The background color you choose for your professional profile picture can make a big difference in how you are perceived. Studies show that certain background colors are more likely to give off a professional, trustworthy vibe while others may come across as distracting or unprofessional. When creating a LinkedIn profile, company website bio, or any other professional profile, carefully considering your background color is a must.
How Background Color Affects First Impressions
Research has shown that people make snap judgments about someone’s personality, trustworthiness, and other attributes within the first 50 milliseconds of seeing their face. This means that every detail in your professional photo, including the background color, will shape how viewers perceive you right off the bat.
Certain colors naturally evoke different reactions and associations for people. When it comes to professional headshots and profiles, you want to choose a background color that makes you appear competent, approachable, and confident. The wrong background color can potentially make you look harsh, unprofessional, incompetent or untrustworthy.
Best Background Colors for Professional Photos
When selecting a background color, neutral, muted, and low saturation colors tend to work best for professional settings. Here are some of the top choices to consider:
Gray
Shades of gray are commonly used for professional portrait backgrounds because gray is considered a neutral and conservative color. Gray backgrounds project an image of reliability and intelligence. While very light grays can look washed out in photos, charcoal and mid-tone grays make ideal backdrops for professional shots. The color gray shows up well on camera and will keep the focus on you rather than the background.
Blue
Cool tones of blue, especially navy and royal blue, are excellent choices for professional backgrounds. Blue conjures up associations with stability, wisdom, and trust. Darker blues are also visually pleasing in photographs. Just avoid lighter blues which can sometimes cast an unattractive hue on the skin.
Green
Green is thought to represent renewal, calmness, and focus. Forest greens and olive greens make for great professional background colors in photos. Green is a flattering color on most skin tones as well. One word of warning is that certain shades of green can reflect onto the face and distort skin color, so make sure to check the background under different lighting conditions.
White
A white background is a simple, safe choice for professional headshots. White represents purity, cleanliness, and neutrality. An all-white background creates a minimalist, modern look that puts the focus entirely on you. White backgrounds work especially well for job application photos, website bios, and LinkedIn pages. Just make sure the white does not blend too much with your skin tone or clothing.
Black
For a more dramatic, bold effect, an all-black background can work beautifully. Black gives off an aura of power and authority. It also creates separation between you and the background. Black backgrounds should be matte, not shiny, so no light reflects onto the face. Pure black can be very harsh, so using a grayish black can soften the effect.
Background Colors to Avoid
On the other side of the spectrum, there are some background colors that tend to not look very professional for portrait photos meant for business websites, resumes, LinkedIn profiles and so on. Colors to generally stay away from include:
Red
While red can represent excitement and energy, it may come across as too aggressive or intense for professional shots. Red is eye-catching, which can be distracting. Red also tends to cast unflattering light on the face.
Yellow
Pure bright yellow may look cheerful in some settings, but as a professional background color yellow can come across as unsettling or anxious. Yellow often reflects poorly on the skin. Soft muted yellows can work but vivid yellows are best avoided.
Pink
Bubblegum pink is playful but not a good choice for serious professional photos. Soft rosy pinks might be okay but in general pink gives off more of a feminine, casual vibe.
Orange
Orange is energetic but may look too loud, distracting, or unprofessional as a portrait background. Warm peachy-oranges tend to cast an unflattering glow on most complexions.
Purple
Rich purples and violets conjure up feelings of creativity and spirituality. But as a professional background, purple can come across as overly dramatic or sensual. Light lavenders or lilacs may work but deep purples should be avoided.
Using Patterns and Textures
Solid, neutral-colored backgrounds generally make the best choice for professional photos. However, subtle patterns and textures can also work nicely. If using patterns or textures, stick to simple, classic looks such as:
- Herringbone
- Tweed
- Light gray flannel
- Faded brick
- Weathered wood
- Marble
- Concrete
Avoid overly bold patterns and anything with bright colors or a cluttered look. Keep the background muted so as not to distract from your face. Make sure to examine any textured backgrounds under different lighting to see how they photograph.
Tips for Shooting on Location
Professional portraits don’t have to be taken in a photography studio. You may choose to have your picture taken outdoors or in an office setting. Here are some tips for selecting backgrounds when shooting professional headshots on location:
- Outdoors, look for even, neutral-colored walls like light gray stone.
- Brick walls or weathered wood can give an interesting aged look.
- Make sure outdoor light is soft and diffuse, not harsh direct sunlight.
- Position yourself in the shade for even modeling on the face.
- Avoid busy, cluttered backgrounds with competing elements.
- Ensure the setting projects the image you want to convey.
- Add a portable backdrop if needed to control the background.
Shoot in RAW mode and check your images on a large screen later to make sure the color and tone of the background looks professional. Feel free to tweak color temperature, exposure, and other elements as needed during editing.
How to Check if a Background Color Works
Unsure if a particular color will work well for your professional photo background? Here are some quick tips for checking:
Examine in Black and White
Convert the image to black and white mode to gauge contrast. Your face and expression should clearly stand out from the background.
View Thumbnail Size
Shrink the image down to thumbnail size – your face should still be the focal point that people notice first.
Check Lighting Conditions
View the image under different lighting. Certain colors can shift and reflect unattractively onto skin in harsh or bright light.
Get Feedback
Ask for honest opinions from colleagues, friends or your photographer. They may notice distractions you overlooked.
Choosing Backgrounds by Profession
While neutral backgrounds are safest, some industries lean towards certain hues for professional portraits. Here are some suggestions:
Medicine: White
Crisp, clean white coats portray competence and sterility. Healthcare settings tend to use pure white backgrounds.
Finance: Navy Blue or Dark Gray
Navy and dark gray project professionalism and trust for the finance industry.
Technology: Black or Gray
Black and gray backgrounds give off a sleek, modern tech vibe for IT and engineering profiles.
Hospitality: Earth Tones
Warm beiges, browns, and olive greens give off a welcoming natural look for hotels, restaurants and other hospitality businesses.
Legal: Classic Blue
Traditional navy, royal blue or dark blue work well for the legal field to portray credibility and wisdom.
Using Props and Accents
While plain backgrounds are best, a few simple props or accents can enhance professional photos:
- Books and framed diplomas/certificates convey expertise.
- Houseplants add warmth and approachability.
- Eyeglasses can portray intelligence.
- A computer or notebook implies productivity.
Just limit accents to 1-2 items maximum. Make sure any items used enhance, rather than distract from, your image. Evaluate props under different lighting to avoid reflections, glare, shadows and other unflattering effects.
Conclusion
Your professional photo background color can make a big impact on how you are perceived at first glance. Neutral, muted tones of gray, blue, green and black are ideal for conveying competence and professionalism. Avoid bright, distracting colors and opt for classic backdrops that keep focus on you. Subtle patterns and props can enhance photos when used sparingly. With an appropriate background and thoughtful styling, you can project a polished, professional image.