What colors should you wear for your corporate headshots?
Let’s talk about the silent career saboteur nobody warns you about: wearing any color that comes in a Stabylo highlighter to your corporate headshot session! You may think it doesn’t happen… Oh but it does!
I understand you want your headshot to stand out but wearing a bright orange blazer because it’s your “power color” or 50 shades of beige because you want to look “more professional” isn’t the way to go about it.
Truth is, some colors work wonders in front of a camera, while other practically burn the lens. Here is our top 10:
Navy Blue stands out as a top choice for corporate headshots. It photographs with a rich, dimensional quality that enhances your presence without overshadowing your face. This versatile color conveys authority and professionalism without the starkness sometimes associated with black. Unlike black, which can occasionally create a "floating head" effect, navy provides subtle depth and separation, which cameras capture beautifully.
Pro tip: Opting for navy with a subtle texture elevates your headshot even further. It transforms "professional" into "expensively professional," adding a refined touch that truly sets your image apart.
Burgundy Merlot works wonders for a distinguished yet approachable look and is an excellent alternative to classic navy. This deep, warm shade enhances your professional image while adding a touch of sophisticated vibrance to your complexion. It's particularly striking on those with olive or golden undertones, creating a rich, natural radiance. Opting for burgundy subtly communicates a blend of competence and refined individuality, hinting at a dynamic personality beyond the boardroom.
Soft Emerald Green; while not all greens are recommended in professional headshots, a soft emerald can be truly exceptional. This sophisticated shade brings a remarkable liveliness to your eyes, regardless of their color, creating a memorable impression that is both polished and engaging. It adds a subtle pop of color without overwhelming your features.
French Blue; forget pale or overly bright blues; French blue offers the perfect balance for headshots. This vibrant yet sophisticated shade is universally flattering and professional enough for any industry. It photographs with remarkable clarity, ensuring your headshots look polished and engaging.
Charcoal Grey; For those who prefer a more understated approach to color, charcoal is an impeccably sophisticated choice. Unlike lighter or medium grays that can sometimes appear washed out, charcoal brings a rich depth and striking contrast that photographs beautifully.
Aubergine/Plum; for a distinctive yet understated presence, consider deep plum. This sophisticated purple tone photographs with remarkable depth, enhancing virtually every skin tone with a healthy, vibrant glow. It's like having a subtle, built-in filter that ensures you look rested and radiant.
True Red (!!!! With caution!!!!!); Red undeniably commands attention and photographs with striking clarity. However, choosing the right shade is crucial for a successful headshot. Opting for a hue that's too bright can appear dated, while an orange-red can adversely affect skin tones. The key is a deeper, true red, which should always be tested in natural light to ensure it enhances your professional image without overpowering it.
Teal offers the ideal balance between professionalism and a touch of personality. This versatile color photographs beautifully across various lighting conditions and consistently enhances most complexions. As an added benefit, teal makes virtually every eye color appear even more engaging and vibrant.
Soft White (not Stark White); While stark white can be overly harsh and reflective, soft whites like ivory, cream, or off-white offer a superior alternative. These shades create a clean, fresh appearance without the unflattering glare, making photographers' jobs much easier. Remember, a stark white shirt layered under a jacket is perfectly acceptable, but wearing it as your primary top can lead to a distracting "floating head" effect.
Blush/Dusty Rose; Muted pinks emerge as a delightful and sophisticated choice for corporate headshots. These subtle tones photograph beautifully, lending a modern and approachable quality to your portrait. They are particularly impactful in more formal industries, offering a fresh contrast to the usual navy and black. Remember to select shades within the muted, sophisticated range to project an image of confident professionalism.
So, what about black?!
You might be surprised not to find black in the list, that is because while it can be a good color, it has less pros than cons. Indeed, black can be associated with an elegant and/or professional look, conveying authority and serious, it can often go overboard and appear too harsh. For some skin tones, particularly very fair ones, solid black can create too much contrast and make you look washed out or overly stark.
Black is often perceived as a slimming color, which can be a confidence booster for some. However, without texture or a subtle pattern, solid black clothing can sometimes appear flat or one-dimensional in photos, especially under certain lighting. If slendering was the reason you were going for black, I recommend opting for a navy blue or charcoal grey instead.
Because it's a neutral, dark color, black doesn't draw attention away from your face, which is the primary focus of a headshot. That being said, Black fabric is notorious for showing every piece of lint, dust, or pet hair, which can be noticeable in high-resolution headshots.
And if despite all of the above, you still opt for black, then either a) inform your photographer of your color choice so they can play accordingly or b) avoid photographing in front of a dark or black background (something which your photographer should be managing anyway). If the background is also dark or black, you might blend into it, losing definition. This is especially true if you have dark hair.
And the colors to avoid you ask?
Neon anything (unless there is a specific purpose to you wearing such a color… and no, it being your power color isn’t a good enough reason)
Bright orange (reason being most skin tones end up looking jaundiced and we can all agree that’s not a good look)
Patterns smaller than a dime (not a color per se, but such patterns tend to create a dizzying effect which will be more distracting than anything)