What to Wear for a Professional Headshot in 2025
Whether you’re updating your LinkedIn, preparing for a job application, or building your personal brand, your headshot often becomes someone’s first impression of you. What you wear can elevate that impression or work against it.
As a headshot photographer based in Providence, Rhode Island, I’ve worked with professionals across industries, from medical school applicants to business executives. Here’s a practical, modern guide to help you choose the right outfit for your headshot in 2025.
Start with Why You’re Getting a Headshot
Before you decide on wardrobe, think about the purpose of the photo. What story are you trying to tell?
For corporate roles or professional services, go clean and classic.
For entrepreneurs or creatives, you have more room to express personality.
For the ERAS medical residency students or academic purposes, stick with a polished and professional look.
Knowing the purpose gives your wardrobe direction and helps us align the lighting and background accordingly.
What Colors Work Best for Headshots
Solid, timeless colors almost always photograph better than patterns or overly bright shades. You want the focus to stay on your face and not your shirt.
Recommended colors:
Navy, charcoal, soft white, olive, burgundy, emerald
What to avoid:
Neon tones
Distracting patterns or stripes
Tops with prominent logos or slogans
Muted tones and jewel colors tend to flatter a wider range of skin tones and photograph beautifully in studio lighting.
What to Wear for Men
For most headshots, a fitted button-down shirt or polo works well. If the session is more formal, layering with a blazer or sport coat adds structure. Ties are optional, especially if you’re not typically a tie-wearer. you probably don’t need one unless the context demands it.
Make sure your clothes are ironed or steamed. Wrinkles aren’t something that can always be retouched after the fact.
What to Wear for Women
Go for a blouse, sweater, or blazer in a solid color. V-necks or crew necks tend to photograph well, while deep plunging necklines or spaghetti straps can feel too casual unless it’s a styled branding shoot.
Jewelry should be minimal. A simple pair of earrings or a classic necklace can add polish without being distracting.
Bringing a second outfit is often a smart idea. It adds variety to your final gallery. One look can lean more professional, the other more approachable or casual.
Grooming and Makeup Tips
Looking polished doesn’t mean overdoing it.
If you wear makeup, aim for a natural, matte finish. Avoid products with shimmer or heavy SPF.
Hair should be styled the way you’d wear it in a professional setting.
Men: clean up facial hair or moisturize if you’re going for a clean-shaven look.
Avoid last-minute haircuts. Give your hair 3–5 days to settle.
Blotting sheets, lip balm, and a lint roller are small extras that can make a noticeable difference.
ERAS Headshots: What’s Different?
If you’re applying to medical residency through ERAS, your headshot must meet specific technical and visual standards.
You should wear formal business attire which usually means a blazer or suit jacket, even if you’re not typically a jacket person. Jewelry should be kept to a minimum, and the background should be plain and light-colored. I format all ERAS headshots to match AAMC guidelines, so there’s no stress when you upload.
Do I Need to Worry About Pants or Shoes?
Most headshots are cropped from the chest up, but it’s still a good idea to wear a complete outfit. It helps you feel confident and grounded in the session. If we decide to take a few ¾ or full-length portraits, you’ll be glad you came prepared.
A Few Extras to Bring
A backup shirt or blouse (just in case)
Lip balm or face powder
A playlist you enjoy — I often play music during sessions to keep things relaxed
If You’re Unsure, Keep It Simple
When in doubt, wear what you’d wear to a job interview in your field. You should feel like the best version of yourself, not someone completely different. I’ll help coach you on posture, facial expression, and angles so that your wardrobe supports your presence rather than competing with it.
Looking to book a headshot session in Providence?
Check out available packages and pricing here, or get in touch with questions. I’ll walk you through everything so you can show up with confidence.