Confidence, color, and a few practical decisions that help your headshot feel like your best introduction.
Start with color that works with you
The goal is not to match a trend—it is to make your face the focus. Begin with colors that complement your skin tone, hair, and eyes. If you are unsure whether you lean warm or cool, compare a few shirts in natural light and see which one makes your complexion feel most even.
Avoid overly busy patterns, large logos, and anything that will read louder than your expression. A clean solid or a restrained texture almost always gives you more range in the final gallery.
Think about the crop
Ask your photographer how the image will be used. A tight LinkedIn crop, a website team page, and an editorial portrait may call for different wardrobe choices. You may not need every accessory in a close crop, but you do want the overall look to feel intentional.
Choose comfort and confidence
Wear something you can move and breathe in. If you feel restricted, self-conscious, or unlike yourself, it will show. Bring one alternate layer or shirt if you have it; a quick change can create a second polished option without rebuilding the whole session.
Let the photographer guide the rest
A good headshot session should give you direction on posing, where to look, and when to relax. You do not need to know what to do with your hands—show up prepared, and let the process do its job.