What are the Best Colors to Wear for Professional Headshots?

How to Choose the Right Colors for Pittsburgh Professional Headshots

Let’s plan the perfect outfit (or even three) for your upcoming Pittsburgh headshot session with practical color theory. All professional headshot bookings with Chad Isaiah Studios, which is based in Pittsburgh, include unlimited wardrobe changes, so you can test a variety of options and find the best colors to wear in your headshot. We are the first choice for professional headshots in the Pittsburgh region when it comes to versatility and choice.

The general rule is to prioritize simple solid colors and simple necklines. Visible logos aren’t the greatest, especially if you move on from that company. While patterns generally aren’t loved by photographers… *I* love them. If you feel loud patterns represent you best, then bring them! But let’s try and narrow your wardrobe with these essential questions about color:

What Outfits Look Best in Headshots?

Confidence. Your professional headshot outfit is meant to represent you and your personality, uplifting your image. So it’s important to wear something that you feel confident wearing, but also comfortable in. Wearing something that doesn’t quite feel like you but abides by all the rules will show on your face. Therefore prioritize authenticity and choose a color that you like, even if it technically breaks a few color theory rules.

Keeping that in mind, you may want to choose colors that accentuate and highlight your natural features. For example, if you have a warm complexion, you can bring out the copper or pink-tinged rosiness of your skin with off-white, olive green, red, or brown. Cobalt blue, charcoal gray, crisp white, and dark berry colors are perfect for cool complexions with blue undertones.

What Does Color Convey in a Professional Headshot?

Colors are linked to emotions and memories, both personal and universal. Your color choice will carry energy and meaning, so it’s important to think about what you want your headshot to convey.

Mind you, this is just a starting point since our closets aren’t perfectly sorted into colors. There are color gradients like blue-purple and yellow-orange which bridge the gap with emotional ambiguity.

What Colors Look Best in a Headshot?

Talented headshot photographers near you can adjust lighting and exposure to enhance any outfit. You don’t want to feel overshadowed by your wardrobe or color choice. However, it’s also important to consider how your top will look under studio lights and play with different background options.

Here’s 5 Pro Color Tips from Behind the Camera:

1. Avoid extreme, highly saturated colors that take attention away from you, like neon yellow and cherry red.

2. Pastel colors and sheer fabrics may look more washed out or lose their subtle color in photos.

3. Neutrals are always a great option, but super dark colors may get lost and blend into the dark backdrop behind you.

4. Opposing colors look great in person, but it doesn’t always translate on camera for headshots. Layer your look with items of complementary colors. Navy pairs well with royal blue and ivory is the perfect neutral for pink.

5. Deep colors and rich jewel tones always pop on camera. Plus, they look great on every skin tone.

Once you’ve settled on a color theme, it’s best to bring a few variations. For example, if you want to wear purple, consider bringing light purple, lavender, and dark plum tops to your headshot session. You should always bring a neutral option as well. With Chad Isaiah Studios, we make it simple to get new headshots that convey the right tone. Plan your outfit and find the perfect fit with us!