How to Choose the Right Background for Your Photos

Having a great background can make or break your photo. If you’re here looking for some inspiration, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together the best photo background tips, tricks, and ideas … so let’s go!

Things to do before choosing the background for your photos

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here is what you should consider before choosing the right background for photos.

1. Pick what to photograph

The first thing to decide is what or who will be the main subject of your photograph? Is it a product, a person, an animal, or maybe even food? Analyze and write down what colors are represented in that subject and what could give you contrast to that.

2. Decide on the mood and setting

Are you going to be taking a portrait? An artistic shot? Or a press image that needs to convey a particular message? Do you want the picture to be inspiring and bright – then go for a background with colors that pop or a scene when the sun is shining. On the other hand, to evoke an emotion of gloom and sadness – you might want to choose darker background colors, work with shadows, or even shoot in the rain. When it comes to photography, planning is half of the game. 

3. Make use of lighting 

You can do so much with lighting to create photography effects – whether it’s artificial or daylight – it matters how you combine it with your background. If you want a more natural feel to your photograph, choose a location next to a window or outdoors. If you’re looking for a more crisp look to your photos – grab some studio lights, create an excellent canvas background or similar, and start shooting.

4. Get creative 

At first, you might think that there’s not much around you can use as a background for your images – but we’re here to prove you wrong; you can recreate amazing photo backgrounds at home or even with the click of a mouse button. Here’s how.

Some photo backdrop ideas you can recreate at home

There’s an array of backdrops and backgrounds you can create in the comfort of your home. Simply find a wall and floor – make some room and start sticking stuff to it.  

Old newspapers for a retro look

White photo background: go classic and pick a white wall with the least fingerprints

Throw a party with a bunch of balloons

Add a pop of color with paper plates

Want a cozy romantic feel? Add fairy lights

Find a corner with interesting shadows

The sky’s the limit, whether blue, orange or grey – it’s got plenty of drama to offer

Head out into the garden and hide (or photograph) behind a hedge

Canvas backgrounds for photos

You can also invest in a physical canvas background for your photos. These are usually colored fabrics, some of them even hand-painted for an extra texture that will give your images a professional look and feel.

Digital backgrounds for photos

We’re big fans of digital backgrounds – why? Because they’re low budget, fast to create, and you have a seemingly endless array of options to play around with. 

Remove.bg allows you to remove your image’s background with the click of a button, and you don’t even need Photoshop.

How to change the background of a picture or photograph 

The first step to changing the background of a picture is to remove the one that’s already there.

How to get a white photo background 

With a transparent background, you can not only turn your background white but start adding pretty much any digital background you can think of. Unsplash and Pexels are our favorite go-to’s for designing backgrounds; if you want to add a white or colored background and throw in some graphic design elements Canva or Photoshop are what you’re looking for.

How to brand your photo background 

You can also use  Canva or Photoshop to create a branded photo background for a company campaign or event – which can be an enjoyable way of creating branded content while getting the team involved.

Finding the best photo background

Is there really a photo background that we could define as the best? Not really. But there is a best one for every situation – whether that’s balloons, the night sky, or a pattern of a hundred cropped cats – it’s the blank space that can make your photograph incredibly unique. So, make sure you pay that extra bit of attention to how you choose the right background – it can make or break your photos.