Dress for Success
The most common question that I am asked when I am scheduling a professional headshot session is, “what should I wear?”
It is a big question for me to provide an answer for someone whom I do not know! That said, I often begin my answer with, “how would you like to be perceived?”
A professional headshot should convey much about an individual because a University of York study concluded that it only takes a fraction of a second for someone to assess the characteristics of a person by simply looking at them. So, how do you want to be perceived?
When you arrive for your headshot session, it is my responsibility to help you achieve your goal for the shoot. The following guidelines can assist you in deciding on your presentation for the shoot:
Dress With a Purpose, Like a Boss: appropriate attire will vary from industry to industry and from business to business, but dressing like your managers in your headshot is a good beginning. If you do not have a good role model in your industry, look to other leaders who you respect and emulate their personal presentation.
Keep it Casual But Not too Much Casual: while more formal clothing can contribute to a feeling of power and confidence. If you take a more casual approach, do not make it ‘too casual.’ How you dress for your headshot will impact your appearance in your headshots. It may be an adage, but dress for success; it will boost your confidence in the shoot!
What Colors Are Best For Me?: it is best to avoid fluorescent colors because they do not show well in photographs. However, other than fluorescents, use colors that show you off in your best light. Dark colors can be perceived as formal and authoritative, whereas lighter and brighter colors can be seen as friendlier, approachable, and confident. And contrary to the latter, high contrasting colored clothing items can be perceived as confident and authoritative. If you want to be perceived as a little more conservative, you may wish to use muted tones.
Solid Colors or Patterns: strong patterns can dominate a photograph; it is best to use muted patterns and solid colors.
Jewelry: Like the above, we want you to be the star of your headshot and not your jewelry. Your jewelry should be an accent, so keep it simple. Necklaces can be problematic; you have a headshot that you love, but your necklace is not sitting right (in your eyes) the necklace dominates the shoot.
What Color With YOUR Skin Tone: typically, we would like your skin tone to contrast with your clothing and backdrop. While other combinations can look stunning for a professional headshot, it is best to follow this recommendation.
Backdrop Selection: my low-cost professional headshots are available using a marbled blue or brown marble backdrop. However, we have an unlimited set of options from hi-key white to moody black; however you want to be perceived, we’ve got you covered.
Eyewear: if you wear glasses, don’t worry we can photograph you in your natural state without glare flashes on your lenses. See the sample below:
Neckline: headshots are typically cropped at chest level, so it may make sense for you to wear a higher neckline to appear professional in the headshot. If you are wearing a button-down shirt, button up the shirt above chest level.
Dress for success, and you cannot go wrong with your Professional Headshot! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call George
(401) 284-6106.
If you would like to learn more about professional headshot, pop-over to the headshot web page for details on pricing and sitting for your headshot!
TOP TIP. After photographing many, many, headshots… Relax and ‘trust’ your headshot photographer, with trust comes great headshots!