Your headshot is often the first impression clients, patients or employers have of you—on your website, LinkedIn or Google profile. At The Headshot Factory in Charlotte, NC, we design every session around your profession and brand, but what you wear can take your images from “good” to truly outstanding.
Start With Your Profession and Brand
Before choosing outfits, think about who you serve and what you want to communicate:
- Lawyers & CPAs: trust, clarity, authority
- Doctors & Dentists: cleanliness, precision, warmth
- Influencers & Speakers: personality, energy, creativity
- Corporate Teams: coherence, organization, professionalism
Ask yourself: If my ideal client saw this photo for three seconds, what should they feel? Calm? Inspired? Confident? Let that answer guide your wardrobe choices.
General Wardrobe Rules That Always Work
- Choose solid colors over busy patterns
Small stripes, checks or loud prints can create visual noise and distractions on camera. Solid, medium-to-dark tones usually photograph best and put attention on your face. - Avoid extreme whites and neon colors
Pure white, very bright red or neon tones can reflect light onto your skin and overpower your expression. Softer whites, creams, navy, charcoal, burgundy, forest green and deep blue are safer choices. - Think in layers
A blazer over a shirt, or a cardigan over a blouse, adds structure and gives you more posing options: open jacket, hands in pockets, etc. Layers also help you look more polished and intentional. - Keep logos to a minimum
Unless the logo is part of your brand (for example, a clinic coat), it’s better to avoid visible branding. You want the headshot to work even if your company changes in the future.
Colors That Look Great on Camera
- Navy, charcoal and deep blue: universal, slimming and professional.
- Burgundy, wine and deep green: add richness without being loud.
- Soft neutrals: light gray, taupe and cream can work well for lighter backgrounds.
- Clinic/medical palette: light blue, teal and clean white for coats and scrubs.
If you’re unsure, bring 3–4 options to the studio. We’ll help you decide what works best with the background, lighting and your skin tone.
Hair, Makeup and Grooming
- Hair: style it as you normally wear it when meeting important clients or going to court. Avoid last-minute drastic changes.
- Makeup: aim for “polished natural”—slightly more than everyday makeup, but not heavy. Avoid super glossy lips or very reflective highlighter.
- Facial hair: trim beards and mustaches the day before so the skin has time to calm down.
- Glasses: clean lenses carefully and bring a spare pair if you own one; we can adjust angles to avoid reflections.
What to Bring to Your Charlotte Headshot Session
To make the most of your time at The Headshot Factory, we recommend bringing:
- 2–3 tops or shirts and, if relevant, 1–2 jackets or blazers
- Your white coat or scrubs (for doctors and dentists)
- A lint roller and small grooming kit (comb, powder, lip balm)
- Any accessories that are part of your brand (glasses, watch, subtle jewelry)
We’ll help you mix and match these pieces to create different looks within the same session.
Final Tip: Dress for the Opportunities You Want
Your headshot will live on LinkedIn, your firm’s website, speaking bios and press features for years. When in doubt, dress one step above your daily look. If you’d wear a polo to work, consider a button-down. If you’d usually wear a blazer, bring a full suit.
At The Headshot Factory in Charlotte, North Carolina, we combine luxury-level lighting, direction and retouch with wardrobe guidance so you can feel confident that your images truly represent the professional you are.
