While the focus of your images will be your face and expressions, I want you to feel relaxed so it’s important to wear things that help you feel that way.  If it’s uncomfortable, doesn’t stay tucked-in, only looks good from one angle, keeps coming unbuttoned, or makes you feel self-conscious, it’s probably not the right outfit.  It’s hard to overcome those feelings and restrictions when you are in front of the lens, so making good decisions ahead of time will help get the session started on a good note.   

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Since your session fee includes three images, you may want to consider images that show more than just your head and shoulders.  It's nice to have a variety of images showing more of your torso, lap when seated, and possibly even a full body image - which does require planning to coordinate your outfit from head to toes if you want more than just the typical head and shoulders crop images.  

The majority of my headshot sessions include two outfit changes: a more formal business look and a casual social look.  If you'd like to consider other options, let's discuss a plan which may be dependent on the location that you choose for your session and may require more time for the session's clothing changes.  

Here are some ideas to consider when choosing what to wear, but ultimately, the goal is choose something that you love and that captures your personal style. You also want to consider the 'seasonality' of what you choose to wear.....headshots and social media profile images are generally used year-round, so think about wearing clothing in which you can't easily tell what time of year it is.  

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• Pick a favorite item: Start with one clothing piece that you love - a solid or subtle pattern.  Coordinate the rest of your outfit from that anchor point.  Necklines and subtle details in head & shoulder images are important - you want 'interesting' but not 'distracting or too busy'.  Look for something beyond just straight lines, such as a jacket with a collar over a shirt without a collar, or a shirt with a collar over a collarless jacket. In generally, avoid stark horizontal pattern or clothing lines, such as a turtle neck, which may sharply divide your head from the rest of your body.      

• Colors: Jewel tones, pastels, light colors, and neutrals tend to be softer and more complimentary for most skin tones versus stark white, black, and bright red.  Neon colors can be very overwhelming. Navy blues also often look 'black' in photos and sometimes blacks look washed out and/or show every piece of lint.    

• Layers and textures: Layers and textures can add interest and softer fabrics tend to look less stiff or wrinkled. 

• What to avoid: Large brand names, graphics, and bold patterns. Clothes that are too tight or too loose.   

• What adds interest: Subtle jewelry, a variety of clothing necklines, jackets with collars....happy to talk in more detail!      

• Comfortability: In most headshot sessions, it's great to be able to highlight your face, expressions, and body language by standing, sitting, and leaning - think about how this impacts what you choose to wear.  In order to get a variety of images, be prepared for me to photograph more than just your head and shoulders.....different angles may capture your waist, legs, or even your shoes if you are seated.  Think about whether it’s hard to sit, stand, or lean in what you will be wearing. You should be able to comfortably move, sit or stand without worrying about what you are wearing for fear of exposing something you don't want exposed in the images. PRO TIP: Try on what you are thinking about wearing and do a slow 360 degrees spin in front of the mirror (or having some else help you) and look for things that you don't want to be seen in the images (undergarments, garment tags showing, etc.) and make any necessary adjustments in advance of the session date.     

• Pulling it all together: Once you think you have good plan, lay out your choice and have plan for what you want to wear first and how you will change from one outfit to the next, especially if the photo session will be in a big public location without easy access to bathrooms or your vehicle.  Have an advance plan for any jewelry and your hair and make-up.  

• Ironing, Lint and Stains: Does anything need to be ironed in advance?  It helps to minimize session day stress when the ironing or dry-cleaning are done ahead of time. If it wrinkles easily, such as a jacket, bring it to the location verses wearing it to the location.  Do you need a lint roller?  Black/dark colors have a tendency to show hairs and lint.  Look for stains and adjust as necessary.    

• Unload your pockets: Cell phones, keys, wallets, sunglasses, hair band on wrists...leave as much in your car as possible. If you need to bring a brush/comb, purse, mirror, or a way to touch-up your make-up, we can keep those items close-by but out of the frame.  

• Glasses: If you wear glasses, make sure they have clean lenses.  Blue light glasses will look discolored in the images, and progressive lenses that darken into sunglasses are hard to 'see' your eyes.  If you have plain lenses, they will photograph better.  

• Check your hands:  If your hands show in some of the images, are you OK with your nails polish and/or jewelry? 

• Seasonality: Remember that these images are probably going to be used year-round so taking the time to choose what will good in all seasons and for a few years without looking trendy will be worth it.  

You can also text me photos of your outfits considerations if you are looking for feedback.  

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Session Images and Additional Digital Image Pricing: 

Prices are subject to change at any time and are locked upon signing the photography agreement. 

Virgina Sales Tax of 6% will be added to all sessions and product orders.