How much do business headshots cost?
In the world of headshot photography, there are so many different factors that add value to your final portrait. There are different kinds of photographers, different kinds of clients, and different kinds of products - all of which will affect the overall cost of a business headshot. Of course, there are similarities across the board that may drive the price up or down - such as equipment and experience. Learning to navigate the different types of headshot products, however, will also help you understand what you and your business is looking for and what to expect to pay for it.
At its base, photography as a profession requires an investment of a lot of time and money to build a marketable consistency. When you are paying for headshots, you aren’t paying for just an hour of someone’s time, or one photo. You are paying for their years of experience, high-end equipment, and communication skills that make both you and the photographer confident that the end result will be beautiful and effective. There’s a comfortable window between $200 and $500 where most intermediate headshot photographers will land. Anything less than that, you may have a beginner who is building up their confidence and equipment (and that’s okay - even the greats start somewhere! I started off charging $60 out of my college dorm!). Above $500 you can expect to find seasoned professionals who have spent the time and capital to build up to that point. It’s also important to look at what’s included at these price points - i.e. number of looks, number of retouched images, length of shoot, etc. I’d be nervous paying $300 for ten looks, three hours, and 20 retouched images. And if I were paying $900 for one look and one retouch, I’d have some high expectations for the results. By looking at these photographers' websites, portfolios, and reviews, you’ll easily get a sense of how accurate this pricing is for the value of the product.
Additionally, it’s worthwhile to note different areas of value in headshots. When researching headshot photographers, it’s also important to ask yourself what is valuable to your experience as a client. What product are you looking for? Why do you need a headshot? What are you hoping to receive from this experience? Do you want to spend less than five minutes in front of a camera and never think about it again? Or, do you want to carefully craft a portrait session that’s unique to you and your branding? It’s very likely that one photographer is right for one of these products, but not the other.
The headshot itself, as a product, can vary in many ways. To some industries, it links a face to a name - an identifier. I’ve had clients reach out to me for group headshots - something I’m happy to do. However, when I’m given specific lenses, lighting, poses, camera angle, etc. to use, I feel it’s important to inform them that I probably don’t offer the type of product they seek. When seeking out business headshots, there are varying experiences that have different value to different people. Is time valuable? If you need efficiency, precision, and high volume, $400 per photo is probably way out of your budget! There are many photographers that specialize in this type of fast-paced, high volume products and will have packages by group size that fit your needs a little better. However, if you need uniqueness, personality, and a clear sense of personal brand to be showcased - there are other photographers that are experienced in bringing out the best in every client with attention to small details and artistic craft.
Personally, as a headshot photographer, I specialize in working with actors. I’m a trained actor and I utilize these skills to take headshots where the primary focus is storytelling. When I work with business professionals, I change very little about how I run a session - and that creates value to those who want their unique branding to be showcased. I always work with my clients to understand the information they wish to portray in their headshots and I create a slower paced, fun, and comfortable environment to bring out the best in everyone I work with. With photographers like this, you are investing in their interpersonal skills and a handcrafted headshot experience. For this type of work, a higher price point is not uncommon because of the detail that goes into it. For this price, however, you’ll receive much more collaborative opportunity and much more freedom in the planning process.
At the end of the day, there is no right or wrong answer for what type of headshot you need. Understanding the headshot experience that best suits you and your business’ needs will help you set appropriate expectations for what you’ll receive based on its price. If you’re ever unsure, phone a photographer! I’m always happy to chat and help my clients understand why I charge what I do, and how my expertise in storytelling will help cater a headshot experience that is perfect for their branding.