Headshot Tips & Tricks!
What to wear?
Choose Colors That Fall in the Mid-Tone Range
Choose colors that fall in the mid-tone to jewel tone color range and avoid pastels and neons. The best colors to wear for headshots are the colors that lie in the mid-tone area of the color spectrum, or the muted or dark tones.
A few of my favorite colors for headshots are burgundy, navy, plum, emerald green and charcoal. Within each of these colors, however, is a tonal range, and your skin tones should help you determine which specific tone of each color work for you.
Do not wear bright pink, bright orange, turquoise, mint green, coral or any neon colors whatsoever.
Solids Are Best
Large patterns take over the photo. Solids are best for headshots. Some prints can work when layered with solids over the top. For example, a medium sized floral print under a solid top can be very flattering and add some visual interest to your photo. Avoid really tight patterns or tight prints, like tight pinstripe or polka dots.
Black and White Clothing Can Work Well
Most photographers will tell you not to wear all black or all white. I really love all black for black and white portraits, and if white is in your color palette, a white button up can be a clean, classic look (wear a no-show white cami underneath).
Neutrals, Paired with Black or White, Create a Clean, Classic Look
I love neutrals paired with black and white. They are classy and timeless, especially if you’ve chosen a dark gray or white background. Think about tan, camel, champagne, charcoal gray or taupe, and pair any of those tones with black to create a beautiful, clean palette that can complement most brands.
Choose Moderately Open Necklines
The best necklines for photos are modest V necks, boat or crew necklines.
Avoid turtlenecks or scarves that can’t be loosened around your neck. Turtlenecks make you look like you have no neck, and in photos, can make you look out of proportion.
Avoid low necklines that you’ll be tugging on. Showing too much skin right near your face is also just not flattering and detracts from your face.
Avoid buttoned shirts that are too tight around your neck. If you wear a buttoned shirt, it should fit without causing bulging.
Do Not Wear Tight Patterns or Tight Textures
No tweed (synthetic print or real) or tight patterns. All of these textures and patterns can create a moire effect in photos viewed online. This effect looks like wavy lines that dance around on clothing on a screen but not in real life.
Avoid small polkadots, pinstripes, small checks and tight patterns of any kind.
Wear Long Sleeve or Three-Quarter Length Sleeves
Long sleeves or three-quarter sleeves look more professional. Because I typically have you turned at an angle to the camera, your arms will be the most camera-forward part of you. Unless you absolutely love your arms, you will want longer sleeves.
If you decide on a tank top or sleeveless top, bring a sweater along too for a few shots.
Wear Layers for Headshots
Layers work well for headshots, but be strategic about fit and color. Lighter colors should be underneath, with darker colors over the top in suit jackets and blazers.
If you don’t love your midsection, pick a jacket, sweater or blazer that can be buttoned.
Makeup Tips
Makeup for Headshots and Professional Photos
In general, keep makeup natural. Aim for an everyday look, but be strategic about applying it with the following tips.
Protect Your Skin Before Your Session
Wear sunscreen in the weeks leading up to your shoot! Racoon eyes or peeling skin are not fixable during edits.
Drink extra water the week prior to your photos.
Don’t get anything waxed or threaded the day of or the day prior to your photos. Waxing or eyebrow threading can lead to redness. Avoid any major skincare treatment in the same week as your photos.
Schedule a haircut a couple weeks in advance rather than right before your session, just in case you don’t love it or in case you need a little time to learn to style it.
Foundation
Avoid shiny, glowy, or dewy makeup, like those that contain minerals or sunscreen.
Use a matte foundation that matches your skin tone and blends well with the skin color on your chest and neckline. Don’t apply foundation too thick; it will cake and enhance wrinkles.
For more mature skin, use a thin liquid foundation rather than thick liquid or powder foundation. Thick makeup settles into fine lines and wrinkles and makes you look older. Opt for a light foundation with a touch of moisturizing quality, then cover any noticeable shine with a translucent powder.
If you have makeup with some shine, use a loose, matte finishing powder over the top, like Laura Mercier’s Translucent Finishing Powder.
Use concealer a bit more liberally than normal to cover any blemishes, but make sure it’s blended well.
Natural Lipstick with Slight Shimmer
DO NOT wear super bold/dark lipstick. Lipstick should be one shade darker than your natural color and it should stay in line with your color palettes. Dark tones make your lips look thinner.
Wear lipstick with a slight shimmer or gloss. Matte lipstick also makes your lips look thinner.
Avoid strong lip lines and avoid going outside your natural lines to make lips appear bigger. Both are picked up easily on camera and look strange.
Neutral Eye Makeup
Eyeshadow should be in neutral tones.
Highlight with a matte ivory or white shade under the browline to make eyes appear more open. Concealer sometimes does the trick.
Do NOT wear eyeliner on the lower lash line. It closes down your eyes, makes them appear smaller, and makes you look older.
Avoid fake lashes, especially really long ones, as they also tend to close down your eyes, add shadows under your eyes and make eyes appear smaller.
Avoid shimmery eye shadow. Shimmer falls into creases and accentuates lines.
Use black mascara. Brown is too light for photos. Use a new or newish tube of mascara for photo day.
Wear Glasses Without Reflective Coating
Only wear glasses that have minimal to no reflective coating. The purple tint that helps with screen glare is a nightmare for photos. Please, please, please try to bring a pair without coating. Sometimes you can borrow a display pair from your optometrist that doesn’t have coating.
Make sure the lenses are clean before your headshots.
Jewelry?
Jewelry Should Be Tasteful and Minimal
I love jewelry, but try to keep it somewhat subtle so it doesn’t distract from your face.
Try to avoid anything super flashy, shiny or sparkly to avoid it catching light and becoming a distraction.
Keep Hair Shiny and Natural
Only use products that enhance shine. Don’t use mattifying products (be careful with dry shampoos on this front!).
Do your hair in a style you typically wear. Photo day is not the day to try a new style.
Do not wear your hair in a bun or ponytail. It can look like you don’t have hair, or if your head is turned, like you have a big bump on one side.
Bring a comb or brush and some hairspray with you.
Wear facial hair the way you normally would. If you’re normally clean-shaven, use an electric razor to avoid redness.