Product photography is not just about capturing random product images. The concept and act of proper photography go beyond what most people perceive.
A suitable background color can always add extra charm to the product images. And if you are a professional photographer or want to make a lasting impact with your photography, you should consider these things.
But how do you choose the right background color?
This isn’t rocket science. You simply need to understand the basic color concepts related to product images and photography.
And today, we’ll guide you on that.
The Psychology of Color in Marketing
The concept of marketing is becoming more and more advanced. Marketers around the world are spending time determining what influences customers the most. To bring the best possible color combination is a key field of analysis.
Colors can evoke emotions among the customers. That’s the reason why you’ll see the use of some standard colors in some common products.
Now, let’s discuss some common colors and explore how they evoke emotions in customers.
| Colors | Driven Emotions |
| Red | Conveys urgency, excitement, and passion. Ideal for clearance sales and calls to action |
| Blue | Evokes trust, reliability, and professionalism. Common in tech, healthcare, and finance industries. |
| Green | Symbolizes nature, health, and sustainability. Perfect for organic, eco-friendly, or wellness brands. |
| White | Suggests cleanliness, simplicity, and luxury. Often used in minimalist and high-end branding. |
| Black | Represents sophistication, power, and exclusivity. Favored for luxury and premium products. |
| Yellow/Gold | Radiates optimism, energy, and warmth. Great for grabbing attention—best used in moderation. |
As we mentioned, you need to choose the background color based on the type of product and how your audience interacts with it.
For example,
If you want to sell or promote products related to the healthcare niche, going with the green background makes perfect sense.
How to Choose the Right Background Color for Your Product?
Once you have some sort of ideas regarding how the colors out there evoke emotions, this section will help you choose the right colors in terms of product photography. But before that, you need to take some important things into consideration. Here’s what you should know.
As we have mentioned before, you need to choose a background that best suits the actual color of your product images. So, always keep your product’s appearance in mind. And then comes the fact of brand identity. You may have a brand color. It makes sense to implement the color when you tend to choose a background for product photography.
You should also put enough importance on how your targeted audience interacts with each colour. Here, cultural and demographic color preference might come into play.
Also, you may share your product images across different channels, don’t you? This can be Amazon, eBay, Instagram, Facebook, and you name it.
So while choosing a background, meeting the criteria of the different platforms is also important. Now, if we specifically discuss Amazon, you must choose a white background while showcasing your product images out there.
Best Background Colors for Different Products
Here we will elaborate on different colors and why you should choose them in order to make the product images even more effective.
White Background
This is one of the most common types of backgrounds we often see in product photography. Now you might be wondering what the white background produces, don’t you?
This brings a cleaner look to the product images. Not only that, the products feature a more versatile look thanks to the conventional white background. A white background works perfectly for most e-commerce platforms.
What is the white background best for?
Definitely for ecommerce listing and products related to fashion and tech gadgets.
Black Background
Similar to the traditional white background, we often see the use of black backgrounds with different products. Now, what a black background basically brings is that this ensures a more dramatic and luxurious field.
When should you use the black background, then?
If you want to sell or promote products like Jewellery, cosmetics, watche,s or even food items, going with the black background is the best thing you can do.
Pastel & Light Colors
Pastel and light colors create a soft, calming aesthetic that feels warm and inviting, making them perfect for lifestyle brands that aim to build trust and emotional connection.
These hues are especially effective in promoting beauty products, baby items, and home décor, where a gentle touch speaks volumes.
Their subtle charm appeals to audiences seeking serenity and elegance. However, in the fast-paced scroll of social media, pastel tones can sometimes fade into the background, struggling to grab attention in a sea of boulder content.
What you can do here is use them wisely by pairing with striking visuals or clean layouts to ensure your brand’s message still shines through.
Bold & Vibrant Colors
Do you want to bring a more eye-catching and energetic look to your product images? Then, choose bold and vibrant colors. But sometimes, the colors can overpower the products.
What products are suitable for the colors?
For sports gear and youth-oriented products, bold and vibrant colors can be a good choice.
Wood & Textured Backgrounds
These types of colors bring a more natural and aesthetic look at the same time. Not only that, when it comes down to enabling authenticity to the product’s images, wood and textured backgrounds can play a leading role.
Wood and textured backgrounds bring a sense of warmth, depth, and authenticity to your visuals, making them ideal for showcasing handmade, artisanal, or rustic products. These elements create a tactile feel that draws viewers in, making your brand appear grounded and genuine. They work exceptionally well in storytelling, helping customers connect emotionally with your craft. But be cautious: overusing textures or combining too many elements can make your design feel busy and distract from your product.
The key is balance—use wood and texture to complement, not compete with each other. When done right, this style can transform simple images into rich, inviting brand experiences.
Choosing the right background color can enhance your product photos and impact purchasing decisions. Whether you go bold, soft, or textured, each choice tells a story. Align your background with your brand’s message, and watch your visuals work harder for you—capturing attention, building trust, and ultimately driving more sales.