Visual Branding Guide

Headshot Backgrounds
That Convert

🎨 Background Cheat Sheet

White

Clean, high-energy, and pops on dark feeds. Best for LinkedIn.

Grey

Timeless, flattering for all skin tones. Professional standard.

Office/Lifestyle

Modern, approachable. Great for personal websites.

Headshot Background Comparison

Compare Neutral Grey, Minimalist White, and Modern Office backgrounds side-by-side.

1. The Background Decision Matrix

Criterion White Light Grey Office/Studio
Visibility V. High (Pops on LinkedIn) High (Clean) Moderate (Approachable)
Skin Flattery Good (High Contrast) Excellent (Neutral) Good (Natural)
Best For Executives & Sales Teams & HR Creatives & Tech

2. Why White is High-Visibility

White backgrounds are the current "industry standard" for high-impact social profiles. Because most social media UIs (LinkedIn, X, Threads) used a light grey or white backdrop, a pure white headshot creates a clean, floating effect that draws the eye directly to your face.

"White backgrounds emphasize the subject, making you appear more confident and modern in a crowded feed."

3. The Versatility of Grey

Light grey is the safest choice for teams and corporate directories. Unlike pure white, which can occasionally "blow out" highlights or create digital halos, grey creates a soft shadow falloff that adds depth to the face.

4. Modern Lifestyle Backdrops

For tech founders and creative professionals, a blurred office or coworking space adds context to your role. It signals that you are an active part of an ecosystem, rather than just a face in a studio.

Key tip: Ensure the "Bokeh" (background blur) is high enough that the background doesn't distract from your eyes.

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Choose Your Style

AI headshot generators let you test 100+ different backgrounds in a single session. Find the one that fits your brand perfectly.