What to Wear and Makeup Tips

What to wear for your headshot?  This is a common question, and we are here to help.  Before any booking date, we walk our client through what to wear based on the brand and look they are creating.  Wardrobe is an essential part of your session. What to wear Portraits

General Tips

  • Tell us your expectations and intentions. Let us know what kind of look you want.
  • We would love to know how and where the photo will be used.

What to wear – Everyone:

  • Avoid busy patterns and large lines/stripes.
  • Solids always look great.
  • Make sure your jacket and shirt fit you well.
  • Don’t overdress.
  • Turtlenecks are almost always a bad idea.
  • Clothes should be neatly pressed and should look new or like new.
  • Blue/green/turquoise shirts/blouses or accents can help emphasize blue/green/hazel eyes.

What to wear – Men:

  • The standard business look is a suit jacket, dress shirt and tie.
  • A casual business look is often a jacket and open dress shirt, shirt and tie (no jacket), or dress shirt on its own
  • Polo shirts are a good look for some businesses. Be sure the shirt is in good condition and fits well.
  • For a no-jacket casual look, bring colored shirts – ideally darker than your skin tone.
  • A white dress shirt by itself is a bad idea – unless you plan to wear it underneath something (jacket or sweater)
  • Bring a few different jackets, shirt colors and ties so we have choices for the photo.

What to wear – Women:

  • Big prints and patterns are distracting.  Solids work best.
  • Different necklines will change the apparent shape of your face. Bring a variety different shirts/blouse to see what works best.
  • For a no-jacket casual look, bring various colored blouses – ideally darker than your skin tone.
  • Be stylish and fashionable, but remember the picture is about your face and not your clothes.

Remember: Select and wear clothes that make you feel comfortable. Select something that makes you look and feel good.

Jewelry:

  • Keep jewelry extremely simple – small is better.
  • Jewlery should be small, so it doesn’t detract from the face.
  • The picture is about your face, not your jewelry.
  • Be prepared to remove facial piercings or multiple ear piercings.

What to bring:

  • Various changes of clothing
  • Lip balm
  • Hairbrush/comb
  • Makeup and hair products you prefer (especially if you have allergies)

Hair and Makeup Tips:

1. Keep It Natural

Aim for a natural look that enhances your features. Go for foundation that matches your skin tone well, and use concealer to cover any small blemishes or under-eye circles. A light layer of translucent powder can help reduce shine.

2. Define the Eyes

Apply a neutral eyeshadow, and line your upper lash line with a soft brown or black eyeliner. Finish with a coat or two of mascara to make your eyes stand out without looking overdone.

3. Add a Soft Blush

A touch of blush on the apples of your cheeks adds warmth and makes your face look vibrant. Stick to soft pink or peach shades for a fresh, natural glow.

4. Choose a Neutral Lip

Opt for a lipstick or gloss that’s close to your natural lip color. Avoid anything too bright or glossy—neutral shades work best to keep the focus on your eyes and expression.

 

 

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