Actors Headshot Wardrobe Guide

In my time as a Los Angeles headshot photographer, I’ve seen difficulty in actors understanding what type of looks, colors, and styles to bring for their actor headshots. As a result, some actors bring clothes that are totally unusable and will ultimately have to retake their acting headshots at some point down the road as a result. I provide as much consultation as possible and even have actors text me pictures of their outfits beforehand to ensure they are bringing usable items.

Alas, I bring you the actors headshot wardrobe guide. In this guide you will be able to better plan your headshot session with the appropriate wardrobe and get some inspiration looks to go to the store and pick accordingly.

FEMALE HEADSHOTS

The first looks we will take a look at are commercial headshots for female actresses. Obviously, every body type and skin type is different. Some colors will look good on certain skin tones while others may not. Some styles might look good on certain body types while either may not. Take this into consideration and use this merely as an example to reference for your own session.

1. In commercial headshots, colors are ideal. The objective is for you to pop in your photo and make it lively.

2. All the styles below are simple, effortless, not distracting, and flattering.

3. I composed at minimum a good color range of options that pop on skin tones for you to choose from. They are bright, vivacious, and they aren’t unnatural. Try staying away from neons or colors that are not as natural.

4. None of the styles are too big or oversized

5. The styles are timeless, so they won’t age your image

6. Tops should be fitted they can be t-shirts, tanks, spaghetti straps, turtle necks, or any top that conforms to your body and flatters your skin tone.

7. Be careful with red colors. There is a type of red that makes you look like Christmas that I tell my actors to stay away from. Burgundy, maroon, or any red color that doesn’t look like Christmas when you look at it works.

8. It’s definitely encouraged to layer your outfits if you see fit. Throwing on a simple jacket or shirt on top can add a bit of edge or texture to your look that can help make it pop.

Female Commercial Headshots

Female Headshots Commercial Wardrobe Inspo

For female theatrical headshots, the color palate is different. I usually tell my clients to still look for colors, but less saturated and more earth tones. The objective of a theatrical headshot is to make you look like you can be casted for a character role. It’s less about you and more about your ability to show range in emotion and in character looks. The colors you wear aren’t necessarily meant to make you pop rather enhance the serious tone most theatrical headshots illicit.

Great colors are in the earthly tone ranges; olive green, navy green, navy blue, dark purple, maroon, brown, burgundy, blue, dark blue, grey, sometimes black

1. Black on most pale skin tones doesn’t usually look flattering and even though I mostly discourage it, sometimes when it’s a tank or a top with thin straps it looks good

2. Stay away from choosing colors that blend too much into your own skin tone. Your top should help add dimension to the image not flatten it out. In all of the above outfits the girls still pop out and they don’t blend into their tops

3. Remember to keep it simple, keep it timeless, and don’t bring tops that are too wild, with graphics, too trendy, or just way too busy looking. The examples above are plain for a reason.

For further information on the difference between Commercial and Theatrical Headshots, make sure you read my in depth blog post HERE.

Female Theatrical Headshots

Female Headshots Theatrical Wardrobe Inspo

MALE HEADSHOTS

The color palate for male commercial headshots looks is very similar. You have your simple tees that you can always layer with a jacket or over shirt. The goal is to have bright and colorful styles that enhance your personality, your laugh, and bring out energy in your acting headshot photograph.

1. Bright colors like blues, yellows, greens, teals, pinks, orange, reddish are always great options to choose from for acting headshots

2. Stripe shirts or plaid shirts I’ve found are really great options especially when layered. They make for a more interesting acting headshot image.

3. If you had three headshot looks, I would go with a solid crew neck t-shirt in which ever color you want for the first, for the second an open shirt with a different color undershirt (avoid white at all costs unless necessary and make sure they compliment each other), and then a jacket with a different color undershirt for the third look.

4. Make sure they are never wrinkled or oversized

5. Always keep it timeless that is why classic style shirts and tops are always a good option for actor headshots because they never go out of style and most of the examples below will never go out of style. This means they won’t age your photograph.

Male Commercial Headshots

Male Headshots Commercial Wardrobe Inspo

For male theatrical headshots, less saturated earthly tones will help in channeling the focus into your emotions and eyes. Theatrical headshots means you are planning to audition for a character role in a Netflix series, Warner Bros production, or on a big cable TV network. Your goal as a male actor when getting acting headshots is to showcase your emotional range, different expressions, and physical range. When choosing outfits for theatrical headshots, always make sure they compliment the goal and not takeaway from it.

1. Earth tones, less vibrant, more neutrals are always recommended.

2. Layering it with an over shirt or jacket with a neutral undershirt gives a little bit more edge and texture

3. Some people always ask about black jackets which I don’t have below. I think a good way to implement a dark denim jacket is to wear a colored shirt underneath that’s like a navy green or dark blue. I don’t ever encourage black on black. Not good for lighting.

Male Theatrical Headshots

Male Theatrical Headshots Wardrobe Inspo

Headshots For Actors

Of course all of the above examples are just simply a guide. Sometimes an actor will come to my studio bringing an item that isn’t necessarily what I recommend, but still works. Yet, sometimes with my female actors they still bring some items that are just plainly bad for headshots. Refer to this image for what types of styles and designs never to bring.

Don’t bring tops like this

My job as a headshots Los Angeles photographer is to provide my actors with enough resources to prepare them for our session. I want my clients to update me on stories how my actor headshots got them new roles on projects. Acting headshots are an art in itself and they are a pretty big investment for most people. When it comes to wardrobe, this is the simplified path to follow to ensure a good outcome. Good luck!

Brandon Andre - Headshots Los Angeles Photographer

If you are in the Los Angeles area or Phoenix and need a headshot photographer, contact me for a photoshoot. I am considered one of the best acting headshots photographers in LA. After working with me, my clients always report an increase in auditions and bookings.

For more tips and headshots advice check out my Actor Resources here.

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