What to Wear for Professional Headshots in a NYC Studio

Start With How You’ll Use the Headshots

Before choosing an outfit, consider where you’ll use the headshot and what you want it to communicate. A LinkedIn photo may require a different look from an executive portrait, company website, or personal branding session.

Consider:

• LinkedIn: Polished, approachable, and professional
• Corporate website: Professional and consistent
• Executive portrait: Confident and refined
• Personal branding: Professional with more personality
• Creative professions: More flexibility with color and style

Your outfit should feel authentic to how you normally present yourself professionally. If you’re unsure, bring two or three options and let your photographer help you choose what works best with the lighting and background.

Choose Clothing That Fits Your Profession

Your outfit should match your role, industry, and audience. There isn’t one perfect choice for every professional headshot.

Corporate and Executive Professionals

A suit, blazer, dress shirt, or blouse can create a polished, confident look. Neutral or understated colors can help keep attention on your face.

Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

Choose clothing that reflects your brand and personality. A blazer works for a formal look, while polished business-casual clothing can feel more approachable.

Creative Professionals

Designers, photographers, architects, and similar professionals have more flexibility. Color, texture, and simple accessories can add personality while keeping the look professional.

Healthcare and Professional Services

Doctors, consultants, real estate professionals, and others may benefit from clothing that feels professional, trustworthy, and approachable.

Most importantly, wear something that feels authentic to you. The right outfit should support your professional image without distracting from your face or making you feel uncomfortable.

Best Colors for Studio Headshots

Color can influence how your headshot looks, especially under controlled studio lighting. Consider your skin tone, profession, background, and the image you want to create.

Colors That Often Work Well

• Navy or dark blue: Professional and versatile
• Gray or charcoal: Clean and understated
• Black: Classic and formal
• White or cream: Bright and simple
• Deep green or burgundy: Adds subtle personality
• Soft neutrals: Modern and approachable

Brighter colors can also work when they suit your profession or personal brand. The key is choosing a shade that complements you without becoming the focus.

Consider the Background

Your clothing should provide enough contrast with the studio background. Dark clothing can blend into a dark backdrop, while very light clothing may disappear against a light one.

If you’re unsure, bring two or three options in different tones. Your photographer can help you choose the one that works best with the lighting and background.

Solid Colors vs. Patterns

Solid colors are often a simple choice for studio headshots because they keep attention on your face and work well with different lighting and backgrounds.

Solid Colors

Solid shirts, blouses, jackets, and dresses can create a clean, timeless look for:

• LinkedIn profiles
• Corporate portraits
• Executive photos
• Professional websites
• Team headshots

Patterns and Prints

Patterns aren’t necessarily a problem. Subtle designs and textures can add personality, while very busy or high-contrast patterns may distract from your face.

If you’re unsure, bring one solid-color option and one patterned option. Your photographer can help choose what works best with the studio lighting, background, and composition.

The goal is to let your clothing support the portrait without becoming the main focus.

How Your Clothing Should Fit

The right fit can make a headshot look more polished and professional. Choose clothing that feels comfortable and sits naturally on your body.

Look for:

• Comfortable fit around the shoulders and chest
• Clean, structured lines
• No pulling, bunching, or excessive looseness
• Wrinkle-free fabric
• Enough room to move comfortably

For jackets, check that the shoulders sit correctly and the sleeves are an appropriate length.

You don’t need extremely tailored or tight clothing. The goal is to look comfortable, confident, and well put together.

What to Wear for LinkedIn Headshots

For a LinkedIn headshot, choose an outfit that looks professional, approachable, and authentic to your role.

Good options include:

• A well-fitted blazer or jacket
• Dress shirt or blouse
• Polished business-casual clothing
• Solid or subtle colors
• Simple professional accessories

Your outfit should reflect how you want clients, employers, or professional connections to see you. A lawyer may choose a formal look, while an entrepreneur or creative professional may prefer polished business-casual clothing.

Avoid large logos, distracting graphics, or anything uncomfortable. Since LinkedIn photos are often displayed at a small size, simple clothing and a clear view of your face work well.

If you’re unsure, bring two outfit options and let your photographer help you choose the stronger look.

What to Wear for Corporate and Executive Portraits

Corporate and executive portraits usually call for a polished, professional look that still feels natural to you.

Consider:

• Well-fitted suit or blazer
• Dress shirt or blouse
• Neutral or deeper colors
• Simple professional accessories
• Clean, wrinkle-free clothing

Darker and neutral tones can create a refined, confident appearance, while a jacket can add structure to the portrait.

Your industry also matters. A financial executive may prefer a formal suit, while a technology founder might choose polished business-casual clothing. Choose what reflects how you normally present yourself professionally.

If you’re taking multiple looks, bring one formal outfit and one slightly more relaxed option for added flexibility.

Should You Bring More Than One Outfit?

Yes. Bringing two or three outfit options gives you flexibility during a studio session. Different colors, layers, and styles may work better with the lighting and background.

Consider bringing:

• One polished professional outfit
• One business-casual option
• One alternative color or style

Choose pieces that fit well and make you feel confident. You don’t need to bring your entire wardrobe—just a few options that suit your professional image.

If you’re unsure which outfit works best, your photographer can help you choose based on the lighting, background, and overall composition.

What About Jackets, Ties, and Accessories?

Jackets, ties, and accessories can add structure and personality to a professional headshot without taking attention away from your face.

Jackets and Blazers

A well-fitted blazer or jacket can create a polished look. Choose one that fits comfortably across the shoulders and works with your outfit.

Ties

For formal corporate or executive portraits, a tie can add a refined touch. Keep the color and pattern simple so it doesn’t distract from your face.

Accessories

Simple watches, earrings, necklaces, or glasses can work well when they reflect your usual professional style. If you wear glasses regularly, bring them to the session so the photographer can adjust the lighting to minimize reflections.

The goal is to choose accessories that complement your professional image without competing with your face or expression.

What Not to Wear

For studio headshots, avoid clothing that distracts from your face or makes you feel uncomfortable.

Try to avoid:

• Large logos or graphics
• Very busy patterns
• Poorly fitting clothing
• Wrinkled or heavily creased pieces
• Excessive accessories
• Anything you don’t feel comfortable wearing

You don’t need to avoid color or personal style. Choose clothing that fits well, looks polished, and reflects your professional image.

If you’re unsure about an outfit, bring it to the session and let your photographer decide what works best with the lighting, background, and composition.

Grooming and Final Preparation

Your clothing is only part of the final look. A little preparation can help you feel confident and keep the session running smoothly.

Before your headshot session:

• Check your hair and get a haircut a few days beforehand if needed.
• Keep your skincare routine simple and avoid new products before the session.
• Style facial hair as you normally would professionally.
• Clean your glasses if you wear them.
• Steam or iron your clothing to remove wrinkles.
• Bring a lint roller for quick touch-ups.
• Get enough rest so you look and feel refreshed.

If hair and makeup are included in your session, allow enough time for preparation.

Most importantly, avoid major changes to your appearance. Your headshot should show you at your professional best while still looking natural and recognizable.

What to Bring to Your NYC Studio Session

A little preparation can make your headshot session easier. Bring:

• Two or three outfit options
• Jackets, blazers, or layers that suit your style
• Simple accessories you normally wear
• Your regular glasses, if applicable
• A lint roller
• A comb or hairbrush
• Your usual makeup or grooming products

Keep your clothing clean, wrinkle-free, and comfortable. Choose a few options with different colors or styles for variety.

Most importantly, bring outfits that fit well and reflect your professional image. Your photographer can help select what works best with the studio lighting and background.

How the Photographer Can Help

You don’t need to know how to pose or choose the perfect outfit yourself. A good photographer can guide you through the session and help you look natural on camera.

They may assist with:

• Posing and posture
• Facial expressions
• Lighting and positioning
• Background selection
• Outfit choices
• Small adjustments
• Selecting your strongest images

If you’re unsure between two outfits, bring both. Your photographer can help choose what works best with the lighting, background, and overall look.

The goal is simple: help you look comfortable, confident, and professional while still looking like yourself.

Simple Outfit Checklist

Before your NYC studio headshot session, use this quick checklist:

• Bring 2–3 outfit options
• Include at least one solid-color outfit
• Choose clothing that fits comfortably
• Steam or iron your clothes
• Bring a blazer or jacket if appropriate
• Keep accessories simple
• Bring your regular glasses
• Avoid large logos and busy patterns
• Bring a lint roller and basic grooming items
• Choose outfits that match your professional image

When in doubt, bring a few options. Your photographer can help you select what works best with the studio lighting and background.

Frequently Asked Questions