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Zachary Joseph

 

Some Headshot Backgrounds You Should Consider

 

Headshots are essential for getting hired by companies, whether as an actor or getting a job on LinkedIn. After all, a good headshot can convey a person’s brand to a casting director or hiring manager and leave a good impression on them. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words, and a headshot should convey what someone needs to know about hiring them. Conversely, a poor headshot will tell companies that the person cannot take care of themselves and will likely not be able to handle whatever job they are looking to hire for. So, let us say a person wants to go and get their headshot taken, and they have their intended pose and angle in mind. The question now is what background to choose.

 

There are a variety of backgrounds for professional headshots, making it difficult for people to decide which one they want. A headshot represents a person’s brand, and choosing the right background is nearly half what makes the headshot what it is. People should also consider what yield they wish to enter when choosing a background, as the right choice can greatly increase the chances of hiring in said field. However, as stated before, there are a lot of backgrounds to choose from, and each with their strengths and weaknesses. So here are some popular headshot backgrounds and why a person may consider them for their headshot.

 

The most common background is one of the color shades, black, white, or grey. These may at first appear unappealing but that is also their strength. A background with nothing on it draws the viewer’s attention to what appears dynamic and colorful in the case for a headshot that would be the user’s face. In other words, the light background is a great boon to a headshot! 

 

But now there are three options to choose from for these bland backgrounds, each with its strengths. A black background will contrast itself most with the person in the photo. It adds great depth to the shot, implying that this person is important. However, it may appear too strong for some. Therefore they may want to go with a grey background. It does not have as much contrast and is easier on the eyes. This color is ideal for business executives and business cards. Finally, people looking or headshot backgrounds should also consider a white background due to its general usage. White backgrounds are suitable for everyone and make an easy professional photo. 

 

A textured background is also a good idea. It gives more character to a headshot which can help a person’s brand stand out more. One thing many people with textured backgrounds do is that they take their headshots in front of buildings or walls. After all, these backgrounds are naturally-textured places that are easily accessible and free to use. Some people some brick walls or the sides of buildings or simply take pictures indoors. Although, with all the different textures to use, picking one that perfectly enhances a photo can be challenging. This complexity is why some people still choose a simpler background, like black or white.

 

People can also use existing locations for their headshots. This background is an easy way to help promote what kind of brand a person wants, as their background can signify what field they specialize in. An easy example is an office worker taking their headshot in an office. It shows where that person works and what they do best. This environment is also familiar to them and, therefore, may ind it easier to set up an ideal shot. Other professions, such as musicians, can apply this logic to their headshots. If someone is interested in pursuing a career in music, they should consider taking a photo in front of some instruments they play or in a music studio. 

 

Another type of background is the natural one; people take pictures of themselves in front of nature. Places like in the middle of a park or a forest on a nice sunny day, these backgrounds allow the beauty of nature to enhance a person’s headshot. However, this can be tricky to implement properly. Without proper editing and framing, the natural light or background could end up distracting whoever looks at it from the person in the headshot. In addition, this contrast would defeat the headshot's entire purpose, enhancing the person in it. At that point, it would be better to use a grey background.