How to Pick a Headshot Background

Background Options for Headshots and Team Photos

Cheyenne Headshot Photographer, Also Serving Laramie and Fort Collins

Determining how to pick a headshot background for you or for your team can be an overwhelming task. If you’re not sure where to start in choosing a look for your headshot or business photos, I’m hoping this guide will help. For those of you trying to find the right look to make headshots cohesive company-wide, this guide can help steer you in the right direction based on your company’s area of expertise.

I can set up any of these in my downtown Cheyenne studio, or I am happy to come to your office. I offer headshots here in Cheyenne, but I also do headshots for businesses in Fort Collins and Laramie.

There are so many different options for studio backdrops, but I tend to gravitate toward a few fairly classic options. My goal is always for a clean, modern look, which is why I gravitate toward keeping backgrounds in neutral tones for the most part.

Background Options for Headshots and Team Photos
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White Backdrop

White is the cleanest, most modern look for headshots, in my opinion. A white background conveys a friendly, natural and professional vibe. I love it for physicians, tech companies, marketing professionals, and realtors. It’s a must-do for acting headshots and beauty professionals. Having some negative white space in a photo (space off to the side of a subject) offers room for adding text, logos or graphics for use in marketing and on social media.

When to Use White Backgrounds For Headshots

Technology Companies
Real Estate
Physicians, Especially in Fields Like Dermatology, Pediatrics, Plastic Surgery, or Sports Medicine
Medical Practices
Beauty Bloggers or Professionals
Actor Headshots

Use Caution with White Backdrops

This is a tricky background to photograph, so make sure you hire a photographer who knows how to properly expose and light a white background. I often see photos where photographers miss the mark and fail to light a white background, resulting in strange shadows falling behind the subject onto the white backdrop. The white background doesn’t always have to be ‘white screen-white,’ and can instead trend more light gray (see below), but this choice still needs to be intentional and lit purposefully. Ask to see examples if you don’t see photos of white backgrounds on your photographer’s website.

Also, not everyone looks great on white, and this should be considered when you are deciding which headshot background you should use. While white backdrops can be flattering for most people, certain people who have warm skin tones or very fair skin will look washed out on a white background. I usually ask my subjects if they can get away with wearing white shirts, and if they say no, I will use a warmer, more ivory-colored or cream backdrop instead.

Again, the white can be stark white for a really clean, commercial look, or it can be a little more grey or muted. The difference is just how the background is lit. Let me know if you have a strong preference on that. The two photos directly above this paragraph are a little more muted white, or here is an example of the background going toward a light gray. Christy needed to match her company’s headshots so we were looking for more of a light gray.

Dark Gray Backdrop

This is my favorite backdrop. A dark gray is still modern but has a little softer feel than the stark white. Dark gray backdrops really make subjects pop off the background, and this look conveys quality and trust. The dark grey almost trends toward black, but when lit properly, it can really separate a subject off the background. Dark gray tends to be universally flattering for most skin tones, so I end up using it a lot. Dark gray also conveys more of a luxury look, so I love it for lawyers, bankers and financial professionals.

Who Should Use Dark Gray Backgrounds

Government Organizations
Foundations, Non-Profits
Political Figures
Lawyers
Physicians, Especially in Fields Like Surgery, Oncology, or Cardiology
Bankers or Financial Professionals
Lobbyists or Professional Consultants

Mottled Dark Gray Backdrop

This is a hand painted backdrop that I really love. It photographs beautifully, has a bit more of a traditional feel, but still trends modern. It is similar in look and feel to the dark gray but it adds a little dimension because of it’s texture. This background also conveys trust, luxury, and quality.

Who Should Use Dark Gray Backgrounds

Government Organizations
Foundations, Non-Profits
Political Figures
Lawyers
Physicians, Especially in Fields Like Surgery, Oncology, or Cardiology
Bankers or Financial Professionals
Lobbyists or Professional Consultants

Mottled Light Gray Backdrop

I have to admit, I only own this backdrop because certain companies make me match it for their corporate specifications. I do NOT love it, but here is an example, in case your company needs it. It actually worked really well with this subject’s clothing and eye color, but for most people, it looks a little dated.

Who Should Use Mottled Light Gray Backgrounds

Matching Corporate Specifications for Headshots
Government Organizations
Foundations, Non-Profits
Physicians or Hospital Administration
Bankers or Financial Professionals

Your Office as a Background for Your Headshots

I really love incorporating the place where you work into your company’s headshots. I’ve done these in office areas, outside of buildings, or in break rooms (seriously, it works here and there). This also works for realtors, who want to use a home as the backdrop for a headshot or branding session. I do a lot of headshots in offices, homes, and businesses in Cheyenne and Fort Collins. I really just need a little space to work and I can pretty much make any area work. If you want me to stop by your office and make a plan, I’m happy to do that too.

Using your office or workspace provides context for your clients or customers. Photos on your website that show a physician or therapist in their office, exam room or therapy space can show people what to expect when they come in to see that provider. This can convey trust, reassure them that their relationship with that provider will be a good fit, and it can reduce anxiety they might have about coming in.

For realtors, taking headshots in a home that conveys your style and preferences can attract clients who have similar aesthetic preferences. For example, a realtor who loves rustic, western properties might not be a great fit for a client who gravitates toward clean, modern lines and cool tones in decor. Small retail businesses might want to provide context about their store, so an environmental portrait of their inviting, beautiful retail space can attract customers who like what they see in the background. Artists might want to convey how their space inspires their creativity, so environmental portraits can also work for them.

Who Should Use Their Workplace as a Headshot Background

Retail Shop Owners
Mental Health Professionals
Real Estate Agents
Physicians Who Work in Hospital Environment
Lawyers
Financial Professionals
Artists
Fitness Professionals
Architects
Engineers
Contractors or Construction Professionals

Colorful Paper Backdrops

I don’t do a ton of bright colors for corporate or professional headshots, but there are a couple I really love. This deep teal is a favorite of mine. I can also help you find a color that would match your branding or company website. This is a great way to add a little fun and creativity to your headshots, and I tend to use them for more branding sessions than traditional headshots.

Who Should Use Colorful Backgrounds

Motivational Speakers
Artists
Thought Leaders
Teachers
Certain Medical Professionals, Including Orthopedic Surgeons and Pediatricians
Non-Profit Executives
Creative Fields
Marketing Professionals
Technology Fields
Fashion Professionals and Influencers

Lifestyle Photos in The Studio

My downtown Cheyenne photo studio offers a bright look with lots of natural light. It has exposed brick and white walls, and I often use it for headshots and branding photos. If you’re looking for a relaxed look with a modern feel, it works well. I can also add a desk or other props and make it look like your office.

Who Might Want to Do Lifestyle Photos in the Studio:

Counselors and Therapists
Artists
Bloggers or Online Businesses
Real Estate Agents
Non-Profit Executives
Creative Fields
Marketing Professionals
Technology Fields
Fashion Professionals and Influencers

Taking Headshots Outside

Lastly, I can always take your photos outside. This requires a little flexibility, but it’s usually doable in the summer and fall months. I love outdoor photos, and if your company has more of a natural vibe, this can be a great option. Keep in mind, these can be taken in a natural area, like a park, or downtown or near your building. If you need to use your headshots for a variety of things, both within your profession and around the community, taking them outside can be a great option.

When to Take Headshots Outside:

Motivational Speakers
Therapists and Counselors
Fitness Professionals, Like Yoga Instructors With Natural Elements to Their Brand
Non-Profit Executives
Creative Fields
Marketing Professionals
Technology Fields
Photographers
City Employees Who Manage Parks or Recreation Departments

Headshots at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens

I’ve been taking Align’s photos inside the conservatory at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens for years. We started with outside photos, but their team has grown so rapidly that we needed an indoor, natural looking setting all months throughout the year. The conservatory has been a warm, consistent option for us over the last several years. If you go look at Align’s website, you can see examples, and I included another example below as well. On their website, I love how they have a close up, head and shoulders photo, and then if you click on it, it opens to a page with another wider angle shot and more information about each person. This concept could also be used with a close up plus a black and white photo.

The Cheyenne Botanic Garden’s requires a photo permit and an appointment outside of business hours, so photos there will need to be planned in advance.

Reach Out if You Need Help Deciding on A Headshot Background

Hopefully, these examples help make decisions a little easier while you’re planning your headshots. However, if you need help, I am always happy to make suggestions. If you want environmental portraits in your place of work, or if you don’t want to have your entire team leave the office for a studio session, I am happy to stop by and make suggestions on where we should set up headshots. I have taken portraits in lobbies, break rooms, conference rooms, construction sites, abandon buildings, homes, exam rooms and retail stores. I promise, I can make just about anything work!

If you need to schedule a headshot, please reach out to me at the button below.