11 Styling Tips For Your Headshot Session
Wardrobe StylingTo Nail Your Next Branding Shoot
I photograph a variety of branding headshots- from corporate teams to interior designers to theatre companies and everything in between. One of the important elements in a branding shoot is wardrobe styling.
For branding portraits, the most important stylistic consideration is that what you’re wearing feels right for your brand and you feel good wearing the outfit.
Solid / block colours often photograph better than patterns in situations where your background is very busy, when you are in nature, or if you are in a group. If the background is plain (for example - seamless paper or a concrete wall), patterns can work.
Structured outfits often photographs really well, so bringing a jacket or blazer as an option is always a great idea.
Pockets expands our posing options, and solves the eternal problem of ‘what the hell do I do with my hands’?
Avoid logos and wording on clothing- UNLESS you are making a statement with these.
The ‘safest’ colour options for photography are warm neutrals and navy, in block colours, they are the easiest to coordinate in a team session. Avoid having everyone in the team wearing exactly the same colour, unless this is an intentional theme - e.g. there is a uniform or a special colour theme. However, keep in mind that ‘safe’ isn’t necessary the best direction for styling if your brand is all about being creative or unconventional.
Bring multiple outfits for variety so you can use the images across multiple platforms- accessories can also add variety. This is also very helpful in a team situation to coordinate colours across the team. You might be surprised at the number of times everyone on a team turns up wearing beige.
7. The ‘safest’ colour options for photography are warm neutrals and navy, in block colours, they are the easiest to coordinate in a team session. Avoid having everyone in the team wearing exactly the same colour, unless this is an intentional theme - e.g. there is a uniform or a special colour theme. However, keep in mind that ‘safe’ isn’t necessary the best direction for styling if your brand is all about being creative or unconventional.
8. Consider your background - warm colours tend to look better in nature. Avoid wearing the same colour as your background.
9. Pure black can sometimes be tricky- details in blacks often don’t come out in photos well and can photograph very one dimensional. A good way to get around this is break up the black with accessories such as necklaces, belts, jackets.
10. Ladies - check for visible bra lines, and do a ‘cross your arms’ test (are you happy with your chest area in your outfit with arms crossed? How about if you lean forward a little?)
11. There are lots of examples of when breaking the rules is great! My favourite client outfit was a hot pink suit worn by a partner at Deloitte. Bring a second ‘break all the rules’ outfit that you love.
