What to wear for therapist headshots

Choose a level of formality you want to show on your directory profile and practice website. A jacket, knitwear, shirt or simple dress can each work. Consider where the photograph will appear.

Use your current team page as a reference if the new photograph will sit beside other clinicians. You can share a similar level of formality while keeping your own clothing choices. Tell the photographer which existing pictures need to remain part of the set.

Think about your clothes and the background together. A dark top can blend into a dark setting. A lighter layer or a different background can help keep the outline visible.

If you love a bright color, try it in a small test photograph. You may like the energy it brings, or prefer a quieter color that lets your face draw more attention.

Solid colors are an easy starting point. Patterns can work too; check fine stripes and small repeats in a test picture, since they can appear uneven in a digital photograph. Bring a solid-color alternative if you would like a choice.

With layers, check how the collar, lapels and neckline sit together. Try removing one layer and see which version feels more like you.

A close headshot shows only part of the outfit. Try sitting and standing in the clothing you are considering. Check whether a collar stays in place, a neckline sits as intended and the fabric moves comfortably when you turn your shoulders.

A quick phone photograph from approximately eye level can help you compare options. Include your head and shoulders, then use the test to discuss the neckline and framing with your photographer.

If you normally wear glasses and want them in the portrait, bring the pair you plan to use with clean lenses. Reflections depend on the position of the glasses, camera and light, so include glasses in the discussion of the photographic setup.

Choose jewelry and accessories you want visible in the final crop. Check that necklaces sit comfortably and earrings do not catch on clothing. Prepare your hair in the way you want it photographed, and bring whatever you use for a quick adjustment between photographs.

Choose one practice contact to communicate the agreed look. A short note about formality, the background and any clothing preferences is easier to act on than a long list of restrictions. Share a few suitable examples so each person understands the intended portrait.

Agree whether the team wants a broad color palette or simply a consistent level of formality. People can wear different clothes while the light, background and framing connect the pictures. If a group photograph is also planned, discuss the clothing together with its arrangement.

• Share the agreed background and portrait references
• Describe the preferred level of formality
• Identify existing portraits that must remain in the team grid
• Collect individual clothing questions before the session

Try on the complete outfit early enough to make changes. Check fit, visible creases, collars and layers. Transport it in a way that preserves its condition, and keep anything you need for a quick clothing or hair adjustment accessible.

If you want a second look, confirm that a clothing change fits the agreed session. An alternative is most useful when it gives you a different photographic choice: another color, a simpler neckline or a change in formality. Share the options while the session is being planned.

For an office portrait, share room photographs with your clothing ideas. Review the room’s colors and visible background together. A planned backdrop gives you another option if the setting is visually busy.

Confirm the image uses, background, framing and clothing changes together so the session can be planned around the complete portrait.