Can Black And White Shirts Work For Actor Headshots?

Now there is no industry rule about black or white in actor headshots… it’s just a known thing among headshot photographers to avoid wearing a black or white shirt. But no casting director is gonna be like “We won’t cast you because you’re wearing a white shirt in your headshot” it ain’t like that. 

It’s more just a headshot photography and composition thing.  

How Black Clothing Presents In Acting Headshots

Black will absorb light and on most skin tones doesn’t tend to flatter the actors and white reflects a lot of light and it can wash some actors out or just look over exposed. 

However, recently I am not too mad with the blacks in headshots. Whites will always be kind of a hit or miss. You never know what you’re gonna get with them. But blacks they’re growing on me. 

Skin Tone & Clothing Color In Acting Headshots

Using blacks and whites in headshots all comes down to your skin tone really. If you’re a fair skin, pale person then white and nude colors are not your friend. They will wash you out, be unflattering to your skin, and make your headshot photo look flat. But if you have dark skin and you’re wearing white, it usually looks okay on you. 

Layering White Clothing In A Headshot

Headshot Using White As An Underlayer

Some other exceptions with the whites in headshots is layering. Using white as an undershirt or an underlayer in headshots is a way you can get away with it. 

Black colors whether you’re dark skinned or fair skinned tend to just look boring, stale, and flat. 

But black on brown skin or tan skin works pretty well. 

Using Colored Backdrops In Headshots

Colored Backdrop Headshot

To be honest, I’m conflicted because recently I shot two girls with both light skin and dark skin in black and really loved their headshots. 

I think the color of the backdrop also helps to determine whether or not the color will work on someone. 

Should You Use Black & White In Headshots?

So if you can avoid it then avoid it, but if you have a specific vision that involves white or black in headshots there are some exceptions, but just make sure that it compliments your skin tone because the key to having a great headshot that pops is really all in the cohesiveness of your skin tone, your eye color, the backdrop, and the color of top you are wearing. 

Actor Headshot Examples Using Black & White Clothing

Brandon Andre - Los Angeles Headshot Photographer

Brandon Andre is considered by many to be the foremost authority on Acting Headshots and the acting industry. He is dedicated to helping aspiring actors with his regular educational articles, videos, and guides about headshot photography and the acting business.

If you are in the Los Angeles, Phoenix, or Washington DC area and need professional actor headshots with an experienced top headshots photographer, contact Brandon Andre. Brandon Andre is one of the best headshot photographers in Los Angeles and the headshot industry today. He delivers quality headshots that will get you booked!