Quick Answer
The best colors for men to wear in a LinkedIn photo are blue, white, black, gray, and neutral earth tones. These colors convey professionalism, trustworthiness, approachability, and competence. Men should avoid bright colors like red, yellow, and neon, as well as black and white photos, which can come across as distracting or intense. A classic blue or gray suit, a white dress shirt, and a simple tie make an excellent LinkedIn photo for men.
What Colors Say About You
Colors conveys subtle messages whether we realize it or not. When choosing clothing for a professional photo, men should consider what impression they want to make.
Blue
Blue is one of the best colors for projecting confidence, trust, and professionalism. Studies show that people perceive blue as the color of competence, dependability, and wisdom. Blue has a calming effect and creates feelings of tranquility and security. Darker blues are especially well-suited for professional photos for sites like LinkedIn.
White
A crisp white dress shirt exudes professionalism and reliability. White represents purity, perfection, and cleanliness. It can denote honesty, organization, and attention to detail. White gives off an air of neutrality and goes well with any suit color.
Black
Black is the color of power, boldness, and seriousness. It conveys authority and communicates sophistication and formality. However, solid black may come across as intimidating in some contexts, so pairing black with gray or blue can balance the effect.
Gray
Gray projects practicality and independence. It gives an impression of maturity, wisdom, and stability. Gray creates a somber but relaxed mood and dresses down brighter colors like blue. Medium gray suits are modern and stylish for professional portraits.
Earth Tones
Natural earthy hues like tan, brown, olive green, and taupe suggest genuineness, reliability, and ruggedness. Earth tones add a casual, friendly element to a photo. But beware very bright or orange-ish earth tones, which skew more playful and less professional. Subdued, neutral earth tones work best.
Colors to Avoid
Some colors are not well-suited for LinkedIn headshots because they send the wrong message. Men should stay away from the following:
Red
Red is the most intense color and packs a punch. It signifies power, aggression, and urgent action. While eye-catching, red is not a prudent choice for projecting professionalism in a LinkedIn photo. Red can come across as aggressive or domineering.
Yellow
Yellow expresses fun, friendliness, and optimism. But it can also denote deceit. Yellow reads as playful and informal. Too much yellow may make men appear less serious and composed.
Pink
Pink represents femininity, romance, and youth. While becoming more unisex, pink still skews feminine for professional photos. Most shades of pink are better suited for personal photos.
Orange
Orange is energetic and conveys excitement and enthusiasm. But orange is also the color of recreation, and may undermine perceptions of competence. Stick to muted earthy oranges versus bright citrus shades.
Green
Green is the color of balance, growth, and environmentalism. But brighter shades come across as trendy or immature for professional headshots. Deeper, darker greens express prestige and wealth. Olive green is a sophisticated option.
Purple
Purple represents luxury, spirituality, and sophistication. However, lighter violets feel frivolous and brash for business photos. Stick with darker plums and eggplants to project leadership. Avoid pastel purples and lilacs.
Neon
Fluorescent neon shades symbolize playfulness, youth, and modernity. They are far too casual and bold for LinkedIn though. Neon colors are distracting and unprofessional.
Patterns
Busy patterns like checks, stripes, and plaids can be distracting and draw the eye away from your face. Solid colors make better backgrounds that put the focus on you. If you do wear patterns, select subdued classic plaids or subtle stripes.
Choosing a Tie
A coordinating tie can be the finishing touch for a professional portrait. Follow these guidelines for picking a LinkedIn-worthy tie:
- Select a tie in a color that complements your suit and shirt.
- Ties made from matte material look best, versus shiny or neon patterns.
- Steer clear of overly bright, distracting patterns and novelty ties.
- Simple solid color ties or classic stripes photograph extremely well.
- Tie bars add polish and align with business attire guidelines.
Best Tie Colors
Tie Color | Pair With | Avoid Pairing With |
---|---|---|
Navy blue | Gray, black, white | Brown, red |
Burgundy | Navy, gray, tan | Black, pink |
Hunter green | Navy, brown, gray | Orange, yellow |
Purple | Gray, black, white | Green, brown |
Red | Navy, black, gray | Green, orange |
Ideal Photo Backgrounds
A professional backdrop elevates your LinkedIn photo. Consider using these backgrounds:
- Solid office wall: A non-distracting solid color like gray, beige or taupe makes an ideal backdrop.
- Bookshelves: Books demonstrate intellect and authority.
- Office desk: A mahogany or modern glass desk implies competence.
- View of city skyline: An outdoor cityscape projects success.
- Indoor office plant: Greenery signifies growth and environmentalism.
Avoid busy patterns and distracting backgrounds like:
- Cluttered rooms
- Outdoor nature scenes
- Personal photos or artwork
- Informal settings like your home
Photo Composition Tips
Follow these composition guidelines when taking your LinkedIn portrait:
- Take photo straight on, not from low or high angles.
- Crop photo above the chest, not too close to your face.
- Maintain good posture by sitting up straight and leaning slightly forward.
- Wear glasses if needed so your eyes are clear.
- Keep expression neutral or slightly smiling, no big grins.
- Face and eyes should be in sharp focus, not blurry.
- Eliminate distracting shadows, glare, or reflections.
Conclusion
When aiming for a professional look for LinkedIn, choose classic suit colors like navy, black, gray, and earth tones over bright hues. Set against a conservative office backdrop and a coordinating tie, these colors present men as trustworthy, capable, and invested in their careers. Follow composition best practices to make a stellar first impression. A quality headshot visually brands you as reliable, organized, and ready to connect.