These Are the All-Time Best Colors To Wear in Photos, According to Photographers
When it comes to graduations, weddings and family reunions, all of these events have one major thing in common: you can expect a lot of photos to be taken! In fact, according to a 2016 survey, 30 percent of families have accumulated around 15,000 photos and videos—that’s definitely to be expected in the age of smartphones.
But what if it’s an extra-special photo where you want to look your very best? Perhaps you’ve hired a professional photographer to snap portraits of your family, or you’re looking for the perfect mother-of-the-bride dress that will look lovely in pictures. Or maybe you’re having a headshot taken for your business or website. You're likely wondering: "What are the best colors to wear in photos?"
No matter what the occasion is, there’s one surefire way to look great and feel confident in photos: and that’s through wearing some of the best, most flattering hues.
Why Is It a Good Idea To Wear Flattering Colors in Photos?
Kari Bjorn, owner of Kari Bjorn Photography, says that as a wedding and engagement photographer, he’s almost always looking to highlight people, their faces and emotion in his photos.
“Unflattering or distracting colors can compete for the attention I want to be on the person or couple,” he says, adding that the right colors can also be a “confidence booster.” Flattering hues can help people look and feel good in what they’re wearing.
“Anything that boosts self-confidence is great for a photo shoot,” Bjorn says. “I am always giving people prompts and keeping things moving as opposed to the old-school way of posing people. I have found that when people are confident in what they are wearing, they are more able to focus on each other, which enables me to get more authentic moments to capture.”
Lara Kimmerer, owner of Lara Kimmerer Photographer, LLC, even believes that a great portrait can change your life, and some of that can be attributed to wearing the right colors.
“Not only can it bring out confidence in yourself, but it will also project confidence to others. You’ll look in control and ready to take on whatever task is in front of you,” she says.
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9 Best Colors To Wear in Photos
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Red
Bjorn calls red “the ultimate attention-grabbing color.” It can help people stand out in the frame. Kimmerer agrees, and adds that a true red never goes out of style.
“You’ll pop from the image,” she says. “It’s bold and shows off your confidence.”
Black
Kimmerer thinks of black as “always elegant” for photos and it can be “useful anywhere.”
“It can also be great for adding a statement necklace or other accessory that stands out because it’s not competing with color,” she says.
Navy
“Navy works really well in almost any season and situation,” Bjorn says. “I like my subjects to pop out of the background, and it’s really hard to find navy in the natural or urban worlds. Navy contrasts nicely against the greens of summer and spring, the reds, oranges and browns of fall and the whites, grays and browns of winter. Navy also has a similar slimming effect to black.”
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Royal Blue
Royal blue, a more vivid shade of blue than the darker quality of navy, is “a great color for giving a bold feeling to your portrait without being showy,” as Kimmerer says.
Emerald
If you’re drawn to jewel tones, consider wearing emerald for a professional photo. Bjorn says that while it does blend in with the natural world a bit, it still stands out since it’s not a true color often seen in nature. He adds that emerald and gold is actually one of his favorite color combinations in photos.
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Dark Purple
“A deep, rich purple or burgundy is a timeless choice that shows personality,” Kimmerer says. “This isn’t your ‘typical’ portrait color, and as such, can be particularly eye-catching.”
Yellow
Bjorn says that while you may think that yellow is only suitable for spring and summer, darker tones like mustard work extremely well during the colder months.
“Yellow is great when you have two darker colors you are primarily using, to make your outfit pop,” he says.
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Neutrals
Specifically referring to shades of white and brown, Bjorn says that although he doesn’t typically recommend that people wear monochrome outfits, neutrals are the exception.
He says, “There is something so pleasing to the eye about an outfit ranging from ivory to medium brown. These colors will work very nicely against minimal backdrops. Think: a photo shoot after a night of fresh snowfall.”
Patterns
Can’t choose just one color? Kimmerer says that patterns that mix a variety of colors can be a great way to stand out when your background is neutral.
But it’s key to choose those patterns carefully, as Bjorn cautions. Too much pattern, and your photo will have a distracting effect. As an example of something to avoid, he says, “Think about that cheesy family fall photo where everyone is wearing as much plaid as possible.”
But at the end of the day, no matter what color you wear for photos, Kimmerer says that it’s important to be yourself.
“Ultimately, the best color for you is the one that makes you feel like you,” she says. “Some clients of mine say they only wear black and gray. That’s fine. If that’s you, let’s do it! On the other hand, if you’re someone who wears bright colors and patterns, definitely don’t shy away from that for your photos. Go for it! Show off your personality.”
Next up, discover over 150 Instagram caption ideas to describe your travel pics.
Sources
Kari Bjorn, owner of Kari Bjorn Photography.
Lara Kimmerer, owner of Lara Kimmerer Photographer, LLC.
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