Headshot Background Guide 2024 for Professional Headshots
How to choose a headshot background that best suits your professional headshot.
View Our Backgrounds
choosing your professional headshot background: a step-by-step guide
Choose your headshot background with these simple steps.
- Understand Your Needs: Reflect on where and how you will use the headshot photo. Tailor the background to fit your industry.
- Decide Your Vibe: What emotion do you want to evoke – professional, friendly, or creative?
- Pick Your Background:
What color background for headshots?
key considerations
Choose a background color that doesn’t distract from the subject, but instead highlights their features like clothing, eye color, and skin tone. This ensures that the overall composition is cohesive and serves its intended purpose.
White Background (Most Popular!)
the Pros
100% Versatile and works for all industries, from medical to marketing. Simply because a white backdrop is clean and bright, it keeps the focus on the individual. Bonus! White makes for easy masking so you can swap the background for anything you want.
the Cons
It can feel “empty” and lack brand personality.
Best For
Creative control and flexibility.
Dark Gray Background or Dark Blue Background
the Pros
Used for traditional business portraits that need to maintain gravity and professionalism.
the Cons
Can feel visually heavy and tends to crush the details of darker hair and skin tones.
Best For
Indicating formality and focus.
Light Gray Background or Light Blue Background
the Pros
Warm and Welcoming! These colors are a good choice for jobs where you need to seem friendly, like teaching or customer service.
the Cons
Light Gray doesn’t work for everyone’s skin tone and can wash people out. Light Blue can feel too casual for some professions.
Best For
Giving friendly and approachable vibes.
Black Background
the Pros
Black makes a bold statement. Great for B&W portraits or having a significant visual impact on a “meet the team” page for leadership roles.
the Cons
They show power and depth.
Best For
Achieving a moody aesthetic.
Outdoor Background
the Pros
Tell your story! If you work outdoors or in real estate, a background that shows your work area can be effective.
the Cons
Depending on what kind of outdoor background you choose, it could potentially be too distracting or busy.
Best For
Professions that work outdoors or love a touch of nature.
Indoor Background
the Pros
Indoor backgrounds, ranging from coffee houses to high-end tech agencies, can personalize your brand by setting the right scene.
the Cons
Choosing a virtual indoor background can look fake if the blur (or depth of field) is too much or too little.
Best For
Swapping out the background in a virtual headshot.
Custom background
the Pros
Custom backgrounds offer the unique opportunity to incorporate your brand identity to create consistent professional imagery.
the Cons
Custom-designed backgrounds come with a premium price tag.
Best For
Adding your logo and brand color palette.
Headshot Background by Profession
Choosing a headshot background that fits your profession makes your image look consistent and professional. This shows you’re an expert in your field, which can impress potential clients or employers. A right background can also make you stand out, strengthening your personal brand.
See what our client’s most popular industries have chosen!
Doctor Headshots
Opt for clean, solid colors like white or light gray to convey professionalism.
Therapist Headshots
Choose soothing colors or natural backgrounds for a calming effect.
Home Service
Environmental or even textured backgrounds can reflect hands-on experience.
Lawyer Headshots
Classic, solid colors like dark blue or gray exude authority and professionalism.
Real Estate
Bright, inviting settings or stylized indoor backgrounds can be effective.
Commercial Actors
Versatile backgrounds like solid colors or environmental settings work well.
Child & Teen Actors
Opt for vibrant colors or creative settings to reflect energy and personality.
How to Pick a Blurred Background
Hover over each image to learn more.
Interior Office or Home
Blurring out an indoor space gives off a professional yet casual vibe. Just make sure it's tidy!
City Settings
A blurred city background looks modern and cool. But be careful, too much detail and it's distracting.
Greenery & Nature
Perfect for real estate agents and actors. Nature is less distracting, so it doesn't need to be super blurry.
Walls & Pathways
Great for a different look. Just make sure it's not too busy and it could work well for your headshot.
Headshot Background Tips
Here are a couple quick tips for the Do’s & Don’ts of choosing a background.
Choose a Busy Background
Stay away from bright lights, clashing colors and sharp lines. They pull focus from the face, which is where you want your viewer’s attention.
Have your Background In-Focus
Whether outside or inside with a natural backdrop, aim for a slight blur to remove distractions.
Dress for Your Background
By wearing colors that contrast with your background, you will ensure you don’t blend in.
Match Company Requirements
If your job has specific rules for headshots, make sure you know them before your photo shoot.
Headshot Background Takeaways
Understanding the key takeaways in selecting the background for headshots is crucial:
When Tailoring to Your Profession:
It’s essential to align the background choice with your career and personal brand. Matching the background to your profession can enhance the message you want to convey to your audience.
Color Choices Matter:
Selecting the right color for the background is critical for achieving the desired professional impact. Black, white, gray, or even custom colors offer versatility and can significantly influence the perception of your headshot.
Consider Background Types:
Choose from various background types, including solid, textured, environmental, or even custom backgrounds to match your style and the look you’re going for. Each type can contribute differently to the overall aesthetics of your headshot.
Don't Forget the Details:
Pay attention to how the background compliments your appearance and the overall tone of the photo. Details matter, and ensuring harmony between the background and your image can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your headshot.
By keeping these key points in mind, you can make informed decisions about selecting the background for your headshots, ensuring they effectively represent your professional image and personal brand.
Ready to Elevate Your Professional Image?
Discover the perfect headshot background with Capturely. Let our team of experts help you make a lasting impression.
request a group quote today!
professional headshots. made easy.
Wanna try before you buy?
For groups of 25 or more, we offer a complimentary virtual session.