B&W or Color for your Headshot? They each create a different impression

For some images, and B&W treatment can add more drama, impact vs. color – or it can just be a different look for you or your business.

B&W is timeless, can evoke feelings of simplicity, or seriousness (but not necessarily!). B&W can highlight texture in a different way than color can – but that doesn’t mean it will make you look older, less attractive, and so on. There are many examples of great looking men/women done in B&W, and they are every bit as good looking.

B&W can be a bit more forgiving in terms of uniformity between images of different people, particularly if shot by different photographers using different gear and setups. This is NOT to say it is a panacea – if the lighting setups aren’t done correctly, B&W photos can look as disparate as color. But things like incorrect or inconsistent color balance (where some images may look yellowish, blueish, or too red) can often be masked by using a B&W treatment.

In the example below, Ed was looking to update his images for his website and LinkedIn profile – as a fractional CFO, it’s important for him to create the right look to create the impression that amplifies his branding and positioning that potential clients will resonate with. He has a wealth of experience, and works with small to medium sized businesses, helping them with operational and financial strategies and implementations.

Here's one of the images from our session in both color and B&W versions – the B&W version is not a filter or just a desaturation of the colors. I process the image individually based on the particular characteristics of the subject as well as the shot itself.

Which one do you prefer? I won’t bias your answer by saying which I prefer – except that I really love the B&W look for his face, look, and the lighting used.