What Colors Say About You
Some people choose colors because it’s their favorite colors. Some choose colors because they feel those colors are flattering on them. But did you know that the colors you choose also send a separate message to your viewer? When it comes to marketing, companies have the psychology of colors down and use this to appeal to their demographics. It’s important to note that the colors people see in your pictures don’t come just from the clothes you wear but from other colors that may dominate the background. What messages are you sending with your pictures?
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
BLUE
Blue is known for presenting a calming and serene vibe. There’s a sense of security and trust when you see the color blue. When wearing the color blue, people might unknowingly assume you are dependable and laid-back. It’s no wonder why marketing companies favor the color blue when it comes to selling their products. With blue, people perceive you as loyal, trustworthy, and logical.
Be careful, too much blue or the wrong shade of blue might create feelings of coldness, sadness, or unfriendliness.
RED
Red has the opposite affect blue has. Red is the most evocative color. Its vibrancy is known for expressing boldness, passion, desire, and power. This color is known for attracting attention and making a point to stand out. There’s an excitement that comes with this color and a high sense of energy. People who wear often come across as fearless and confident.
On the flip-side, red can also signal anger or aggression. Because of its intensity it is also affiliated with danger… be careful not trigger any of those red flags!
GREEN
When green is the dominant color in a picture, people often immediately think life. Green makes people often think of nature, growth, and prosperity. For that reason, people affiliate green with colors of health and hope. Furthermore, green presents a productive energy. Therefore, if you are wearing green or have green as your background, people might identify feelings of adventure or a desire for connection.
Green is sometimes affiliated with envy, greed, or stagnation. So when incorporating green into your photos, be mindful in what context the color is being presented.
YELLOW
Happiness, warmth, intellect, and optimism all stem from the bright and happy color of yellow. When people see yellow, they often identify it not only with feelings of being happy but also associate it with intellect. People who are linked to the color yellow may be seen as creative and outgoing. They can be seen as independent and strategic people and even somewhat impulsive. Because of the brightness of yellow, it’s often seen as an encouraging color that promotes seeing and trying new things.
Howevever, be warned, yellow can also cause anxiety because of its affiliation with warning signs, stop lights, yield signs, yellow tape, etc. Yellow is engrained in us to see yellow as a caution sign. Therefore, proceed with caution.
BLACK
Black - a neutral tone that is typically flattering for everyone - has always been a color linked to a sense of luxury, sophistication, and elegance. People who wear black or have a lot of black in their photos easily evoke a sense of power and security and even create an essence of mystery.
However, black is a very controversial color. It’s also easily affiliated with depression, menace, evil, and mourning.
This is a color that requires a little more thought as it can be interpreted so easily. Be mindful of how much black is promoted in your pictures and in what contexts. It’s by far not a bad color to have, as long as it’s done intentionally or in moderation.
WHITE
Unlike black, white promotes the essence of innocence and simplicity. When people see others dressed in white, they often unknowingly assume they are decisive, confident, and even view them as more serious. White is a color that can be inviting for some — offering a blank slate or no predetermined judgments. Because of its link to purity and innocence, it presents more positive and “good” vibes.
With the simplicity white offers, comes affiliates of being bland, plain, and even boring. If white is what dominates your closet, make a point to add pops of color throughout your photos to bring attention to other personality traits as well.
PINK
Pink is a notorious color linked to creativity and quirkiness. When looking at colors of pink, people often affiliate it with imagination and innovation. Furthermore, pink offers a sense of genuineness, tenderness, and vulnerability. Pink presents a youthful energy and suggests the person is caring and compassionate.
With too much pink, people can see it as a color that suggests excessiveness, moodiness, and self-indulgence. In other words, people may get a sense that someone is vain or materialistic if too much pink or it’s presented with an imbalance.
When it comes to your social media, dating profiles, or a professional profile be mindful of how you present yourself. It’s important to not rule any colors out because of negative connotations they may or may not have. Simply be aware of how those colors are being incorporated in your pictures and if there’s any doubt… mix it up! If you want to take it a step further… take this as a challenge to see what different colors you can incorporate into your pictures.
For more information about color psychology click here.
