What to Wear for Your Professional Headshot: A Guide for Women in Naperville

Here's something I've watched happen more times than I can count.

A woman walks into Studio 25 feeling a little uncertain. She's not sure she picked the right outfit. She second-guessed herself three times in the parking lot. And that uncertainty? It shows up in her face before I've even picked up the camera.

Then she changes into the outfit she almost didn't bring... the one she wasn't sure about... and something shifts. She stands a little taller. She exhales. And suddenly we have something to work with.

What you wear for your headshot matters. Not because there's one perfect outfit that will magically make everything work. But because when you feel good in what you're wearing, it shows up in the images in a way that no amount of retouching can replicate.

So let me walk you through exactly what I'd tell you on a prep call. The colors that photograph beautifully. The styles that work on camera. What to leave at home. And a few industry-specific tips so you walk in ready.

The Golden Rule: Wear What Makes You Feel Like Yourself

Before we get into specifics, this is the thing I want you to hold onto through all of it.

The best headshot outfit is the one that makes you feel like your most confident, most like-yourself version. Not the outfit you think you're supposed to wear. Not the one that feels safe and forgettable. The one you put on and think "okay, yeah. That's me."

Style, confidence, and personality translate through the lens in a way that's almost impossible to manufacture after the fact. So we're not dressing for the photo. We're dressing for how you feel in the photo.

Now let's talk specifics.

Colors That Photograph Beautifully

The winners: Jewel tones are my absolute favorites for headshots. Deep teal, emerald, burgundy, sapphire, plum. These colors are rich and confident on camera and they work beautifully against both light and dark backgrounds.

Solid navy, charcoal, and forest green are classics for good reason. Clean, professional, and they keep the focus entirely on your face.

Soft neutrals like warm white, cream, blush, and dusty rose photograph beautifully and give a softer, approachable feel.

Use with intention: Red photographs beautifully but it's bold. If red is part of your brand or genuinely feels like you, go for it. If you're reaching for it because it seems like a "power" choice but it's not really your color... skip it.

What to avoid: Neon and very bright colors tend to cast color on your skin and pull attention away from your face. White can be tricky depending on the background... bright white especially. Black is fine but it can sometimes flatten. If you love black, a black blazer with something lighter underneath is a great compromise.

Necklines and Silhouettes That Work on Camera

For headshots specifically, necklines matter more than you'd think because the camera is close and framing is tight.

What works: V-necks and scoop necks are almost universally flattering on camera. They elongate the neck and draw attention upward toward your face. Crew necks work well too. Blazers are a headshot staple for good reason... structured, professional, and they photograph beautifully from every angle.

Be thoughtful about: Very high necklines can sometimes feel like they're swallowing you on camera, especially in a tight crop. Strapless and off-shoulder styles can look unintentionally underdressed depending on your industry. Very flowy or draped tops can look shapeless in a headshot crop.

The fit question: Fit matters more than style. Something that fits you perfectly in a style you're not crazy about will almost always photograph better than a trendy piece that doesn't quite fit right.

Jewelry and Accessories: Less Is Usually More

Here's my general rule: if you're thinking about it, it's probably too much.

Simple earrings, a delicate necklace, a clean watch... these all work beautifully and add personality without distracting. Statement earrings can be gorgeous in headshots as long as they're not competing with your face for attention.

What tends to be distracting: very large chunky necklaces in a tight crop, jangling stacked bracelets (mostly a sound issue but also visual noise), and anything very trendy that will date the photo in two years.

Glasses are totally fine. If you wear them every day and they're part of how people know you, wear them. We might experiment with and without but don't leave them at home.

Hair and Makeup: What We Handle vs. What You Should Know

At the Headshot Mini Marathon at Studio 25 Naperville, you get professional hair and makeup touch-ups included. Our artist works in-studio and knows exactly how to prep skin for camera... which is different from everyday makeup in ways that genuinely matter.

Camera makeup is a little more than you'd wear day-to-day. A little more definition around the eyes, a little more coverage. Not heavy or overdone. Just camera-ready.

What to do before you arrive: Come with your hair mostly done in the style you want. Our touch-ups are designed to perfect and polish, not start from scratch. If you have a specific look in mind, a photo reference is always helpful.

If you have a full Luminous Project session, hair is done at Zazu salon before we ever pick up a camera. Completely different experience and you arrive at the studio ready to go.

Bring Options: Why 2-3 Outfits Is Always Better Than One

I always recommend bringing two or three outfit options to your headshot session. Here's why.

Lighting and backgrounds affect how colors read in ways that are hard to predict before you're actually in the studio. Something that looked perfect at home might not be the winner once we see it on camera. And having options means we're not locked into one choice if something isn't working.

A great combination: one more formal option (blazer, structured top), one slightly more relaxed option (a great blouse, a softer color), and a wildcard that feels most like your personality. You might end up using all three. You might land on one and love it. Either way, options give us flexibility.

What NOT to Wear

Let me just be direct about this one.

Busy patterns. Tiny prints, busy plaids, intricate patterns... these vibrate on camera in a way that's distracting and unflattering. Solid colors almost always win.

Logos and graphics. Unless your brand IS the logo (unlikely for a headshot), keep branded clothing at home. It competes with your face and dates the photo.

Trendy pieces with a short shelf life. Your headshot should look current for at least two to three years. Very trendy silhouettes or statement pieces that are having a moment right now might feel dated sooner than you'd expect.

Clothes that don't fit. I know this feels obvious but it comes up more than you'd think. Something too tight or too loose is going to be a distraction in every image. Wear what fits you right now, today, as you are.

Industry-Specific Tips

Corporate and finance: Classic is your friend. Blazer, jewel tone, clean lines. You want to look authoritative and polished. Save the personality pieces for your LinkedIn bio.

Real estate: You have a little more flexibility here. Something polished but approachable. Warm colors often work beautifully. Think "someone I'd trust to sell my house and also actually like."

Creative fields (designers, marketers, photographers): This is where you can let your personality come through a little more. Color, interesting necklines, a statement piece that feels like you. Your headshot should hint at your creative sensibility.

Coaching and wellness: Warm, approachable, and genuine. Soft colors, relaxed but polished silhouettes. You want people to feel like they could talk to you.

Medical and healthcare: Clean, professional, trustworthy. Solid colors, minimal accessories. White coats are fine if that's part of your brand. Scrubs can work depending on context... we can talk through this on your prep call.

Entrepreneurs and personal brands: Tell me who you are and we'll build the look from there. This is the category with the most flexibility and the most room to get it right or get it wrong. When in doubt, bring options and let's decide together.

One Last Thing

Please don't go out and buy a whole new wardrobe for your headshot.

The best outfits I've photographed are usually things people already own. The blazer they love but save for special occasions. The top that makes them feel like themselves every time they put it on. The color they always get complimented on.

Go to your closet first. Pull out the things that make you feel like your most confident self. Bring those. We'll figure out the rest together.

Book Your Headshot Mini Marathon Spot

The Headshot Mini Marathon at Studio 25 in downtown Naperville includes professional hair and makeup touch-ups, expert direction throughout, same-day image selection, and delivery within 48 hours.

You show up. I handle the rest.

Book your Headshot Mini Marathon spot

Emily Cummings Photography | Studio 25, 25 W. Jefferson Ave, 2nd Floor, Downtown Naperville, IL 60540