Dress to Impress: Why Your Wardrobe Matters for Professional Headshots
If you’re due for some fresh professional headshots, I’m your girl! I make sure every step of the process is easy and stress-free, and that includes wardrobe planning. Finding the perfect outfit for any photo session is stressful because of course we all want to look our best. But your wardrobe is one of the core ingredients for a great headshot, and here’s why.
Making a Good First Impression
Your headshot’s job, in a nutshell (but we’ll get into more detail below), is to make a strong first impression when colleagues and professional contacts are getting acquainted with you on your website, LinkedIn, emails, etc. I can work a lot of magic with my camera but if you’re wearing an outfit that looks overly casual or unprofessional, that will come through in your portraits and your first impression might make you seem less professional and capable than you really are.
Shaping Your Professional Brand
As I mentioned, your headshot should make a strong first impression. More specifically, it should make the impression you want to make by highlighting your professional brand, AKA your professional identity. Your wardrobe styling is a big part of this. What you wear can paint you as a corporate executive, an approachable and friendly professional, a lighthearted creative, or whatever your brand may be.
Side note: while planning your headshot photo session, we’ll talk through what you want your professional brand to be because I’ll also use that to guide the poses, backgrounds, and styles I use in your photo shoot.
Styling for Your Best Look
If you’ve never seen a video of an expert doing a professional color analysis or style analysis for someone, they’re fascinating! Slight variations in the color or cut of your clothing can affect aspects of your appearance like your skin tone, the shape of your head, and which facial features are emphasized or downplayed. Choosing the right outfit for your headshots is one of many ways I’ll help you look your absolute best in your headshots.
One Word: Confidence!
Speaking of looking your best, there’s just no replacement for feeling great about yourself in your photos. When you’re wearing an outfit that makes you feel fantastic and confident, rather than one that makes you feel self-conscious, that confidence will come through loud and clear in your headshots. And no matter what your professional brand is, confidence is an asset you want to have.
How to Plan Your Headshot Photography Wardrobe
Not sure how to find the best outfit for your professional headshots? I’m here to help! Book with Jaimié Birtel Photography and I’ll meet with you to plan your photo shoot together, including selecting your headshot wardrobe. I can go through your closet with you to pick out the best options, or if you want something new, I can refer you to some great shops and resources. My favorite local boutique is CoCapsules in Bothell, which is full of great quality pieces that photograph excellently.
