What are the best colors to wear for headshots?

In today's digital age, your online presence plays a crucial role in shaping your professional image. Whether you're a business professional, an actor, a real estate agent, or someone looking to establish their personal brand, having a high-quality headshot is essential. But have you ever considered the impact that color can have on your headshot? The deliberate use of color can take your headshot to a whole new level, making you appear slimmer, more confident, empathetic, trustworthy, and relatable. In this article, we'll explore the best colors to wear for a headshot and how they can enhance your professional image.

1. Neutral or Solid Colors

Solid and neutral colors always work well in headshots. Light neutrals, such as white and cream, create a soft and understated look, while dark neutrals like navy and black provide a timeless and classic feel. Neutrals are non-competing and emotionless, making them a safe choice that goes well with most other colors. They can be used alone for a subtle look or as a base color along with another color palette. Neutrals also help highlight facial expressions and smiles. Consider wearing a white or black outfit for a clean and professional look in your headshot.

2. Bold Shades around the Neckline

Darker shades surrounding the neckline, such as the lapel of a blazer or the neckline of a top, can draw attention to your face. This is especially effective compared to wearing a distinctive necklace that may compete for attention. By strategically placing bold shades near your face, you can create a focal point that enhances your facial features. Consider wearing a dark-colored blazer or top to achieve this effect. Pair it with a lighter-colored shirt or blouse to create contrast and highlight your face.

3. Classics Always Rock

Classic business clothing options like navy, blue, black, and dark grey are versatile choices that look good on practically anyone. However, the choice of color can also be influenced by your industry. Traditional and conservative industries, such as law and finance, tend to prefer understated, darker outerwear. On the other hand, more creative industries like art and design or even real estate can offer more flexibility in terms of color choices. Consider the expectations of your industry when selecting the best color for your professional headshot.

4. Black and White Photography

If you're planning to have your headshot captured in black and white, it's important to choose colors and tonalities that will translate well in this format. Bright, contrasting colors like a white shirt with a navy-blue blazer can create a striking look. On the other hand, pastel colors with light grey may lack contrast and appear washed out in black and white. Keep in mind that when color is removed from the image, the tonality of your clothing will be more similar to your skin tone, so choose colors with enough contrast to maintain visual interest.

5. Deeper Colors Pop

When it comes to outdoor headshot sessions, consider wearing deeper colors instead of pale or pastel shades. Deep colors absorb light, reducing the amount of light reflecting from your clothing and preventing you from appearing washed out. Colors like deep blue, burgundy, or forest green can add depth and richness to your headshot. Experiment with different shades to find the one that complements your skin tone and enhances your features.

6. Avoid Graphics and Patterns

When selecting an outfit for your headshot, it's generally best to choose solid colors instead of bold or graphic patterns. Busy patterns can be distracting and limit your options in terms of background choices and image usage. Solid colors allow the focus to remain on you and your expression without creating any unnecessary distractions. However, if you are considering a group portrait, patterns are almost always best avoided to maintain a cohesive and professional look.

7. While Layering, Wear Complementary Shades

Layering can add interest and depth to your headshot. When layering clothing, make sure that the colors complement each other. Keep the color combinations simple to avoid overwhelming the frame. For example, you can pair a navy-blue blazer with a light blue shirt or a black jacket with a white blouse. Complementary shades create a visually appealing color palette that enhances your overall look.

8. Consider Your Goals and Your Industry

Your industry and career objectives should be taken into consideration when choosing the color for your headshot. Traditional industries tend to favor more classic and understated colors like black, navy, white, and grey. However, if you want to stand out in a conservative environment, opting for bright and punchy colors can be effective and memorable. Consider the message you want to convey or your actor type and target roles, and select a color that aligns with your goals while still maintaining a professional image.

9. Look to Nature for Inspiration

Nature provides a wealth of inspiration when it comes to color combinations. Look at flower arrangements, fruit bowls, or even the sky at different times of the day to see color harmonies in action. Reds with greens, green with lavender, or soft blue with pink or orange are just a few examples. Nature's color harmonies can serve as a guide when selecting complementary colors for your headshot. Consider incorporating these harmonies into your outfit to create a visually appealing and cohesive look.

10. Do You Want to Create Harmony or Tension?

Color can evoke different emotions and create different visual effects. Colors that are closer to each other on the color wheel create a softer and more harmonious look, while colors that are opposite each other provide contrast and tension. The level of emotional response you want to elicit from your headshot should be considered. For example, if you're a therapist aiming to create a sense of peace, a monochromatic or analogous color scheme would be more effective. Keep in mind that your clothing is just one element of the overall color scheme, so consider the background, lighting, and other factors as well.

11. Color Psychology

Colors have meanings and associations that can add depth and layers to your headshot. While color psychology can vary from country to country, certain general associations hold true in Western cultures. Blue is associated with dependability and trustworthiness, black with mystery, white with purity, red with passion, yellow with happiness, orange with optimism, purple with imagination, gold with success, green with nature, pink with playfulness, brown with earthiness, and gray with coolness. Consider the message you want to convey and select a color that aligns with the desired impression you want to make.

12. Flashes of Color

Incorporating flashes of color can add visual interest and personality to your headshot. Consider referencing your brand color or accentuating your eye color with a subtle flash of a similar color. This can be achieved through accessories like neckties, belts, earrings, or even makeup choices. However, be mindful not to overdo it, as it can come across as cheesy or distracting. Subtle touches of color can create a sense of balance, especially when headshots are featured alongside logos or branding elements.

Final Words on the best colors for headshots

Choosing the best color to wear for your headshot is an important decision that can significantly impact your professional image. By considering color theory, color psychology, and your industry's expectations, you can select a color that enhances your features, conveys the right message, and creates a visually appealing headshot. Remember to also take into account the type of headshot you're getting, whether it's for branding, acting, real estate, or corporate purposes. Your headshot is an opportunity to make a strong first impression, so choose your colors wisely and confidently present yourself to the world.

For more inspiration and examples of professional headshots, visit my professional headshot gallery.