What is the best background for a professional headshot?

Light grey. It works with every skin tone and outfit, stays clean at thumbnail size, and doesn't date the photo. Pick something else only when it says something about your work.

Should a headshot background be light or dark?

Light backgrounds feel open and friendly and print well. Dark backgrounds feel formal and deliberate, and they need a lighter outfit so you don't blend in. If you're unsure, go light.

What background should I use for a LinkedIn headshot?

A plain neutral or a softly blurred office. LinkedIn shows your photo as a small circle, so busy backgrounds turn into noise. A solid colour such as yellow or teal is the exception: it stands out in the feed.

Should my outfit match the background?

Contrast with it. A navy blazer disappears into a navy wall. Wear a darker top on a light background and a lighter top on a dark one.

Can I change the background of my own headshot?

Yes. Upload a selfie, pick or describe the background you want, and generate. You can try several backgrounds from the same selfie; each photo uses one credit, and new accounts get 5 free.

Headshot backgrounds, compared on the same face

12 backgrounds, one person, one outfit. The only thing that changes is what's behind her, so you can see what each background actually does.

Light grey
The safe default. Works for any industry and any outfit.
White
Resumes, ID-style photos, healthcare, and anything that gets printed.
Charcoal
Executives, law, and finance. Adds weight; needs a lighter outfit to separate.
Navy
Finance, consulting, and law. Formal without being as heavy as black.
Beige
Coaches, therapists, and wellness. Warm and friendly.
Teal
Team pages and startups. A brand colour makes a grid of faces look like one company.
Yellow
Creators and personal brands. Stands out in a LinkedIn feed full of grey.
Blurred office
Corporate and tech. Says where you work without showing a logo.
Bookshelf
Authors, academics, lawyers, and consultants.
White brick
Designers, agencies, and creative freelancers.
City street
Real estate, sales, and founders. Energetic and local.
Park
Real estate, nonprofits, and outdoor brands. The most relaxed option.