HERE'S WHAT WE THINK ABOUT INSTEAD.
One of the questions we're asked most often is, "What should I wear?" People are usually expecting us to recommend a colour, tell them to avoid patterns or suggest bringing a blazer. The truth is, we're thinking about something completely different. We're thinking about you.
Who is going to see this photograph? What do you want them to think when they do? How do you want them to remember you? Those are the questions that shape a great portrait.
Your clothing matters, of course, but it's only one piece of the puzzle. In fact, as photographers, clothing is rarely the first thing we notice. We're looking at how every element will work together to create a portrait that feels authentically you.
One of the biggest surprises for new clients is how rarely we talk about clothes once the session starts. Within minutes, we're talking about light, expression, posture, confidence and how you want people to feel when they see your portrait.
That's when the real work begins.
THERE ISN'T ONE "RIGHT" OUTFIT
If there were, every lawyer, CEO, artist, entrepreneur, fitness coach and actor would end up looking exactly the same.
The best portraits don't make you look like a photographer's client. They make you look like yourself—on your very best day. When we're planning your session, we're not asking, "Is this outfit fashionable?" We're asking who the portrait is for, where it will be used, what impression it should leave and what you want people to remember about you.
Once we know those answers, choosing your clothing becomes much easier.
FORGET THE "NEVER WEAR PATTERNS" RULE
If you've searched online for headshot advice, you've probably read that patterns should always be avoided. Sometimes that's good advice. Sometimes it isn't. The pattern itself isn't the deciding factor. What matters is how everything works together—the lighting, the background, the colours, the composition and, most importantly, the person wearing it.
We've photographed clients in bold florals, textured fabrics, simple black shirts and crisp white jackets. Every one of them worked. Not because the clothes followed a rule, but because the portrait was designed around the individual.
Take a look at the portraits throughout this article. None of these people are wearing the same colours. None are standing in front of the same background. The lighting isn't the same either. Yet every portrait works. That's because photography isn't about following rules. It's about understanding when they don't apply.
We Don't Start With a Background.
We Start With a Person.
Many studios choose a background first and then place people in front of it. We work the other way around. Every client is different. Different colouring. Different personality. Different profession. Different story. So why would everyone stand in front of exactly the same backdrop?
Sometimes we'll have someone stand in front of three or four different backgrounds before we've even taken a photograph. One might feel too busy. Another might make their clothes disappear. A third might be technically perfect but somehow not feel right.
Then suddenly, everything clicks. Nothing about the person has changed. We've simply found the environment that allows them to shine.
There are also times when more than one background works beautifully. When that happens, Hayley will often photograph you against both. One image might feel polished and corporate, while another feels warmer, more relaxed or a little more creative. Having those options means you're not choosing between a "right" and "wrong" portrait—you're choosing the one that best suits where and how you'll use it. After all, your business isn't one-dimensional. Your portraits don't have to be either.
Sometimes that's a clean black background. Sometimes warm timber creates exactly the right feel. Sometimes soft neutral tones add warmth. Sometimes greenery brings personality.
The background isn't simply where you stand. It's another part of the portrait. We choose it because it suits you, not because it's the only backdrop we own.
Our goal isn't to make every client look the same. It's to make every client look like the very best version of themselves.
LIGHTING CHANGES EVERYTHING
If there's one thing we wish every client understood before their session, it's this: Lighting can have an even bigger impact on your portrait than your outfit. Lighting is one of those things people rarely notice when it's done well. But they always notice when it isn't. It's the difference between a portrait that feels flat and one with depth. It's what naturally draws your attention to someone's eyes without you even realising why.
A beautifully lit portrait can elevate a simple outfit. An expensive outfit can't rescue poor lighting.
Sometimes we'll spend several minutes adjusting lights before taking the first photograph. We might move a light a few inches, raise it slightly, soften it or change its angle. The clothes haven't changed. You haven't changed. But suddenly... The portrait has. That's the power of thoughtful lighting.
EVERY GREAT PORTRAIT HAS INGREDIENTS
People often think one thing creates a great headshot. The perfect outfit. The perfect background. The expensive camera... It doesn't.
A memorable portrait is built from lots of carefully chosen pieces working together. Your clothing. Your background. Your lighting.Your expression. Your pose. The composition. The creative vision behind the camera. On their own, each one matters. Together, they're what make someone stop scrolling. They're what make a portrait memorable.
COMFORT CREATES CONFIDENCE
If you're constantly adjusting your jacket, if your shoes hurt or if your collar feels too tight, people will notice. Real confidence doesn't come from wearing expensive clothing. It comes from forgetting about your clothing altogether. That's when your personality starts to take over. And that's the person we want to photograph.
WHAT ABOUT GLASSES, JEWELLERY AND ACCESSORIES?
If they're part of who you are, bring them. If you're unsure, bring options. We'll look at everything together and decide what works best for the portrait we're creating. We'll probably ask you to try both outfits. We'll experiment. We'll move things around. We'll change the lighting. And when everything comes together... We'll know.
SO... WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR?
Wear something that feels like you. We'll take care of the rest. We'll help choose the background. We'll design the lighting. We'll guide your posing. We'll help you relax. We'll refine every detail until everything works together. Because creating a great portrait isn't about following someone else's checklist. It's about creating something that's designed around you.
THINKING ABOUT UPDATING YOUR HEADSHOT?
If you're deciding between a couple of outfits, bring them with you. We'll help you choose what works best, then build the portrait around it - from the background and lighting to the final image. Long after people have forgotten what you were wearing, they'll remember the impression your portrait left.. That's what we're really creating.
