Looking your best in a professional headshot starts with knowing what to wear. For men, the right outfit can make a strong first impression, whether it’s for LinkedIn, your company website, or a personal brand. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what to wear for professional headshots for men, including the best clothing choices, grooming tips, and simple photo hacks. You’ll also learn how to avoid common style mistakes and discover easy tools to help you create a polished, confident look on camera.
What You’ll Learn in This Article
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Styling factor for men’s headshots
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Tools or setup before the shoot
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Style and grooming mistakes
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Shortcuts that work for a short time or minimal gear
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The next steps for looking professional
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Importance of proper fit and simplicity in clothing
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Best color choices for shirts (navy, black, gray, light blue, or white)
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Ideal background setup for clean, distraction-free images
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Using natural or soft lighting to flatter facial features
What Styling Factor Is Most Important?
Fit and Simplicity
When it comes to what to wear for headshots, male professionals will benefit most from simplicity and great fit. These two elements make the biggest impact on how confident, approachable, and sharp you appear in the final image.
Why Fit Matters
Clothing that fits properly frames your body in a flattering way. Baggy shirts and oversized jackets can make you appear unkempt, while overly tight clothing can be distracting or uncomfortable. The goal is to look like the best version of yourself, not squeezed in or lost in the fabric.
Choose a shirt that fits across your shoulders without pulling at the buttons. Blazers should taper slightly at the waist and not bunch around the arms. Even casual clothing like sweaters or polos should be fitted but not tight.
Why Simplicity Wins
Bold patterns, bright colors, and flashy accessories may look good in person but can distract in a photo. Cameras exaggerate busy visuals, and your headshot should keep the focus on your face, not your wardrobe.
Stick with solid colors like navy, black, gray, light blue, or white. These are versatile, timeless, and flattering for most skin tones. If your skin tone is very light or dark, aim for mid-tones that offer good contrast without overwhelming your complexion.
A simple outfit with a clean neckline (such as a collared shirt, V-neck, or crew neck) frames the face nicely without taking attention away from your expression. For examples of clean, styled looks tailored by profession, explore our executive headshots and lawyer headshots collections.
What Tools or Setup You Should Have Ready
You don’t need a studio or expensive gear to get a great headshot, but a few basics will make a huge difference.
Clothing Prep
Start by prepping your wardrobe ahead of time. This includes:
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Choosing two to three outfit options to test how they look on camera
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Ironing or steaming your clothing to remove wrinkles
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Removing lint or pet hair
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Avoiding logos, graphics, or busy patterns
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Making sure your collar lies flat and isn’t rumpled
This preparation ensures you won’t be caught off guard by a shirt that photographs poorly or a jacket that doesn’t sit right.
Background Setup
The background should be clean and neutral, keeping all attention on your face. Great options include:
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A light-colored wall (gray, white, beige)
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A clean home office or professional indoor setting
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A backdrop sheet or curtain
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Or using AI tools like HeadShotly.ai to replace your background later with office, corporate, or lifestyle settings
To quickly clean up busy visuals, try our AI background remover or upgrade the scene entirely using a realistic photo generator built for headshots.
Avoid any backgrounds with clutter, distractions, or personal items.
Lighting
Lighting can make or break your headshot. It’s one of the easiest ways to look professional, even with just a smartphone.
Use natural light whenever possible. Stand facing a window with soft daylight.
If using artificial light, a ring light or softbox helps evenly illuminate your face without harsh shadows.
Avoid lighting from above or behind, as it can cast unflattering shadows or wash out your features.
Test your setup by taking a few shots at different times of the day to see what lighting flatters you most.
Gear to Consider
While you don’t need a DSLR camera, a few simple tools go a long way:
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Smartphone with portrait mode (iPhone or Android)
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Tripod or stable surface to avoid blurry shots
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Timer function or remote shutter
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Clean lens for crisp clarity
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Optional: A neutral filter or app for light retouching
To boost clarity and polish your photo before submitting it, run it through our AI image upscaler for sharper results.
What Mistakes to Avoid
Even well-dressed professionals can make common errors that hurt the quality of their headshots. Here are some to avoid:
Overcomplicating Your Outfit
Avoid clothing with large stripes, checks, or florals. Also skip logos, slogans, or brand names on your shirts. These can distract from your facial expression and may not align with your personal or professional brand.
Neglecting Grooming
Make sure you’re well-groomed before the shoot. This includes:
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Trimmed facial hair or a clean shave
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Neatly styled hair
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Moisturized skin
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Removing shine with a blotting pad or light powder
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Clean fingernails if your hands are visible
Even if you’re going for a relaxed or creative look, appearing neat and intentional is essential.
Poor Backgrounds
A messy kitchen, cluttered bedroom, or distracting background can instantly cheapen your photo, even if your outfit is perfect. Always opt for a clean, neutral backdrop. For instant upgrades, our corporate headshots feature background sets specifically optimized for business profiles.
Bad Posing and Framing
Don’t slouch or lean awkwardly. Sit or stand with a relaxed but upright posture, looking directly into the camera with a soft, natural expression. Make sure the camera is at eye level to avoid distortion.
Bad vs. Good Example
Bad: Wearing a wrinkled flannel shirt, standing in front of a cluttered shelf with uneven lighting and harsh shadows.
Good: Wearing a fitted navy button-down, standing in front of a clean grey wall with soft lighting facing your face.
What Hacks or Alternatives Work Best
If you’re in a rush or working with minimal resources, here are smart alternatives that still deliver great results.
Use Portrait Mode on Your Smartphone
Modern phones with portrait mode can blur the background and keep the focus on your face, similar to a DSLR effect. Make sure to:
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Tap to focus on your eyes
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Keep your face well-lit
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Use the rear camera for a higher resolution
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Clean the lens before taking the shot
Natural Light Wins
Natural light is free and flattering. For best results:
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Face a window during the early morning or late afternoon
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Use a sheer curtain to soften harsh light
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Avoid standing directly under ceiling lights or in front of bright backdrops
Let AI Enhance It
Platforms like HeadShotly.ai can transform average selfies into professional-quality headshots with tools like:
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AI background replacement (office, studio, lifestyle, etc.)
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AI outfit changes based on industry (corporate, creative, medical, etc.)
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AI lighting and sharpness enhancement
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Subtle facial touch-ups while keeping your natural look
Want a creative spin on your image? Try a fantasy headshot or explore styles from our influencer headshots collection.
What to Do Next
You’re now equipped with everything you need to dress and prep for a high-quality headshot. Here’s what to do next:
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Choose two or three fitted, solid-colored outfits that reflect your professional identity
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Find a well-lit space near a window or set up a basic light source
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Take multiple shots to experiment with angles, lighting, and expression
Want to test creative concepts before committing? Try our image-to-image generator for alternate looks.
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Upload your best photo to HeadShotly.ai
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Let AI enhance your image with perfect lighting, refined styling, and professional-grade backgrounds
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Review your results, download the final images, and use them across LinkedIn, email signatures, websites, and more
And if you need to complete the look, generate a branded AI email signature to pair with your new headshot.
Key Takeaways
- Simplicity and fit always win
Solid colors, tailored clothing, and clean grooming can transform your photo into a confident and professional representation of your brand. - Best outfit choices
A fitted, solid button-down shirt or blazer in navy, charcoal, or light blue is a safe and stylish choice for most professional settings. - Prep makes perfect
Plan by prepping your outfit, using natural light, avoiding background clutter, and testing different looks before finalizing your photo. - Keep it consistent and polished
Male headshot wardrobe tips don’t need to be complicated. Consistency across your photos helps build trust and reinforces your brand. - Use smart tools like HeadShotly.ai
You don’t need expensive gear or a professional shoot. AI tools like HeadShotly.ai provide fast, studio-quality results from casual selfies.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should a man wear for a professional headshot?
A man should wear a fitted, solid-colored shirt or blazer in classic tones like navy, charcoal, light blue, or white. These colors photograph well and help keep the attention on your face.
Avoid loud patterns, logos, or neon colors. The goal is a clean, polished, and confident look that aligns with your industry and personal brand. If you need role-specific suggestions, our real estate headshots and coach headshots showcase balanced, approachable styles.
2. What colors are best for men’s headshots?
Neutral and classic colors like navy, gray, white, black, and light blue are best for men’s headshots. These tones complement most skin tones and are photographed cleanly.
If you have a darker skin tone, mid-tone colors like medium gray or muted blues work well. For lighter skin tones, avoid overly pale colors that may wash you out on camera.
3. What should men avoid wearing in headshots?
Men should avoid busy patterns, logos, overly bright colors, or wrinkled clothing in headshots. These elements distract from the face and look unprofessional.
Steer clear of high-contrast stripes, graphics, and shiny fabrics. Also avoid heavy accessories like thick chains, earrings (unless part of your personal brand), or hats unless job-specific. Block Portrait Studios’ expert guide on what men should wear for professional business headshots
4. Who should get a professional headshot?
Any man who wants to present a professional image online, job seekers, business owners, executives, speakers, consultants, and creatives, should get a headshot.
It’s essential for LinkedIn, resumes, websites, press features, or anywhere you represent your brand. A great headshot increases trust and helps you stand out.
5. What is the best pose for a male headshot?
The best pose is a relaxed, upright posture with shoulders slightly turned and your face looking directly into the camera. A soft, natural smile works best.
Keep your chin level or slightly down, eyes engaged, and posture confident. Avoid slouching or overly stiff positioning. The aim is to appear confident and approachable.
6. What should men do with facial hair for headshots?
Keep your facial hair clean and well-groomed. Whether you choose to shave or keep a beard, the key is neatness.
Trim beards and mustaches evenly, shape edges clearly, and remove stray hairs. For clean-shaven looks, shave the same day and check for missed patches or skin irritation.
7. What is the best background for a male headshot?
A neutral background like light gray, off-white, or soft beige is best for a professional male headshot. It keeps the focus on your face and outfit.
Avoid cluttered, busy, or colorful backgrounds. Alternatively, use LinkedIn headshot backgrounds tailored to look sharp and consistent on your profile.
Want to upgrade your image?
Upload your casual photos to HeadShotly.ai and let our AI do the rest, from outfit and background enhancements to professional lighting and retouching. You can even try a stylized Studio Ghibli-style headshot for a soft, aesthetic twist that still feels professional. Show the world the polished, confident version of you. Try it now and stand out for all the right reasons.