What to Wear for a Professional Headshot Session — A Photographer’s Guide

You’ve booked your headshot session — brilliant. Now comes the question almost every client asks: “What on earth do I wear?”

As a professional headshot photographer based in Oldham, I’ve photographed hundreds of people for LinkedIn profiles, business websites, and personal branding campaigns across Greater Manchester. And clothing choices make a bigger difference than most people realise.

Here’s everything you need to know before you arrive.

Wear what represents you professionally

Your headshot is often the first impression a potential client or employer will have of you. So ask yourself — what do I wear when I want to feel confident and professional? Start there. Whether that’s a sharp blazer, a smart casual top, or something that reflects your industry, wear what feels authentically you.

Bring 2-3 outfit changes

More options mean more variety in your final images. A plain dark top, a mid-tone colour, and something with a bit of personality gives you choices when selecting your favourites. Different outfits can also suit different uses — one shot for LinkedIn, another for your website, another for social media.

Avoid busy patterns and large logos

Bold stripes, bright prints and oversized logos draw the eye away from your face — which is the whole point of a headshot. Solid colours and simple textures work best, especially on a plain studio background.

Think about your brand colours

If your business has established brand colours, incorporating them subtly into your clothing can make your headshots feel cohesive across your website and marketing materials. It doesn’t need to be exact — just complementary.

Don’t forget the details

Iron your clothes the night before. Check for loose threads, lint or marks. Bring your jewellery in a bag and decide on the day — sometimes less is more, sometimes a statement piece adds personality. Hair and makeup should be how you’d present yourself at an important meeting — not dramatically different from your everyday look.

Props are welcome

At my studio at 1853 Studios in Oldham, I shoot tethered so you can see your images on screen as we go and we can adjust in real time. If you want to bring props — a laptop, notebook, or something relevant to your work — these can add a natural, grounded feel to some of your shots.

One final tip

Wear something you feel good in. Confidence reads on camera. When you feel comfortable and like yourself, that’s when the best shots happen.

Ready to book your headshot session in Oldham or Manchester? Get in touch here.