The Best Colors for Professional Headshots: A Guide for Photographers and Clients

Choosing the best colors for professional headshots can make a significant difference in how your portraits are perceived by others.

With photos like these often ending up on business websites, company directories, in email signatures and LinkedIn profiles…they are super important! (But you know this already…right?!)

Whether you’re a photographer helping clients create the perfect look or an individual preparing for your own headshots, understanding the best colors to wear, background choices, and the impact of lighting can take your headshots from ordinary to extraordinary.

In this blog post, we’ll explore how photographers can guide their clients in choosing the best colors, backgrounds, and lighting setups for headshots, as well as how individuals can prepare for their own photo session by making the right color choices.

Let’s get started!

Why Color Matters in Professional Headshots

For both photographers and individuals, choosing the right colors is essential.

This might seem obvious…but why does it actually matter? Answering this makes it easier to get clear on why certain colors work better than others for headshots like you’re wanting.

Colors affect how your clients’ skin tones are enhanced, how they stand out against the background, and how professional and approachable they look in the final image.

By paying close attention to color choices, photographers can create headshots that both flatter their clients and reflect their personal or professional brand.

For individuals, understanding which colors work best for your skin tone, profession, and the image you want to portray can make your headshot more impactful, too.

The Psychology of Colors in Professional Headshots

We’re not going to get into this too much in this particular article (or it could go on forever), but keep this in mind – understanding color theory and the psychology of colors is crucial for both photographers and clients.

At it’s core, these concepts showcase how different colors evoke different emotions, and the right choice can reinforce the message a client wants to convey.

What do you think of when you see the color red? The color green?

This is what we’re talking about here – and there are both obvious things and sub-conscious things at play when we process the colors we’re seeing.

• For Photographers: Use color psychology to guide clients based on the message they want their headshot to communicate. For example, blue is a popular choice for corporate professionals because it conveys trust and reliability.
• For Clients: Think about what you want your headshot to say about you. Colors like black suggest elegance and authority, while green suggests growth and creativity. What do you want your headshot to represent, ultimately?

What You Wear Matters, Too

What a client wears in their headshot plays a critical role in the overall image, and as a photographer, it’s essential to guide them toward the best choices.

While this goes beyond just the “colors” – it also impacts the headshot in a significant way here.

• For Photographers: Encourage clients to wear outfits that are simple and free of distracting patterns or logos. Solid colors and clean lines often photograph best.
• For Clients: Keep your clothing choices simple and professional. Avoid loud prints or logos, as these can detract from your face and expression. If you’re unsure, bring a few options to your photoshoot and let your photographer help you decide.

In the next section, building off of this, we’ll break down some different color options you can wear to help create the best headshot possible.

Best Colors to Wear for Professional Headshots

When selecting the best colors for headshot portraits, both photographers and clients should consider which colors complement the client’s skin tone and reflect their personal or professional style.

1. Neutral Colors

Neutral tones are a timeless choice for professional headshots and are great for photographers looking to create a clean, polished look for their clients. Black, white, gray, beige, and navy are all reliable options.

Wearing these colors is going to be a solid choice for virtually anyone in any industry.

• For Photographers: Recommend neutral tones to clients who want a professional look that keeps the focus on their face.
• For Clients: Neutral colors allow your face and expression to stand out in the image, and not distract someone who is viewing the image.

2. Solid, Muted Colors

Solid, muted colors like navy, dark green, burgundy, or deep purple are another excellent option, as they add sophistication without overwhelming the image.

Another thing we love when combined with colors like these are intentional use of different fabrics – for example, burnt orange corduroys can do something special to enhance the look of someone’s portrait if it makes sense for their audience.

• For Photographers: Suggest solid, muted colors to clients who want to add a bit of personality while still keeping things professional.
• For Clients: These colors can give you a subtle pop that makes your headshot stand out without looking too bold.

3. Colors that Complement Your Skin Tone

Different skin tones benefit from different color choices. As a photographer, guiding clients to select colors that complement their skin tone will ensure they look their best in front of the camera. Often, choosing colors that contrast well with your skin tone is going to be a great idea to create a headshot that pops off the screen.

• For Photographers: Keep color swatches or examples on hand to show clients how different colors will look in different lighting setups.
• For Clients: Choosing colors that enhance your natural complexion is key to making sure your headshot highlights your best features.

Something else to think about is blending colors. For example, you can primarily wear neutral colors, but add a pop of color like in your shirt, in jewelry you wear, etc.

Now that we have the colors of the things you’ll be wearing in mind, let’s think about the background!

Best Background Colors for Professional Headshots

Selecting the right background is just as important as choosing what to wear in a headshot. As a photographer, you need to offer background options that complement your clients’ outfits, skin tones, and brand identity.

1. White or Light Gray

White or light gray backgrounds are classic and clean, allowing the subject to be the focus.

• For Photographers: These backgrounds are ideal for corporate or business clients who want a clean, professional look.
• For Clients: If you’re going for a modern, polished image, white or light gray is a safe bet.

2. Dark Gray or Black

Dark gray or black backgrounds add drama and formality to headshots, ideal for clients looking to project authority or sophistication.

• For Photographers: Use dark backgrounds to create contrast and highlight your client’s face, especially when they’re wearing lighter clothing.
• For Clients: Dark backgrounds can make you appear more professional and serious, which is perfect for corporate roles or industries where authority is valued.

3. Nature-Inspired Backgrounds

Nature-inspired backgrounds are great for creating a more relaxed, approachable vibe, perfect for creative professionals or outdoor enthusiasts.

This could mean a photo session at a local park, or even going into a city and doing shots in a more “urban” environment like in front of brick buildings. You have endless options here, really!

• For Photographers: If your client’s personal brand is more laid-back or creative, suggest an outdoor or nature-themed backdrop.
• For Clients: If you want a natural, approachable look, consider asking for an outdoor headshot session.

In general, we’d suggest taking photos against a few different backdrops so you ultimately have a few options to look at and choose from.

The Importance of Light in Headshots

In order to get the best colors for professional headshots, you also want to make sure you are capturing colors effectively as a photographer. While having good quality camera equipment is a necessity here, the most important feature of your photo is going to be the light and how it’s used.

Lighting is key to creating professional headshots, and it directly affects how colors are perceived in a photograph. Both photographers and clients should consider how lighting setups influence the final image.

• For Photographers: Use natural light or studio lighting to enhance your client’s features and the colors they’re wearing. Understanding how to use backlight or side lighting effectively can add depth to your portraits.
• For Clients: Pay attention to how the lighting in your photoshoot influences your overall look. Trust your photographer’s expertise in using light to flatter your skin tone and outfit choices.

Great lighting will allow you to take full advantage of the colors you want to display in the headshot photo. Poor lighting might make those colors look washed out or flat out wrong!

Post-Production and Editing for Professional Headshots

Post-production is where photographers can truly fine-tune a headshot and make final adjustments to colors, lighting, and backgrounds.

There is a wide range of things that can be done here ranging from hand editing images, applying a preset (that you purchased or made yourself), or even using AI editing software like Aftershoot or Imagen AI.

Oh, and not to mention, artificial intelligence tools like generative AI in Photoshop and other editing software that can allow for even more in depth edits (like completely changing a background) that can help both photographers and clients achieve a polished, professional result.

• For Photographers: Use tools like Photoshop to tweak the background, enhance colors, and ensure your client’s headshot looks as polished as possible. AI tools can also allow for changing backdrops or adjusting lighting after the shoot.
• For Clients: Don’t worry if the colors or background don’t seem perfect during the shoot. Your photographer can make adjustments in post-production to ensure the final product matches your vision.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best colors for professional headshots is about more than just picking an outfit.

For photographers, understanding how to guide clients through the process—from outfit selection to lighting and background choices—can make all the difference in creating a headshot that impresses. This is the stuff that really makes up a better client experience.

For individuals preparing for a headshot session, taking the time to select the right colors and understanding how lighting and post-production can affect your final image is crucial.

With the right preparation, your professional headshot will represent you in the best possible light—literally and figuratively.