What Are the Best Colors to Wear for Professional Headshots?
Colors speak volumes — especially in the world of professional headshots. So as you plan for your own business headshots, how do you know which are the best colors for professional headshots?
Here’s exactly what I do as a NYC headshot photographer to help my clients get those just-right shots that show off their unique personalities.
Using Color to Complement You
Color can evoke emotions, shape perceptions, and send subtle messages about who you are. So, how can you pick the best colors for professional headshots? Before we get into color psychology, let’s talk about you.
Skin Complexion
Your skin tone plays a significant role in determining which colors will look best on you — particularly, whether you have warm or cool undertones in your skin.
Warm undertones tend to lean towards shades like earthy tones and warm neutrals. Think rich browns, golden yellows, and deep oranges. These colors can bring out the warmth in your skin and create a harmonious look.
Cool undertones, on the other hand, pair well with jewel tones and cool neutrals. Blues, purples, and greens can complement cooler skin tones beautifully. They add a pop of color without overpowering your natural complexion.
If you're unsure about your undertones or want a fail-safe option, neutral colors are your best friend. Black, navy, and gray hues are universally flattering and exude professionalism.
These colors can also provide a versatile canvas for accessorizing and layering. A good headshot photographer can help you pick out colors for your wardrobe if you’re having trouble deciding for yourself.
If you’ll be wearing makeup, ensure that it complements the color palette of your clothing. For warm-toned clothing, reach for makeup with peachy undertones to tie everything together seamlessly, and vice versa with cool tones.
Background Tones
Now that you've got your clothing colors sorted, let's talk about the best background color for professional headshots.
The background of your headshot should complement your clothing and vice-versa. Neutrals are always a good option as they won’t clash with your outfit or distract from your face.
When thinking about your background, consider where your headshot will be used. If it's for a traditional office environment, a neutral background is always a safe bet. If you're in a creative industry, you might want to experiment with more vibrant background tones to reflect your personality.
Dressing For Your Personality and Role
Your clothing isn't just about looking good, but about reflecting who you are and what you do. When choosing your outfit for a headshot, think about your personality and personal brand.
If you work in finance, you might opt for more traditional colors like navy or black, but if you're in a creative field, you might feel like you have more freedom to experiment with bold colors and patterns.
Specifically, think about how you want to be perceived in your headshot. Do you want to convey authority, creativity, or approachability? Your clothing colors and styles can help emphasize these qualities. Once you have your look nailed down, you can chat with your photographer about headshot poses that will best complement your outfit.
Most importantly, wear something that makes you feel comfortable and confident. When you feel good about what you're wearing, it will show in your headshot and create a more natural shot!
Color Theory: Best Colors for Professional Headshots
Red
This is the color of strength, power, and passion. If you're aiming to convey authority and confidence, this fiery hue might be your best friend. Red has a knack for grabbing attention, so strategically using it in your headshot can draw focus to specific features or elements.
The catch is that not all shades of red are created equal. When choosing the right red for your headshot, go back to your skin tone. Warm undertones pair beautifully with rich, deep reds, while cooler undertones shine in shades like cranberry or ruby.
Orange
If red is too intense for your taste, consider its cheerful cousin, orange, radiating warmth, energy, and enthusiasm.
Orange is also associated with creativity and innovation, making it a hit among folks in creative industries. But like any vibrant color, moderation is key. Use orange sparingly to avoid it overpowering the composition and stealing attention from your face.
For a balanced look, pair orange with neutral tones like gray or beige to create a harmonious backdrop that allows you to shine without getting lost in a sea of color.
Yellow
Yellow, most commonly associated with sunshine and happiness, is a great color option for radiating optimism, positivity, and energy.
If you're aiming to convey a vibrant and cheerful image in your headshot, yellow might just be your go-to hue.
Yellow is all about finding the right shade to complement your skin tone. For warmer undertones, think golden yellows or mustard hues. Cooler undertones shine in softer pastel yellows or lemon tones.
If you don’t want to go overboard with yellow but still have it as a feature in your shot, use it as a subtle accent rather than the main attraction. A touch of yellow in your accessories or clothing can add a pop of brightness without stealing the spotlight from your face.
Green
Green typically represents balance, harmony, growth, stability and prosperity. You have lots of options with green, too, with vibrant emeralds with more blue undertones and muted olives with more yellow undertones. You might find yourself experimenting with complementary colors like blue or neutral tones to create a harmonious and visually appealing headshot.
Blue
Within blue colors lie feelings of trustworthiness, reliability, and professionalism.
If you're aiming to convey competence and authority in your headshot, blue is probably your best bet. Blue's universal appeal makes it great for a wide range of industries and professional settings, including both corporate environments and more trustworthy, supportive creative fields.
Purple
Purple is typically seen as the color of royalty and sophistication, exuding elegance and distinction. While it sounds like it’s just for more “elite” vibes, it's also a symbol of creativity and individuality.
Deep, rich purples complement warmer undertones, while softer lavender hues flatter cooler undertones. And to keep the focus on you, pair purple with neutral tones like gray or beige for a balanced look.
Black
Black is timeless and always offers a sophisticated look.
It’s often seen as the best color to wear for professional headshots, but that comes with some caveats. Though black is slimming and flattering for all body types, the lack of color and dark shadows can make it difficult to see the contours of your body. This can actually have the opposite of a slimming effect, as you can’t tell where your waist ends and arm begins, for example. Working with your photographer on posing is key here to get the most out of this color choice.
White
For those looking for a fresh, approachable, and trustworthy color, white might just be the best color to wear for a professional headshot.
White complements a wide range of skin tones and personal styles, making it a popular option for headshots across various industries. Plus, using white as a background color creates a crisp contrast, making you stand out like a star (of course, don’t wear a lot of white if you’re shooting on a white backdrop to avoid blending in!).
Other Neutrals
Gray and beige may not be the flashiest colors, but they’re often a great addition to your headshot wardrobe for a more understated color.
Neutral tones help convey professionalism, elegance, and sophistication, making them perfect for headshots in any industry or setting.
Overall, the best color to wear for a professional headshot should take your skin tone, background, industry, style, and personal brand all into consideration. Once you know all of that, your decision should be simple!
Book Johnny Wolf Studio for the Perfect Color Coordination in Your Headshots
Are you ready to make a lasting impression with your professional headshots — no matter which of the “best” colors for professional headshots you choose?
Johnny Wolf Studio will help you stand out with personalized photos to help you look and feel your best for your corporate photography session. Reach out now to plan your shoot.
