What to Wear for Headshots
What should you wear for professional headshots in 2022? We recently got this request from Reader G, who wondered what to wear for headshots at her law school:
Could you please make a post about what to wear for headshots/portraits? I have my first photo session as a law student coming up on February 19th and have no idea what the dos and don'ts are.
What a great question! We've talked about corporate headshots, how to work with a hair and makeup team for headshots at work, and glasses and the corporate headshot, but we haven't discussed this topic in a while.
Here are some quick tips from me, but I'd love to hear what the readers advise: what to wear for headshots?
What to Wear for Headshots
Consider the impression you want to make. For example, this is probably not the time to try to “look intelligent” or “look sophisticated” — put your best wannabe model advice aside for the moment. I've always recommended for law firm headshots that people try to look “friendly and easygoing” (since it's already presumed you're smart and qualified) on the theory that people generally enjoy working with friendly and easygoing people.
Because Reader G is a law student, though, the advice changes a bit. If you want to eventually work in BigLaw or another Very Conservative Field, I would try to look open to being Very Conservative. So, for example, remove facial piercings, have hair that looks clean and intentional, and maybe have a nod to something conservative — a turtleneck, a crisp blouse with a collar, maybe even a jacket or sweater with a lapel. (For a look that's Very, Very Conservative, maybe the old standard of a pearl necklace.)
Which brings me to my next point:
Consider what will be showing in the frame. Your shoes aren't going to show, for example. I'm always struck by how classic crisp white blouses look — even if they're a PITA to wear in the real world (too tough to keep white and crisp, gaping buttons, etc.), they look great for a static photo. The white reflects light onto your face, and they look fabulous on almost everyone. Consider how a collarless blazer or a cardigan will look in a picture vs. a more structured blazer.
For my own $.02, I still would not go with a sleeveless look (especially if bra straps are showing) or a shirt that is so low-cut that the actual shirt may be outside of the frame… but that's me!
Tips on Makeup for Headshots
In terms of makeup, I think my old advice of looking “alive and awake” still stands. For me, this means doing my blush, contours, and eyebrows (I look like the walking dead without them), under-eye concealer, eyeliner, and mascara (to look more awake). My eye makeup would be in shades of taupe, brown, and black, and my lip color would be one of my 10,000 shades of mauve/rosy brown — instead of my occasional shades of bright red or taupe.
In general, I'd stick with less trendy options for makeup for headshots — for example, keep the teal eyeliner and dark blue lipstick at home for the day. It's OK to go with a bold lip, but stick to a more traditional color like red. (I'd LOVE to hear readers' suggestions on faux eyelashes or no — I've never worn them on a regular basis, nor have I known anyone who wears them on a regular basis, but this may be a generational thing.)
When to Show Personality in a Headshot
This depends hugely on what you want to convey. It's OK to look totally boring in a headshot; it's probably not good if your headshot sticks out in this instance.
If you have a piece of jewelry that you feel strongly represents you, such as hoop earrings or a pearl necklace, go for it. Same for hairstyles — if you wear your hair in different ways depending on the day, and you feel like one look represents you the most, then go for it.
In 2022, I think almost anything will fly — but I would worry about
- looking intentionally rebellious — I'm seeing visions of a goth with spiky hair for some reason, or
- looking comically out of touch — channeling Legally Blonde is OK, but you don't want to look like you thought you were showing up for Bachelorette auditions and stumbled into Law School Photo Day instead.
Readers, I'd love to hear your thoughts — especially if you hire law students. Have you seen some headshots that gave you pause? What is your best advice for what to wear for a headshot?
Psst: Hunting for a great crisp white blouse to wear for your headshot? These are our latest favorites…
Hunting for a crisp, collared button-front blouse? Some of our longtime favorites include Ann Taylor and J.Crew; iron-free options from Brooks Brothers and Foxcroft, and we'd splurge on Boss. Also check out our DIY options for gaping blouses — and note that if you just want a collar beneath a sweater, you can always go for a fake collar instead.
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Further reading on headshots:
- Seven Attorney Headshot Tips [Headshots-Inc.com]
- Professional headshots… ladies, help me [r/LawSchool]
- 8 Attorney Headshots Every Lawyer Should Follow [National Law Review]
- related: Black Women-Led Leaders Pushing to Get the CROWN Act Passed Nationwide [Black Enterprise] (CROWN = “Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair”)
Stock photo via Deposit Photos / odua.
Can we also talk about WHERE to get them? My most recent one is from JC Penney in 2014 – shockingly good but…
I have a friend who does 15 minute quick sessions. They are outdoors – I get an environmental headshot plus an annual pic of me and my Yorkshire Terrier. All that to say – local photographers might offer quick back-to-back sessions for a low cost that usually includes 3 – 5 shots. Maybe google wedding photographers or newborn/maternity photographers in your area. Ask any mom group for recommendations. Or even your neighborhood Facebook group – you’d be surprised what folks come back with.
No lie, my photo for my firm website was taken by my kid on my phone. It looks great.
I dislike white blouses bc it makes my teeth look yellowed/stained.
Maybe this is a ridiculous question, but what are law student headshots even for? I didn’t have headshots taken until I was a first-year associate and needed them for the firm website.
Don’t you need one for Linked In? And aren’t law students on Linked In?
tbh no one I know uses the stilted firm photographer shot as their headshot. Typically in my circle anyway, you pick a day with good lighting and a friend takes a bunch with your iphone pro in portrait mode. Results look much more natural and approachable!
The headshots appear in class rosters, among other places, which I find useful when teaching, especially when I’ve guest lectured (as opposed to in a class I teach all semester and naturally learn names). My school also uses them on social media when making announcements about student achievements (moot court competitions, notes published, fellowships won).
But those are just the school id pics, right? Like the ones you get taken during orientation?
I’m the OC and yeah, at my school they just used your ID photo for rosters (which was not a headshot in the sense this post contemplates).
interesting topic. i don’t think white photographs well on me especially close to the face so I would not go with a collared white shirt but I am very fair so maybe for people with more pigment it looks good.
I needed a new headshot and had my SO take it outside using the iPhone portrait mode. Simple blouse and necklace and I think it looks ok. Was far easier to look natural doing that way than in the professional studio shots I’ve had before. Portrait mode is pretty amazing if you have access to a phone with it.
Should have added the blouse was teal, sort of a hammered silk, boat neck, with a simple sliver small link necklace (not too big, as is the trend which will die soon I’m sure). I’m fair with dark blonde hair so it worked well for outdoors.
I think wearing a collared shirt and suit jacket with pearls says, “I’m a student just starting out and I’m scared and don’t know what to wear.” I can’t think of time I’ve ever seen a professional woman IRL wearing the aforementioned outfit. Don’t wear a collared shirt – they’re great on the weekend in an oversized “borrowed from the guys” way, but not at work in a starched and darted way. Wear a blouse or shell with a pretty neckline – and in a flattering-on-you-color! Don’t be afraid of color. Look at some law firm photo directories from the firms you’re aiming for – which photos do you like the most? The women wearing some color, right? And which are the only women you see wearing The Classic Outfit? Young associates.
This changes a little if the background changes. If you’re outdoors with great lighting – so a more relaxed setting – I think a classic suit with a shell in a pretty neckline can be pretty. If you’re indoors against some beige or gray background, go for color! All about balance.
I just had to do a headshot at home for a new job. My husband took the photo on an iPhone in portrait mode against a blank wall. I tried a couple of different outfits and found that while I like v necks in real life, they did not work for a headshot. I ended up picking a burgandy dress that tied at the neck. It look surprisingly good in the photo. I am pale, so I had to do pretty heavy makeup to look normal on camera.
Men’s Wardrobe Tips