A professional headshot is the first glimpse of the potential that potential employers, clients, or collaborators have of you.
Your dressing sense in your headshot reflects your personality and changes the way people perceive you.
Fashion icon Coco Chanel once said, “Dress shabbily, and they remember the dress; dress impeccably, and they remember the woman.” The difference between a good and a great headshot is in the details, and that includes what you wear.
In this article, we will discuss some points that one should keep in mind while preparing for a headshot. We will also discuss some outfit ideas for the same.
How crucial is your Headshot?
In the current times, often our first introductions are made online via our headshots on LinkedIn, the website of our organization or within our portfolio.
As reported by Career Builder’s research statistics, 70% of employers conduct background checks using social media and your headshot plays a crucial part in this profile.
The outfit you wear for your picture is also a sign of professional behavior, and it’s a good way to show who you are.
Selecting the Appropriate Colors
Selecting the correct color for the headshot is crucial, there are thousands of colors to choose from which can be confusing. However one should keep in mind what color suits him/her. Some colors can make your features pop while others can wash out your complexion and make you look dull.
Better Opt Solid Colors than Patterns: Wearing patterns in a headshot can attract attention to it and take away the observer’s focus from one’s countenance. Solid colors help maintain focus on expressions hence, Solid colors are a reliable option for headshots. You can choose basic shades like blue, black, or earth tones.
Colors that Match Your Skin Tone: Different color palettes suit different complexions. You can do an online color analysis to find out which color palette suits you the most and dress accordingly.
Avoid Bright Neon or Loud Patterns: Bright neon colors or loud patterns can act as a distraction and they become the focus point with their loud intensity. A headshot aims to keep the attention on you rather than the colors you are wearing. So it is better to avoid such colors and patterns.
The Strength of Layering
Layering is a simple yet powerful act that can add depth to a headshot while remaining professional at the same time. It can be done through-
Blazers or Cardigans: A well-tailored cardigan or blazer adds an elegant touch to an outfit, providing it with a professional and finished look. Neutral Blazers can act as a charm if styled properly.
Scarves or Shawls: You can either choose a shawl or scarf to layer up your outfit. A soft muted hue or simple design shawl or scarf can take the outfit up a notch.
Professional Headshot Outfit Ideas
If you need to take a professional headshot and still can’t figure out what to wear. No need to worry, these outfit suggestions will assist you in making a decision.
One thing to keep in mind is that the selected attire should mirror one’s professional field and desired impression.
Let’s understand this point with the help of few examples
Business Formal– It is best to wear a tailored suit or blouse as it gives an impression of humility as well as superiority. Adding a blazer will uplift the outfit. Avoid using flimsy fabrics, sturdy fabric would be the best choice.
Business Casual– A tailored suit or a blouse worn with a pencil skirt or trousers can give off a relaxed yet office-ready look.
Creative Industry– Innovative professions like design or media has a little more liberty while choosing an outfit providing them with more alternatives to choose from. They can go for bright color shirts with subtle patterns or textures. Overly experimental designs should be avoided.
Minimal Jewelry: Choose dainty earrings, and a necklace, or a timeless piece for your accessories. You can also add a wristwatch. Large striking pieces of jewelry might take away the focus from your expressions. Therefore, they should be avoided.
Avoid Shiny or Reflective Items: Sparkly pieces of jewelry can be distracting while being photographed and they may reflect light. It is best to go matte for headshots.
Hair and Makeup Tips
Natural Makeup: Neutral tones enhance beauty while giving a professional look. So, try to keep the makeup as natural as possible. A flamboyant look should be avoided as it may give a false impression. Procter & Gamble conducted research that showed women with natural-looking makeup were perceived as being more capable.
Tidy Hair: It doesn’t matter if you keep your hair up or down. Just make sure that it looks neat and stylish. Loose strands of hair may make you look shabby and scruffy. Use hair spray and pins to fix that.
Headshot Poses and Posture
The way you are posing is just as significant as the attire. It is up to you if you want to get clicked sitting or standing. Just ensure that your posture looks upright yet relaxed and not stiff. Avoid slouching as it may give a bad impression.
Smile with Practice: A real smile would add a charm to your headshot. So, practice showing a delightful mile in the mirror to catch the best thing about it.
Angle Your Body: Looking directly at the camera can make you look rude and intimidating. Instead, you can turn slightly sideways to make your picture more appealing. Avoiding Common Outfit Mistakes.
Some common mistakes to avoid
Given below is a list of some usual mistakes that should be avoided while selecting a headshot outfit-
Too Casual: Wearing too casual clothing like t-shirts or hoodies will make you look unprofessional. Avoid casual clothes, even when you are in the creative field.
Overly Revealing Clothing: Avoid wearing anything that may look unprofessional during work hours. This includes low-cut tops, spaghetti straps, etc.
Wrinkled or Ill-Fitting Clothes: An untidy appearance can reduce your professional status level. So, make sure to wear well-fitted and wrinkle-free clothes.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND FIRST IMPRESSIONSDo you know that initial impressions are made in seven seconds? According to research by Janine Willis and Alexander Todorov, two scholars from Princeton University, people make snap judgments about whether someone is trustworthy or competent or likeable based purely on seeing their face for just a couple of seconds. That’s why your picture’s clothing counts a lot.
Conclusion
The kind of clothes you wear reflects a lot about you. Outfits can set the vibe and make you look formal or casual based on your choice. In the business world, this is an essential tool for personal branding. So, knowing which outfit to put on can work like magic.
For a headshot, you should reflect professionalism and your personality through your attire.
Just keep the above-mentioned point in mind while selecting an outfit for a headshot and you are good to go. Also, learn about Car Recovery Services by reading this article.
Do not forget Coco Chanel’s words, “Dress shabbily and they remember the dress, dress impeccably and they remember the woman.”
