What to Wear for a Corporate Headshot: A Photographer’s Guide
Updated July 2026 · by James Maher, NYC corporate headshot photographer
The short answer: wear solid, mid-to-dark colors that you already feel great in, with simple necklines and clean tailoring — and avoid pure white, busy patterns, and logos. A well-fitted jacket or structured layer photographs better than anything trendy, and the safest choices are the pieces you reach for when you want to feel confident, not the ones you bought yesterday.
After 20+ years photographing corporate headshots in New York — for banks, law firms, tech companies, and thousands of people who’d rather be anywhere else — I’ve seen every wardrobe choice succeed and fail on camera. Here’s what actually matters, what genuinely doesn’t, and what I tell every client before a session.
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Colors That Work on Camera
Mid-tones and darker solids are the reliable winners: navy, charcoal, forest green, burgundy, slate blue. They flatter every skin tone, separate cleanly from both light and dark backgrounds, and read as credible at LinkedIn-thumbnail size — which is where this photo will do most of its work.
Jewel tones are the secret weapon — a deep teal, emerald, or rich blue adds life without stealing the frame. If your company headshots use a specific background color, tell your photographer; part of my prep is making sure your outfit and the backdrop don’t fight each other.
What to Avoid (and Why)
Pure white on its own. It blows out under studio lighting and drags the eye away from your face. White under a jacket is fine — white as the whole story isn’t.
Thin stripes, small checks, and tight patterns. Cameras turn fine patterns into a shimmering moiré effect that no amount of retouching fully fixes. Solids or bold, simple patterns only.
Logos and graphics. Even subtle ones date the photo and distract at thumbnail size.
High-shine fabrics. Silk and satin create hot spots under lights. Matte fabrics photograph the way they look in the mirror.
Anything brand-new and untested. New clothes crease in unexpected places and fit differently than they did in the store. Wear something once before it goes on camera.
Quick Reference
| Item | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Navy, charcoal, or jewel-tone solids | Best choice |
| Structured jacket or blazer | Almost always flattering |
| White shirt under a jacket | Fine |
| Pure white alone | Avoid |
| Thin stripes / small checks | Avoid (moiré) |
| Logos, graphics, shiny fabric | Avoid |
| Bold glasses you always wear | Keep them — that’s you |
| Statement jewelry | Keep it small and simple |
Match Your Industry (and Your Actual Job)
Law, finance, and consulting: full business formal still rules — a dark suit, pressed shirt, and (for some firms) a tie. Your headshot should look like the person a client meets across the table.
Tech, media, and startups: smart casual wins — a quality knit, an unstructured blazer, a clean button-down with no tie. Overdressing can read as out of step with the company’s culture.
Creative fields and founders: more room for personality — texture, color, a signature piece. The rule stays the same: it should look like you on your best day, not a costume.
When in doubt, look at the headshots of the people one level above you — or ask your photographer. Matching your firm’s existing look matters more than any general rule; it’s something I check before every corporate session.
The Details People Forget
Glasses: wear them if you always wear them — I light around glare. If you have an anti-reflective pair, bring it.
Grooming: get haircuts about a week out, not the day before. Makeup should be your normal amount, matte where possible — powder beats shine on camera.
Fit beats fashion: a $60 shirt that fits perfectly photographs better than a $600 one that pulls at the buttons. Jackets should fit closed even if you’ll wear them open.
Bring a lint roller and a second option. Two or three tops takes thirty seconds to swap and doubles your choices when the gallery arrives.
Dressing a Whole Team for a Headshot Day
If you’re organizing headshots for your company, don’t put everyone in matching outfits — coordinated beats identical. The guidance I give teams before every company headshot day: solid mid-to-dark colors, no white on its own, no busy patterns or logos, bring a jacket or second layer. That one-line memo produces a team page that looks unified without looking like a uniform.
Feel free to copy that straight into your staff email — and if you’d like, I send a prep note to every team before a headshot day so nobody shows up in the one shirt that fights the camera.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What colors are best for a corporate headshot?
Solid mid-to-dark colors — navy, charcoal, forest green, burgundy, and jewel tones like teal or emerald. They flatter every skin tone, separate well from any background, and stay credible at LinkedIn-thumbnail size.
Should I wear white for a headshot?
Not on its own — pure white blows out under studio lighting and pulls attention from your face. A white shirt under a jacket or layer works fine.
Can I wear glasses in my headshot?
Yes — if you wear them every day, wear them in the photo. A professional photographer lights around glare, and an anti-reflective pair makes it even easier.
How many outfits should I bring?
Two or three tops or layers. Swapping takes thirty seconds during the session and gives you real choices when you review your photos.
What should a whole team wear for a company headshot day?
Coordinated, not identical: solid mid-to-dark colors, no pure white alone, no busy patterns or logos, and a jacket or second layer as an option. That produces a unified team page without a uniform.