The way we dress conveys information about our identity both in and outside of the workplace. It also has a significant impact on what others believe about us!
That includes beliefs about how much influence and power we have, how smart we are, all of which impact hiring managers, coworkers, and clients.

Pick out your outfits before your shoot date to make sure your outfits convey trustworthiness and reliability or any other traits you want others to view you as. Review the suggestions to help keep clothing choices (and your photos) classic and timeless:

Dress like your boss. What’s considered as appropriate dress in the workplace can vary by industry. Lawyers for example are expected to dress more conservative while people in creative fields like graphic design may look too formal in a suit and tie. When in doubt look to your boss or another industry leader you respect for guidance on outfits. This will help you convey the appropriate look without appearing as if you’re trying too hard or are too formal/ not formal enough.

Consider the people you interact with during the work day. What clothing is most appropriate. Do you wear the same type of outfit no matter who you’re meeting with? Do you tailor your clothing to certain audiences? Instead of trying to match all possible scenarios within one outfit, consider multiple outfits that will align with the different audiences you are communicating with.

Bring wrinkle free clothes. Wrinkles on your clothes stick out in photos and can look messy! We don’t want that in your best photo of yourself. Use an iron or steamer on your clothes if needed. Bring extra shirts on a hanger.

Be comfortable but polished. When you aren't comfortable, it shows. Also remember not to wear anything too baggy, it can actually make people look bigger than they really are, at the same time you also don’t want to wear anything too tight. Find that just right fit that looks great. The way you feel in your clothing can impact your posture and your facial expressions. If you need an extra boost of confidence, stick with a classic look that will make you feel good about yourself.

Bring shirt options that you feel the most confident in.

• SOLID COLORS look classic, timeless and photograph best.
  As a rule of thumb, choose colors that compliment your eyes and skin color. Have fun with it and mix colors, textures and add layers.

• DARK CLOTHING is perceived as more formal, and authoritative
  LIGHT CLOTHING can look more approachable and friendly
  BRIGHT CLOTHING convey energy and confidence
  MUTED CLOTHING is more conservative and less threatening
  HIGH CONTRAST PAIRINGS like a dark jacket and light colored shirt can create a powerful image that conveys authority and influence

• AVOID a ghost-white shirt or a black shirt if you have very pale skin. Bright White can wash people out and Black absorbs light, making you look more pale than you really are. Is your skin tone warm or cold? If your skin tone is warm, try colors and shades that are warm, and vice versa. Example: Try an Ivory or warm Cream colored top if your skin is pale or very light toned.

• TRY A VIVID COLOR TOP or JEWEL TONE if you want to make a statement (Emerald Green · Ruby Red · Sapphire Blue · Royal Purple · Navy Blue · Citrine Yellow) will help your headshot ‘pop’ and stand out from the rest. Extra points if it matches your eyes and complexion!

• PATTERNS can be great too - Just make sure it’s a low contrasting pattern that is flattering on you and isn’t dizzying stripes or a Bold plaid that will distract the viewer in a photo. Solid colors are a universal safe suggestion. When in doubt, snap a photo of you in the pattern, patterns can look different in a photo than they do in the mirror. Some patterns can create a moire visual effect, which is an unpleasant visual side effect of repeating patterns.

• AVOID TRENDS and dress for your body type.

• AVOID LOGOS on clothing UNLESS it is YOUR business logo or a status symbol logo that you want to be related too.

• AVOID wearing older, worn out clothing. Everyone has that favorite shirt they wear again and again - but over time even the nicest shirt will start to show signs of wear like pilling or loose threads. To ensure you look ‘put together’ opt for items that don’t show signs of frequent use.

Men:

• Collared shirts and Dress shirts are always a great choice. You can dress it up or dress it down.
  Also make sure your collar is a stiff collar. A floppy collar can make your headshot look sloppy.
  Bring an undershirt if necessary. Note the undershirt collar should not be visible under your dress shirt for a polished look. If it is visible, skip the undershirt.

• If you normally wear a tie, bring two options, all which compliment or can be used with the shirt(s) you are bringing.

• Jackets and blazers with a casual shirt underneath are great for a more relaxed look.

• Flattering colors for men are usually French blue or purple in combination with a dark gray, navy blue or black jacket.

• Bring outfits that fit you the best, that you feel confident in, and dress the part that would attract your ideal client!

Women:

• Wrap dresses or tops that wrap around your waist are a flattering cut for any type of body or shape.

• V-Necks are an excellent choice as they always elongate the neck. But be careful not to overdo it, a deep V-Neck can show too much cleavage. Make sure everything is in proportion.

• U-neck will make your neck look shorter if it’s close to your neck. The further the neckline is from your neck, the longer your neck will appear.

• AVOID Turtle-necks as it tends to shorten your neck. Also, sometimes it might result in a ‘floating head’ look, if the color of your top matches the background.

• Off-shoulder look is very feminine, showing off your neck and shoulders in the most natural way. Avoid this if your photo is going to be tightly cropped or used in a professional manner however.

• Jackets and blazers are always a good choice for layering.

• Accessories or jewelry can add a little 'pop' to your look.

• Do not forget the correct undergarments!
  If you plan on wearing a white shirt for example, you will need a nude bra, as a black bra would be visible under a white shirt, etc.

Still not sure on what color to wear?
Check out my blog on the meanings of different colors: https://loricardwell.com/indianapolisphotographerblog/2021/7/28/choosing-the-right-color-to-wear-in-photos

The colors we wear can influence how others perceive us, and can even affect our own mood!

Don’t forget about your hands! Make sure your nails are clean and groomed. If you wear nail polish, make sure they are not chipped and stick to a neutral color like a pale pink color that will look clean and classic.

Finally, Remember to Breathe! I promise, I will make this an enjoyable experience for you if you are open to it! These tips are here to help you be prepared and confident on your photoshoot day!

If you have questions about an outfit you can always email or text me a photo of your outfit before the session. I’m only a call/message away!