How Much Does a Headshot Cost?

One of the most frequent questions I get as a photographer is “How much does it cost?” Obviously, this answer varies depending on the type of photography, so stay tuned for posts specific to weddings, families and high school seniors. In this post, we’ll talk about head shot, or professional portrait, pricing.

Depending on the photographer, a headshot session can be as little as $50 and can go up to $5000 or more. As with any other service, you get what you pay for. The $50 head shot photographer is likely new to the business and/or unsure of her skills. Also, at $50 for an hour, or even half an hour, this photographer’s business is not sustainable: meaning that in 6 months or a year, or 2 years he or she won’t be around. If you lose your photo files, or now you need it in black and white, you’re up a creek.

When you hire me to take your head shot, we’ll first have a chat about your business and your brand. See, your photo is an element of branding for your business. If you have a landscaping business, it doesn’t make sense to have your portrait taken in a slick-looking studio wearing a suit. It makes more sense to have your head shot taken outdoors, somewhere green, and casually dressed.

Your business brand is the first thing we’ll talk about. Then we’ll schedule a time and location, and meet for photography. Here’s the thing about photo sessions… nobody looks forward to them. Some people dread them more than going to the dentist. I’ll quickly put you at ease though, because I have no doubts that I can make you look great. And taking your portrait is absolutely fun for me, and that inevitably spills over to you.

For current head shot pricing, email me: christina [at] photocg [dot] co

When thinking about professional portrait photography, keep in mind that you’re paying not only for the session time and the final digital files, but also for intangibles. These are things like the photographer’s expertise, customer service, and the quality of your photo-taking experience. Lastly you’re paying for overhead, such as cameras, lenses, memory storage, software, etc.

While my head shot cost may be more than some other photographers, my plan is to provide you with a fantastic photography experience, photos that make you look great, and to stay in business for a very long time. So when you need something a year or two down the road, I’ll be here and still have your photo files.