What Should You Wear for Actor Headshots?
Choosing clothes for actor headshots can become much more complicated than it needs to be. People arrive with a suitcase full of options, but half of it serves the same purpose and some of it has never felt comfortable.
You do not need to build a costume for every role you could possibly play. Bring clothes that look like you, fit properly and help us create a few clear variations.
Start with the roles you actually submit for
Before choosing clothing, think about the work you are pursuing now. Not the role you might want ten years from now, and not every character you could theoretically play.
Ask yourself:
Are you usually submitted for contemporary drama, comedy, commercials or procedural television?
Do you need something approachable, something more serious or both?
Has your agent asked for a particular gap in your current set?
A wardrobe option should support one of those needs. If you cannot explain what a piece adds, you probably do not need to bring it.
Simple clothing gives us more room to work
Solid colours usually photograph well because they do not compete with your face. That does not mean everything has to be black, grey or navy. Colour can be useful, especially when it suits you and separates you from the background.
A strong colour can work when the clothing, background and lighting are considered together.
Good options often include:
A clean T-shirt or fitted long-sleeve shirt
A sweater with a simple neckline
A button-up shirt that sits properly at the collar
A jacket, overshirt or blazer that adds structure
One option with a stronger colour
One darker or quieter option
Small patterns can work. Large logos, distracting graphics and very tight repeating patterns are harder to use. If a favourite piece has some texture or pattern, bring it and we can look at it on camera.
Fit matters more than price
An expensive jacket that pulls at the shoulders will not photograph better than an inexpensive one that fits. Check your clothing while standing, sitting and moving. Headshot sessions are not completely static, and a shirt that only behaves when you stand perfectly straight may become a problem.
A simple shirt with colour and texture can add character without taking over the photograph.
Make sure everything is clean and reasonably wrinkle-free. Check collars, cuffs and necklines for wear. These small details become more visible in a tightly framed photograph.
Bring options, not your entire closet
Four to six useful tops are usually more helpful than twenty similar ones. Put them beside each other before the session and remove duplicates.
A practical selection might include:
A light neutral option
A dark neutral option
A colour that suits you
A casual layer
A more polished layer
You can also photograph your choices and send them to the photographer beforehand. It is much easier to spot gaps when everything is visible in one place.
Avoid turning a headshot into a costume
Clothing can suggest a direction without spelling it out. A simple jacket might help with a professional or authoritative look. A softer sweater may feel more open. That is different from dressing as a police officer, doctor or lawyer.
A polished option can suggest a professional direction without becoming a costume.
Casting should still be able to imagine you in more than one project. The wardrobe supports the photograph, but you remain the subject.
What should you wear to the session?
Arrive in something that will not leave deep marks on your skin or crush your hair. If you plan to wear a tight turtleneck, it may be easier to put it on after hair and makeup. Bring a lint roller if you are wearing dark fabrics, and transport important pieces on hangers.
The final test is simple: Do you feel comfortable and recognizable in it? If you spend the whole session adjusting a collar or feeling unlike yourself, it is probably the wrong choice.
Hero Shots offers actor headshot sessions in Toronto starting at $299. You are welcome to send wardrobe options before the session, and we can narrow them down together when you arrive.
