What to Wear for Professional Headshots: A Corporate & Team Guide

When you’re organising corporate headshots, clothing is usually the one variable that creates stress. Everyone turns up trying to look “smart”, but the final set can feel a bit mixed on a website.

This is a simple guide to what to wear for professional headshots, aimed at execs and HR leads who want a team to look professional, approachable, and easy to trust.

• Agree a general look and feel, then let people choose within it.
• Fit matters more than fashion.
• Solid colours and tidy necklines keep attention on faces.
• A blazer or suit jacket over a plain top gives quick variety.

In this guide

• Who this is for
• Quick-start summary
• Decide the look: match role and industry
• Keep team headshots consistent (without a dress code)
• Colours, patterns, and fit
• A simple prep list
• Common mistakes
• FAQs

Who this is for

• HR, People, Comms, and Marketing leads planning corporate headshots
• Executives updating leadership photos

Quick-start summary

If you want the short version:

• Pick a baseline: classic business, smart-casual, or creative-smart.
• Ask for two tops (mostly solid colours) and one layer (blazer or suit jacket, cardigan, or knit).
• Keep patterns, logos, and shiny fabrics to a minimum.
• Encourage people to wear what they can sit and move in comfortably.

Decide the look: match role and industry

The aim is to look like the professional version of yourself that people expect to meet.

That doesn’t mean everyone needs to look the same. It just means the overall impression should feel right for your organisation.

• Traditional sectors (legal, finance, property, healthcare): cleaner, more classic usually suits.
• More relaxed sectors (tech, agencies, creative teams): smart-casual can work well, as long as it’s tidy.

Assumption: these photos will be used on LinkedIn and/or your company website.

Keep team headshots consistent (without a dress code)

Consistency is what makes team headshots look polished. You don’t need strict rules to get it, just a shared direction.

The “house style” (light-touch)

Pick one starting point, then let people choose within it:

A simple message to the team:

• Bring one safe option (navy, charcoal, cream, or muted tones).
• Bring one option that feels more “you” (a colour you like).
• Avoid big logos and loud patterns if you can.

If you want a fuller view of how the day runs, see what to expect from office headshots.

Colours, patterns, and fit

Colours that often work well

• Navy
• Charcoal
• Forest green
• Burgundy
• Cream or softer whites

• Solid mid-tones usually keep attention on the face.
• Very bright white can draw the eye (sometimes great, sometimes dominating).
• Very bright reds and neon shades can reflect colour onto skin under strong lighting.

Patterns and shine

• Subtle texture is fine (knitwear, wool, quality cotton).
• Bold prints, large checks, and shiny fabrics can distract.

Assumption (logical implication): patterns can look busier when headshots are used small on websites and staff directories.

Fit and comfort

Fit matters more than labels. If someone is tugging at clothes, that tension tends to show.

• Shoulders sit naturally.
• Collars lie flat.
• Nothing pulls or gapes.
• It feels comfortable to stand and breathe normally.

A simple prep list

• Two tops (mostly solid colours).
• One layer (blazer or suit jacket, cardigan, or knit).
• Iron or steam the night before.
• Empty pockets (phones create odd shapes).
• Keep accessories simple.

Common mistakes

1. No shared direction – each photo looks fine, but the set doesn’t feel consistent together.
2. Loud patterns and big logos – clothing becomes the first thing you notice.
3. Shiny fabrics – distracting reflections.
4. Uncomfortable outfits – stiffness and constant adjusting.

Assumption (logical implication): the smaller the headshots appear on your site, the more obvious distractions become.

FAQs

How many outfit options should someone bring?

For a team day, two tops and one layer is usually plenty.

Should everyone wear the same thing?

No. Aim for a shared level of formality and a simple colour approach, not identical outfits.

Are white shirts a good idea?

Often, yes. Softer whites (cream/off-white) can be more forgiving than very bright white, depending on the person and background.

Can people wear patterns?

Yes, but keep them subtle. Bold patterns and large checks are the ones that tend to pull attention.

Do people need to buy new clothes?

Not usually. Most people already own something suitable. If buying anything, prioritise fit and simplicity.

Planning a team headshot day?

If you’d like help organising corporate headshots that look consistent and professional across your website and LinkedIn, I can help.

Although I’m based in the South West, I regularly photograph professionals in London and other UK cities.