Kill the Black Blazer: Dressing for NYC Headshots
Default black makes a flat portrait. New York rewards sharp tailoring and a point of view, and that goes for a founder leading a venture round in Flatiron as much as a leadership bio in DUMBO.
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Jewel Tones Over Wall Street Charcoal
A charcoal suit blends into a gray studio backdrop. Try deep cobalt, emerald or plum instead. Saturated colors read well on camera and stand out in a row of LinkedIn thumbnails.
Avoid pure white right under the chin. Ivory, warm cream or cool blush look softer under LED rim lighting.
Architectural Collars for Creative Founders
A headshot is framed from the chest up, so a slouchy cardigan or a weak collar collapses the frame. Pick sharp peak lapels, mandarin collars or mock-necks that hold their shape and leave clean space around the jaw. Studio headshot rates run $350 to $750, and structured tailoring makes the frames look more finished.
Check the back of your collar in the mirror. If the jacket gapes more than half an inch from your shirt neck when you lean forward, have it pinned on set.
Matte Textures to Defeat Studio Glare
Glossy polyester and shiny satin bounce strobe light and leave hot spots. Matte fabrics like light cashmere, micro-waffle knit, heavy silk crepe or brushed cotton twill take soft light better. The eye stays on your face, not on the sheen on your shoulders.
Run a lint roller across your shoulders five minutes before you step on the seamless backdrop, especially if you rode the L train in a wool coat.
Deliberate Statement Metal, Not Noisy Trinkets
Thin layered chains tangle when you turn your head, and then we stop to fix them. Pick one piece instead: a chunky brushed-gold collar, bold earrings or a watch you actually wear. One clean metal accent looks deliberate.
Keep metal matte or brushed. Mirror-finish chrome and high-shine brass throw white starbursts into the lens.
The Steamed-On-Set Rule
Do not ride a yellow cab or the express train in the jacket you plan to shoot in. Carry your options on sturdy wooden hangers in a breathable garment bag and change when you get to the studio. Wrinkles in elbows and lapels cannot be retouched out without flattening the weave of the fabric.
Pack a handheld travel steamer. Steaming the lapels while your hair settles takes two minutes and saves twenty minutes of retouching.
That's the inside look. Save this one for your next shoot.
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