What to wear for women’s acting headshots

Actors should wear simple, non-distracting clothing for their headshot sessions.

Simplicity is key. The focus in your headshot should be squarely on you, not your clothes.

I’ve found that for women’s headshots, a few things to keep in mind will give you a successful wardrobe if you’re unsure of what to wear for your acting headshots:

• Solid colors work best (but aren’t a requirement)

  • Bold jewel tones are the most versatile and well-received.

  • Busy patterns and large, distracting jewelry are a no-go.

  • You know what looks best on you! Pick colors that bring out your eyes and complement your skin tone.

  • Stay away from pastels (which can wash you out).

  • For theatrical headshots, black is always a good choice if you’re a stage actor, or over the age of 25 or so in film/TV.

Let’s go through several examples of what other women have worn at their acting headshot sessions that were great choices!

A rich blue (not too bright) is my favorite choice, and covering the shoulders helps keep the focus on her face.

When wearing black, try to choose a top that has some shape since black photographs, well, BLACK, and lacks texture in the photo.

Other ideas of what to wear for women’s acting headshots

If you play more buttoned-up characters, wear a jacket. If you play more free-spirited or characters, you can show a bit more skin. But don't over-do it; wearing clothing that is too revealing can take the focus away from your face. When selecting your headshot wardrobe, ask yourself:

• What types of projects do I want to work on? If you want to work on noir shows or late-night crime dramas, a dark, gritty-looking headshot fits the tone. If you aspire to be SNL's newest cast member or a sitcom darling, a bright, goofy shot is a better idea.

• Which types of roles do I want to play? If you're going out for a high-powered executive, your hair, makeup, and clothing should be polished. If you're going for a high school queen bee, make sure your wardrobe and makeup are age-appropriate.

This beautiful neckline and color make her neck look long and her eyes pop!

A denim jacket over plaid is a great choice for both commercial and film/TV headshots. The type is friendly and approachable.

Athletic wear is a good choice, but only if you plan to go for sporty roles. Otherwise, this look is too limiting to be used easily by your agency.

If you want to go for Professional Type roles (FBI director, lawyer, etc.), wear a blazer, but make sure it’s fitted and goes well with what you have underneath. I recommend avoiding a collared shirt under a jacket as collars can misalign.

This outfit is type-specific, giving a hint of period piece without being too limiting. A nice medium mauve is working to keep the headshot elegant.

A leather jacket is an effective way to showcase a more dramatic type. You can avoid the normal what-they-see-every-day problem by making your leather jacket brown or a different color.

You can get more specific by adding a cardigan and glasses with the lenses popped out.

If you want to go for Street-Smart Types, choose black paired with something that feels a bit edgy or rough. A desaturated plaid, tattered shirt, or black denim jacket work well for tougher film and TV type roles.

Ready to book your acting headshots? Check out the packages and see if we will be a good fit for your needs as an actor! I’d love to work with you and help you get your foot in the door for commercial auditions and film/TV auditions!

Pink is a great color for commercial headshots. Just keep it medium to dark (not too pastel)

White or cream can be a good choice, but only if you have a medium to darker skin tone :)

Stripes and patterns are ok, but normally you will want to pair them with a solid color to minimize distraction

In general, I recommend long sleeves so the focus is fully on your smile and eye contact, however this is not a hard-and-fast rule.