The Best Background for a Professional Headshot

The best background for a professional headshot is a topic that many people worry about when planning their session. Let me make it simple for you.

White and gray backgrounds are my go-to for professional headshots, and here’s why:

1. They Keep the Focus on You:
   Most professional headshots are used as profile pictures on LinkedIn, websites, business cards, and other professional platforms. In these applications, the image is typically small, so you need to be the star of the show—not your background.
2. They’re Timeless:
   Trends in fashion and marketing come and go (remember when avocado green kitchens were all the rage?). A solid white or gray background is classic and won’t look dated in six months or even six years.
3. They’re Versatile:
   A simple background makes your headshot more adaptable for different uses. If a graphic designer needs to incorporate your image into a banner or business card, it’s much easier to work with a clean, solid background than a busy or distracting one.

What about blurry backgrounds (or bokeh, as photographers call it)? While they can be visually appealing in some types of photography, they’re often distracting in professional headshots—especially when used in small spaces like profile pictures.

If we think of your professional headshot as a selling tool, you are the product we’re showcasing. Your personality and presence need to be the main focus. A blurry background can shift that focus and take away from the impact of your headshot.

Blurry backgrounds also create challenges for businesses needing consistent headshots for their teams. For example, let’s say a photographer uses a blurry nature background for corporate headshots during spring. What happens when new team members join in winter? The colors, lighting, and overall feel won’t match, making it hard to maintain a cohesive brand image.

This is why many companies I work with prefer simple white or gray backgrounds. When new employees join, they send them to me for headshots, and the new images seamlessly fit into their marketing materials as if they’ve always been part of the team.

One of the hidden benefits of using a white or gray background is that it makes preparing for your headshot appointment much easier. You don’t have to worry about whether your outfit will clash with the environment.

Everything works seamlessly with a simple, solid backdrop. This means you can focus on choosing clothing that reflects your personality and makes you feel confident without second-guessing how it will look against your surroundings.

For the most polished, professional, and versatile headshots, go with a simple white or gray background. It keeps the focus on you, ensures your images remain timeless, and makes it easier to integrate your headshots into various applications. With these backgrounds, you’ll get the most out of your headshot investment.