Tips for dressing for your complexion:
- If you are fair-skinned, try to avoid white, cream or yellow. These colors will wash you out. Instead, find a color that compliments your skin tone. If you are fair-skinned with yellow undertones, try red or a dark or navy blue.
- Autumn skin tones have an earthy color with warm, golden undertones. Some colors that work well for this complexion include olive, burgundy, brown, teal, orange or deep purple. White, black and pastel colors tend to dull the warmth of your skin.
- If you have a darker complexion, lighter colors will work better for you. However, again, try to avoid just plain white. Dress it up a bit with small patterns or vivid colors.
Tips for dressing for a headshot:
- Keep it simple. Avoid logos, loud colors or busy prints -- you want to shine, not your shirt! Vertical pinstripes are good, though.
- If you're a woman, one piece of "chunky" or bigger jewelry will look nice. Try not to overdo it with big earrings AND a big necklace. Choose one or the other. In this case, less is more!
- For a professional headshot for men, a collared shirt and coordinating jacket always make a classic combination. If you don't have a jacket, don't worry! A freshly ironed, collared shirt or polo shirt with a well-groomed hair style and face, and an inviting smile work just as well. Another combination would be a collared shirt and coordinating tie.
- For women, you'll want to wear a nice blouse, dress or suit. If you have a round face or a shorter neck, v-neck tops work best for you. Be sure your top is not too tight or too low cut, especially if you have a larger chest.
- If you have facial piercings, you'll want to remove those for the photo -- and for the interview, too!
- Ask what color your backdrop will be. If it's a dark color like black, you'll want to wear a contrasting color for your headshot.
Tips for dressing your entire family:
- Instead of all wearing the exact same solid color, it's best to select coordinating colors with some pattern mixed in.
- Put kids in something with multiple colors so the adults can use more than one color to coordinate.
- Start by looking through all of your wardrobes and see what similiar colors you can find. Maybe mom has a favorite shirt with gray, purple and white; so start there and build! A purple shirt for the daughter, a gray shirt for the son, jeans for everyone, a few accessories, and you're done!
- Make sure to do a "dress rehearsal" before hand to make sure everything fits.
Tips for dressing your kids:
- Patterns are good for kids.
- Layers are great so you can add or subtract depending on the temperature.
- Keep them comfortable. Don't try to force them into something they normally wouldn't wear or something they don't like. If they're not comfortable, it will likely show.
- For very small children, be sure to let them bring a favorite toy, stuffed animal or security blanket. It gives them something to do with their hands and usually helps bring out the best smiles!
- Bringing several accessories can add variety to your shots.
- Make sure children have eaten prior to their photo session. Children who have not eaten tend to have less of an attention span.
General wardrobe tips:
- The most important tip of all might be this: Wear something you like and that makes you feel good about yourself! If you are feeling great about how you look, that energy will shine through in your photos, and you're likely to have a great experience!
- Make sure you're comfortable. You probably won't just be standing straight, so see how your outfit looks and feels from different angles, in addition to while you're sitting, before you make your final outfit selection.
- If it can be avoided, try and stay away from wearing white or light-colored shoes.
Tips on how/where to get additional clothing:
- Borrow from friends or relatives.
- Check out a local thrift store or kid's clothing exchange.
- The discount rack at your favorite store may have a surprising find for only a few dollars.
Non-wardrobe tips (hair, makeup, etc.):
- Don't overdo the makeup. Less is better.
- Keep hair simple. If you're a woman, try to keep your hair out of your face. Soft waves are nice, but avoid over-curling your hair.
- If you want to polish your nails, keep in mind that bright colors tend to be distracting. Select neutral colors or go natural.
- Men: Make sure you're camera-ready by coming clean shaven or with your facial hair neatly trimmed.
