A Complete Guide for Corporate Professionals & Entrepreneurs
One of the most common questions I get asked before a headshot shoot is:
“What should I wear?”
It’s such a good question… and such an important one.
What you wear doesn’t just affect how your photos look — it affects how you feel during the shoot, and how you’re perceived by the people viewing your images.
Whether that’s on LinkedIn, your website, a press feature, or your company profile.
The good news?
It really doesn’t need to be complicated.
With a bit of thought and the right guidance, you can arrive at your shoot feeling relaxed, confident, and ready to create images you’ll genuinely love using.
A Natural, Relaxed Approach
Before we even get into clothing, it’s worth understanding how I work.
My approach to headshots is always:
- natural
- relaxed
- vibrant
- professional
I’m not about stiff poses or awkward expressions.
Instead, I guide you through the whole process so you feel comfortable, at ease and genuinely yourself in front of the camera.
Whether we’re shooting in your office, at home, outdoors in London or with a studio lighting setup, the aim is always the same: to create images that feel authentic, confident and full of life and what you wear plays a big part in that.
Start Here: Where Will Your Photos Be Used?
Before choosing your outfit, take a step back and ask:
Where will these photos live?
This is one of the most helpful starting points.
Your outfit should align with how your images will be used.
For example:
- LinkedIn → polished, professional, approachable
- Company website → aligned with your brand
- Press features → clean and timeless
- Personal brand → more expressive and personality-led
If you need a mix of uses, we can absolutely plan for that and create a few different looks within the same shoot.
What to Wear for Corporate Headshots
For corporate professionals, your headshot is often your first impression.
So the aim here is to feel polished, credible and confident.
A few simple guidelines:
- well-fitted clothing always works best
- structured pieces like blazers add shape
- classic styles tend to age really well
Colour-wise:
- navy, grey and soft neutrals are always strong
- subtle tones photograph beautifully
- avoid anything too loud or distracting
You don’t need to overthink it.
Clean, simple and well put-together is always a win.
What to Wear for Entrepreneurs & Personal Branding
If you’re an entrepreneur or building a personal brand, you’ve got a bit more freedom to play with.
Your photos are representing you as well as your business.
So we can bring in more personality.
Think about:
- your brand colours
- how you want people to feel when they see your photo
- your audience
You might go for something slightly more relaxed, a bit more textured or layered, or introduce a bit more colour.
The goal here is connection and relatability
Colour Psychology (Yes, It Matters!)
Colour has a subtle but powerful impact on how you’re perceived.
A few examples:
- Blue → trust, reliability, professionalism
- Black → authority, sophistication
- White → clean, fresh, minimal
- Green → calm, balance, growth
- Red → energy, confidence
You don’t need to overanalyse it, but it’s helpful to be aware of the message your colours are sending.
Necklines, Cuts & Fit
These little details make a bigger difference than people expect.
Necklines:
- V-necks can elongate the neck
- collars add structure
- open necklines feel more relaxed
Fit:
- well-fitted clothing always photographs best
- avoid anything too baggy or too tight
Layers:
- blazers, jackets and overshirts add depth
- layering helps create interest in the image
Can You Wear Hats?
Short answer… yes, absolutely.
Hats can work beautifully for more relaxed or personal branding shoots and can add a real sense of personality.
For corporate headshots, they’re less common, but it always comes down to your brand and what feels right for you.
Bring Options (Always!)
I always recommend bringing 2–3 outfit options to your shoot.
This gives us flexibility and variety.
Even small changes like removing a jacket or swapping a top can completely change the feel of your images.
Accessories: Small Details, Big Impact
Accessories are a lovely way to add personality.
- jewellery
- watches
- scarves
- ties
Just keep things balanced; enough to enhance, not distract
Working with a Stylist
If you want to take things up a level, working with a stylist can be such a great investment.
I love recommending Charlotte Loves.
I actually photographed one of Charlotte’s in-person styling events at The Copper Club in Putney, and it was fascinating.
She was talking through what to wear in the workplace, how to understand your personal style and how small tweaks can completely change how you present yourself.
It really opened my eyes to how powerful styling can be.
Working with someone like Charlotte takes away all the guesswork and helps you feel completely confident in what you’re wearing before you even arrive at the shoot.
Hair & Makeup: That Extra Layer of Confidence
I absolutely love working with brilliant hair and makeup artists on shoots.
Not because you need it… but because of how it makes you feel.
There’s something really lovely about arriving at your shoot already feeling polished, confident and camera-ready. It takes the pressure off completely and allows you to just enjoy the experience.
The goal is never to look overly done or unlike yourself. It’s simply about enhancing your natural features and making sure everything translates beautifully on camera.
And that little boost of confidence? It makes such a difference. You can see it instantly.
Posture lifts, people relax into it, and the photos just come to life.
Plus… it’s a bit of a treat too.
You’ve had your hair and makeup done, you’re looking and feeling fabulous… and if you’re heading out that evening, you’re already glowy, glam and ready to go.
I’m very lucky to work alongside some incredibly talented artists:
Both create beautiful, natural looks that work perfectly on camera.
Choosing the Right Location: Let’s Make It Work for You
One of the things I love most about what I do is how flexible these shoots can be.
After 18 years of photographing in all sorts of environments, I’ve learned how to make almost anywhere look incredible.
It’s not about finding the “perfect” location… it’s about finding the right one for you.
Your Home
Your home is your space, your environment.
It’s where you naturally feel comfortable, and that always comes through in photos.
We can incorporate elements of your space that reflect your personality and daily life, which can be especially nice if your clients are used to seeing you on video calls.
Your Workplace
Your office instantly adds context to what you do.
It grounds your images in your professional world and can be styled to feel clean, corporate or more dynamic depending on the look you’re going for.
Out and About in London
London is such an incredible backdrop.
From clean, modern architecture to softer, lifestyle-led settings, there’s so much variety.
We can go subtle or iconic depending on your brand and the feel you want.
Curated Spaces
I also have access to some beautiful workspaces and hotel locations around London where I’ve built great relationships over the years.
These are perfect if you want something a bit more elevated or styled.
Tailored to You
Every shoot is completely tailored to you.
Before we even pick up the camera, we’ll spend time understanding exactly what you need from your images. What you’re using them for, how you want to come across, what your brand represents and who your audience is.
We’ll chat through the feel, the tone, the style… and from there, I’ll use my experience to bring that vision to life through the imagery.
It’s not just about taking a nice photo. It’s about creating images that genuinely reflect you and communicate your message clearly and confidently.
We’ll also plan the practical elements together, from outfits to location and overall flow of the shoot, so you arrive knowing exactly what to expect and feeling fully prepared.
And of course, throughout the process, I’ll be looking out for all those little details that make a big difference. The nuances of your personality, the way you naturally express yourself, the things that will resonate most with your audience.
The end result is a set of images that feel aligned, intentional and unmistakably you.
What the Shoot Feels Like
It’s completely normal to feel a little bit nervous before a shoot.
In fact, most people do.
But very quickly, that feeling disappears.
Using my experience and a very relaxed, natural approach, I’ll guide you through the whole process so you feel comfortable and at ease in front of the camera.
There’s no pressure to “know what to do”. That’s my job.
We’ll keep things light, conversational and enjoyable, and before you know it, you’ll forget the camera is even there.
It flows really naturally.
Clients often say they’re surprised by how much they enjoy it, and how quickly they start to feel confident in front of the lens.
You’ll also come away with plenty of little tips and tricks along the way, things you can use not just during the shoot, but anytime you find yourself in front of a camera in the future.
And most importantly, you’ll leave smiling.
With a brilliant set of images… and a completely different feeling about being photographed.
Confidence Is Everything
Confidence really is the thing that brings everything together.
What you wear plays a part in that, of course. When you feel good in your clothes, it shows.
But paired with the guidance of a professional photographer, that confidence can grow in a way that often surprises people.
One of my favourite pieces of feedback came from a client after her shoot. She looked at her photos, beaming, and said:
“This is better than therapy.”
And honestly… I get it.
There’s something incredibly powerful about seeing yourself in a way that feels strong, natural and completely you.
It’s not just about the photos.
It’s about how you feel walking away from the experience.
More confident. More comfortable. More ready to show up.
And that confidence carries through into everything, your work, your presence, your brand.
Because when you feel it, it shows in every single image.
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