What to wear for a headshot

Most headshots show your head, neck and shoulders, and the top of your chest. That means the neckline, collar, colour and fit of what you wear take up a large part of the image. Clothes also date a photo: a fashion trend that looks fresh this year may look dated in three years. The aim is simple. Choose clothes that look like you on a good day, fit well, and do not compete with your face.

This guide is general information written in our own words. We don't recommend particular photographers, studios or products, and we never quote prices: rates vary widely, so ask for written quotes.

Start with where the photo will be used

Think about the audience first. A headshot for a law firm's website, a creative agency's team page and an actor's casting profile call for different clothes. A useful test is to picture yourself at an important meeting with the people who will see the photo. What would you wear? Dress like that, perhaps one step more polished. If your employer is organising the shoot, ask whether there is a dress guide so the team looks consistent.

Colour

Solid colours are the safest choice. Mid-tone and deeper shades, such as navy, charcoal, teal, burgundy, forest green or muted blue, tend to photograph well on many skin tones. They also give the photographer room to light you without the clothing turning into a flat black shape or a glowing white patch.

Think about contrast with the background. A dark jacket against a dark backdrop can make your shoulders disappear, and a white shirt against a white wall can look washed out. If you know the background colour, choose clothes that sit clearly apart from it. If you don't, bring options in both lighter and darker tones.

Very bright or neon colours can reflect onto the skin under the chin and on the cheeks. That is not always a problem, but it can make editing harder and can distract from your face.

Patterns and textures

Fine stripes, small checks and tight herringbone can create a shimmering effect called moiré on digital screens. Larger, softer patterns are usually fine, but a busy print draws the eye away from your face, especially in a small profile thumbnail. Gentle textures such as knitwear, linen or a matte suit fabric add depth without distracting. Avoid very shiny fabrics, which can show hot spots under studio lights.

Necklines and collars

The neckline frames your face. Collared shirts, crew necks, gentle V-necks and boat necks all photograph well. Very low or very high necklines can look unbalanced in a tight crop. If you plan to wear a jacket, check that the shirt collar sits neatly under the lapels. Press collars and plackets the night before; small wrinkles show clearly in high-resolution images.

Fit

Fit matters more than price. Jackets that are too big bunch at the shoulders, and shirts that are too tight pull across the buttons. Sit down in front of a mirror in each outfit, because many headshots are taken while seated or leaning. Check that the jacket does not ride up at the back of the neck when you sit.

Layers and accessories

Layers give the photographer options. A jacket or blazer over a shirt or top lets you take a formal frame and a relaxed frame in the same session. Keep jewellery simple. Small earrings, a fine necklace or a watch are rarely a problem, but large or reflective pieces can catch the light and pull attention. If you wear glasses every day, wear them in at least some frames so the photo looks like you, and ask the photographer how they manage glare on lenses.

How many outfits to bring

Bring two or three options on hangers, ironed and in a garment bag. Include one you feel completely confident in, one in a different colour family and one layer you can add or remove. The photographer can help choose once they see how each looks under their lights. If the shoot is for several uses, such as a website and a speaking profile, an extra look gives you variety without a second session.

What to avoid

• Large logos and slogans, which date quickly and distract from your face.
• Brand-new clothes you haven't worn before, which can feel stiff or show fold lines.
• Anything that needs constant adjusting.
• Colours that exactly match your skin tone, which can flatten the image.

A simple checklist

1. Choose solid colours that contrast with the background.
2. Check the fit while sitting.
3. Press collars, cuffs and lapels.
4. Pack a lint roller.
5. Bring at least one alternative top or layer.

Dressing for different industries

Expectations differ across fields. In finance, law and government-facing roles, a jacket and collared shirt or a tailored top is common. In technology, design and hospitality, smart-casual knitwear or an open collar often fits better. Health professionals sometimes choose clothing that reflects their work while keeping it clean and simple. Creative fields leave more room for colour and personality. None of these are rules. They are starting points, and the right choice is the one that suits the people who will see the photo and still feels like you.

Clothes for different skin tones and hair colours

Rather than following strict colour rules, look at photos of yourself that you like and note what you were wearing. Many people find that colours which echo or complement their eyes and hair work well. If you have very fair hair, very dark clothing can create strong contrast; very dark hair against a dark top can blend in. Bring options and let the photographer test them under the lights, because colour behaves differently in studio light than in a bathroom mirror.

Caring for clothes on the day

Carry outfits on hangers in a garment bag rather than folded in a bag. Hang them up as soon as you arrive. Avoid sitting in a jacket during the drive, which creases the back. A small travel steamer, if you have one, can rescue a creased shirt. Check for pet hair and lint under the lights, and remove anything in your pockets that creates bulges, such as a phone or keys.

Use the shoot planner

Our free shoot planner turns what you need the photo for into a simple brief, covering framing, background, expression, outfits and a list of what to bring. It runs entirely in your browser, and nothing you choose is sent anywhere. Use it to prepare before you contact photographers, or to plan a DIY session at home.

Where our information comes from

We base factual statements in our guides on official and expert sources, such as the Australian Copyright Council, the ACCC, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, the eSafety Commissioner, the Australian Passport Office and platform help pages, which we list at the end of each page. Practical tips are general and written in our own words. Rules and platform requirements change, so check the source links before relying on any detail.

A good headshot in one sentence

A good headshot is sharp on the eyes, evenly lit, simply framed, current, and shows you looking relaxed and like yourself on a good day. Everything else in this guide supports those few goals.

Questions worth asking yourself

Before any shoot, ask yourself: where will this photo be used, who will see it, what impression do I want to give, and how will I feel about it in two years? Your answers guide your choices about clothes, setting, expression and photographer, and help you brief the person behind the camera.

Key points

• Solid mid-to-deep colours that contrast with the background are the safest choice.
• Avoid fine stripes and checks that can shimmer on screens.
• Fit matters more than price; check it while sitting.
• Bring two or three pressed options so the photographer can help you choose.