I'm Michele

When it comes to headshots and personal brand photography, ladies get all the attention. They get more time, more tips, and more direction. 

But let’s face it — it’s important for men to look great in headshots too.

12 Best Headshot Tips for Men

With that in mind, men, here are 12 tips for looking your best in photos:

1. Men, your layered looks photograph extremely well in photos. Think suits, sport coats, vests, or thick, textured sweaters — but only if you wear these in real life.
2. I suggest wearing what you might wear for an important meeting, or when meeting a potential client for the first time.
3. I suggest long sleeves or ¾ sleeves because those sleeve lengths are most flattering for most people. (Even for the most fit people, sleeveless and short sleeve outfits limit the number of poses that will be flattering.)
4. Wear a color and style that is flattering for you — one you know makes you look good, or that you get lots of compliments on when you wear it. Blues, especially medium blues, look fantastic on most men. White and too-light pastels tend to wash out the skin, so wear them sparingly (under a jacket, for instance) or not at all.
5. Solid colors and small prints are great, but avoid large prints and busy fabrics.
6. Wear a tie only if you wear one in real life. If you do choose to wear a tie, make sure it is tied correctly. (Bonus tip: A well-tied tie falls at the middle of the belt.)
7. Make sure your shirt (and jacket if you’re wearing one) is clean, pressed, and well-fitting.
8. If you plan on getting a haircut before your session, give yourself at least 5-7 days for your hair to relax into its new style.
9. Facial hair – keep it trimmed and neat. Some stylists say to forego the five o’clock shadow, but take into account your own personal style and line of work.
10. No logos, please, unless you want to feature your company’s logo (but keep in mind that if you were to sell your business, your photos would immediately look dated).
11. Candid photos are all the rage, but for profile pictures, email signatures, and about-page profile pics, it’s important to have a clean, well-lit portrait with eyes looking at the camera. Your profile picture is your virtual handshake when meeting someone for the first time, so make that first impression an engaging one.
12. T-shirts are generally too casual for business photos. I also suggest avoiding polo shirts (unless you work in a super casual industry) and go with long sleeves, which can be rolled up for a more casual look. 

If you’re interested in booking your headshot session, or you’d like to schedule headshots for your entire team, let’s chat!