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What to Wear for Your Best Headshot Ever — A Professional’s Guide to Making the Right Impression

Your headshot is often the first point of visual contact with potential clients, collaborators, and employers. It appears on your website, LinkedIn profile, pitch decks, press kits, and more. But the key to a successful business portrait isn’t just expert lighting or a high-end camera—it’s also what you wear.

At St Louis Business Portraits, we’ve photographed professionals across industries for decades, and we know how wardrobe choices can elevate—or undermine—your image. This guide will help you make intentional, brand-aligned clothing decisions so you feel confident and look your best in front of the lens.

1. Start with Your Audience in Mind

Who will be viewing your headshot? A startup investor? A corporate board? Creative agencies? Your attire should resonate with the expectations of your industry without compromising your authenticity.

Tip:

  • Finance, law, or consulting? Lean into formal attire: tailored suits, solid shirts, and muted tones.
  • Creative industries or entrepreneurs? A polished smart-casual look (think jackets without ties, clean lines, subtle color) works well.
  • Healthcare or education? Clean, friendly, approachable with soft colors and minimal accessories.

2. Choose Solid Colors Over Patterns

Busy prints and patterns can be distracting and don’t always translate well in digital formats. Solid colors create a clean, professional look and ensure that the focus stays on your face.

Tip:

  • Jewel tones (like navy, burgundy, emerald) photograph beautifully on most skin tones.
  • Avoid stark white or neon unless layered under a jacket or sweater.
  • Light pastels work well in soft-lit environments; darker hues are best for dramatic or formal tones.

3. Fit is Everything

Loose or ill-fitting clothing can look sloppy on camera, while overly tight garments may cause discomfort and unnatural posture. Tailored outfits present you as composed and confident.

Tip:

  • Do a dress rehearsal: wear your full outfit in advance, sit and stand in it, and check it from all angles in good lighting.
  • Steam or iron your clothing before the shoot—wrinkles show more on high-resolution cameras.

4. Keep Accessories Subtle and Purposeful

Accessories should enhance your look, not dominate it. Bold necklaces, oversized watches, or trendy glasses may age your headshot or draw attention away from your expression.

Tip:

  • Stick to small, elegant accessories.
  • Avoid overly reflective jewelry, which can catch light awkwardly.
  • If you wear glasses regularly, bring a clean, non-reflective pair or ask your photographer to adjust lighting to avoid glare.

5. Grooming and Hair Matter—Plan Ahead

Even the best wardrobe can’t make up for a rushed grooming session. Hair, makeup, and facial grooming should be clean, natural, and consistent with your day-to-day professional look.

Tip:

  • Schedule any haircut or color touch-ups at least a week before your session.
  • For makeup: aim for professional but not overdone. Consider light matte powder to reduce shine.
  • Men: trim facial hair neatly or go clean-shaven for a sharper presentation.

6. Bring Options—and Layers

Different looks may work better depending on your setting and background. Layers, such as blazers, sweaters, or scarves, offer flexibility during your shoot and give you more variety in final image selections.

Tip:

  • Always bring 2–3 top options, including one neutral and one bold color.
  • Coordinate, but don’t match, your outfit with team members if you’re doing a group shoot.

Why Professionals Choose St Louis Business Portraits

At St Louis Business Portraits, we do more than take pictures—we craft brand-aligned portraits that reflect your growth, role, and industry. Our seasoned team brings decades of professional experience to every session, helping you look and feel confident from the first frame.

We offer full-service studio and location video and photography, editing and post-production, and licensed drone pilots for enhanced visual storytelling. Whether you need a classic corporate headshot, a modern executive portrait, or an entire team image refresh, we tailor every shoot to your goals.

Our studio features custom lighting setups, prop staging, and AI-enhanced tools to optimize your imagery. We repurpose your photos and videos across digital and print formats, ensuring visual consistency across all platforms. Our crew handles everything—from private interview studio setup to sound and camera operation—for a seamless, high-quality experience.

Since 1982, St Louis Business Portraits has partnered with companies, marketing agencies, and creative professionals throughout the St. Louis region to deliver headshots and visual content that make a lasting impression.

Ready to look your best?
Let St Louis Business Portraits guide your next professional image refresh. From wardrobe advice to final retouching, we help you present the best version of your evolving professional self.

314-913-5626

stlouisphotos@gmail.com
Mike Haller

Studio – 4501 Mattis Road St Louis, MO 63128

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How to Plan Your Day for Great Event Videos and Photos

When planning for event videos and photos, particularly for corporate events, the key to success lies in preparation. Whether you’re hosting a conference, a company celebration, or a professional seminar, capturing the right moments on video and in photos requires careful planning. Event photography and videography are powerful tools to preserve memories and convey messages, and the best way to ensure your event looks polished and professional is by planning every detail of the day. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you plan your day for great event videos and photos.

A shot list is an invaluable tool for keeping track of what has been captured and what still needs to be acquired.

1. Define the Purpose of Your Event Media

Before you even pick up the camera or set up your equipment, you need to understand the purpose behind the event media. Are you looking to document the event for internal purposes, like company memories? Or is the event meant for external use, such as marketing materials or press releases? The purpose of the photos and videos will help determine the style, angles, and focal points of your shoot.

2. Identify Key Moments to Capture

Every event has key moments that should be highlighted. Whether it’s the keynote speaker, awards ceremony, or the first toast of a celebration, identifying these moments beforehand will allow the videographer and photographer to be ready for them. Make sure to communicate these moments with your production team so they can prepare accordingly.

3. Plan for the Right Lighting

Lighting is essential for high-quality photography and videography. Poor lighting can result in dark, grainy images or low-quality video footage. At Saint Louis Business Portraits, we understand the importance of lighting and use customized setups to enhance your production. We can create lighting designs to fit various settings, whether in a small room or a large venue. From our private studio setups to on-location productions, we ensure optimal lighting to capture the best images and video.

4. Prepare Your Venue for Filming and Photography

The location of your event is key to the overall look of your photos and videos. If you’re hosting the event at a venue, do a walkthrough with your production team to identify the best locations for filming and photography. If you’re planning to hold an event at your office or another business location, make sure to clean and prepare the space for optimal shots. At Saint Louis Business Portraits, we offer location scouting and can help you set up for the most effective and attractive shots.

5. Coordinate with Your Event Team and Speakers

It’s crucial to work closely with your event planners, speakers, and anyone involved in the event to make sure everyone is on the same page regarding timing and expectations. Whether you’re filming an event panel or taking formal portraits of the event speakers, being aligned with the event timeline will help capture all of the key moments.

6. Create a Shot List

A shot list is an invaluable tool for keeping track of what has been captured and what still needs to be filmed. A professional photographer and videographer will create a list of essential shots based on the event’s schedule and key moments. This includes wide-angle shots of the venue, close-ups of speakers or guests, candid shots of attendees, and other essential angles. The production team will stay organized and ensure they capture everything you need.

7. Plan for Interviews and Testimonials

Many corporate events include interviews with key speakers, panelists, or guests. These interviews are valuable assets for creating content that can be repurposed for marketing materials, social media, or internal use. Make sure to plan for dedicated times to conduct interviews. Saint Louis Business Portraits has the ability to set up custom interview spaces that look professional and are perfect for video. Our private studio setup provides all the lighting, sound, and camera equipment necessary for smooth and high-quality interviews.

8. Repurpose Your Media for Future Use

One of the most beneficial aspects of event photography and video is its long-term potential. Instead of just letting your media sit unused after the event, repurpose your photos and videos for marketing, internal communications, social media, or future events. Saint Louis Business Portraits specializes in repurposing event photography and video branding to gain more traction. We can help you creatively use your media to engage with your target audience across various platforms.

9. Be Ready for Unexpected Moments

Despite careful planning, unexpected moments will happen during your event, and you’ll want to capture them as they unfold. Whether it’s a surprise announcement, a guest interaction, or a spontaneous moment, having an experienced videographer and photographer ready for anything ensures that these impromptu events are documented.

10. Review the Footage

After the event, it’s crucial to review the footage to ensure that everything you wanted was captured. With the right editing and post-production services, you can enhance your photos and videos to produce polished content. At Saint Louis Business Portraits, we offer full-service editing and post-production to ensure your media meets the highest quality standards.

Why Choose Saint Louis Business Portraits for Your Event Photography and Video Production?

Saint Louis Business Portraits is an expert in capturing high-quality event photos and videos. With decades of experience working with businesses, marketing firms, and agencies in the St. Louis area, we are well-equipped to handle all of your corporate media needs. Our team utilizes state-of-the-art equipment and has the creative expertise to make your event look polished and professional.

We offer full-service studio and location video and photography, as well as editing, post-production, and licensed drone services. Our team can customize productions to meet diverse media requirements and has extensive knowledge of all file types and styles of media. Additionally, our private studio lighting and visual setups are perfect for small productions, interviews, and other intimate events.

Since 1982, we’ve worked with companies to provide high-quality photography and videography that is not only professional but adaptable to a wide range of media uses. Whether you need a custom interview setup, sound and camera operators, or specialized drones for unique shots, we have everything you need to make your next event production perfect.

Let us help you elevate your next event with exceptional photography and videography that you can use to engage your audience and repurpose across various channels for maximum impact.

314-913-5626

stlouisphotos@gmail.com

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From Casual to Corporate: Finding Your Headshot Clothing Style

In today’s digital age, your headshot is often the first impression you make on potential clients, partners, and employers. Whether it’s on LinkedIn, a corporate website, or a marketing brochure, your headshot conveys your professionalism, personality, and brand. As decision-makers in photography and video production services, understanding the nuances of headshot clothing styles can significantly impact the final image’s success. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how to choose the right clothing for headshots, balancing between casual and corporate styles.

Ensure your hair is neatly styled. If you need a haircut, do it a few days before the shoot to allow it to settle.

Understanding Your Brand

Before diving into wardrobe choices, it’s crucial to understand your brand. Ask yourself:

  1. What image do I want to project? Are you aiming for a formal, authoritative look, or something more approachable and casual?
  2. Who is your target audience? Consider the expectations and preferences of your industry and audience.
  3. What are your brand colors? Incorporating brand colors subtly into your attire can reinforce brand identity.

Clothing Styles for Different Settings

Corporate Headshots

For corporate environments, a polished and professional appearance is essential. Here are some tips:

  • Suits and Blazers: A well-fitted suit or blazer exudes confidence and professionalism. Choose classic colors like navy, black, or gray.
  • Shirts and Blouses: Opt for solid colors or subtle patterns. White, light blue, and pastel tones work well.
  • Ties and Accessories: For men, a tie can add a touch of formality. Keep accessories minimal and tasteful.

Casual Headshots

For a more relaxed and approachable look, consider these options:

  • Smart Casual Attire: A collared shirt or blouse without a blazer can still look professional. Think along the lines of business casual.
  • Layering: Adding a cardigan or light jacket can create depth without looking too formal.
  • Colors and Patterns: Feel free to experiment with bolder colors and patterns, but avoid anything too distracting.

Creative Industry Headshots

If you work in a creative field, your headshot can reflect your artistic personality:

  • Bold Choices: Don’t shy away from unique clothing pieces that showcase your creativity.
  • Textures and Layers: Play with different fabrics and layers to add visual interest.
  • Accessories: Artistic accessories like scarves or statement jewelry can enhance your look.

Practical Tips for Headshot Clothing

  1. Fit and Comfort: Ensure your clothing fits well and you feel comfortable. Avoid anything too tight or too loose.
  2. Avoid Distractions: Stay away from overly busy patterns, logos, or graphics that can distract from your face.
  3. Consistency: If you’re taking headshots for a team, maintain a level of consistency in attire to present a cohesive image.
  4. Preparation: Iron your clothes, and avoid last-minute changes to ensure you look your best.

Preparing for the Shoot

Grooming

Proper grooming is just as important as clothing. Here are a few tips:

  • Hair: Ensure your hair is neatly styled. If you need a haircut, do it a few days before the shoot.
  • Makeup: For women, opt for natural makeup that enhances your features without looking overdone.
  • Facial Hair: For men, trim your beard or mustache neatly.

Posing and Expression

Work with your photographer to find poses that highlight your best features. Practice different expressions in front of a mirror to find the most natural and confident look.

Conclusion

Choosing the right clothing for your headshot is a blend of understanding your brand, audience, and personal style. Whether you’re aiming for a formal corporate image or a relaxed casual look, the key is to present yourself authentically and professionally.

About Saint Louis Business Portraits

At Saint Louis Business Portraits, we are a full-service professional commercial photography and video production company with the right equipment and creative crew to ensure successful image acquisition. We offer comprehensive studio and location video and photography services, including editing, post-production, and licensed drone pilots. Our team can customize your productions for diverse media requirements, ensuring your photography and video branding gain maximum traction.

Our expertise spans all file types and media styles, supported by advanced software. Our private studio lighting and visual setup are perfect for small productions and interview scenes, large enough to incorporate props to complete your set. From private custom interview setups to providing sound and camera operators, we have everything needed to make your next video production perfect. We can even fly our specialized drones indoors.

As a full-service video and photography production company, Saint Louis Business Portraits has successfully collaborated with numerous businesses, marketing firms, and agencies in the St. Louis area for their corporate photography and video needs. Trust us to bring your vision to life with precision and creativity.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact us at Saint Louis Business Portraits today. Let us help you make the perfect first impression.

314-913-5626

stlouisphotos@gmail.com

Studio – 4501 Mattis Road St Louis, MO 63128