in which case they matter a lot. Make sure they are in excellent condition, and that they complement or elevate the rest of your outfit. Close-toed shoes are more universally flattering than sandals or open-toed shoes.
If you wear glasses most of the time, I recommend wearing them for at least some of your business portraits UNLESS you do not have non-reflective lenses, in which case you may want to leave them off. Alternately, you can ask your optician to temporarily remove the lenses and/or you can bring an extra frame without lenses. As a last resort, retouching the lenses in post-production is possible but it is not always 100% effective.
PLEASE TRY ON your selected outfits prior to your session to make sure they fit properly, especially in the upper body (neck, shoulders, upper arms and chest). PLEASE BRING AT LEAST 2-3 OUTFIT OPTIONS for a headshot session (more for a longer branding session). This way you can try a few different looks and be able to adapt quickly in the event of any wardrobe malfunctions or if something simply doesn’t work as well on camera as it does in real life. PROPERLY FITTING UNDERGARMENTS are essential. A poorly fitting bra can literally undermine all your wardrobe planning efforts. And you may need different undergarments for your different outfits. Make sure you bring all your needed bras, shapewear, and so forth with you!! IF YOU WILL BE WEARING ANY FABRIC THAT CAN WRINKLE (100% cotton, linen, etc), please make sure that it is pressed prior to your session. Even new clothes may need to be steamed or pressed if they have those tell tale “just purchased” creases. Please also make sure that whatever you bring is free of lint, pilling, loose buttons or threads.
A SPECIAL NOTE ESPECIALLY FOR UPPER BODY IMAGES
To prevent an artificially bulky appearance in your headshots, please avoid padded shoulders, puffy sleeves, and sleeves that have ruffles or any other embellishment above the elbows. Regardless of your body shape and size, sleek and simple will almost always photograph better and produce a more flattering end result.
If you don't feel that your current wardrobe reflects how you would like to be seen in your images, a professional wardrobe stylist can help you "shop your closet" and/or shop for new items that will help take your photos to the next level. Ask me for my recommendation!
MAKE-UP, HAIR & GROOMING
If you will be doing your make-up yourself, please opt for a light and natural look. An even application of primer and liquid foundation (avoid those containing SPF, if possible), topped by a dusting of translucent powder, will give you a smooth, shine-free appearance. Make sure your neck, face, and décolletage are the same color, and that the edges of your blush are gradual and non-abrupt. Wear your usual eye make-up (eyeliner, shadow and mascara) but in neutral shades (no glitter!) and not too heavy -- and watch out for spidery lashes and smudges. Clean up stray brow hairs and fill in if necessary. Lip color should be natural and matte. Tinted balm is also a nice option. Lip liner, if you wear it, should match your lips. Hair should look natural and healthy. You may want to use hairspray or gel to tame frizz and minimize fly-aways. If you get your hair cut and/or colored in anticipation of your session, please do it 1-2 weeks ahead of time. If you wax anything on your face (brows, upper lip, etc.), do it 2-3 days before your session to allow redness to dissipate.
If you would like to have your make-up done by a pro, we have several wonderful recommendations.
Do not worry about blemishes, as they will easily be retouched in post-processing. On the other hand, the hardest thing to retouch in post-production is dry, flaky skin. If this is a problem for you, please start moisturizing and exfoliating your face, lips and hands at least a week before your session. Don’t over-do it, though, as you may end up with rough and raw skin. Stay hydrated, especially in the 24 hours before your session.
If there is a chance that we will be doing anything other than tight head-and-shoulder headshots, please make sure that your nails are clean and neatly groomed. If you are wearing polish, please ensure that it is no chipping or peeling.
A FEW FINAL WORDS...
RULES ARE NICE but being authentic is even nicer. Being true to your own personal style is more important than any guideline laid out here. Have fun, don’t stress too much, and ask for help if you need it.
LOOKING FOR TIPS FOR MEN?? Here you go!!