What to Wear for Professional Headshots

Headshot Guide · What to Wear

Wear what you would wear to meet an important client. Choose solid colors over busy patterns and large logos, and pick clothes that fit you well, because fit matters more than whether they are new.

Advice from the ThisPix photographers, Midtown Manhattan, since 1986.

SolidOver busy patterns
Good fitMatters more than new
No big logosNothing competing with you
PosingWe direct you

The short answer

Wear

  • What you would wear to meet an important client
  • Solid colors
  • Clothes that fit you well
  • The glasses you wear every day, if you wear them

Avoid

  • Busy patterns
  • Large logos or slogans
  • Clothes that are too big, too tight or creased
  • Anything you would not wear at work

Why solid colors photograph better

A headshot is small on most screens, often a circle on LinkedIn or a thumbnail on a company page. At that size a busy pattern or a big logo is what people notice first. A solid color keeps the attention on your face and expression.

Dress for where you will use it

Use What works
LinkedIn and resumes What you wear on an important workday. It should look current and like you
Company websites Match how your company dresses, so team photos look consistent
Actors and models Simple, fitted clothing that shows your shape and lets your face lead
Personal branding Clothing that reflects the work you do and the clients you want to meet
A passport photo identifies you. A headshot introduces you.

Unlike a passport photo, a headshot should show your personality and tell people what you do, so a natural smile, your everyday glasses and clothes that suit your field are all welcome.

ThisPix · Midtown Manhattan

Professional headshots from $89

Studio lighting and direction on posing and expression are included in every package, and every image we take is yours to keep. Book ahead or walk in, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.

Book a headshot212-753-4671

Glasses, hair and grooming

  • Glasses. If you wear them every day, wear them in your headshot so it looks like you. Tell your photographer, so they can watch for reflections.
  • Hair. Style it the way you usually wear it to work.
  • Clothes. Make sure they are clean and free of creases before you leave home.

How to pose for a headshot

You do not need to practice. Every ThisPix package includes direction on posing and expression, and we show you the results as we go, so we can adjust until you like what you see.

  • Relax your shoulders. Tension shows first in the shoulders and neck.
  • Follow the photographer's cues. Small changes in the angle of your head and the direction of your eyes make a big difference, and we will guide each one.
  • Pick your favorites with people who know you. When you select the image for your profile, share your images with friends, family or co-workers and let them help you choose.

Our headshot packages

Essential$8920 to 25 minutes, about 15 images, 1 edited image. Headshot framing
Signature$16940 to 45 minutes, about 30 images, 3 edited images. Headshot and half-body framing
Portfolio$29975 to 90 minutes, about 60 images, 6 edited images. Headshot, half-body and full-body framing

All images are yours to keep. Additional edited images are $25 each. You see every frame on screen during your session, and nothing is edited until you approve it.

Questions, answered

What should I wear for a professional headshot?

Wear what you would wear to meet an important client. Solid colors photograph better than busy patterns or large logos, and clothes that fit well matter more than clothes that are new.

What colors are best for a headshot?

Solid colors. They keep the attention on your face, while busy patterns and large logos pull the eye away, especially when your headshot is shown small on LinkedIn or a company website.

What should I wear for a LinkedIn headshot?

What you wear on an important workday in your field, in a solid color that fits you well. Your profile photo should look current and like you.

Can I wear glasses in my headshot?

Yes. Unlike a passport photo, a headshot can show you with your glasses. If you wear them every day, wear them, and tell your photographer so they can watch for reflections.

I am not comfortable in front of the camera. How do I pose?

You do not need to know how to pose. Every package includes direction on posing and expression, and we show you the results as we go so we can adjust together.

How long does a headshot session take?

20 to 25 minutes for Essential, 40 to 45 minutes for Signature, and 75 to 90 minutes for Portfolio.

Where can I get a professional headshot in NYC?

At ThisPix, 805 3rd Ave, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10022, at East 50th Street and 3rd Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. Book ahead or walk in, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.

This guide is based on the experience of the ThisPix photographers. There are no official rules for headshots, so use it as advice, not a requirement.