Accessories for Headshots: Do’s and Dont’s

Olivia Warren

With dress code regulations and social rules, individuality can sometimes be a difficult thing to portray in corporate environments. Personality or style in headshot portraits is especially challenging. Accessories are the easiest way to ‘customize your character.’ However, there are some suggested guidelines for how to ensure your jewelry and other pieces are not distracting from the focus of your portrait - your face while still adding pizzazz.

Do’s!:

Choker-style necklace or a shorter chain

Necklaces are encouraged as they are one of the easiest ways to accessorize other than earrings. A higher placement ensures the jewelry is seen and is more flattering for the finished image. It is also important to double-check that the pendant/gemstone faces the correct direction. It may or may not be a possible edit. Regardless, it is a challenging one. While watching for these minute details is out job, it's always a great idea to do what you can to set yourself up for success. Team Work!!

Less is more

While stacked necklaces or bracelets can be cute and trendy, they are a distraction during a headshot. Overcrowding with jewelry draws attention away from your face and toward the multiple pieces of bling or metal. The point is to accent your features with whatever accessories you choose, and a good rule of thumb is to play up the minimum. Wearing accessories you wear daily is the easiest way to avoid overdoing it!

Headshots are up close and personal, so there is no need to exaggerate anything more than you normally would.

Timeless pieces

To further explain, a signature necklace is preferred over a plethora of chains or jewels, and stud earrings are better than large costume jewelry. Trendy pieces can end up dating the portrait. Large trendy pieces not only distract from the focal point (again, your face) but can also be less professional and limit the usage of your headshot.

Simplistic never goes out of style, and there are plenty of ways to dress up smaller items and show personality. For example, if your favorite color is red, a pair of ruby stud earrings can showcase this tidbit in a reserved manner that doesn’t distract from your features. It’s important to have fun with your accessories and be yourself as much as possible, but it is also important to remember you are the focal point!

Don't's!:

Necklaces that hang below the chest

Unless you're going for a waist-up portrait (be sure to ask HR or marketing about company branding), avoid chains which go below the chest area.

A longer chain is usually a surefire way to know the pendant or gem attached is not going to be seen. The shape created by this type of jewelry is also not as preferable for a headshot as something more along the lines of a choker for this reason and others. Imagination is a wonderful thing, unless it leaves the viewer wondering id you're wearing an eyeglasses chain or one of those horrendous conference namebadges. Specifically for busty women, necklaces that hang to the sternum can look like a harness - which is usually not the intended look.

Flashy pieces

Not only can large or multiple accessories can be too distracting, the flash of the camera may also interfere with glitzy jewelry. While the PBMisty team pays close attention to the details, reflective accessories add just one more thing to watch out for. It can also be an over-the-top request of our editor. For your sake more than our preferences, save your fancy pieces for the stage!

Of course, everyone has free will and can wear whatever they would like, these are just helpful insider information from your friends at Photography by Misty. It is in your best interest to know the rules then tweak to fit you. Before instant bragging rights were a thing, accessories were created to accentuate what makes you uniquely beautiful. Book a session below.

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Accessories for Headshots: Do’s and Dont’s

Accessories for Headshots: Do’s and Dont’s

Olivia Warren

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