What to Wear for a Corporate Headshot in London (Without Looking Like Everyone Else)

The most common thing I hear before a corporate headshot session is some version of “I want it to look professional, but still show off my personality”.

It’s a reasonable concern. Most people have spent years scrolling past headshots that feel stiff, forced, or just a little bit lifeless - the kind where you can almost hear someone saying ‘and give me a big smile’ from behind the camera. The last thing you want is to pay for a photo that you don’t really like, or makes you look boring (because you’re probably not).

Start with what the photo is actually for

Before you open your wardrobe, it’s worth thinking about where this photo is going to be used. Because the whole point of paying for some headshots is that they do a job. They get you more clients, build trust with potential investors, give people an idea of who and how you are as a person before they meet you.

A partner at a law firm updating their website may want to look strong, trustworthy and professional. A startup founder who’s got some speaking events coming up may want to look interesting, casual, and creative, but still professional. For a therapist this may be something a little relaxed and approachable, but trustworthy and understanding, but also still very much professional. ‘Professional’ means different things in different contexts, and the outfit should reflect that.

This is something I always cover in the pre-shoot call - what the photos are for, how they’ll be used, and what you would like to communicate. It shapes everything from the background choice, to the lighting, and it definitely shapes the outfit conversation.

What tends to work well

There are a few things that come up time and again in sessions that consistently translate well on camera.

Solid colours almost always work better than patterns. Patterns can look busy on screen and draw attention away from your face. A well-fitting plain shirt or jacket in a mid-tone colour is rarely a bad choice.

HOWEVER, if you always wear patterns and love brightly coloured outfits, then go for it, you will feel more comfortable, the photos will actually look like you and this will show in your facial expression, posture, posing… and ultimately the final product as well.

Layers tend to add depth and little bit more visual interest. A blazer over a shirt, or a structured jacket can just add that extra something to a photo.

Fit matters more than formality. A well-fitted shirt will almost always photograph better than a suit that doesn’t fit quite right.

Necklines and collars frame the face differently, so it’s worth thinking about that. A higher neckline tends to feel more formal. An open collar or a V-neck reads as slightly more relaxed. These are all things that we know instinctively, but sometimes it helps to see it written down.

What tends not to work

Logos and branding on clothing can be distracting, unless the logo is the point of the photo.

Colour contrast with the background matters more than most people expect. Very pale colours against a white or light grey background can wash out. Very dark colours against a dark background can do the opposite.

Depending on the studio we select, or the environment around us I can either use a complimentary or contrasting colour to really make you stand out from the background, or make the photo stand out as a whole. This is best if decided ahead of time, but having a bit of a challenge on the day is never something that I shy away from.

The ‘professional but not boring’ problem

This is the thing almost everyone is actually worried about. You want to look credible and approachable without looking like you’ve had your personality completely washed out. For nearly every initial consultation some version of this will be mentioned, so you are not alone in this concern.

The biggest factor in this isn’t the outfit, but it absolutely has an effect. I’ve watched people slowly come more alive as they take off the blazer, put on a baggy t-shirt and slouch slightly in their chair.

I’m easily able to tell which outfits are your go-to, comfortable ones and which are the ones you put on to play the part, the difference is so visible in how people act in different outfits.

You can relax though, if you need headshots in a formal outfit that you wouldn’t usually like to wear, that’s fine. The outfit still only accounts for a small portion of how confident, comfortable and like yourself you look in front of the camera.

Most people are showing the version of themselves they think they should be for the first 30-40 minutes of a session. By the second half of the shoot, you’ve seen that you look great and that the photos that look best aren’t forced poses, it’s just where you do whatever you would normally do when you’re sitting, standing, or leaning.

That’s completely normal, and it’s exactly why I set aside two hours rather than trying to rush through it.

So, if your main concern is not looking like a cardboard cutout of yourself - that’s not something you need to solve exclusively with your wardrobe. It’s something we’ll work through together on the day.

How many outfits should you bring?

Three or four options is usually the sweet spot. One that feels like your ‘safe’ choice, one that’s slightly more expressive or relaxed, and one that is how you’d actually show up to a meeting with someone you wanted to impress.

It only takes 5 minutes to change and can extend the usefulness of the photos, if you have the ability to use them for slightly different purposes. If you want to have something for speaking gigs, some for press interviews, and others for your website or LinkedIn, then these can all be best suited to a unique look and benefit from the variety.

A quick note on preparation

You don’t need a full spa day the day before, just freshly ironed clothes, subtle grooming, stay hydrated and give your face a good wash (with a flannel, lads).

The one thing worth avoiding is a haircut or colour change in the days before. Give it a few days to settle so you look like yourself, and feel confident in any recent changes.

Ready to book?

If you’re thinking about a professional headshot session in London and want to talk through what would work best for you, including what to wear, that’s exactly what the pre-shoot call is for. We’d go through everything before you arrive so the day itself runs smoothly and you know what to expect.

Get in touch to check availability.