How much do professional headshots cost?
I don’t know about you, but, I like a good deal. I will often hunt and hunt to find the lowest cost of something.
There are a few things that I will not take the lowest price on. My photography gear and photos for my business or my family. I will pay top dollar for these because it often means that the person photographing my family, is the best at it.
You can always find a cheap photographer who will photograph your headshots for next to nothing, but, great, quality headshots are not cheap, and when we’re talking about your brand or your career, you don’t want to settle for the lowest price.
The True Cost of Professional Headshots: Investing in Yourself and Your Brand
When considering getting professional headshots taken, many people start by comparing prices, but it's important to realize that a headshot is more than just a photo—it's an investment in your personal brand and career. Whether you're an individual professional seeking to make a strong impression or a company looking to update your team headshots, here’s why it’s worth investing in quality.
The Value of a Strong Professional Headshot
People will first see your headshot when finding your profile online, especially on social platforms like LinkedIn. According to LinkedIn, as of 2023, over 900 million people use the platform, and 75% of decision-makers base first impressions on profile images. It’s clear that your headshot can be a deciding factor in how seriously you're taken. I’ve photographed several corporate decision-makers and HR experts who have said, that if the profile doesn’t have a professional image, we’ll often pass them over.
Headshot Pricing Will Vary
You can expect to pay a session fee with most photographers. Some will have it set up where you can buy packages, some offer a certain number of images with the fee and others are A La Carte. You can pay as little as $50 and as much as $600 in certain areas.
If you choose to work with a photographer who charges 50 dollars, chances are this is not a professional photographer. Maybe it’s a side hustle or they’re just out of school. This is very much a case of, you get what you pay for. The difference lies in the level of expertise. The more expensive photographers will include personalized coaching on your pose and your facial expressions, they’ll be able to help put you at ease better so you can enjoy the process better. We will shoot tethered to a monitor so you can see exactly what we’re shooting, this way we can make real-time changes and maximize your time in the studio.
Corporate Teams and Office Headshots
For corporate offices, having a cohesive set of professional headshots for your team will enhance your brand’s image and build trust with clients. When customers or potential clients visit your website, they want to see real people who reflect the company’s professionalism and values. Having your office team photographed creates uniformity and ensures that everyone looks approachable and builds trust.
Many photographers offer on-location shoots, we bring the studio to your office, and the process is convenient and efficient. During the shoot, your team members will get individual coaching on pose and expression. Their images will be displayed on a laptop so they can see the results immediately and we can make any adjustments.
Fees for this kind of shoot will also vary widely. Before offering any quotes I always want to know how many people will be involved, and how the images will be used, are they going in a directory somewhere on this company site, or are they going to be on the homepage and customer-facing? I want to know if your office has had them done in the past and what that experience was like. Lastly, what is the budget for the project.
Finally: More Than Just a Cost
In today’s business world, your headshot is an investment in your company and your brand. Instead of comparing prices, focus on the value you're getting in terms of expertise, quality, and how you’ll be perceived by decision-makers and potential clients. Whether you’re an individual professional or a business looking to upgrade your team’s headshots, this investment can elevate your brand and open doors to new business and networking opportunities. Whether you’re looking for acting headshots, business headshots, or office headshots, expect to make an investment in yourself and your brand.