The Specialist Report

young business professional in blue suit with yellow tie
young business professional in blue suit jacket with white shirt and no tie

To Tie or Not to Tie?

The landscape for business attire has changed a bit. I meet lots of folks at my on location office photo days who say things like “I haven’t worn a tie in 9 months … or since before the pandemic”

The cool thing about digital photography and seeing the photos as we capture them, is my clients and I can decide which look suits their brand and intended usage.

And even to Headshot Happy Hours, I bring a mirror for the the fly tie tying. So my client here could have two images.

Whether you should wear a tie in your headshot largely depends on the context and the image you want to convey. Here are a few factors to consider:

Industry: If you’re in a profession that typically requires formal attire, such as law or finance, wearing a tie can convey professionalism and competence.

Company Culture: Consider the culture of the company or industry you’re in. Some workplaces are more traditional and expect formal attire, while others may be more relaxed.

Audience: Think about who will be viewing your headshot. If it’s for a corporate website or LinkedIn profile, a tie might be more appropriate. However, if it’s for a creative industry or personal branding where you want to showcase your personality, you might opt for a more casual look.

Personal Branding: Consider what image you want to portray. If wearing a tie aligns with your personal brand and the image you want to project, then go for it. However, if you want to appear more approachable or casual, you might choose not to wear one.

Ultimately, the decision is yours, and you should choose an outfit that makes you feel confident and represents you authentically. If you’re unsure, you could also consider taking multiple headshots with different outfits to have options to choose from.