What to Wear for Headshots: The Ultimate Guide (2021)

Note: This article was written for actors – if you're not an actor, visit our other guide called "What to Wear for a Professional Headshot."
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Believe it or not, we once had a client show up to a photoshoot with a ripped, dirty t-shirt and stained jeans.

True story.

But the craziest part? He was scheduled for a 3-hour, multi-look headshot session with us, and that was the only outfit he brought.

​We had to get really creative.

A few months later, an actor showed up wearing a full tux and red bowtie, thinking he needed to dress up "a bit" for his headshots.

Yes, that's also a true story.

Because of crazy situations like that, we decided to put together this in-depth guide on what to wear for a headshot so no one would ever show up to a shoot again with the wrong headshot outfits!

What to Wear for Headshots: The Ultimate Guide

By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly what to wear for your actor headshots... and what NOT to wear. Remember – wearing the wrong thing could cause a casting director to throw your headshot out!

Here's what's covered:

• ​Part 1: Clothing Style – Should you wear a leather jacket and try to look intense? Or go for a plain tee to capture a casual vibe? Or something more formal? You'll learn how to decide in Part 1.
• Part 2: What to Avoid Wearing – Once you decide on the general style of clothing to wear, it's important to be aware of what does and does NOT work well on camera so you don't make any mistakes.
• Part 3: How to Pick Your Colors – Next, you'll decide on specific colors to wear. Certain colors work WAY better than others on camera and some can even send certain subconscious messages!
• Part 4: Additional Preparation to Consider – You should also think about accessories, makeup, and how to plan for your shoot in general. We'll cover all that in Part 4.

Ready to get started?

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​Part 1 of 4: Clothing Style

Did you know that wearing the wrong clothing style in your headshot can literally mean the difference between a headshot that gets you 1-2 auditions a month... and one that gets you 1-2 auditions a week – or more?

​Note: As a reminder, this article is for actors. If you're not an actor, visit our other guide called "What to Wear for a Professional Headshot."

Type: Girl Next Door (not knowing your Type is one of the biggest reasons actors struggle to get auditions)

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There's a BIG difference between a headshot that gets auditions and one that doesn't.

For a headshot to actually get you auditions, you need to be specific.

Most "What to Wear for Headshots" guides give generalized advice like, "Scoop-neck shirts are best on camera," or "Black V-neck shirts work better than white V-neck shirts," but that's one of the biggest reasons actors struggle to get auditions from their headshots.

Why? Because those guides forget the fact that casting directors are always looking for specific characters when they're casting. Wearing a black tee sounds nice because it's straightforward and simple, but it's also so general that it will almost never get you consistent auditions.

There's a MUCH better way to figure out what to wear for headshots, and that's to think differently by reversing the process:

STEP 1: Figure Out Your Types:

To capture a truly effective actor/actress headshot, you MUST be clear on your Types. Most actors have about 3-4 character types they can realistically play. To figure out your Types ask yourself the following:

What kinds of characters can I see myself playing? Can I play students? Lawyers? Business professionals? Grandparents? Gang members?

​It's OK to be stereotypical here – in fact, it's encouraged. Do you look like a typical business man? Well, if you have a big beard and messy hair, probably not. But maybe you could play a gang member or a religious fanatic.

Remember: it's important to be realistic! For instance, if you're only 16 years old, there's no way you could play a cop because you're not old enough.

Finding your Type(s) is beyond the scope of this article, but I've compiled a list of over 76 Types, plus a special 10-minute process you can follow to discover your Types (and don't worry – you don't need to awkwardly ask tons of people for feedback!).

I like to think differently about how to build actor's careers. I call it thinking "outside the industry," and it's what helped get one of my clients booked on Broadway in just 4 weeks. You can learn more about booking more acting work by visiting my website at www.martinbentsen.com.

​Find Your Type... in Just 10 Minutes
Download our Free "Find Your Types" Guide

The clearer you are on your Types, the more auditions you'll get with your headshots. This guide shows you how to shortcut the process of finding your Type from months to minutes.

​Here's what's included:

• A little-known Google hack to find people who look like you and discover what their Types are
• An in-depth list of over 76 Types that casting directors are actively looking for in 2021 and 2022, plus how to know which ones apply to you.
• The 2 biggest mistakes actors make when discovering their Types, and how to avoid making them yourself
• BONUS Video: Upgrade Your Type to a Brand – this 18-minute video workshop (originally sold for $99) shows you how to truly stand out to casting directors by upgrading your Types into an elegant, easy-to-remember 5-Word Brand

Send Me the Guide!

City Headshots' Founder Martin Bentsen is an actor marketing coach who uses “outside the industry” thinking to help actors book more work. He’s helped over 6,000 actors with their careers and actor headshots since 2009 and his photography studio City Headshots is ranked #1 on Yelp. He’s spoken at NYU, The New England Theater Conference, The Actor’s Green Room, and is a monthly contributing writer at Casting Networks. Learn more about his work at www.martinbentsen.com.

​Step 2: Decide on Clothing That Supports Your Types:

Once you decide on at least 3-4 Types you can play, you should decide on the styles of clothing that supports those Types.

For instance, if you think one of your Types is street thug, you probably wouldn't wear a business suit for your headshot. It would be better to wear a leather jacket or hoody. If you're going for "Young Mom," you might want to wear chambray shirt.

Here's another "outside the industry" technique I'd like to share with you. To figure out exactly what style of clothing to wear, go to Google Image Search and search your Type(s). For instance, write "street thug." Photos will come up of people who look like that, and you'll instantly know whether A) you look like that Type and can pull it off and B) the kinds of clothes to wear.

Now you know what style of clothing to wear for your shoot!

Notice how we did this in reverse order from what most actors do. Most actors look for simple guides that say what generally looks good on camera and what doesn't, but those guides don't take into consideration the kinds of roles that will actually have the highest shot of getting you auditions.

Now, if you're concerned about pigeonholing yourself into one particular Type by being too specific, you should try doing a few different "looks" for your shoot. Capturing multiple different "Type" shots that are each specific will allow you to submit to a wider variety of auditions, but they'll still be specific enough that your shots will result in plenty of auditions.

Again, as an overall takeaway: NEVER wear generic clothing in your headshot because it will result in a shot that rarely gets you quality auditions.


Want to look your absolute best? Upgrade your $400 Headshot to a $1,400 Headshot (without spending a dime more).

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​Part 2 of 4: What Should You NOT Wear for a Headshot?

Now that you've decided on general clothing styles that supports your Types, you need to be sure what you wear won't be distracting or problematic on camera.

We'll go through a series of Don't's in this section.

​DON'T Wear Strong Patterns

Keep away from plaid, checks, and anything that has high-contrast colors right next to one-another. The only patterns that can work are subtle ones with a slight variance in color.
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Patterns generally draw too much attention and appear distracting, and some patterns (especially small ones) can cause a phenomenon called moire where it looks like there's a weird pattern showing up on-camera (that's invisible in real-life) because of the way the pixels on the camera work:

An example of moire.

This pattern is very distracting.

DON'T Wear Logos or Pictures

Logos and images are incredibly distracting and definitely don't look good in headshots. If however you have a shirt with a small logo such as a Ralph Lauren polo shirt, it can usually be photoshopped out (just be sure your photographer includes retouching in your package).

The only time a logo or picture is OK is if it's being used on your actor website – otherwise casting directors will toss your shot!

DON'T Wear Too Many Accessories

Should you wear jewelry in a headshot? No (unless it's just tiny stud earrings).

Avoid wearing any form of jewelry in headshots because casting directors find it very distracting.

You should also avoid hats, scarves, chains, or other accessories.

If you wear glasses, you can keep them on during the shoot (or do some with and without) – but just be sure to tilt the lenses down a bit to reduce glare (by lifting the sides up slightly off your ears).


Feeling overwhelmed? Download our simple 8-Point Actor Headshot Checklist for free.

No glare in the glasses. Note that his shirt has a pattern, but since the photo was taken horizontally, it's not too distracting. A solid color still would have been better!

​DON'T Wear Sleeveless Tops

For women, unless you love your arms, in general it's best to only show skin around your neck and face. Wearing a sleeveless top not only causes your shoulders and arms to draw attention away from your face, but sometimes your bra straps can creep into the shot which is highly distracting and will need to be photoshopped out.

If you do plan to take shots where you'll be showing your arms, be sure to hold them slightly off your body. If they're pressed up against you, it can make them look much bigger than they are.

​DON'T Wear Clothes That Fit Poorly

Wearing clothes that are too small or big can look terrible in pictures.

Baggy clothing can make you look heavier than you are in real life (or make you look like you're wearing hand-me-down clothes), and outfits that are too tight will bulge in places, drawing the eye away from your face.

Your clothes don't need to fit perfectly, but they should fit fairly well.

Article: How to know if your clothes fit (men)
Article: How to know if your clothes fit (women)

Rich, deep colors work best on camera. But be sure they support your Type(s)!

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​DON'T Wear Low-Cut Necklines or Turtleneck Shirts

Turtlenecks can cut you off and make you appear closed (like the effect you get when you fold your arms).

Low-cut shirts, on the other hand, can be distracting unless they're cropped in closely. Showing cleavage is a big no-no for actor headshots.

Even though some photographers will say otherwise, the truth is that there are no hard and fast rules for necklines in headshots – your photographer should be able to shoot you no matter what kind of neckline you wear. Just keep in mind that scoop necks and v-necks typically work best for women, and for men the only neckline that doesn't work well is a tight t-shirt or turtleneck that goes up high on the neck.

If you're not sure about something, feel free to bring it as an option and ask your photographer to take a test shot.

​DON'T Wear Shiny Clothing

In general, shiny clothing can look distracting and should be avoided. That being said, certain kinds can work (such as black leather jackets), but you should absolutely ask for a test shot before committing to something for the shoot.

Definitely avoid wearing silver or white shiny clothing because it can look way too bright in the photo, which will draw attention away from your face.

​Want to Keep it Simple?
Download our Free "Actor Headshot Prep Checklist"

This handy checklist is perfect to review before any actor headshot session. It condenses the most important things to think about into 8 key checkpoints to help you get the most out of your shoot.

​Here's what's covered:

• ​3 Checkpoints on Clothing & Colors: The three most important things to consider when choosing outfits (so you show up with clothing that makes you look your best on camera).​
• 3 Miscellaneous Checkpoints: These checkpoints are related to makeup, hair, and a simple action to take the day before to ensure you look your best.
• 2 Checkpoints on Character: The final checkpoints cover the best questions to ask yourself to ensure you capture characters and "looks" that will get you more auditions
• BONUS: The 9 Critical Things to Bring to Your Headshot Session – having all these prepared in advance will save you lots of hassle and annoyance on the day of your shoot

Send Me the Checklist!

City Headshots' Founder Martin Bentsen is an actor marketing coach who uses “outside the industry” thinking to help actors book more work. He’s helped over 6,000 actors with their careers and actor headshots since 2009 and his photography studio City Headshots is ranked #1 on Yelp. He’s spoken at NYU, The New England Theater Conference, The Actor’s Green Room, and is a monthly contributing writer at Casting Networks. Learn more about his work at www.martinbentsen.com.

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Part 3 of 4: The Best Colors to Wear for Actor Headshots

Now that you've decided on clothing style and you know what to avoid, it's time to pick out your colors!

Rich, Deep Colors Look Best on Camera

In general, I recommend staying away from white and other pale colors as the main color (pink, pale yellow, light green, sky blue, etc.). They can overexpose, distract from your face, and sometimes even make your skin tone look paler than it is. This especially applies to outdoor shoots.

Sometimes lighting can be too bright on certain colors, making them look completely white in places.

A bright yellow might overexpose and appear white, whereas a dark, forest green would look great because the amount of light reflecting from it is less.

If you really want to wear a pale color, wear a jacket or other darker layer over the pale color.

His shirt is too bright and takes away from his face.

Darker colors look richer and nicer on camera.

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Wear Colors You Love

Keep in mind however, that anyone who tells you that a certain color always reads well on camera is forgetting that colors are highly subjective.

Your complexion, hair color, backdrop, and even the feeling you want to give off in your headshot should all be taken into consideration.

In general, you should actively avoid wearing colors you don't like because you'll look (and feel) less confident in your shots. Almost any color can technically work as long as the photographer knows how to light it properly.

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​Want to look your absolute best? Upgrade your $400 Headshot to a $1,400 Headshot (without spending a dime more).

​Bring Different Variations of Each Color

​Different variations of your favorite colors will give you options. Your photographer or stylist can help suggest which versions of a color might look best.​

For instance, if you love blue, bring a light blue, dark blue, and really dark, navy blue. Then, based on where you're shooting and the background and lighting in the image, certain versions of that color might work better than others.

Note that if you only have one variation of a color, don't worry – you don't have to go and buy a whole bunch of new clothes. Showing up with just one option won't be the end of the world!

Wear Complimentary Colors When Layering

When wearing layers (like a jacket over your shirt), be sure the colors compliment one another​.

Intense color combinations can be distracting, so keep your combinations simple.

​Make sure the combinations you wear are made of solid-colored pieces layered over one-another. Layers can add more interest and make you look more dynamic and visually appealing.

And if you're wondering whether to do your headshot with a jacket on or off, we almost always recommend keeping it on... but if your photographer is open to it, ask to do a few of each!

Download our free "Instant Color Matching" table to make combining different colors for layering easy.​

​Send the Right Message By Wearing the Right Color

​Some colors can subconsciously send the wrong message to people if they're worn the wrong way.
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For example, a large amount of green can signify harmony and stability, but a small amount of green can actually make you come across as jealous or inexperienced.

​​​Why do we interpret green like that?

​Well, evolutionarily, we learned that lots of green meant grass & woods, or a safe place. But small amounts of green tell us a fruit is not ripe yet, meaning we should avoid it.

​Since subliminal color meanings are beyond the scope of this article, we've created a guide that explains not only what each color says to the viewer, but also how the meaning changes based on where the color appears in the image - as an inner layer, outer layer, or even as the backdrop.

Knowing this info will make it easy for you to figure out what to wear and what backdrops to request so you send the right message to the casting director:

​Are Your Colors Sending the Right Message?
Download our Free "Hidden Color Meanings" Chart

Scientific research has proven that every color sends a specific message depending on how it's worn. Our "Hidden Color Meanings" chart will help you quickly and easily pick outfits that send the right message.

• Show casting directors you’re trustworthy, confident, and talented... instead of inexperienced, jealous, or lazy (yes, the wrong colors can actually send those messages)
• Match your outfits perfectly with our included “Instant Color Matching” table – works even if you hate matching clothes and have trouble figuring out what to wear.
• Take your headshot from 95% to 99.9%… by going one step deeper than most actors who just want a “regular” headshot

Get instant access by clicking the button below:

Send Me the Free Guide!

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​Part 4 of 4: Important Tips to Prepare for Your Shoot

In this final section, I'll outline a few things to keep in mind as you go about planning your outfits for your headshots.

​Don't Be Afraid to Bring a Few Options

Most photographers are fine if you bring more than what you'll need for the shoot. Feel free to bring a few different options so they (or their makeup artist) can help you decide.

​Sometimes they just need to see you in-person to know what will work best based on your skin tone, eye color, hair color, etc.

And of course, if the photographer does test shots, they can let you see them so you can see whether you like the way your outfit looks in the picture.

​Keep in Mind How Far Out the Image Will Be Cropped

Unless you need to do full-body or 3/4 length photos, you won't need to worry about your pants and shoes.

That being said, some people like to wear an entire outfit that matches. We often shoot with women who want to wear heels because it improves their posture and how they carry themselves in their photo.

Learn more about cropping for actor headshots here.

A half-body or 3/4 shot won't show your shoes, but does show your pants.

Beneath this suit, he was wearing biker shorts (just kidding).

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​Looking Good in a Headshot is About More Than Your Outfit

A great headshot is about more than just your clothes. It's also about your expression! And since expression is so important, you need to feel good about what you're wearing.

If you choose clothing you don't like just because someone tells you to (or you wear clothes that are uncomfortable), it will be harder for you to relax enough to get good expressions. So wear what you love!

If you want to go deeper on expression, check out my free guide called Upgrade your $400 Headshot to a $1,400 Headshot (without spending a dime more).

​Hair & Makeup Tips

Makeup for camera is different than makeup for everyday life. Camera lighting washes out your face, so your makeup needs to be more pronounced than what you'd do normally.

If you plan to hire a makeup artist, be sure to use someone who has experience in headshots. Most headshot photographers work with a makeup artist they recommend who can customize their makeup to your own personal style.

Here are a few hair and makeup tips if you're planning to do it yourself:

• Keep your hair simple and remember we can't see what's behind your head – Your hair should look similar to how it normally does in every day life. Avoid asking your photographer or makeup artist if you should do your hair differently because hair is so subjective and you'll probably be uncomfortable with whatever they suggest. Also, keep in mind that in a photo, we can't see anything behind your head, so if you pull your hair back into a ponytail, it will look like you have really short hair. To show a ponytail or pulled-back hairstyle, slide it over a bit so we can see it sticking out behind your head.
• Don't do your makeup significantly different – Your headshots should look just like you do in real-life (unless you want to re-do your makeup exactly as it was in your headshot every time you go in for an audition), so be sure the makeup you do is similar to your normal style (and not overly glamorous). If your makeup looks too different, you'll be uncomfortable with your shots and probably won't want to use them. Plus, casting directors HATE when you walk in the audition room looking different than you did in your headshot.
• Contour your face a bit more – Because of the two-dimensionality of photos, you should add a bit more contouring to your face so you look more three-dimensional on camera. Also, with the way lighting works, your features can appear washed-out, so you might need some additional lip color and eyeliner.
• Add extra powder to cover up shine – Studio lights are very bright and can make you look shiny. Even though shine can look nice in real life, it can be distracting and make you look sweaty in your headshot, so it's best to bring some powder or tissues to lightly wipe down your face if appear shiny.
• Bring extra makeup and make adjustments after the photographer takes a test shot – The photographer should give you an extra 5-7 minutes at the start of your session to adjust your makeup after you see your test shot. Be sure to ask if they're open to this ahead of time.

​Want to look your absolute best? Upgrade your $400 Headshot to a $1,400 Headshot (without spending a dime more).

​Prepare Your Clothing in Advance

Make sure all your clothes are ready to go at least 2-3 days before your shoot.

We've had clients needing to reschedule because there was a delay at the dry cleaner, and we've had others show up with wrinkled clothing (luckily we have steamers in our studios, but some photographers don't).

Be sure your clothes are neatly pressed, clean, and lint-free. And if your photographer doesn't carry them, you can bring a lint roller and steamer to your shoot.

​Finally, if you're going to wear a tie and are unsure of how to tie it properly, watch a YouTube video and tie it ahead of time. During the shoot you can just slip it over your head and tighten it. Some photographers don't know how to tie ties, so you should prepare just in case.

For a complete list of all 9 things to bring to your shoot, download our free Actor Headshot Checklist.

Make Sure Your Photographer Shoots on the Correct Backdrop

Although backdrops are beyond the scope of this article, you should still pay attention to them because shooting on the wrong backdrop can create confusion in the casting director, causing you to miss out on an audition opportunity.

When the photographer takes his or her test shot, pay attention to whether your outfit is clashing with the backdrop. For instance, you wouldn't want to do a shot where you're playing a Young Professional Type... against a blurred greenery backdrop outdoors!

The backdrop you use can help strengthen (or clash with) your Type.

To learn how to pick the best possible backdrops, check out our free guide:

​Choose the Right Backdrop for Your Headshot
Download our Free "Headshot Backdrops Guide"

This quick guide was created to help you choose the proper backdrop for your headshot session. Not only will you discover your Brand and Type as an actor, but you'll also learn what type of backdrop will work best to capture it.

​Here's what's covered:​

• ​​Avoid Common Backdrop Mistakes – Did you know that a dark gray backdrop could make your actor headshot look dated if it's not lit properly? Learn the meanings of each backdrop so you choose one that works right for your goals.
• ​Backdrops Based on Type – The student, the father, the detective – they all require different backdrops. Learn which backdrop works best for each specific Type.
• How to Find Your Actor Brand – Learn our simple step-by-step process called G.I.S.T. Method to figure out your actor brand and the overall aesthetic and look that will best capture it.

Send Me the Guide!

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Did you find this article helpful?
​
​Book more work by thinking "Outside the Industry."

As someone who has worked with people in thousands of industries (through my headshot business), I've been able to take marketing strategies that work for other businesses and apply them directly to actors – to help them grow their careers faster than most would think possible  (examples: one of my clients landed his first-ever Broadway role in just 4 weeks of working with me, and a brand-new actress signed with a high-level agent in just six weeks of working with me)..

I'd like to invite you to my free insider newsletter where I'll share my best material, including:

• How to network easily and authentically with casting directors – even if you hate self-promotion.
• How to find your Type and Brand in just 18 minutes (it doesn't require awkwardly asking lots of random people for feedback)
• How to find a hardworking and reliable agent – even if you don't have a strong resume or reel
• And much more...

Download my free Actor's Toolkit to get started and you'll hear from me a few times a week with unique "outside the industry" strategies. I promise they will help you build a career you're truly proud of.

Send Me the Toolkit!

Martin Bentsen (author of this guide) is an actor marketing coach who uses “outside the industry” thinking to help actors book more work. He’s helped over 6,000 actors with their careers and actor headshots since 2009 and his photography studio City Headshots is ranked #1 on Yelp. He’s spoken at NYU, The New England Theater Conference, The Actor’s Green Room, and other venues.
​
Want to book more acting work by thinking different? Start with his free Actor’s Toolkit to create new opportunities right away, or visit his website at www.martinbentsen.com.
​

​Further Reading:

If you enjoyed this article, you might be interested in taking a look at some of these:​
​

• ​How to Prepare for a Headshot Session (what most photographers won't tell you)
• Tricks to Looking More Confident On-Camera
• Actor Resume Template: A Free Google Docs Template That Works on Any Computer or Mobile Device