What to Wear for Actor Headshots
This is one of the most asked questions I get - and the honest answer is that it's not black and white, it depends on a few factors. Let me start with what not to wear…
What to avoid
The main things to steer clear of are distracting clothes - very loud patterns, overly bright colours, and anything with a tight check pattern or fine stripes. These can cause a visual phenomenon called moiré, which plays havoc with the camera sensor. Here's a link if you want to know more about it!
Avoid large logos or branding too - these can be just as distracting as a loud pattern, and they date photos quickly.
What works well
When choosing what to wear, think about colours that suit you and whether the cut of the top works for your body shape. I'd recommend building around a couple of plain basics - a simple black and a simple white top are always solid starting points - then adding a few varying colours that you know work well for you.
Fit matters more than fashion here. A well-fitted plain top will almost always photograph better than something trendy but baggy - and remember it may be trendy now, but fashion cycles and so if you plan to use the headshot in future seasons it’s better to wear classic cuts.
Necklines are worth thinking about too… V-necks and open collars tend to work well as they draw the eye upward toward your face. High necklines and turtlenecks can sometimes close the frame in a way that doesn't help.
Layering works nicely as well - if you suit a leather or denim jacket I find they almost always add something to a shot. And do think about colours that bring out or complement your eye colour.
Don't overthink it - bring options
You don't need to have everything figured out before you arrive. Bring five or six options and we can look through them together in the room - that's completely normal and often the best way to do it. Taking the pressure off the decision beforehand means you arrive more relaxed, which always shows in the shots.
Think about the character
Think about the kinds of roles you tend to play - or want to play. Do you usually portray someone in more formal clothing or more casual? Are they serious or light-hearted? This kind of thinking can really help narrow down your choices. It's also worth asking your agent or a few friends what they think you should be leaning towards - sometimes an outside perspective is surprisingly helpful.
For more on how to prepare for your session overall, including hair, makeup and mindset, take a look at my full preparation guide here and for info on booking and packages please click here.