Colour1 of 6
The colours that photograph best.
Mid-tone solids, soft off-whites and pastels all work. The ones to avoid are pure white, which blows out, and pure black, which flattens.
- Navy
- Charcoal
- Burgundy
- Plum
- Emerald
- Blue
- Off-white
- Pastels
What to wear · A guide from Simon Carroll
The right outfit is the one nobody notices.
It should add to the photograph, never compete with it, because the photograph is your expression, not your clothes.
Not sure? Bring two options.
We choose together on the day.
If you read
nothing else.
Keep patterns simple, choose a clean fit with longer sleeves, and skip anything that shimmers or jangles. Comfortable is key.
Find a specific answerWhat to wear
Simple, clean
and comfortable.
Your expression is the photograph.
One useful answer at a time. The next card is just below.
Pattern2 of 6
Simple, clean and comfortable wins.
Skip fine pinstripes and tight checks. They shimmer and buzz on camera.
Fit3 of 6
Do the mirror test.
Look and ask yourself one question: does this flatter me, and does it look like me at my best? Comfortable is key. If you feel good in it, it shows in your face.
Layers4 of 6
The finishing touches.
A blazer or structured layer adds shape and instant polish. Longer or three-quarter sleeves read more professional than bare arms.
Detail5 of 6
Glasses are fine.
We manage the glare on the day. Keep necklines simple so attention stays on your face. Minimal jewellery. Leave the large or shiny pieces that catch the light.
You6 of 6
Wear what looks like you.
Match how you actually dress for work. Finance and law lean classic, creative and tech are genuinely fine in smart-casual.
The one rule
Your expression is the photograph.
Bring two options, and we guide everyone on the day, so nobody gets it wrong.
What people ask
before a shoot.
What colour should I wear for a professional headshot?
Solid, mid-tone colours photograph best: navy, charcoal, burgundy, plum, emerald and muted blues, plus soft off-whites and pastels. They support your face instead of competing with it.
Avoid pure white, which blows out under studio light, and pure black, which flattens and loses the shape of your shoulders.
What should I not wear for a headshot?
Skip stripes, spots and anything too busy, along with fine pinstripes and tight checks that shimmer on camera.
Avoid pure white and pure black and bright neons, and large or shiny jewellery that pulls the eye off your face. Nothing baggy or bulging.
What should a woman wear for a professional headshot?
Mid-tone solid colours, a blazer or structured top, and simple jewellery. Longer or three-quarter sleeves read more professional than sleeveless.
Choose something that flatters your figure and feels comfortable, so it looks like you at your best.
What should a man wear for a professional headshot?
A well-fitted shirt in navy, blue or charcoal. A blazer if your industry leans formal, and a solid tie if you wear one.
Should I wear a blazer or jacket for a headshot?
A blazer or structured layer adds shape and instant polish, and it suits most corporate and executive headshots. It is not essential for creative or tech roles, where smart-casual is genuinely fine.
Wear what matches your real working wardrobe.
Can I wear glasses or patterns in a headshot?
Glasses are fine, we manage the glare on the day. Patterns are riskier: fine stripes, pinstripes and tight checks shimmer on camera, and busy prints distract.
A solid colour or a very subtle texture is the safer choice.
What should I wear for a LinkedIn photo?
The same rules apply: a solid, mid-tone colour, a clean professional fit and a simple background. A blazer or smart top works well.
Keep it simple and comfortable, and make sure it looks like the real you, since that is who people meet. See professional headshots in Melbourne.