The key to great headshot photographs is simplicity. Try to find a background that is clean and allows the focus of the image to remain on you. We can help!
Here are some different backgrounds we can provide you with.
Let us know what you have in mind, if you prefer something other than what is shown send us a sample. We can get just about every color imaginable.
What is the background that is best Color for a Headshot?
There is no color that is best because it depends on what you’re using the shot for and what industry you’re in. Generally speaking, brighter/colorful backgrounds tend to work better for more casual and relaxed industries, and darker backgrounds work better for conservative/formal industries.
Formal business portraits are traditional, dark backdrop shots (blue, gray, or black). Typically, people in the following fields will get a business portrait that is traditional
Consulting
Finance
Engineering
Insurance
Law
These professions generally require more formal attire than others, and therefore using a darker backdrop will bring the formality across expected in the industry. You’d normally want to wear a suit that is full tie, but stay away from black jackets as they can sometimes look too dark against these dark backdrops. A dark gray or navy shall work better. Remember that a smile that is help that is nice the shot a bit so that it doesn’t feel too formal or stiff.
Using an off-white or background that is outdoor headshots leads to a more relaxed and shot that is approachable. Your expression is of course extremely important to how approachable you look, but the feeling of the image as a whole must also show more approachability and warmth for certain professions. A lighter shot or background that is outdoor to help with this.
People in the fields that are following benefit from these types of shots:
Actors
Authors
Broadcasters
Counselors
Designers
Filmmakers
Fitness Trainers
Hospitality & Tourism Directors
Journalists
Life Coaches
Non-Profit Workers
Politicians
Real Estate Brokers
Retailers
Sales People
Therapists
Teachers
When shooting against a lighter or more backdrop that is colorful it’s totally up to you how formally you want to dress. The formality of your clothing can be contrasted by the more background that is relaxed or you can do some shots in a more formal outfit and some in a more casual outfit so you have some of both.
We strongly recommend wearing a suit jacket or sport coat if you’re a guy, unless your shirt is well-fitted and not a very color that is pale. And remember that it’s better to wear a light shirt that is blue of a white one if you are planning to do shots without a tie.
General Headshot Background Tips (and things to avoid)
• Avoid distracting elements in the backdrop, such as bright lights, random streaks of color, or lines that are sharp across the image. The background should never be distracting and draw your eye away from the face of the subject!
• The background must be extremely blurred for outdoors shots. If you can see detail and you can “tell” what’s behind you, it means the background is distracting and shouldn’t be used for a professional headshot. For a non-headshot (such as a portrait that is stylistic full body shot), seeing more of the backdrop in sharper focus is fine, but for true “professional headshots,” the background should not draw the eye at all.
• You must “pop” off the background. The photographer can use lighting tricks or you can wear a color that is completely different the backdrop to make sure you don’t blend in with it. Into it(meaning they’ll wonder how serious you are about your career) if you do, your headshot won’t look high-end and might make people think you didn’t invest much money.
•Make sure your headshot matches any required company specs. Them those before scheduling a shoot if you work for a company that has requirements that are certain be sure to ask! Your photographer likely won’t know what those specifications are unless they’ve worked with your company before.
•A note on Murals & Graffiti Backgrounds: We generally advise against shooting with murals unless they are specifically needed to get across a story or idea. As a rule of thumb, headshots are unless you’re looking for a Stylistic Portrait about YOU, not the background, so stay away from anything that draws too much attention to itself.
•How to pick the right type of “blurred” backdrop: Generally, when a photographer blurs out a real-life setting behind you, there are four options, and each gives off a feeling that is slightly different
•Interior Office or Home: Blurring out the interior of a space can long work well as as the space is neat and interesting-looking. It can be a nice way to give off a professional – yet casual – vibe!
•City Settings: Using a skyline, street, cars, or even a building as your headshot background can look modern and sleek, especially if it’s blurred out a lot. Be careful though, because city backdrops can quickly become distracting if they’re not blurred enough.
•Greenery & Natural Settings: Real estate agents and actors often request greenery photos, with plants and nature blurred out in the background. A city might be), you don’t need to blur out the background as much to still get a photo that is highly-polished nature is generally not distracting (the way.
•Walls & Pathways: As long as they’re not too distracting, angling yourself along a wall or walkway can create a look that is great a headshot. There are no industries that are particular work better with these backdrops (for actors), so if there’s time and you want to try it out, go ahead except we don’t recommend them!
At the end of the day, a great headshot is not only about the photography, but about you. Avoid working with photographers who require you to shoot on specific backdrops or don’t give you a say in what your final photo looks like – headshot photography should be a team effort.
St Louis Headshots 