11 Things to Wear for Professional Headshots in Calgary
- Jeff Borchert
- 5 days ago
- 8 min read
TL;DR
A professional headshot is a handshake before the handshake. It introduces you on LinkedIn, your website, proposals, speaker profiles, and company directories before you say a word.
That makes your outfit more than a fashion choice. It is a strategic brand decision.
LinkedIn’s official Help Center says members with a profile photo can receive up to twice as many profile views and three times as many connection requests as members without one. Your clothing helps determine whether that first impression feels credible, approachable, modern, or completely disconnected from who you are.
This guide covers what to wear for professional headshots in Calgary, whether you are booking an individual studio session, preparing for business headshots at your office, or planning professional portraits for your team.
Table of Contents
1. Start with the job your headshot needs to do
Before choosing an outfit, decide where the final image will appear. A LinkedIn profile photo, executive bio, company website, and personal-brand campaign may all require slightly different visual messages.
Intended use | Clothing direction | Business objective |
LinkedIn profile | Polished, approachable, uncluttered | Build trust quickly |
Corporate website | Consistent with your team and brand colours | Improve brand cohesion |
Executive profile | Structured blazer, suit, or refined layers | Communicate authority |
Personal brand | Professional clothing with more personality | Increase recognition |
Speaker or media bio | Clear, memorable colour and clean silhouette | Stay recognisable across platforms |
Your wardrobe should support the message you want the viewer to receive. Do not dress for an imaginary version of your career. Dress for the clients, colleagues, and opportunities you want to attract.
2. Choose solid, confident colours
Solid colours keep attention on your expression. Navy, charcoal, forest green, burgundy, deep teal, and other muted jewel tones are reliable choices for business headshots in Calgary.
They create visual authority without making the image feel rigid. They also work well across different skin tones, office environments, and website designs.
A pale blue shirt under a navy jacket is a classic combination. A burgundy blouse, forest-green sweater, or charcoal blazer can add personality while remaining professional.
Use bright colours carefully. Neon yellow, electric blue, hot pink, and vivid orange can reflect colour onto your skin or compete with your face.
Key Takeaway: Choose a colour that complements you, not one that wins a shouting match with your face.
3. Use contrast to separate yourself from the background
Your clothing should stand apart from the backdrop. If you are photographed against a white background, a white shirt may lose definition. If you are using a dark or charcoal backdrop, an all-black outfit can become visually flat.
A simple contrast check helps:
Light background: try navy, charcoal, forest green, burgundy, or another medium-to-dark tone.
Dark background: try a mid-tone shirt, blouse, jacket, or dress.
Environmental background: choose colours that complement your office without disappearing into it.
Jeff can help select a backdrop and lighting approach that support your clothing. That is one of the advantages of a guided session: you do not have to solve every visual decision alone.
4. Treat patterns carefully
Patterns are not automatically wrong. They simply need to be managed.
Large, simple patterns can work, especially when they reflect your personal style or industry. A subtle plaid blazer or wider stripe may add visual interest without becoming the subject of the photograph.
Avoid small, tight, high-contrast patterns such as tiny checks, narrow stripes, and busy herringbone. These can create visual “buzz” on camera and distract from your expression.
Also skip large logos, graphic slogans, and novelty prints unless the clothing is an intentional part of your brand. For most professional portraits, subtle texture is a safer way to add personality than a loud pattern.
5. Add structure with layers
Layers give a headshot more shape and flexibility. Consider:
A blazer over a button-down shirt
A structured cardigan over a simple top
A jacket over a dress
A sweater layered over a collared shirt
A suit jacket with or without a tie
Layers are especially useful in Calgary, where you may arrive bundled up for the weather but want a polished studio look once the session begins. They also allow you to create multiple finished images without changing your entire wardrobe.
A lighter colour underneath and a darker layer on top often creates a clean, flattering structure. If your session includes more than one outfit, use the layers to create a formal look and a smart-casual look.
6. Prioritize fit and comfort
The best outfit is not necessarily the most expensive one. It is the one that fits properly and allows you to move naturally.
Check for:
Pulling or gaping at buttons
Sagging shoulders
Sleeves that bunch awkwardly
A collar that feels too tight
Fabric that wrinkles immediately
A waistband or neckline you constantly adjust
If you feel uncomfortable, the camera will probably notice. A relaxed expression has more value than a fashionable outfit you cannot wait to remove.
For studio headshots, a clean neckline and well-fitted shoulders are particularly important because the frame often focuses closely on your face and upper body.
7. Keep accessories intentional
Accessories should support your professional identity, not become the lead actor.
Good options include:
A simple watch
Small earrings or understated hoops
A delicate necklace
A classic ring
A tie in a muted colour
A pocket square with restrained pattern
Large, reflective jewellery can catch the light and pull attention away from your face. Chunky bracelets may also create noise or require constant adjustment.
If an accessory is part of your role or brand, such as a signature watch, distinctive glasses, or a meaningful piece of jewellery, bring it. The goal is not to remove your personality. It is to make sure every visible detail is working toward the same message.
8. Wear your glasses if they are part of you
If you wear glasses every day, wear them for your headshot. Showing up without them can make the final image feel less like you.
Clean the lenses before your session. If reflections appear, Jeff can adjust the light position and angle to reduce glare. You may also bring a second pair if you have one.
Consistency matters. If clients, colleagues, or hiring managers know you as “the person with glasses,” your professional portrait should not create a visual identity crisis.
9. Plan your grooming
Clothing gets most of the attention in headshot preparation, but grooming has a direct impact on the final image too.
Schedule haircuts and colour appointments several days before your session rather than experimenting the morning of. Style your hair as you would for an important workday.
For facial hair, choose either a clean shave or a neatly trimmed beard and moustache. Bring a comb, brush, lint roller, and any small grooming products you may need.
If you wear makeup, aim for polished and natural. Avoid excessive shine, particularly on the forehead and nose. Bring powder or blotting papers for quick touch-ups.
Jeff’s professional retouching can clean up flyaways, lint, and temporary blemishes while maintaining a natural appearance. It is there to refine the image, not turn you into a polished mannequin.
10. Bring options to the session
When clients ask what to wear, the most useful answer is often: bring choices.
Pack two or three complete options, ideally including:
A more formal look
A smart-casual look
A layer or alternate colour
Hang everything on proper hangers and steam or iron it before leaving home. Bring a lint roller, backup shirt, and any accessories you are considering.
The Jeff B Photography headshot sessions include a wardrobe and styling guide, and your session is guided from start to finish. If you are unsure between a navy blazer and a charcoal one, bring both. We can make the decision based on the backdrop, lighting, and intended use.
Pro Tip: Photograph your outfit options on your phone before the session. It is easier to spot distracting collars, wrinkles, and colour clashes on screen than in a bedroom mirror.
11. Dress like yourself, just slightly more prepared
The most important clothing advice is also the simplest: do not become someone else for the camera.
If you normally work in a polished suit, wear one. If your industry is smart-casual, a blazer and clean shirt may be more authentic. If your personal brand is creative, use texture or a considered colour to show that.
Your headshot should look like you on a very good day, not like you borrowed someone else’s career.
That is especially important if you are camera-shy. Jeff’s process is designed to make people feel comfortable, with guided posing, real-time review, and small adjustments that help natural expressions appear. You do not need to know how to pose before arriving.
Studio or on-site headshots in Calgary?
An in-studio session is useful when you want a controlled, clean portrait with a simple backdrop and efficient turnaround. It is a strong fit for LinkedIn, executive profiles, and individual professionals.
On-site sessions are often better for teams, offices, and companies that need consistent professional portraits in Calgary without sending employees across the city. Jeff brings a mobile studio setup to your office, guides each person, and creates a cohesive visual system for your website and marketing materials.
For team bookings, see the on-site team headshot photography options.
Your headshot wardrobe checklist
Before leaving for your session, confirm that you have:
A well-fitted primary outfit
One or two backup options
A jacket, blazer, or structured layer
Clean glasses, if applicable
Simple accessories
Steamed clothing
A lint roller
Planned hair, facial hair, and makeup
Clothing that matches the intended use of the photo
Key Takeaway: The best outfit is the one that supports your message, fits your brand, and lets you relax.
Frequently Asked Questions
What colour is best for professional headshots?
Navy, charcoal, forest green, burgundy, and deep teal are dependable choices. The best colour also depends on your skin tone, backdrop, industry, and brand palette. Bring alternatives so your photographer can help you choose.
Should I wear a suit for business headshots in Calgary?
Wear a suit if it reflects your role and the expectations of your clients. If your industry is more relaxed, a blazer, button-down shirt, blouse, or structured sweater may communicate greater authenticity.
Can I wear a pattern in my headshot?
Yes, but choose a simple, larger-scale pattern. Avoid tight stripes, tiny checks, busy prints, and prominent logos because they can distract from your face.
What should I wear for a LinkedIn headshot?
Choose a polished outfit that reflects your current work. A solid shirt, blouse, sweater, blazer, or suit usually works well. Keep the neckline clean and avoid clothing that competes with your expression.
What if I hate having my photo taken?
You are in good company. Many clients feel camera-shy before a session. Jeff guides you through posing, expression, and small adjustments so you do not have to perform or guess what to do.
Do you offer professional headshots in a studio and on location?
Yes. Jeff B Photography offers individual studio sessions in Calgary and on-site team headshots for businesses. Visit the headshot services page to compare options or contact Jeff with your requirements.
How many outfits should I bring?
Bring two or three options when possible: one formal, one smart-casual, and one alternate colour or layer. This gives you flexibility and helps create a stronger set of strategic assets for LinkedIn, your website, and marketing materials.
What is the difference between a headshot and a professional portrait?
A headshot is usually a tighter image focused on your face and shoulders. A professional portrait may include more of your body, environment, or workplace. The right format depends on where you plan to use the image.
How can I book professional headshots in Calgary?
You can review packages and schedule a session through Jeff B Photography’s headshot page. For teams or on-site corporate headshots, use the team headshot page to request pricing and plan your workflow.
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