Five Styling Tips to Look Like the Boss you Are
1. Be Truthfully & Unapologetically You.
It goes without saying that you want your image in your brand photos to be professional but sometimes we lose in ourselves in executing what professional looks like. Dress in a way that reflects your industry or ideal clientele but also honors who you are and what you and your brand stand for.
The point of your personal brand shoot is for people to connect with you and bring awareness to your brand. Authenticity is key to this, don’t lose yourself by dressing in a way that doesn’t reflect who you are.
If you’re a savvy financial planner who’s also extremely creative and sporty, you may choose to dress in a non-traditional suit with subtle print and oxford shoes.
2. Know Your Brand.
Piggy-backing off tip 1, Knowing your brand is about having absolute clarity on what your brand identity represents. This includes not only your brand aesthetics such as the overall look, tone, and messaging but also the ethos (such as your goals, traits, mission, and vision, etc). Reminding yourself of your brand identity will help nail how you want to be perceived in your photos. This can apply to those who have businesses or individuals whose personal brand is their business.
However, if you’re taking corporate headshots, it’s best to dress the way of the company and the clientele.
3. Wear complementary Colors.
Many people are afraid to wear colors but wearing the right colors that harmonize with your personal coloring has many benefits. It brings out your radiance and youthfulness and provides glowing skin. Wearing colors instantly adds visual interest to your style or can be used to modernize it. Add color to a whole or any part of your outfit (that will be seen). However, for headshots, wear your best colors close to the face. If you are unsure which colors look best try jewel-tone colors as they look great on most people.
4. Prepare at least two outfits.
You want to get the most out of your brand shoot and because your photos will be used for marketing purposes you want to have a little variety. Preparing for at least two outfits is a great way to show a range of your personality and allows you to mix your photos for particular audiences.
I suggest one casual look and one industry look. Keep in mind that your casual outfit should still reflect your industry or clientele.
Here are some suggestions:
For a more traditional look, try a dark-colored sheath dress with a different color blazer such as a black dress and a royal blue blazer. Another option is a skirt suit. Add accessories for polish but keep it simple such as beautiful studs or pearls. Keep your shoes classic such as a black or nude pump.
For a more casual feel, try a V-neck wrap dress. You can add a bit more flair to your accessories but still keep it subtle. You can keep your shoes classic or try a complementary color.
For more creative fields, you have much more flexibility and will depend on your style and who you serve. You can go for a minimalist vibe or opt for prints, statement jewelry, or bolder colors. If you do try the latter options, do not overpower you and steal the show. Your photos are about you.
A note about prints: subtle classic prints that are medium in size and scale are best. Tiny prints may give off a busy effect and large prints may be too distracting.
5. Properly fitted clothing.
There’s nothing worse than having ill-fitted clothing ruin your brand photos. Ill-fitted clothing can make you look unimaginative, sloppy, and careless, which you are not. Unfortunately, it is very hard to find the perfect-fit garment off the rack. Tailoring your clothes will make all the difference in ensuring you look amazing in your photos. Tailoring is, also, one of the easiest ways to upgrade your image. No matter if it’s expensive or affordable, tailoring your clothes will not only level up your look but also make you feel great.
Honorable mentions- Wear Good Underwear
The right outfit always starts with wearing the right foundational garments underneath. This applies to any situation but for your brand shoot, it’s very important because the last thing you want is for panty lines, bra straps, textured or printed brassieres to show-up in your pictures or to be fixing undergarments the whole time. Wear comfortable, seamless, and smooth underwear that supports you, including any shapewear.
