A professional headshot is a head-and-shoulders image that shows you at your best, with an amazing expression, great lighting, and a modern, clean look. Typically it's used on LinkedIn, your company website, email signature, and other social platforms.

Do I need a professional headshot?

Yes. Not only do you need a headshot, but you need a good one. A headshot is your digital calling card, and as more business is done virtually, having a headshot that accurately represents your brand is more important than ever.

What is the process of getting a headshot like?

The process is collaborative, empowering, and fun. Pete Coco shoots tethered to his computer, so you review the images in real time together and find the best angles, poses, and clothing. Full sessions with multiple outfit changes and express sessions are both available.

What's the difference between a headshot and a portrait?

A headshot is a head-and-shoulders image with a simple background, showing you at your best, like a LinkedIn headshot. A portrait can be close up, half length, or full length, and uses more creative lighting and poses.

Are corporate headshots different than acting headshots?

Yes, but there is some overlap. Clothing, styling, expressions, and poses vary for acting and corporate headshots, but more important is hiring a photographer who understands your brand and goals. Each session is tailored to the client's needs.

Do you recommend a makeup artist for a headshot session?

Yes, a makeup artist is recommended for female clients. Pete Coco works with a makeup artist who understands how to apply makeup specifically for headshots. If you choose to do your own makeup, the key is to keep everything simple, not use a lot of foundation, and avoid dark color around the eyes.

Should I have my hair done before my headshot session?

Yes. For women, having your hair done the day of the shoot gives the best results. For men, it's best to get a haircut a day or two before your session so the hair settles and doesn't have spiky edges as can happen with a fresh cut. Special techniques are available for clients without hair as well.

Where is Pete Coco Photography's studio located?

The main studio is located in Garden City on Long Island, with plenty of free street parking and a five minute walk from the LIRR Nassau Blvd train stop. There is also a location in Brooklyn at 20 Grand Ave near the Navy Yard.

How much do professional headshots cost?

Professional headshot prices vary based on the photographer, their expertise, location, and other factors. Pricing is available via the Get Pricing link, and special quotes are available for branding sessions or team headshots at your office.

How long does a headshot session take?

A typical session is under an hour, though full sessions can run up to 2 hours for clients who need multiple images. An express session for one great headshot takes about 20 minutes.

What should I wear to my corporate headshot session?

Blues, neutrals, and form fitted options generally work best. A complete breakdown is available at https://petecocophoto.com/blog/how-to-dress-for-a-headshot

What should I wear to my acting headshot session?

Actors should bring as many outfit options as possible, including neutrals and form fitted shirts for a clean commercial look. A full breakdown is available at https://petecocophoto.com/blog/what-to-wear-acting-headshot-long-island

Do you photograph groups or teams for corporate headshots?

Yes. Pete Coco works with teams of various sizes and travels to client locations for headshots, event photos, and videography, including out-of-state travel when needed.

Do you edit or retouch the photos?

Yes. Any purchased photo is professionally retouched, including cleaning up skin and hair edges and softening lines and shadows, done subtly and realistically so the image looks like you on your best day.

How far in advance should I book my headshot session?

Booking 2-4 weeks in advance is recommended since the schedule tends to fill up quickly, though it's worth reaching out directly to check for earlier availability.

What Should I Wear to a Professional Headshot in New York?

What Should I Wear for a Professional Headshot Session? — Pete Coco Photography

The short version

Blues are best, and blacks should generally be avoided
Jackets and collared shirts usually beat a full suit and tie
Ladies should avoid shoulder pads, puffy sleeves, or sleeves that fan out
Dress for your industry
Come to your headshot session rested, and groomed

Easily the most common question I get from my clients is, “Pete, what should I wear to my headshot session?” I also am routinely asked the following: Should I wear a tie? How should I style my hair? Do I need to wear makeup? What colors work best? Do I need a full suit?

These are crucial questions that can make or break whether or not your headshot looks great, and more importantly, represents your brand properly. So let’s talk about clothing, and considerations that will help you to prepare for your headshot session.

How To Prepare for a Headshot Session

Before we discuss specifics for men and women, let’s talk about general good practice for everyone.

Tip 01

When is the best time to book a headshot?

Make sure to book your headshot session at a time where you know you will be feeling and looking your best. Mornings and early afternoons are the best times to book your session, in my experience, and I avoid having clients come after a full day of work, since most of us will carry the cares of the day with us and will look tired. I find it’s best to schedule it on your day off, so you can mentally and physically prepare and not feel stressed or anxious about other things.

Avoid scheduling your headshot session the morning after you return from a trip, or from a late night out. I have had more than one client come in the day after a late party or wedding, and it’s absolutely the worst time to schedule your session, so don’t!

Don’t eat a heavy meal before your session, just make sure you are hydrated and feeling good. I have water and coffee at my studio, so if you need a pick me up I’m always prepared. This should go without saying, but don’t drink alcohol before your headshot session. If you’re feeling anxious about it, I got you covered and once you see how my process works, you’ll remove anxiety and enjoy the process.

Tip 02

What colors are best to wear for headshots?

For business professionals, the absolute best colors are blues. Blue is a trusting, soothing color, and also pops nicely on camera. Whether it’s a blue suit jacket, blue blouse, or blue sweater, it’s going to work well. Grays are also an excellent option, for the same reasons. I suggest avoiding black suits, as black can feel very dark and even dated. I don’t want you to look like a funeral director, unless you are one! Heavy and busy patterns are usually not the best choices either, since they tend to draw attention away from the most important part of a professional headshot — you!

There’s a big caveat to all of this, however. How you dress largely depends on your industry and how you want your brand to be represented, so let’s discuss that now.

Tip 03

Dressing for Your Industry

Are you a lawyer working for a large firm that has been around for many years? Or perhaps you’re a financial advisor at a small firm that caters to a niche clientele? The way you dress for your headshot should reflect not only the industry you are in, but also the image you want to generate for your brand.

For instance, a suit with a tie sends a very different message than a sport coat with a crisp white shirt. An ornate blouse and lots of jewelry sends a very different message than a simple top and suit coat.

There’s no “right” answer here, but bringing a variety of clothing options to your session is the best bet, especially since I shoot tethered to my computer and we can see the results in real time. This makes it much easier to create and choose the best images.

I suggest bringing “safe” options based on the guidance above, and then some wild card options that you feel represent you best. Do you like a pop of color? Bring it. Do you have a favorite sweater that has a pattern? Bring it too. Together, we collaborate to choose the best clothing options, as well as poses and lighting, for your unique brand.

Once again, make sure to wear clothes that fit you properly. Form fitted always beats baggy clothing.

Tip 04

How Many Outfits Should I Bring?

If we are doing a full session with multiple looks, my rule of thumb is to bring more than you need. If you bring a suitcase full of options, that is totally fine! Generally we will use 3-5 during a full session, so having a bunch of options to choose from is always best practice.

If you are doing a mini session (20 to 30 minutes), come dressed and ready to go with what you want to be photographed in, and bring 1 or 2 options. For instance, bring an extra suit jacket, just so we can have an option to choose from.

Tip 05

Should I Wear Glasses or Jewelry?

If you wear glasses, bring them. In fact, bring your backup pair just in case, as some are more reflective than others and different styles can look better or worse on camera. The general rule of thumb is that you want to look like YOU, meaning that if you always wear glasses, you should wear them in your headshot.

Jewelry is another story. Although I am not against it, just remember that the bigger, chunkier ear and neck pieces can distract from you. If dangly earrings and chunky necklaces are part of your look, however, it’s totally fine to wear them in your headshot.

Tip 06

Headshot Preparation Tips for Men

In 2026, it’s rare that my male clients wear a full suit and tie. My favorite combination is a blue jacket or blazer and a crisp white shirt with a great collar that looks good with the top button open. This is going to look modern, fresh, and successful. A tie can sometimes look dated or stuffy for most industries. If you are going for a more casual look, or need multiple branding images, a light V neck sweater is a great option, with or without a collared shirt underneath. If you don’t want to wear a suit jacket, a patterned collared shirt will work better than a plain one, but make sure the pattern is subtle and also doesn’t look too seasonal. You don’t want your headshot to look like you took it on Easter, for instance.

Light V neck sweaters, and sweater/collared shirt combinations also work well for professional headshots. Unless you’re an actor or a tech mogul, avoid the simple black tee shirt.

The more options you bring for us to choose from the better, and don’t worry if that suit jacket doesn’t close as we can probably leave it open. Just make sure you bring items that fit you properly. A baggy suit jacket, or shirt, will make you look boxy in the image, so form-fitted is the way to go.

Get a haircut a few days before the session, to ensure that you like the cut and that the edges are not sticking up. Bring hair product and a hair brush and make sure your hair is styled when you arrive. Whether you are shaven or not is up to you, but make sure your facial hair is neat and clean if you have a beard.

Tip 07

Headshot Preparation Tips for Women

There are a lot of options that work for women when dressing for a corporate headshot. One thing to avoid are sleeves that fan out, or that are puffy. I know these look great in person, but in a headshot they have the unintended consequence of making your arms and shoulders look wider than they really are. They also make it harder to crop the image since they stick out further than the arms, like little wings. Leave those at home, and instead, pick a blouse that’s form fitted, with an interesting and flattering neck line. V necks, boat necks, button downs, etc, all can work well. Colors and patterns are fine, but avoid very bright colors and busy patterns, as this can distract from you. Sweaters also work great, and if you need to wear a formal option like a suit, avoid black, as well as shoulder pads for the same reasons I mentioned above.

Regarding colors, keep in mind that a bright, reflective blouse, can create a color cast on your face. For instance, a bright red blouse will reflect red into your skin tones. A bright yellow will do the same. Muted colors, pastels, and cooler colors will create less of a reflective issue.

Another consideration is the material. If your shirt has a collar but is made of a very soft material like silk, it can look droopy and messy in the headshot. If you wear a collared shirt, bring one that is crisp. Finally, avoid low cut blouses or low neck lines.

Tip 08

Headshot Makeup Tips

I work with an incredible HMUA (Hair and Makeup Artist), and I always recommend using her for your headshot session. Professional headshot makeup is very different than wedding makeup, and needs to be much more subtle.

If you do your own makeup, just be sure to keep it simple, and avoid heavy base, dark lines around your eyes, and bright colors on your cheeks and eyes. Whatever you wear is going to be magnified on camera, so keeping it simple is the best way to go. You can bring your makeup kit and tweak it as we go if needed.

Dark eye liner and eye shadow has the unintended consequence of making your eyes appear dark and closed off. Bright lipstick also can be distracting, and take away from the headshot.

One thing you must do is have your hair professionally styled before the session. Well-styled hair can make or break the headshot, so once again I recommend using my HMUA, since it’s the most convenient option, and can be done right before the session at my studio.

Avoid shiny moisturizers, and other glossy products. We don’t want you to look shiny in your headshot. The only exception to this is lip gloss. It’s okay to have a bit of shine on your lips.

Some Final Thoughts

One of the best ways to prepare for your headshot session is to have a conversation with me beforehand. Learning about your brand, your goals, needs, and use cases for the images will make it much easier for us to plan and collaborate together to create headshots that represent your brand best.

I shoot tethered to my computer, which makes it easy for us to review images in real time, and for us to find the best angles, poses, clothing, and expressions for your unique face. The process is collaborative, and by seeing the images together during the shoot, it makes it so much less stressful. I understand that most people are not excited to get their headshot taken, so I’ve developed a process that empowers my clients, and helps them look amazing in their headshots!

Key Takeaways

Preparation is everything. The more prepared you are, the better the results.
Bring lots of options. A mix of traditional clothing options and some bold fun choices give us the most to work with.
Form-fitted always wins. Blocky, loose clothing, and shoulder pads will make you look blocky in the photo. Form-fitted clothing looks amazing.
Get your hair and makeup done before the session. Having your hair styled, and wearing flattering makeup, will bring your headshot to the next level.
When in doubt, bring it along. If you are unsure about a certain top, or jacket, or pair of glasses, bring it just in case!

Common Questions

What should I avoid wearing to my headshot?

Avoid baggy, boxy clothes, as well as puffy sleeves that fan out. Also avoid wearing anything that overly loose, or shirts that can’t be tucked in properly without having a lot of baggy material around the waist.

What colors work best?

Blues, muted colors, anything that doesn’t distract from your face usually works best. Bright, reflective colors tend to cast color onto your skin tones, so if you wear a bright red shirt, for instance, your skin will appear redder than it actually is.

Do I have to wear a tie?

Most corporate headshots don’t require a tie nowadays, unless you have a very specific image you are trying to convey.

Are patterns okay to wear?

Yes! However it’s usually best to go with a classic, understated pattern as anything very bright and busy will tend to be a distraction.

Ready to Book Your Session?

Sessions available in studio on Long Island and in New York City. Reach out to talk through what you need.

Get Pricing

Peter CocoFebruary 12, 2019