What to Wear to Your Headshot Session – Tips from a NYC Headshot Photographer

If you’re booking a professional headshot session in NYC, what you wear can make a huge difference in how confident, approachable, and powerful you appear in your final images. As a trusted New York City headshot photographer, I have helped countless clients—from CEOs to creatives—choose the right look for their session. This guide will help you prepare, feel your best, and bring out your personality in every shot.

Outfit 1: The Basics – Timeless and Versatile

For a clean, classic look, stick to basic professional wear in neutral tones. Think black, white, navy, grey, or beige. These colors photograph beautifully against white or grey backdrops and work especially well for:

• Corporate headshots
• LinkedIn profile photos- bright color jackets work well for LinkedIn photos to pop as well as neutrals.
• Company staff photos
• Actor and model headshots

Styling Tips:
Use layers to create contrast. A black blazer over a white shirt or a white blouse with a charcoal jacket adds depth without being distracting. These basics also make great black and white headshots that highlight your facial features and expressions.

Where to Shop:

Ted Baker for stylish menswear and sophisticated womens tops and skirts

Ann Taylor for classic, polished professional clothing

Aritzia for well-made neutral essentials

Reiss for tailored, formal womenswear

Outfit 2: Solid Colors – Show Personality with Simplicity

Solid-color outfits add personality while keeping the overall look clean and modern. Rich tones like emerald green, cobalt blue, or burgundy tend to look great on camera and flatter most skin tones.

Great for:

• Entrepreneurs and creatives
• Coaches and consultants
• Personal branding sessions
• Lifestyle and social media content

If you’re not into color, you can still wear black or white and let the background bring in the visual interest. Add accessories like earrings, scarves, or textured fabrics to elevate your look.

Go-to brands for this look:

Ted Baker for classic and colorful pieces for men and women

Reiss for refined solid separates

Aritzia for quality basics in rich, muted tones

Outfit 3: Bold Looks – Colorful, Artistic, and Eye-Catching

If you are an artist, performer, designer, or simply have a vibrant personal brand, bold looks are the way to go. Choose colors, prints, or statement pieces that reflect your unique energy and style.

Perfect for:

• Actor headshots
• Model digitals
• Creative branding sessions
• Dating profile photos

These looks are meant to stand out. Think patterns, layered textures, pops of color, or even a bold lip color to match your wardrobe. Just make sure your outfit still communicates the message you want your headshots to convey.

Favorite brands for bold styles:

• Anthropologie for unique prints and expressive silhouettes
• Karen Millen for powerful dresses and structured fashion-forward pieces
• Rent the Runway for statement looks without the commitment

Pro Tip: If you’re unsure how a pattern will look on camera, bring options and we can choose together. Comfort and confidence are key.

Outfit 4: Profession-Specific – Represent Your Industry

If you are booking headshots to reflect your profession, dress to show what you do. Your outfit should give your audience a sense of your work and environment.

Examples include:

• Doctors and medical professionals: White coat, scrubs, or business casual if working in administration
• Musicians: Bring performance attire that fits your genre and personality
• Dancers: Wear stagewear or fitted attire that shows movement and physique
• Lawyers, real estate agents, therapists: Choose what you would wear to meet a client

No matter your field, our goal is to capture your expertise and confidence in a way that feels authentic and compelling. We will guide you every step of the way.

Expert Tips from Your NYC Headshot Photographer

Here are some final suggestions to make the most of your session:

• Steam your clothes the night before to remove wrinkles and avoid extra prep time at the studio
• Plan seasonally. Jewel tones look beautiful in fall and winter. Pastels are perfect in spring. In summer, try softer tones like cream, light blue, and dusty rose
• Choose all-season colors that always work on camera: beige, tan, navy, blue, grey, white, and soft pinks
• Bring multiple outfits so we can switch up your look and see what works best on set
• Try on everything beforehand to ensure fit and comfort—no tags, tight shoes, or itchy fabric

Our New York City headshot sessions are all about showcasing the real you. Whether you are dressing for professionalism, creativity, or personality, we will help you choose what works best on camera.

Here is a branding session that is styled to perfection and very New York City.

Here is a more corporate session that is on brand but still edgy.

Ready to book your NYC headshot session?
Contact us here or visit www.priyanca.com to schedule your session today.