What Are the Best Backgrounds for Headshots?
I get this question A LOT!!! The answer is, there is no BEST background for everyone. At Vail Fucci Photography we have a WIDE variety of backgrounds and backdrops for headshots and portraits because the outfit the person has on, the message you want to convey, and the intended use of the image, will have a great deal to do with the background you choose. A pop of color is attention grabbing. Dark gray is cool calm and collected. Bright white is clean. Pastels are calming. Green usually speaks towards work with nature. Blue is commonly associated with biotech. Red is powerful and passionate. Black is edgy.
Keep It Simple!
For images being used on LinkedIn and other social media platforms I highly recommend keeping the backgrounds for headshots SIMPLE. The little circle image of you will be smaller than 1 inch on the screen. A shot taken on a busy environmental background will make it harder to distinguish your face from the background. Check out examples below of solid color backgrounds that will look better on LinkedIn and Slack profiles.
Give Employees a Heads Up on Background Color
Let your employees know in advance what color the background will be so they don’t match the background color exactly and blend in. See how much better the shot with the black jacket looks than the one with the gray jacket?
What Backgrounds Do You Offer In Studio?
White, gray, black, gradients, and just about every imaginable color of the rainbow and then some! If we don’t have the color physically in the studio I put up a backdrop similar in color to it, and then tweak it to the exact color you need in post production.
When Is It a Good Idea To Do an Environmental Background for a Headshot?
Environmental backgrounds are great for storytelling images. Picture shots in a magazine about you in the workplace. In that situation a photo of you with work in the background makes much more sense.
Can You Bring Backgrounds for Headshots on Location Shoots?
Many of the shots shown above were actually taken on location and not in my studio space. I have a few traveling setups I can bring with me. My favorite is the X-Drop Pro by Westcott. This lightweight structure is easy to take with me on location and sets up in under a minute. All my wonderful Westcott backdrops I use as backgrounds in the studio fit right on it. When a perfectly white background is needed I bring the Manfrotto HiLite with me. That paired with two FJ200 strobes from Westcott will give you an even 255 white background every time. If I have to use a custom printed backdrop I use a traditional cross bar system. This is the heaviest of all the systems so I don’t bring it out much.
