Should You Wear Glasses for Your Portrait Session?
If you wear glasses every day, you might wonder whether to keep them on or take them off for your portraits.
The truth is, it depends on the type of session and the look you want to achieve.
Here’s how to decide, whether you’re coming in for professional headshots, personal branding photos, or a family portrait session.
And a little personal note from me… I wear glasses all the time and absolutely love them! They’ve become part of how people recognize me. So I completely understand the hesitation about whether to wear them for portraits.
The good news? As an experienced professional photographer (and a lifelong glasses wearer!), I know exactly how to position lighting to minimize or even eliminate reflections, so you can wear your glasses with confidence.
For Headshots: Keep It Consistent with Your Everyday Look
Your headshot is often your first impression online: on LinkedIn, your company website, or your professional bio.
If you wear glasses every day, it’s best to include them. Your headshot should reflect the real you.
Tips for the best headshot with glasses:
Choose lenses with anti-reflective coating. This helps minimize glare from studio lights.
Clean lenses thoroughly before your session, fingerprints can catch light and show up in photos.
Avoid transition lenses (they can darken under bright lights).
Bring an extra pair if you have multiple styles, we can try both and see which fits your professional image best.
Consider photos with and without glasses. We can capture both versions so you can decide later which feels most authentic for your brand.
If you don’t always wear glasses:
You might choose to skip them for a cleaner, distraction-free look, or include them as a styling element for part of the session, especially if they’re part of your personal style.
For Branding Portraits: Style and Strategy Go Hand-in-Hand
Branding sessions tell a bigger story about who you are and what you do. Glasses can be a great accessory when they align with your brand personality… think smart, creative, confident, or approachable.
Here’s what to consider:
Think of them as part of your wardrobe. Choose frames that complement your outfit and brand colors.
Avoid overly reflective or tinted lenses. We want to keep your eyes clear and expressive.
If you wear glasses part-time, bring both versions of your look. We can capture a mix: with glasses for intellectual, behind-the-scenes shots, and without for more open, lifestyle-style images.
Creative professionals often use glasses as a statement accessory; executives might prefer a more timeless pair for a polished finish.
During your pre-session consultation, we can review outfits, accessories, and even your glasses style to make sure everything feels cohesive and intentional.
For Family Portraits: Comfort Comes First
Family portraits are about connection, not perfection. If you normally wear glasses, wear them!
Your loved ones recognize you that way, and your portraits should reflect your real family dynamic.
Here’s how to make them look their best:
Adjust frames properly so they sit comfortably and don’t slide down your nose.
Skip photo-chromic lenses (the kind that darken outdoors).
If glare appears, I’ll simply adjust the lighting or your head position - easy fix!
For young kids, it’s best they wear their glasses too, their true personality shines when they feel comfortable and seen.
And remember, retouching can help remove mild reflections or distractions, so you never need to stress about “perfect” lenses.
Whether you wear glasses daily or occasionally, the goal is always the same:
Your portraits should look like you: confident, natural, and authentic.
As someone who never takes hers off, I can assure you, glasses photograph beautifully when handled with the right lighting and attention to detail.
If you’re unsure what will photograph best, just bring your glasses along.
We’ll take a few test shots and decide together what feels right for your look and session style.
📸 Ready to plan your session?
Let’s create portraits that reflect your personality, glasses or not.
👉 Contact Sylwia Ok Photography to start planning your session.
