“Your first impression is made within seven seconds.”
This figure is quoted often and highlights the need to have a good image in a professional photo especially when taking a picture for social media purposes such as Linkedin, company sites, or while preparing for a presentation. Accessories, clothing, and even a hairdo can significantly affect the image’s overall feel. Although AI models that create photos on demand are a great advantage, especially in professional photography, knowing the right headshots hairstyles and attires for various professions remains paramount in achieving a realistic and neat finish.
In this article, we are going to discuss how to mix and match the clothes and the hairstyles so that the headshot comes out looking professional while showcasing one’s character.
LEARN MORE: Read the latest consumer and lifestyle news here
Why Outfits and Hairstyles Matter in Headshots
Your appearance and the style of your hair not only go well with your looks but also express your professionalism. A sharp-looking blazer, a well-fitted shirt, or professional headshot hairstyles like a neat bun can exude self-assuredness, warmth or even artistic flair. But every coin has two sides. Something that looks so good on paper may not always be true in practice. Therefore such elements can even negatively affect your image.
Example: Picture a corporate lawyer’s profile photo that features them wearing a casual plaid shirt and sporting improperly styled hair. It might be appropriate for certain creative industries, but in the field of law, it does not inspire confidence in one’s professional stature and competence. Believe in the old adage that you cannot go against the grain; dress code and personal grooming must correspond with the expectations of your line of work, or you will be misrepresented.
Choosing the Right Outfit for Your Headshot
1. Dress for Your Industry
- Corporate Settings: It is advisable to wear muted colours such as black, navy blue, grey and white. Fitted blazers, collared tops or conservative dresses are appropriate.
- Creative Industries: It would be perfectly alright to play with vivid colours or varying patterns and textures to show off one’s style but still look professional.
- Tip: When choosing a pattern for clothing, steer clear of loud ones that may draw attention away from the face during the last image.
2. Color Coordination
The way you dress should match the skin tone and background. Most of the warm tones whether jewel or neutral work with almost all skin tones and take good images too.
Example: A deep rich navy or even a burgundy top can stand out against a plain background without taking away attention from one’s features making it easy on the eye.
3. Keep It Simple
For clothing, pick simple tailored clothing. Avoid flamboyant jewellery, too many ornaments, or clothes that are loose or creased. Keep in mind the objective should be your face and your expression.
Hairstyles That Complement Professional Headshots
1. Professional Headshot Hairstyles for Women
There are many ways women can style their hair but the center of it all is to stay neat and keep the hair well groomed and off the face.
- Sleek Bun or Ponytail: Age range from 20-40 only, Suitable for corporate headshots, this hairstyle gives a polished professional appearance.
- Soft Waves: Suitable for the likes of marketing and media industries in which the images are professional yet friendly.
- Short Cuts: Croups hair should be properly cut and designed to produce a clean look.
Tip: If you dye your hair, then make and ensure that the same is coloured recently so as not to show any roots that will be unsightly in the picture.
2. Professional Headshot Hairstyles for Men
For men’s professional headshot hairstyles, it’s essential to have clean and well-kept hairstyles suitable for the industry and brand.
- Classic Taper or Fade: The professional fade that is neat and clean is recommended for corporate settings.
- Textured Look: A messy hairstyle to some extent would project further creativity and ease on the wearer in wearers in casual sectors.
Example: A corporate financial consultant may sport the conventional side part as it projects dependability while a creative startup tech founder may wear a styled tousled cut to portray forward thinking.
3. Facial Hair Considerations
If you have facial hair, keep it well-manicured. A rough-looking beard may indicate a lack of concern to others while a well-defined beard may be a pleasant accent to your entire appearance.
Balancing Hairstyles with Outfits
The outfit and the hairstyle must be complementary to each other so that they contribute to the taste, headshot picture, and looking appeal.
1. Avoid Overwhelming Patterns and Voluminous Hair
If your outfit has got loud patterns, then keep the hairdo simple, for example, a sleek typology tailor, or a bob cut. Updo hairstyles spoil the purpose of the attires, especially busy ones, and also do not help the shoot since they occupy space.
2. Consider Necklines
Fitted high collars around the neck such as turtlenecks will look great with short or sleek tied-back styles of hair as this draws attention to the wearer’s facial structure. V or Box silhouettes on their part would go well with long tresses that are allowed to cascade over the shoulders and back.
3. Accessories and Hair Balance
In case you are putting on spectacles or eye-catching long earrings, you might want to wear a more demure style of hair so that they do not clash.
Preparing for Your Headshot Session
1. Test Your Look
Experiment with the set of clothes and hairstyles that you have selected and take some photos of yourself in a well-lit room to see how they look on camera.
2. Coordinate with the Background
Give your photographer a heads-up regarding your dress and hairstyle to enable him/her to pick a background that will complement what is already there.
Example: A plain light neutral background may be very good for a dark suit with hair worn sleek back. S of curls may look better against a black background.
3. Touch-Ups and Maintenance
- Make sure your hair is clean and styled.
- Iron or steam your clothes to get rid of any wrinkles.
- Carry small items like a comb or lint roller for touch-ups during the shoot.
Headshot Examples: Successful Pairings
- Corporate Leader: The classic navy blazer paired with a white shirt and combed-back hair, is all about authority and dependability.
- Creative Professional: A patterned blouse with some soft waves, tells a story of personality and warmth.
- Entrepreneur: A casual-ish appearance, like a fitted blazer over a simple plain T-shirt, as well as relaxed tousled hair, are graphics of a friendly, contemporary persona.
Conclusion: Crafting Your Perfect Look
A headshot embodies the concept of your brand and achieving a proper balance of one’s dressing to hairdo creates a lasting impression. Thanks to dressing for the occasion in given industries, having a matching hairstyle, and considering other minor aspects, very professional headshots – stand out from the rest – can be achieved.
As you think about your next headshot session, imbibe this timeless and simple saying: “Confidence is the best outfit you can wear.” Whether you are taking on a new position, reinventing your headshot, or taking any personal photo, make sure it is all about you.
Well, what would be your ideal look? Be creative, make some changes in advance and express your personality.
