THE HEADSHOT JOURNAL · DALLAS–FORT WORTH
What to Wear for Business Headshots
Choose clothing that fits your professional life—and gives you useful options in front of the camera.
Studio portraits by Nabor Godoy. Your clothing should support the way you want to be seen.
Choosing clothes for a professional headshot starts with where the photograph will appear. A company biography may call for a different look from a speaking profile or your own business website. Bring options that reflect those settings and that you feel comfortable wearing.
At Godoy Shots, we can review how your clothing works with the lighting and background as we photograph. You do not need to choose every detail before arriving at our Farmers Branch studio.
Start with your audience and intended use
Think about the people who will see your photographs and the role you want the images to support. If your organization has a dress code or portrait guidelines, bring those requirements. If you are developing your own professional brand, consider the clothes you would wear to meet an important client.
A jacket can give you a more formal option. Removing it or changing the layer underneath can create another useful look. A tie is a choice to discuss in relation to your work, rather than a requirement for every executive.
Consider color, texture, and fit together
Consider how color, texture, and fit work together. Nabor can help you compare your options beside your face and against the studio background.
Solid colors are our usual recommendation because they keep attention on your face. Black, white, gray, blue, green, and purple can all be useful starting points. Bring colors you feel confident wearing, especially those that reflect your personal style or company brand.
Avoid busy patterns, stripes, hoods, and scarves that can draw attention away from your expression. If a pattern is a defining part of your personal style, bring it alongside a solid alternative so Nabor can help you compare them. Avoid visible logos unless they represent your own company and belong in the photograph.
Check how the clothes sit when you move
Choose clothes that fit well and feel comfortable. Try each outfit on before your appointment, paying particular attention to the collar and the fit around your neck and shoulders. Sit down and turn your shoulders to check whether the fabric pulls or the collar shifts.
Keep layers simple: a shirt or blouse under a jacket is usually enough, with a lighter layer underneath as a useful starting point. Different necklines change the way your face and neck are framed, so bring an alternative if you are unsure. Choose simple accessories that keep attention on your face, and bring any personal pieces you would like Nabor to help you evaluate.
For wider portraits, consider the complete outfit, including trousers or a skirt and shoes. Clothing that works in a close headshot may need a few adjustments when more of you is visible.
A short wardrobe checklist
- Bring a few well-fitted jackets or blazers, shirts, and blouses that give you different professional options.
- Press or steam clothing and transport it on hangers. A full-size garment steamer is available at the studio if wrinkles develop on the way.
- Include the layers, accessories, and shoes that belong with each look.
- Bring company image requirements or examples of where the photographs will appear.
For makeup, hair, and a practical touch-up checklist, read our makeup preparation guide for professional headshots.
Use wardrobe changes to create useful variety
Choose changes that contribute something to your collection. You might want a jacket for a leadership profile and a simpler layer for a more conversational introduction. During the session, we can compare those choices with different expressions and framing.
If your photographs need to work across several platforms, read our guide to building an executive visual library. I help you select images according to the uses you have in mind.
Questions before your session
How many outfits should I bring?
Bring the looks you most want to explore, plus an alternative if you are unsure. Essential sessions typically allow two outfits; Signature sessions provide more time for multiple outfits and wider portraits. The number of looks varies with the pace of the session.
Can I wear white, black, or a pattern?
White and black can both work well; Nabor will consider them with the background and lighting. We generally recommend solid colors and avoiding busy patterns or stripes. If a pattern is a defining part of your personal style, bring it with a solid alternative so you can compare the photographs together.
About Nabor Godoy
Nabor Godoy is a professional headshot and portrait photographer at Godoy Shots Photography in Farmers Branch, serving Dallas–Fort Worth. A Headshot Crew Associate Photographer, he guides clients through expression coaching, live image review, and collaborative image selection.
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