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Headshot Photography prices 2023

Average Price
$100 - $230

What is the price of Headshot Photography?

In need of some professional-looking photos of yourself or your employees? Read our handy guide to find out how much your photographer will charge for their services.

What is Headshot Photography?

Headshots are images that are taken in a professional setting. They should represent your company values while also reflecting your personality. For example, selfies or images taken at a wedding would be unsuitable for business use. That’s why professional headshots are preferred instead. 

Headshot photography involves a photographer coming into your place of work and photographing your employees in an unformed way, making sure the pose, lighting, and camera angles deliver the right kind of look. The high-quality images can be used for your website, professional profiles, or general marketing materials.

Another popular use for headshot photography is for those in the entertainment industry, who are looking to build a portfolio. This includes the likes of actors, models, singers, and TV presenters. Headshots can make or break a career, so they need to show the person off in the best light, and be true to character depending on the industry they work for.

How much does Headshot Photography cost?

The cost of headshot photography ranges between $100 and $230 per hour, with an average price of $150 per hour. 

Typically, headshot photography can be completed relatively quickly, especially for more basic setups. 

Though, a longer amount of time may be needed for entertainment style headshots, which will be more experimental in terms of the angles, lighting, hair and makeup, backgrounds, etc.

Headshot Photography prices
Average cost (per hour)$150
Minimum cost (per hour)$100
Maximum cost (per hour)$230

What changes the price of Headshot Photography? 

The cost of headshot photography varies depending on several factors, including: 

  • Type of headshot

  • Number of people

  • Allotted shot number

  • Post-production

  • Time

  • Experience

  • Location

Type of Headshot

A headshot for a marketing company website isn’t the same as a headshot for a Hollywood casting call. Each requires a different approach from the photographer, and some skills may be more costly than others. 

Headshots can be commercial, comedic, or dramatic in style. So the type of headshot you require may alter the price of the photographer, depending on their specialism. 

Typically, corporate headshots are the cheapest starting at just $100 per person. 

Team shots are the most expensive, ranging between $280 and $400 per session. This is due to the larger number of people that need photographing, which will take longer than one person.

Headshot Photography prices by type of headshot
Type of headshotHighest average priceLowest average price
Corporate$200$100
Entertainment$270$140
Modeling$185$150
Team$400$280

Number of people

The number of people who require a headshot taken by the photographer will affect the cost. With each additional person the photographer will have to work longer hours, therefore the cost will be higher.

However, the benefit for larger groups is that by using a headshot photographer, the images will be uniformed in terms of size, quality, and style. This is important for website images in particular. 

Look out for any package deals the photographer may provide if you require headshots for a large group of people.

Allotted shot number

Although more of a rarity these days, some photographers still work by the number of camera shots they will give you per shoot. For example, 50 shots per person. If this is the case, then the greater number of shots you select, the more it will cost you.

Post-production

As with all forms of photography, you can usually request post-production (photo editing) for an additional fee. This could include anything from background removal to blurring a pesky blemish. Post-production doesn’t usually come as standard, so ask your photographer if it’s something you are concerned about. Remember, the headshot still needs to look natural, so excessive editing isn’t recommended.

Time

The amount of time the photographer estimates the job will take will be factored into your quote. Some photographers may also charge by the hour rather than a fixed fee. Consider the time needed to not only take the shot but all of the setup time too. Plus any time required for post-production editing.

Experience

Photographers vary in experience from those who are new to the profession to those with decades of experience on the job. It might only be a headshot, but that image will speak a thousand words. So consider the experience of the professional carefully, rather than looking for the best price alone.

Location

The location where your photographer is based will usually impact the cost of hiring them. This is due to a difference in operational costs. On average, photographers cost as little as $150 to hire in Wisconsin, rising to $225 in California.

As photographers set their rates, the true cost will very much depend on their experience and the type of headshot you require, rather than location alone.

Headshot photography prices in the US
LocationAverage photographer cost
California$225
Texas$180
New York$200
Wisconsin$150
Colorado$165

Keep in mind that location will also matter if it’s a long-distance from where the photographer is based. If so, the cost of travel expenses and accommodation (if applicable) will be factored into the quote.

Is it worth getting Headshot Photography?

Most definitely. After all, when it comes to headshots, first impressions count for a lot. Unprofessional, pixelated images or any images that fail to meet the brief won’t cut it - whether you’re in business or are going for an audition. Getting that all-important headshot is impossible without the right equipment, knowledge, or technique. Therefore, professional headshot photographers are the best people to turn to if you need one. 

Find the best professional for the job on Bark today.

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