5 quick tips about what to wear for business headshots
Having trouble deciding what to wear for your business headshot? You are not alone! Here’s how to plan what to wear for a business headshot session, and why.
According to the Association for Psychological Science journal article by psychological scientist and study author Alexander Todorov of Princeton University, “… images we post online can affect us in unexpected, and undesired, ways, subtly biasing other people’s decisions.”
And, as many a mother has said, “You never get a second chance at a first impression.”
With a little prep work, we can optimize your first impression and plan for the results we want.
1) Wardrobe Colors
Darker, solid colors stand out. In a good way!
Our goal is to direct the audience to your face and your eyes. Patterns, prints and bright colors like orange or red, will distract people from what we want them to see.
White, cream or flesh toned colors can blend too much as well. Blues, greens, chocolate, navy and other mid tones will help to focus their attention.
2) Of Ties and Necklines in Business Headshots
It’s all about the neck!
For most target headshot audiences, you can’t go wrong with a slightly conservative look, especially in a business setting.
A good headshot is often compared to being a combination of a first date and a job interview.
If your industry favors ties, then a conservative tie is the way to go.
Otherwise, a modest v-neck is perfect as it will lengthen your neck and flatter your face.
As always, keep it simple to avoid too much distraction.
Look at similar headshots in your industry for what to wear for business headshots.
3) Jewelry for a Business Headshot?
Jewelry is a very personal statement about you. Your choice of jewelry will make a statement to your target audience.
However, big, bright, bold and dangly pieces are often too flashy and can become a distraction.
Also, as styles change so quickly, they can date your headshot, making it less effective for long term use.
4) Headshot Pose
There are many simple tips for optimizing how the camera sees you.
By turning your slightly body away from the camera, you can create slimming lines.
I always ask my clients to turn their feet at about a 45 degree angle to the left or right and then to point their front foot back to the camera. This creates angles that are flattering as well as make their pose look more dramatic.
Pushing your head forward and tipped down slightly can help to reduce the dreaded double chin, while creating a little more interest.
5) The Smile is the Key to your Business Headshot
Your best tool for a great headshot is a smile. Smiles are contagious!
It doesn’t have to be a full on, teeth baring, smiling so hard your eyes are sqeezed shut grin.
A “Mona Lisa” smile can be very effective in a headshot. It implies that you have knowledge that your clients need.
Sometimes it is difficult to smile a real smile on command.
That is where the relationship created by the photo studio and photographer can help.
When I am working with a client, I take them on an emotional journey from serious to all out belly laugh, knowing that the perfect smile is going to be the spontaneous grin that happens when they are not thinking about it.
Just lean in, look into the lens and let it happen.
- Tags: corporate photography, headshots, How To...
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