The color of your photography background can work wonders. It doesn’t just set the mood of the photo, but can also influence the appearance of your model’s complexion. Which backgrounds complement natural skin tones and which ones should you avoid? To find out, we tested 10 differently-colored backgrounds, ranging from neutral gray to bright yellow. The results reveal that even subtle changes to your photos‘ background can significantly impact the overall feel of your photo. 

For this shoot, I used a FUJIFILM GFX 100S II paired with an 80mm lens. My settings were ISO 100, f/4.5, and 1/100s. The key light was created using a beauty dish or octabox. I used a softbox for my fill light. The photos were taken against a professional matte paper photography background.  

Background colors and their effect on complexion

1. Gray

Gray backgrounds are versatile and timeless. They’re suitable for minimalist portraits and product photography. Due to its neutrality, it does not overpower the model or their clothes. It brings out the skin texture, allowing you to capture delicate details of the face.  

Gray is the perfect choice for formal professional headshots and portraits, including corporate headshots and catalog photography. The photographer can choose a lighter or darker shade of gray depending on the mood they want to evoke in the photo.  

2. Green

Green backgrounds give off a fresh and modern feel. Although they can sometimes create a slightly greenish undertone, which may not appeal to everyone. Though this effect can be an asset in creative projects, such as nature-themed portraits, organic product photography, or sustainability campaigns.  

3. Mocha

Mocha adds warmth and authenticity to photos. Skin tones appear soft and inviting, making this shade perfect for family or couples portraits. It is suitable for intimate photoshoots, designed to create a calm atmosphere, such as lifestyle shoots. Its earthy character also makes it a great choice for retro or vintage-style photography. 

4. Cherry red

Red backgrounds bring energy and passion to a photo. It does a great job of bringing out the emotions, but at the same time, it can highlight imperfections in the skin, such as redness. Red is suitable for expressive and creative projects, such as fashion portraits or themed photoshoots where color takes center stage. This cherry red shade can be combined with contrasting accessories to make the photo look even more dynamic. 

5. Black

Black backgrounds add depth, elegance, and an element of drama. Black makes skin tones stand out more vividly, which can be a plus when shooting black and white portraits. Black is the perfect choice for photos where you want to highlight defined facial contours or dramatic lighting effects.   

6. White

White backgrounds create a fresh, clean, and professional look. They brighten skin tones and add a sense of lightness to the photo. White is the most popular choice for studio shoots, including product photography and wedding portraits. White’s neutral quality also pairs effortlessly with clothing and props of various colors. 

7. Dark pink

Dark pink backgrounds add a romantic and delicate touch to photos. This shade accentuates feminine qualities and pairs well with pink or red make-up tones. Suitable for fashion, wedding, or couples portraits. Pink evokes feelings of love and tenderness, making it the perfect choice for creating a dreamy atmosphere.  

8. Dark blue

Dark blue backgrounds bring a sense of elegance and dignity. Skin tones may appear cool, emphasizing the eyes and facial contours. This shade is perfect for formal portraits, like corporate or professional headshots. 

9. Sunflower yellow

Sunflower yellow brightens photographs and adds an element of optimism. Skin tones look warm and healthy, as if lit by the golden hour at sunset. This shade is perfect for cheerful portraits, family shots, or photoshoots with children, where you want to evoke a joyful atmosphere. 

10. Cheddar

Cheddar yellow adds gold undertones to the skin. This makes the photo appear energetic and lively. It’s ideal for modern and expressive portraits where color takes center stage. This shade works great for fashion or conceptual photoshoots, where the emphasis is on style and creativity. 

Which background color is best? 

Professional matte paper backgrounds minimize light reflections, making changes in skin tones more subtle. Most of the discoloration was visible on the edges of the face, such as at the temples or cheekbones. 

Each background color has a unique effect on the complexion and atmosphere of the photo.  The psychology of color adds another layer to how we perceive the image—from the calmness of gray to the energy of red, and optimism of yellow.  

The final impression of the background always depends on the photographer’s interpretation and style. Each color can provide unique results given the right context.  

Tips for photographers

• In the studio, use a professional matte background that minimizes glare. 

• When choosing a background, consider the psychology of the colors and the overall effect you want your photo to create. 

This test has shown that background color is not only an aesthetic element in photography, but also a tool for affecting the mood of the photograph. Whether you’re shooting portraits, weddings, or documentary photography, the colors you choose to incorporate have more impact than meets the eye.