Women’s Professional Headshots Examples, Ideas, Poses & Tips
Women’s Professional Photos: Creative Portraiture, Tips; Female Modern Headshots, Wardrobe Ideas, What To Wear, Hairstyles, Poses, Examples
San Francisco Bay Area photographer specializing in unique, powerful, beautiful professional business headshots, professional portraits, executive headshots, website, social media, press and corporate LinkedIn profiles for women. Whether you are looking for a natural, casual headshot, personal branding for your website or a customized backdrop for your personality, let’s talk!
When it comes to your headshots, photos provide increased visibility through Google image searches as well as increased views on sites like Linkedin (members with profile photos can receive up to 21 times more profile views than those without profile photos).
Related read: How To Pose For A Headshot
Female Professional Headshots, Women’s Creative Headshots, Portraiture
My approach for professional businesswomen headshots is to highlight strengths and capture individuality of women in flattering, unique customized environments. Location scouting and creative direction is my specialty and I assist with outfits, poses, wardrobe selection, hair placement and color coordination for the photoshoot.
I shoot outdoors, public spaces, client sites with natural light for approachable yet professional pictures. I seek a balance of professionalism, confidence, approachability and trust in my photos and portraits for women.
Click on the photos below for female headshot examples in a variety of outdoor settings, public spaces and client sites.
For LinkedIn headshot tips including cropping, sizing, posing, spacing, attire etc, read this: https://eddie-hernandez.com/linkedin-profile-headshot-photo-tips/
Female Modern Professional Headshots, Creative Portraits, Female Executive Headshots
What To Wear For A Headshot Woman; Female Headshot Outfit Tips, Examples
Over the years, there has been a shift from more formal looks to more business casual, fashionable looks that capture individuality and approachability.
There are a number of factors that can affect what you should wear for your headshot, so here are some tips to get the most out of your photos.
Female Professional Headshots – What To Wear: Tops, Shirts, Blouses, Sweaters & Blazers
Most versatile looks can be captured by wearing blouses, collared shirts, light sweaters and blazers. Blazers are great if you have a white top that you love but want to add some color and dimension. Blouses are great as they can be worn as is or styled with a bandana, neck-tie or small scarf.
Black blazers are a safe bet, but the blouse color should have some pop or contrast so it does not lack vibrancy in the photo. Complementing your blazer i.e. dark blue with light blue blouse is a great way to add a more casual feel to an otherwise more stiff traditional look of a white blouse, dark blazer look you see so often.
Women’s Professional Headshots: Wardrobe Colors, Headshot Outfit, Best Color Shirts
The general rule of thumb is to avoid colors that clash with skin tone and backgrounds. You don’t want colors either similar to your skin tone nor similar to your background.
Avoid loud colors (i.e. neon, those with a lot of shine, reflective colors) unless you are in a creative field outside more conservative business fields. Fabrics like satin and silk can provide harsh shine that will distract the image.
Most headshot advice articles out there cater to more conservative fields so take everything with a grain of salt and seek out photographers that specialize in more creative headshots. I am a big fan of black, jewel tones and white if layered with a blazer or small scarf (more like a tied bandana). Avoid loud patterns when possible. Single tone tops, or simple/subtle patterns work well to.
When it comes to lighter tops, be sure to check out your top in bright lights i.e. bathroom to see if your bra is too visible. This is true with particular fabrics that are more see through and lighter colors.
What Makeup To Wear For Headshots, Makeup Tips For Women’s Headshots
When preparing for your headshot, I prefer more natural makeup and lipstick saturation and colors vs applying more (it’s easier to apply or add more if needed than reduce it at the time of a photoshoot).
Foundation and mascara colors should match that of your skin, and darker red lipstick is generally preferred over bright reds. Again, depending on your industry (creative fields, agencies, beauty industries etc), you might have more flexibility to be more bold, bright etc.
The general look is that you should apply what you wear to work or a work-related function. This is especially true if you are taking headshots during the workday – you don’t want to raise suspicion if you happen to be on the job hunt.
Make sure you plan for/around your headshot i.e. schedule your headshot earlier in the day to minimize having to adjust/re-apply makeup and/or allow time to change clothing if you do not want to look like you came back from an interview.
Women’s Headshot Examples, Executive Headshot Examples Female, Women CEO Business Headshot Examples
Earrings Tips For Headshots: Should You Wear Jewelry For A Headshot?
As for earrings, studs and smaller earrings are recommended. Larger earrings can seem a bit clunky or get in the way of hair unless you sell earrings or work in a similar field where jewelry is part of your brand, smaller is better.
Generally, necklaces should not be thick and heavy (think Mr. T) unless you have a specific niche business that requires it. Necklaces are not suggested for acting portraits and comp cards.
Sunscreen can provide a rather glistening shine on your face which is not recommended. If you require sunscreen then plan your photos around time of day or overcast days to minimize exposure to the sun.
Hairstyle Tips For A Woman For Headshots: How Should I Wear My Hair For A Headshot
The longer the hair the harder it is to capture a good headshot. The more maintenance is required and the harder it is to position the hair since it can be weighed down significantly depending on the exact length.
Buns and ponytails are generally not recommended as some detail is lost because of the positioning of the hair but I personally like buns and ponytails as it can add some variety to generic headshots.
I typically will shoot hair down and parted (one half in front of one shoulder and the other half behind the other shoulder) and save the ponytail and bun photos last. Frizzy hair is one of the more challenging styles to capture as split ends, flying hairs can be challenging for even the most advanced photo editors out there.
Consider not only your skin tone but hair color when deciding which color tops to use for your headshot. Most people consider the former and not the latter. When planning headshots around haircuts, usually wait a few days after to coordinate your photos.
Most haircuts need a few days to settle and it helps that you are comfortable and confident in your new look. (Too many men and women who get haircuts the day before or day of don’t always like their new look).
Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses Tips For Headshots, Women’s Headshot Styling Tips
If you wear glasses great, bring them. Make sure they are clean, free of dirt and scratches, and are not damaged, crooked. Bring some microfiber cloth and some cleaning solution if possible as glasses can get dirty in a matter of hours if not minutes with fingerprints.
You want your glasses pressed up against your face and not slide down too far down your nose. Let your photographer know ahead of time, so they can prepare or at least let you know if they are unable to remove glare in your photos.
Women’s Headshot Examples, Executive Headshot Examples Female, Women CEO Business Headshot Examples
Women’s Style Consultant, Fashion Advisor – Best Colors To Wear For Professional Photos
Building a wardrobe takes time and even with focus, it’s not about finding the right size but factoring in hair color, hair style, body type, lifestyle, skin tone and what you want to convey.
Even with good photos and smiles, outfits can make you look boring, larger than you are in person or immature. If you are looking to get feedback on your current look to see if you are conveying the right signals, contact me for a consultation.
I have a vested interest in how the photos I take come out and when you hire me, you will not only be hiring a photographer but a creative consultant to help make sure your hair, outfits, backgrounds, and poses are all in sync.
Image Consultant: Wardrobe, Social Skills & Lifestyle
Eddie is an image consultant in San Francisco with clients in NYC, LA, and beyond. He assists clients w/ fashion sense, social skills, hobbies & interests, etiquette, being more approachable around others & making friends.
What Necklines Are Best For Headshots – Professional Headshot Outfit Ideas Female
When it comes to necklines, it is important to consider the crop of the photo. Most headshots are cropped a few inches below the shoulder and above the chest so a low neckline, deep v-neck may not be the best option.
As for shoulders, most people opt for a covered shoulder look or thick straps rather than thinner straps. Depending on your company or industry, you should see if there is preferred look among those in roles you are aiming for. Crew, collared, jewel and peter pan collars are the most popular collar and necklines in photos. The split neck tops are also a great option.
What Not To Wear For Female Headshots
Distracting patterns, deep neck lines, excessive makeup, big earrings, dirty glasses, dressed down looks for your position or industry, logos, tops with too much shine.
Scarves For Headshots: Headshot Clothing, How To Dress For Headshots
Scarves can provide a great pop in your photos, especially if you are limited to a white blouse in your attire. A small tied bandana, neck scarf, neckerchief, bow collar, tie-neck blouse is a great way to add a splash of color and dimension to a photo.
Practice tying the scarf and see how it looks straight on and with your body angled 30 degrees away from the camera.
Headshot Clothing For Her: Clean, Pressed Suits & Outfits, Female Headshot Outfit Ideas
Always make sure your outfit is clean, pressed for photos. If you schedule a photoshoot after work be careful not to spill anything on yourself or get wrinkled shirts. If you decide to change into your outfit, be sure it doesn’t get wrinkled in your bag or purse.
Women’s Headshot Tips: Footwear: Shoes, Heels vs. Flats – Female Professional Headshots
Now for most headshots, photos will be cropped at the waist or below the neckline so footwear is not visible. With that said, many women prefer to wear heels as it can help them feel more comfortable, confident as well as help with dispersing weight from foot to foot vs remaining flat-footed.
The other consideration for heels is that they provide an advantage for elevating heels and distributing weight to the balls of the feet, which is a preferred and more flattering look from an angled perspective. You don’t want to lean back for headshots (want to avoid the neck and under the chin areas).
Creative Portraits
Fashion & Modeling Portraits
Linkedin Profile Photos
CEO / Executive Potraits
Personal Branding Portraits
Modern Corporate Headshots
Yoga / Wellness / Fitness Photos
Lifestyle Photography
About Eddie Hernandez
Eddie is a professional photographer in SF w/ clients internationally. He balances approachability & professionalism, focusing on wardrobes, appearance, location scouting.