What to Wear for Your Headshot Session: A Guide for Zionsville Professionals

Young adult male wearing glasses, a black suit, and white dress shirt with red tie, poses for an outdoor headshot with trees and cars in the background.

Outfit questions are the number one thing I hear from clients before a headshot session. Not "where do we shoot?" or "how long does it take?" — it's almost always some version of "I have no idea what to wear."

That's completely normal. Most people don't think about how clothing reads on camera until they're standing in front of one. So here's everything I tell clients before their session — what works, what doesn't, and a few things worth knowing before you open your closet the morning of.

How many outfits should you bring?

For most headshot sessions, two outfits is the sweet spot. One that's polished and professional — the version of you that shows up to an important meeting or a speaking engagement. One that's a little more relaxed — the version of you that a client might actually meet on a regular Tuesday.

Both are useful. A lot of professionals find that they need different photos for different contexts: the buttoned-up LinkedIn portrait for one audience, the approachable and warm version for their website bio or email newsletter. Two looks gives you that range without turning the session into a wardrobe change marathon.

If you have a specific third look in mind — branded colors, an industry-specific uniform, or something tied to your personal brand — bring it. But two is almost always enough to come away with a strong, versatile gallery.

Colors that work well on camera

The safest and most consistently successful colors for headshots are rich, solid mid-tones. Deep navy, forest green, burgundy, charcoal, warm rust, and medium blues all tend to look great on camera across different skin tones and backgrounds. They read as professional without being stiff, and they hold up across both outdoor and studio settings.

Softer tones — dusty rose, sage, soft lavender, warm cream — work beautifully too, especially for outdoor sessions where the background has natural color and texture. They tend to feel more approachable and less corporate, which for a lot of entrepreneurs and personal brands is exactly the right note.

For outdoor sessions specifically around downtown Zionsville, the brick and warm-toned backdrops respond well to both warm earthy tones and cooler contrasting colors. What tends to get lost is anything too similar in hue to the brick itself — a reddish-brown top against a red brick wall, for example, can make the subject visually disappear rather than stand out.

For studio or mobile studio sessions with a neutral backdrop, you have more flexibility — almost any solid color reads well against gray or white. This is actually where bolder color choices can shine if that fits your brand.

What to avoid

Busy patterns and fine stripes. Small-scale patterns — tiny checks, thin pinstripes, intricate prints — can cause a distracting visual effect on camera. Bold patterns and large-scale prints are generally fine, but when in doubt, solid colors are almost always the safer call for a headshot.

Large logos and text. A brand name or graphic across the chest pulls the eye away from your face, which is the whole point of the photo. Unless the logo is part of your brand identity and you specifically want it in the shot, skip it.

Bright white in direct sun. White can look clean and crisp — and it often does in studio settings — but in outdoor sessions with bright light, a stark white top can blow out and lose detail. Off-white, cream, and ivory all give you the same clean feeling with better results.

Clothes that don't fit quite right. A top that gaps, bunches, or requires constant adjusting is going to cost you time and good frames during the session. Try things on and actually move around in them before the day. If something isn't comfortable when you're sitting, turning, or laughing, it's not going to work.

Necklines that are too casual for the context. This isn't about being formal — it's about the crop. Headshots are tight by definition. A neckline that reads as relaxed from across a room can feel out of place in a close portrait. V-necks, crew necks, and collared shirts all tend to work well. Strapless or very low necklines can look unintentionally informal in a tight crop.

A few details worth not overlooking

Jewelry. Simple jewelry almost always works. Avoid anything that catches the light in a distracting way or makes noise when you move — dangling earrings and chunky statement pieces can pull focus from your face. If jewelry is part of your personal brand, bring options and we'll figure out what reads best.

Glasses. If you wear glasses regularly, wear them in the session. Your headshot should look like you — the you that people actually meet. We'll adjust the lighting and angles to minimize glare. If you have a prescription sunglass or transition lens situation, just let me know ahead of time.

Grooming. Hair, beard, nails — whatever your normal routine is, do it. And if you're planning to get a haircut before the session, do it a few days out rather than the day before. Fresh cuts can feel a little sharp in photos; a few days of settling in looks more natural.

Layers and texture. Blazers, cardigans, structured jackets — these almost always add something to a headshot. They give the photo a sense of dimension and can shift the overall feel from casual to professional with one layer. Even if you don't plan to wear the blazer in every frame, bring it. It gives us options.

Dress for the job you have, not the job you think you should have

This is the thing I come back to most often. A headshot works best when it looks like you — the real, actual version of you that clients and colleagues meet in person. If you never wear a tie, don't wear one for your headshot. If you live in blazers, wear a blazer. If your brand is warm and approachable, dress warm and approachable.

The goal isn't to look like a different, more impressive version of yourself. The goal is to look like the best, most confident version of the person you already are. When there's a mismatch between the headshot and the person who shows up to the meeting, it creates a small but real friction that undermines the whole point.

Wear what feels like you. I'll take care of the rest.

Ready to book?

Headshot sessions at Ellegood Photography start at $250 for one person, with fast 48-hour gallery delivery. I work with individuals, entrepreneurs, and teams across Zionsville, Carmel, Westfield, and the greater Indianapolis area — outdoors, at your office, or in a studio setting.

Reach out and let's get something on the calendar.