Choosing the right background is one of the most important aspects of portrait photography. The background can make or break a portrait image, so it’s crucial to think carefully about what will pair best with your subject. When selecting a background, there are a few key factors to consider including color, texture, simplicity, and relevance.
In this article, we’ll explore different background options for portrait shoots and discuss how to choose the most flattering and appropriate backdrop for your photos. Whether you prefer bold colors, subtle neutrals, natural scenery, or plain seamless backdrops, we’ll cover all the possibilities and provide tips for taking incredible portraits against any background.
Primary Types of Portrait Backgrounds
There are three main categories of backgrounds that work great for portrait images:
Seamless Backdrops
Seamless paper or muslin backdrops are a classic choice for studio portrait photography. They come in every color imaginable, from basic black and white to vivid fuchsias and teals. Photographers often choose seamless backgrounds in a color that complements the subject’s skin tone, hair color, outfit hues, etc.
The benefit of seamless backdrops is that they provide a smooth, uniform surface without distracting textures or elements. This keeps the emphasis on your subject. Seamless backgrounds allow you to get creative with lighting as well. You can use multiple strobes or colored gels to bathe your subject in interesting hues reflected from the backdrop.
Natural Scenes
Nature backgrounds are popular for on-location portrait sessions. Settings like a forest, field, beach, mountain, or lake allow you to put your subject right into a beautiful landscape. This provides an authentic vibe and pleasing natural light.
When shooting environmental portraits outdoors, look for flattering natural frames like trees, arches, fences, etc. to place your subject into. Make sure the colors and textures in the background complement your subject as well. For example, an evergreen forest is stunning with a subject in darker green clothing.
Textured Backgrounds
Textured backdrops add visual interest to portraits. Brick walls, weathered wood, painted cement, faux marble, fabric, wallpaper, etc. all provide unique textures. This adds depth, dimension, and a sense of place to images. Just take care not to allow an overly busy background to distract from your main subject.
Textured backgrounds work both indoors and out. Look for interesting aged walls, architectural salvage materials, metal, or other rustic surfaces to pose subjects in front of. You can also bring portable textured backdrops like canvas, quilt swatches, burlap, or curtains to your shoots.
How to Choose a Flattering Portrait Background
Once you know the main types of portrait backgrounds, how do you select one that will be most flattering for each particular subject? Follow these tips:
Consider the Subject’s Outfit & Style
Take cues from your subject’s clothing, accessories, and personal style to choose a fitting backdrop. A boldly patterned shirt, for example, will really pop against a solid seamless or subtle textured wall. Feminine florals call for a natural garden setting. Edgy leather and denim jackets feel right at home against exposed brick or an urban metal fence.
Think about the color palette and textures of the entire frame – subject and background – and how they’ll work together. You want these elements to complement each other, not compete.
Evaluate the Colors & Skin Tones
Background colors will impact the overall color cast and skin tones in your portrait. Paler cool-toned backdrops will drain warmth from the complexion, while deeper warmer hues will reflect onto the face and lend vibrancy.
Look for a background color that enhances your subject’s skin without going too far in either the warm or cool direction. Teal, for example, is a great choice for emphasizing warm golden undertones. Blue-grays and lilacs, on the other hand, pair beautifully with cool pinkish skin.
You can also choose complementary colors that play off the subject’s clothing, eyes, or hair color. Orange will make blue eyes pop. Purple is a perfect contrast to yellows and greens.
Seek Simple, Uncluttered Backdrops
A clean, unfussy background allows all eyes to focus on your subject. Busy backgrounds distract the eye. Favor plain backdrops over chaotic spaces with too many objects, colors, textures, lines, etc. competing for attention.
If you do opt for a location with surrounding details, compose your shot using a shallow depth of field. This will throw the background nicely out of focus. Seek out a plain section of the space to pose your subject in front of. Symbols, signs, and anything reminiscent of commercial branding should also be avoided unless intentionally relevant.
Consider Relevance, Personality & Purpose
Beyond basic color and texture, the “feel” of your background should align with the overall portrait goals. A hip urban wall reflects a trendy lifestyle. Bookshelves stuffed with novels might suit an author. Earthy natural settings convey an organic vibe.
Let the mood, personality, profession, or passion of the subject inform your background choice whenever possible. This adds a layer of meaning and customization that helps the portrait tell a story about who this person is.
Best Backgrounds for Specific Portrait Subjects
There are certain background types that tend to work especially well for particular portrait clients and situations:
Children
Natural outdoor settings, playful textures like grass or sand, soft fabrics, bright colors, and backgrounds featuring kid-friendly designs or elements make great backdrops for children’s portraits. Working near playgrounds, in recreational areas, or at home allows you to capture them comfortably doing activities they enjoy.
Teens
Urban areas, graffiti walls, and grungier industrial backdrops tend to appeal most to teens seeking cool portrait settings. Vivid colors also complement youthful energy and style. Try shooting in creative public spaces, alleys, parking garages, empty warehouses, etc. for an edgy look.
Graduates
Books, columns, stately buildings, mature trees, ivory backgrounds, and other academic elements suit graduating seniors. Shoot on campus for authenticity, or recreate the scholarly vibe in a studio setting. Cap and gown deserve a posed portrait, but also capture casual shots reflecting their personality.
Couples
Romantic backdrops like gardens, blooming flowers, waterfront views, vineyards, and mature trees help reflect love’s beauty. Frame couples together within grand archways, beneath willows, by a vibrant spray of blossoms, or standing hand-in-hand on a bridge overlooking a pond.
Reflect their shared interests as well – the football stadium where they tailgate, mountains where they hike, restaurant patio where they dine weekly.
Business Headshots
For corporate headshots, a solid neutral background is safest. Gray, beige, navy, tan, or slate blue work for most professionals. Avoid busy patterns that distract. Some textured brick, wood, or concrete can add depth without being unprofessional.
Keep the surroundings clean and minimalist. Shoot horizontals and verticals for versatile crops. Lighting should be crisp and even – a slight butterfly pattern is ideal for executives and other leadership roles.
Using Backgrounds Creatively
Don’t limit yourself to standard backdrops. Get creative with unique and unexpected settings! Here are some tips:
Incorporate Meaningful Details
Add personalization by including small props or set decor with significance to your subject. Examples are musical instruments for a musician, favorite books or films, sports equipment, sentimental keepsakes, etc.
Create Fantasy Scenes
Construct a conceptual background with props, lighting, and styling to transport the viewer. Try recreating a dream getaway, setting the scene underwater or in the clouds, building a magical fairy forest, or playing with surrealism.
Overlap & Layer Textures
Allow elements of two or more backgrounds to mingle in your composition for added interest. Shoot through lace to overlay the pattern atop another backdrop, or balance solid and textured areas in the same frame.
Use Color Creatively
Don’t just default to expected combinations. Fresh color schemes can make your portrait backgrounds extra impactful. Pair intense complementary hues, mix pops of brightness with neutrals, or utilize color gradients.
Incorporate Graphic Prints
For a fun modern touch, pose your subject against prints of stripes, dots, abstract shapes, or bold graphic art. This vibrant pattern will make your subject really stand out.
Play with Light & Shadow
Take inspiration from your background’s textures and contours to create artistic lighting effects. Try cross-lighting brick or side-lighting weathered wood to accentuate the details.
Tips for Photographing Different Background Types
The way you shoot will vary depending on your backdrop. Here are some background-specific tips:
Seamless Paper
– Use tape to eliminate creases and imperfections.
– Light evenly from both sides to avoid hot spots.
– Position subject at least 6 feet from the backdrop to avoid shadows.
– Ensure no other colors reflect onto the pure backdrop.
Natural Outdoor Settings
– Scout locations at the ideal time of day for flattering light.
– Compose to avoid distracting background elements.
– Use foliage as natural frames around your subject.
– Under-expose slightly to saturate colors if light is very bright.
Textured Backdrops
– Watch your angles and perspective to capture the textures best.
– Use wide apertures for soft bokeh of specific details.
– Add rim or backlighting to bring out 3D texture.
– Compose tight shots alongside wider environmental ones.
Reflective Surfaces
– Treat glass or metal backgrounds like mirrors and avoid shooting straight on.
– Watch for glare and unwanted reflections.
– Position the subject at a slight angle to see their reflection.
– Backlight to accentuate sheen on the reflective surface.
Fabric Backdrops
– Iron or steam wrinkles from fabric before shooting.
– Weigh down the edges of material to keep it taut.
– Use cloth backdrops in a curved, draped style for dimension.
– Light sheer fabrics from behind for transparency.
Conclusion
The portrait backdrop you select can make all the difference in enhancing your subject’s colors, bringing out their personality, and creating stunning compositions. Always take the time to carefully consider the most flattering and creative background for the individual, their outfit, and the overall style you want to achieve.
With so many options from plain studio backdrops to environmental scenery and textured surfaces, you’re sure to find beautiful portrait settings everywhere you look. Experiement, get inspired by your subjects, and use backgrounds intentionally to give every portrait you create exactly the right context.
