If you have made the decision to update your headshot or invest in some branding photos so you can be more visible in your business, I applaud you! You should have a professional portrait of yourself that you love and are proud to share over and over again. And to get there, it takes just a little preparation in finding what to wear for headshots in New Orleans for a successful final photo. 

 

What you choose to wear, hair and makeup, will help you reach your goal of a beautiful photo that speaks to your business. That’s why I’ve put together this headshot style guide on how to look your best for your upcoming professional headshot photos in New Orleans.

 

Why Choosing the Right Outfit for your Professional Headshot Photos in New Orleans Matters

When people find your business online, one of the most visited pages will be the about page and whether it’s just you or several team members, having a professional headshot will immediately help you connect with your clients. It helps build trust, communicate quality and presents you as a confident person. 

 

Headshot photos have changed a lot in the last few years for the better, especially for women. In fact, the term headshot doesn’t even describe your final photos accurately. Most professional headshot photos will show your full body or from the waist up. They are often taken in a natural environment, allowing a more relaxed and flattering portrait. The traditional heads and shoulders in front of a backdrop is going to the wayside. This is fabulous for headshots for women in business, helping you stand out with personality and style. 

 

How to style your headshot photos is even more important now because of this, and finding the right photographer that can guide you and get rid of those fly-aways is a must. Having said that, don’t worry too much, with this headshot style guide and tips you can find the perfect couple of outfits for your upcoming portraits. 

 

Best Outfit Ideas for a Great Headshot Style Tips:

• Wear a color palette that compliments your complexion and hair color.
• Find clothes that fit you right now, not too baggy or tight. 
• Wrinkles in clothes are a photographer’s nemesis.
• Simple jewelry is best.
• Layer with a jacket, blazer, sweater or scarf for diversity.
• Dress for your line of work. 
• Don’t be afraid to show personality.
• Hair and Makeup glow-up.

 

Wear a color palette that compliments your complexion and hair color.

 

Have you ever taken a color test? It sounds silly, but most women tend to dress for their complexion according to seasons. Redheads are obviously Fall, Blondes are usually spring or summer and Brunettes tend to lean towards winter. It’s good to know what colors you look best in when you are shopping for the perfect outfit for headshots. If you don’t look good in a mustard or pink, this might not be the time to buy that pink dress. Lean into your favorite colors and avoid wearing solid black or a bright white on top. Check out this Seasonal Color Analysis explained by stylist Laurie Loo.

 

Where Clothes That Fit Well

 

Getting your pictures is not the time to try and squeeze into a tight dress or skirt, or go the opposite and wear something that is baggy. Neither option will photograph as well as expected. What works is clothing that fits well, shows the shape of your body without being too tight or revealing and also allows movement without hiding your body outline. 

 

Wrinkles are a Photographer’s Nemesis

 

As a professional, I can touch-up a lot from a photograph with my well-honed editing skills. Lint, those pesky hanging strings on every blouse, stray hairs and even fix a crooked hem. The one thing I can’t edit out to look natural is wrinkles. They are indeed my nemesis. 

 

If you’re wearing a linen dress or pants, chances are a few wrinkles will look just fine with your linen texture. If you are wearing a silk blouse, those wrinkles are going to stand out. Make sure to keep all of your clothes on hangers before photos, iron the night before and choose fabrics that are wrinkle resistant if possible. 

Simple Jewelry is Best

 

A little bit of bling can go a long way. A bit of gold or silver can add a nice amount of reflexion and brightness to your photo, but avoid too much or large jewelry. For necklaces, make sure that layered chains don’t get tangled too much when you move. Rings and bracelets can be a great way to show off personality, and there is a good chance your hands will be in a few pictures so if you love chunky bracelets make sure they work with your color palette.

Layer with a jacket, blazer, sweater or scarf for diversity.

 

For most headshot sessions, especially with women, I recommend having two outfits ready will give you more options with your final images. This can be two completely different head to toe, or as simple as adding a blazer or jean jacket to a dress for a more casual look.  Scarfs can also be a great way to change a neckline and add color for a few photos. For men, this can be taking off your suit coat, tie and rolling up your sleeves for a more casual look. 

Dress For Your Line of Work.

 

Think about your industry and the parameters around the types of clothing that your industry tends to wear. And then ask yourself if you want to blend in, break the mold or somewhere in between. If you work in a corporate field, a suit or structured dress might work best, don’t be afraid to add color or a pattern to stand out. 

 

For an entrepreneur, artist or designer, you can lean into a more casual look with a pair of crisp jeans and a blouse and elevate it to a professional look with a blazer. Shoes, although they won’t be in every picture, can be a fun way to add color and pattern. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Show Personality.

 

One of the most asked questions for what to wear for headshots is what color should I wear to look great. There’s no right or wrong answer for this one. First, think about your goals and where you will be sharing your headshot and which colors look best on you. 

 

If you want someone to quickly find your headshot while scanning Linkedin, go with bold colors that will grab attention. A turquoise blue can be soothing but eye catching. Or a bright pink will help your professional headshot stand out. 

 

If you prefer a more minimalist look, a lighter pallet of creams, whites and peaches can be very soothing in photos. 

 

Dark colors tend to photograph well when they are not all black. Adding a gray, brown, rust or dark blue with some texture in your fabric (linen or knit for example) can help break up a solid that might wash out your complexion. 

 

Bring some pattern with one item of clothing only. Patterns can add a lot of personality, but try to limit it to just a blouse or dress with a solid blazer over it. 

Hair and Makeup 

 

Let’s keep things simple for hair and makeup, you want to look like you. While getting your hair blown out and professional makeup done before your headshot session can be a benefit, make sure you use someone who knows what you want. If you are working with a new makeup artist, try doing a test run. 

And if working with a professional makeup artist is a little intimidating, it’s just fine to do it yourself. 

Eyes and lips are the most important for headshots for women. A bold lip color can be fun if it’s something you would wear, otherwise you want to stay with your normal palette. 

 

If you never wear makeup, this may not be the time to start. Make sure your skin is well moisturized and you are well hydrated. 

 

For hair, a blow out the day of can look great in a style you normally wear. If you have curly hair, don’t straighten it unless that’s your usual look. 

 

A Few Don’ts

 

Avoid shiny clothes. Unfortunately they reflect light unevenly and can often be distracting in your final images. 

 

No logos or anything that will draw attention from your face will look unprofessional. 

 

Don’t try out a new hairstyle before you headshots. Go with what you like.

 

Make sure your undergarments don’t create lines or seams that show through your garments. 

If your glasses have a blue or green tint for screen glare, wear your older glasses if possible. 

Don’t stress. It’s my job as your headshot photographer to lead you, find flattering poses, distract you from the camera with lively conversation and make you look amazing! And with this guide to What to Wear for Headshots in New Orleans hopefully you are even more prepared! 

Reach out to schedule your professional headshot photos in New Orleans by contacting Jennifer HERE! 

And you can find out more about professional headshot photos in New Orleans HERE!