What to Wear for a Professional Headshot: A Simple Guide for Bay Area Professionals

One of the best client interactions I've had started before the session even began. She reached out after booking, asked what she should wear, and sent me photos of two outfit options to choose between. We picked the right one together, she showed up confident and prepared, and the session was seamless from start to finish.

That kind of preparation makes a real difference and yet most people don't do it. They show up having given their outfit maybe five minutes of thought, and sometimes that shows in the photos.

Getting dressed for a headshot session doesn't have to be complicated. A few simple choices made in advance can be the difference between photos you're proud to use and photos that fall just short of what they could have been.

Start with color

Color is where most people go wrong, and it's also the easiest thing to get right with a little guidance.

For a grey background session, which is the most common setup at DW Portrait, dark blues are your best friend. Navy, slate, deep teal, these tones photograph beautifully against a neutral grey and tend to convey professionalism and confidence without trying too hard. Other solid, muted tones in the medium to dark range generally work well too.

What to avoid against a grey background: bright reds, which can create an unwanted intensity, and anything with bold, thick stripes or busy patterns that pull the eye away from your face.

For sessions on a warm light brown background the palette shifts slightly. Richer, earthier tones work beautifully here: burgundy, charcoal, warm camel. Very light colors like white or cream can sometimes wash out against a warm background, so it's worth checking with your photographer beforehand.

When you book a session at DW Portrait, part of the preparation conversation is figuring out which background suits you best and making sure your outfit choices work with it. You won't have to guess.

Fit matters more than brand

An expensive outfit that doesn't fit well will photograph worse than a simple, well fitting one every time. The camera notices everything: a shirt that pulls across the shoulders, a jacket that bunches at the collar, a neckline that sits awkwardly. These details are subtle in person, but they become more prominent in a still image.

Whatever you choose to wear, make sure it fits the way it's supposed to fit. Try it on, move around in it, sit down in it. If something feels slightly off when you're getting dressed, trust that feeling and choose something else.

Keep jewelry simple

Jewelry has a place in a headshot but its job is to complement, not compete. Simple, classic pieces like a small pendant, understated earrings, or a clean watch add polish without distraction. Statement pieces, bold necklaces, or anything that catches the light in a distracting way will pull attention away from your face, which is where the viewer's eye should always land. When in doubt, less is more.

A few final reminders

Bring options if you can. Even one backup outfit gives you flexibility on the day and takes the pressure off committing to a single choice before you've seen the backdrop and the lighting.

Also, don't be afraid to ask. Reaching out before your session with outfit photos, the way my best prepared client did, is always welcome. It takes two minutes and it means you show up with one less thing to think about.

The goal is simple: You want to walk in feeling like yourself, put together, and ready. Everything else follows from there.

Dan Wehrle is a headshot and portrait photographer based in San Jose, serving professionals across Silicon Valley and the South Bay. Ready to update your photo? Get in touch here.