What to Wear for Professional Headshots (Vancouver Guide)

How to look confident, polished, and like yourself — without overthinking it.

Why What You Wear Matters:

When someone sees your headshot, they’re forming an impression almost immediately.

What you wear plays into that—but not because it needs to stand out. The best outfits are the ones that don’t get in the way. They support the image, keep things clean, and let the focus stay on your expression.

If your clothing feels simple, well-fitted, and intentional, you’re already most of the way there.

Keep It Simple: Colours, Fit, and Overall Look:

Most strong headshot outfits follow the same basic principles—and colour is usually the first thing people ask about.

As a starting point, solid colours almost always work better than patterns, especially in tighter crops. They keep the image clean and make sure the focus stays on your face.

If you’re unsure what to choose, you really can’t go wrong with neutrals like black, navy, grey, or cream. These are reliable because they’re timeless and don’t compete for attention.

If you want something with a bit more personality, muted tones tend to photograph best—think soft greens, burgundy, dusty blues. They add interest without pulling focus.

What usually doesn’t work as well are very bright colours (like neon tones or intense reds), or busy patterns. They tend to draw attention away from your expression, which is the most important part of the photo.

A helpful guideline is to choose something that contrasts slightly with your skin tone, so you don’t blend into your clothing—but still feels natural for you.

Fit matters just as much—if not more—than colour. Clothing that sits well on your shoulders, doesn’t bunch, and doesn’t need constant adjusting will always look better on camera. You don’t need anything expensive, just something that fits cleanly and feels comfortable.

If you’re deciding between options, bring a few. It’s often much easier to choose once you see how things look in the studio lighting.

Dress for Your Industry, But Still Feel Like Yourself:

Your outfit should reflect how you want to come across professionally, but it shouldn’t feel like a costume.

For some people, that means a more structured, polished look. For others, it’s slightly more relaxed or expressive. Most fall somewhere in the middle—professional, but still approachable.

If you’re in a more corporate or traditional field—like finance, law, or real estate—a clean, structured look works well. Think a well-fitted blazer, simple top or button-up, and neutral tones. Polished, but not overly stiff.

If you’re in a creative field, you’ve got more room to show personality. Textures, layers, or slightly more relaxed pieces can work—as long as everything still feels intentional and not distracting.

For entrepreneurs and personal brands, the goal is often connection. You want to look professional, but still human and approachable. Something slightly more relaxed usually lands best here.

A simple way to check yourself: Would I feel confident meeting a client or walking into an important meeting in this? If yes, you’re on the right track.

A Simple Way to Get Better Results (Without Buying a Whole New Wardrobe)

If nothing in your closet feels quite right, there's an easy and affordable solution - "buy and return".

This is going shopping and picking up a few new clothing options specifically for your session—with the full intention of returning them afterward.

Photos tend to pick up on things like wear, fading, or fabric that’s lost its structure. Purchasing something newer can instantly look cleaner on camera. It’s an easy way to expand your options without committing to a full wardrobe update. And since you’re only wearing it for a short time and not removing tags, it can be easily returned (just don't throw out that receipt).

It’s a simple, practical way to show up feeling a bit more put together without breaking the bank.

Layers, Accessories, and Small Details:

A few small choices can make a noticeable difference in your final images.

Adding a layer—like a blazer or jacket—can give you some variety without needing a full outfit change. It also lets you shift between a more polished and more relaxed look during the session.

Accessories are best kept simple. Minimal jewelry works well, while larger or more distracting pieces can pull attention away from your face. I also tend to suggest staying away from religous symbols if possible.

Before your session, it’s also worth taking a few minutes to make sure everything is clean, wrinkle-free, and ready to go. These small details tend to show up more in photos than people expect.

We’ll Dial In Your Outfits Before You Even Arrive:

Part of my process is helping you figure out what to wear before your session—not when you walk in the door.

Before your shoot, I’ll have you send me a few photos of the outfits you’re considering. These can be laid out on a bed, on a hanger, or a quick mirror selfie if you’re comfortable.

Most people bring 3–4 options, which is the sweet spot. It gives us enough variety without overcomplicating things—usually one more classic, safe choice, and one that shows a bit more personality. Layers can help expand those looks even further.

Sending photos ahead of time does two important things. First, it makes sure you’ve actually tried everything on and thought it through—so there’s no last-minute guessing. Second, it gives me a chance to guide you and make small adjustments if needed, so you show up knowing your outfits are going to work on camera.

It’s a simple step, but it makes the whole session feel easier—and the results are noticeably better because of it.

Final Thought:

You don’t need to overthink it—we’re just going for you, on a good day. If you'd feel good meeting a new potential client or employer in that outfit, then you're in the right place.

Hopefully this post takes some of the guesswork out of it, and if you want to chat through options or start planning your session, click here and we can figure it out together.

Let's Plan Your Session