Not going to lie, black and white images are usually some of my absolute favorite images from a shoot. I love the simplicity of a clean, crisp black and white photo and the ease with which it can up the impact of emotion in an interaction. Here is why I always provide some black and white images to my clients. 

1) Eliminate Distractions

Have you ever looked at a photo and thought "this is a super cute picture of my loves, but I just can't stop seeing all of those bright toddler toys on the table behind them"? Turning the photo to black and white can make all of the colors and background noise fade away and allow the viewer to focus on the faces and interactions in the photo instead. This can also work well in a photo where the clothes of the subjects clash in color or have too many colorful patterns which distract from the main focus of the photo, all those beautiful faces. 

2) Classic Look

Black and whites can look different depending on how much contrast you have, how dark the blacks are and how bright the whites are, but at the end of the day, they are still a classic look. The simplicity of a good black and white photo will last forever. This can allow you to seamlessly create a photo wall with photos from the 1960s, 1990s, and 2020s without clashing colors, tones, or styles for a cohesive look. 

3) Matches Any Home Decor

If you're thinking of making a large print, or set of prints, but are hesitant because you know you'll be changing the colors of your decor while still wanting that print on the wall, black and white photos can allow great versatility and longevity of an image as it fits with almost all colors and styles of home decor. 

4) Make an Image Pop!

I often look at images and think "that's beautiful", then turn them to black and white and think "that's incredible!" I am amazed by the ability of a good black and white creation to really make an image pop, to draw your eye to the most important factors of the image, and to really help you connect with the emotions of the subjects in the photo. 

Updated January 19, 2024

© Eickhoff Photography