A professional headshot in your LinkedIn profile or company website can increase your credibility, attract better job opportunities and help build a strong professional network.
The first question that often comes to mind when considering headshots is: How much does headshot photography actually cost?
In this blog, we’ve discussed the headshot pricing guidelines in detail after extensively researching 200+ authentic sources to give you the most accurate information. Stay till the end to learn the various headshot photography categories, standard price ranges, average prices based on the types and many more.
Let’s explore the professional headshot pricing right away!
Professional headshot photography is a technique that captures high-quality and well-composed images focusing on the head and shoulder of an individual. Usually, the purpose of these styles of images is to highlight a person’s personality and professionalism.
Professional individuals such as executives, entrepreneurs, actors, social media influencers or public figures use professional-quality headshots on resumes, LinkedIn, company websites, press releases or portfolios. Headshot photography has become an important source for effective personal branding, impressing clients and getting connected with other professionals.
The Types of Headshot Photography and Use Cases
Headshot photography has numerous categories and styles based on different professions and personal needs. Each style has unique presentation styles and pricing structures. Before discussing professional headshot pricing, you must understand the categories of headshots and their specific use cases. This will help you decide the styles that best suit your goals and prepare for the associated costs.
Let’s explore the different types of headshots and their purposes.
Professional Headshots
A professional headshot is a photography style that visually represents an individual’s professionalism and confidence. These images help make a strong first impression. People use this photography for self-branding or in business profiles to attract the attention of their target audience and build trust in their professional or social circles.
Business Headshots
Business personnel such as entrepreneurs, start-up founders, industry speakers or social media influencers focused on business use business headshots to present their strong business personas. They usually use these photographs on company websites, team portfolios, email signatures, press releases, business conferences, etc. Although business headshots are similar to professional and corporate headshots, the differences in focus and target audience make business headshots a distinct style.
Corporate Headshots
Corporate headshots are somewhat similar to business headshots but with a broader focus. While business headshots highlight individual professionalism, corporate headshots emphasize individual personalities, the work environment, and the organization or team as a whole. These images are ideal for every corporate executive who wants to strengthen their credibility and promote a professional image.
Modeling Headshots
Modeling headshots is a basic necessity for aspiring as well as established models to create their portfolios. In this style of headshot, the main focus remains on the facial features and expressions of the models. Apart from portfolios, these headshots play key roles in their career. Modeling agencies and other industry professionals review these photographs to offer projects or invite them to events.
Actor and Actress Headshots
Actor or acting headshots are must-haves for actors and actresses. This headshot style captures the versatile emotional expressions they can portray when playing different characters. Casting directors, producers and other authorities look into these photographs to evaluate whether the actor or actress will be the best fit for a particular role.
Linkedin Headshots
LinkedIn is considered one of the most important platforms for networking with professionals from different industries. Industry professionals use professional-quality headshots to create a lasting impression on the profile visitors. These photos give the corporate individual a genuine and trustworthy appearance, which helps them connect with and grow their network.
Group Headshots
Organizations use group headshots to promote a positive company reputation. Usually, the board of directors, leadership teams or specific department employees are featured in the group headshots. These photos are ideal for promoting unity and organizational culture on social media, company websites, annual reports, and marketing materials.
Author Headshots
Writers need author headshots to promote their literary work. High-quality headshots make finding a publisher easy for a writer. Moreover, great headshots enhance the credibility of the quality of the books or novels. Visually stunning author headshots may also help to boost sales.
Headshot vs. Portrait Photography: A Professional Comparison between Headshot and Portrait
Headshots and portraits have some common features, which oftentimes can confuse people to consider them the same. However, both of these photography styles are different in purpose, composition and presentation techniques. It is important that you understand the differences properly so that you can set clear expectations for your headshots.
The following are the key differences that make headshots and portraits different from one another.
| Category | Headshot Photography | Portrait Photography |
|---|---|---|
Definition | Headshots are styles of images that capture the head and shoulders of an individual. | Portraits are images that capture half or full body to show the personality of the individual. |
Goal | These photographs are mostly used for professional platforms such as LinkedIn profiles, company websites, corporate events, etc. | These photos are used for both personal and professional purposes, such as blog posts, websites, social media posts, personal branding, wall decoration, etc. |
Background | Plain backgrounds are considered the standard ones for headshot photography. | Portraits are shot against a simple background as well as an outdoor location to provide context or create a mood. |
Focus | The main focus of headshots remains on the face of the subject. However, the upper body part, like the shoulder is included in the frame for a better look. | The face, body, gesture, posture—everything remains the focus of portrait shots. |
Posing | Simple and straightforward poses are required for headshots since the facial features and expression are the highlighting factors in headshots. | There are specific guidelines for poses in portraits. Subjects can give straightforward poses or choose different poses that match the theme and mood of the photos. |
Standard Pricing Ranges For Headshots
Headshot photography comes with various packages depending on your needs. Let’s explore the standard pricing ranges to help you choose the package without overpaying or compromising on your goals.
Basic Headshots Pricing
The basic headshots are captured in the packages for entry-level professionals or those preparing to step into the professional world. This budget-friendly headshot service is great for anyone needing a simple yet professional photo, especially students, fresh graduates or professionals looking for affordable solutions.
Cost Range
You can expect this type of headshot under $250. A beginner photographer may charge around $25 to $50, whereas a professional may ask for around $150 to $250.
Service Include
The basic headshot service usually includes a single outfit, a short session within 15–30 minutes, a limited background and a few retouched images with basic adjustments.
Best For
You can use these images in your resume for job applications and LinkedIn profiles.
Standard Headshots Pricing
Standard headshots are mid-range headshot images for professionals planning to create a strong online presence. Entrepreneurs, startup owners or executives with a moderate level of experience are the best fit for standard headshots.
Cost Range
Standard headshots may cost around $250-$500. Although amateur photographers may charge less, it is recommended to get these long-term assets from a professional photographer.
Service Include
Standard headshot packages usually include a medium-length session lasting 30–60 minutes, multiple backgrounds with different outfits, and a greater number of moderate retouchings such as skin smoothing, color correction, etc.
Best For
You can use these images for personal branding on your social media, personal website or blogs.
Premium Headshots Pricing
Premium headshot is the most expensive package designed for public figures, actors, models or corporate giants. Photographers with extensive experience offer this package, ensuring the highest level of quality.
Cost Range
Since premium headshots are the most expensive ones, the highest limit can’t be defined. However, on average, the cost can be expected to be within $500 to $1000 or above.
Service Include
The basic services that remain included in the premium headshots are personalized pre-shoot consultation, extended sessions of 1 to 2+ hours, multiple outfits, professional stylists, studio or on-location shooting with advanced setups, extensive professional-quality editing and many more.
Best For
Actors and models use these photographs in their portfolios, while public figures and industry leaders use them at conferences or professional events where media exposure is at its highest.
Professional Headshots Pricing: How Much Do Professional Headshots Cost In 2025?
Professional photographers charge for headshot photography considering various factors such as their expertise, session duration and location. However, the pricing also depends on the type of headshot you need, as each style may require different setups, editing and customization. One category may cost $25, while another may cost $250.
So, it’s best to have a clear idea about the headshot pricing depending on the headshot categories to help you set a realistic budget and choose the right option for your needs. The following are some basic pricing guidelines on how much cost you can expect for your headshot style. Let’s learn!
Business Headshots Pricing
A business headshot is in demand for entrepreneurs and industry leaders. You can have these headshots taken by a beginner photographer as well as a reputed professional photographer. On average, you can set a budget within $70 to $800. The costs can start as low as $30 and exceed $2,500 for premium services.
Let’s check out the average business headshot pricing range depending on the expertise level of a photographer.
- Beginner or amateur photographers: $30 to $70
- Mid-level photographer: $100 to $250
- Highly expert photographer: $300 to $800
Corporate Headshot Pricing
If you are a corporate executive, such as a Chief Executive Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Team Leader, or other senior officer, you should consider setting a budget ranging from $70 to $1,500. The minimum expected price can be $70 and the maximum $1500.
Here is the average corporate headshot pricing range for photographers based on their level of expertise.
- Beginner or amateur photographers: $70 to $100
- Mid-level photographer: $130 to $250
- Highly expert photographer: $280 to $1500
Modeling Headshots Pricing
Are you an aspiring model looking for model headshot prices? Then you should be financially ready to pay around $150 to $300 for capturing professional-quality headshots. Usually, top models go for photographers having 10 to 15+ years of experience. That level of headshot can cost around $1500 or more.
The following is the average modeling headshot pricing range for photographers based on their level of expertise.
- Beginner or amateur photographers: $70 to $150
- Mid-level photographer: $200 to $400
- Highly expert photographer: $500 to $1800
Actor and Actress Headshots Pricing
Actor headshots are a bit expensive compared to other headshot categories. The standard price range for this type of headshot starts from $500 to $2000 and above. Usually, the cost per image is higher, because of which the overall cost becomes pricey.
Below is the average actor and actress headshot pricing range per image based on the reputation of a photographer.
- Beginner or amateur photographers: $80 to $130
- Mid-level photographer: $200 to $350
- Highly expert photographer: $450 to $750
Author Headshots Pricing
The price range for author headshots is somewhat similar to business headshots. Usually, photographers charge within $60 to $500 from authors. The pricing of this headshot category makes it an accessible and affordable pricing option for most authors.
Here is the average author headshot pricing range you can expect from different expertise levels of photographers.
- Beginner or amateur photographers: $50 to $70
- Mid-level photographer: $80 to $250
- Highly expert photographer: $300 to $500
Group Headshots Pricing
The pricing structure of group headshots is quite different compared to other headshot services. Photographers usually consider the number of people in the headshots to charge the cost. A standard group headshot can be expected to cost from $500 to $1500.
The following is the average group headshot pricing structure based on the skills or level of a photographer.
- Beginner or amateur photographers: $130 per person for around 10 people
- Mid-level photographer: $120 per person for up to 15 people
- Highly expert photographer: $100 per person for about 20 people
Linkedin Headshots Pricing
Do you want professional-quality headshots for your LinkedIn profile? Make sure you have a budget within $100 to $1000 for headshot photography. You can get the shots done at a lower price if you take the service from a beginner-level photographer. However, the higher the skill level of the photographer, the higher the price.
Let’s checkout the standard LinkedIn headshot pricing charged by photographers having different expertise levels.
- Beginner or amateur photographers: $70 to $100
- Mid-level photographer: $120 to $250
- Highly expert photographer: $250 to $500
Key Reasons for Different Headshot Prices
Headshot costs are not universal. There are several factors that influence the pricing of headshot packages. Understanding these factors may help you prevent unexpected expenses and decide on the package that suits your needs. The following are the common factors shaping headshot prices.
Experience of the Photographer
The biggest factor affecting the cost of a headshot is the experience and expertise of the photographer. Established photographers with strong portfolios often charge higher rates compared to amateur or less experienced professionals. This is because a reputed photographer has been capturing headshots for years. They are well aware of the diverse client needs and creative techniques that enhance the final results. Moreover, their strong history of satisfied clients makes their skills more reliable and trustworthy.
Location of the Shoot
The location of your shoot is another important factor that can either increase or decrease the overall cost. Usually, studio sessions are cost-effective compared to outdoor locations. This is due to the difference in the efforts required for the shoot. In studios, the backdrop, lighting and other necessary equipment are already set up.
On the other hand, photographers have to travel with the equipment and re-design the setups for outdoor locations. Photographers design packages that require traveling considering these factors, which eventually increases the photoshoot cost.
Geographical Area
Headshot photography costs vary depending on the geographical location of the photographers as well. For example, you can expect to spend around $150 to $200 on your headshots in Nevada, Indiana or West Virginia. However, the price can rise to between $400 and $500 in California, Washington, and Massachusetts.
The pricing of headshots tends to be higher in urban areas. The operating costs, such as studio rentals and permits are higher in urban areas than rural areas. Moreover, the intense competition in busy areas makes photographers invest more in marketing, equipment, and services, resulting in higher rates.
Session Duration
The pricing structure of the headshot packages is designed considering the session duration. Basic packages may cost the least as they need around 10–15 minutes to complete. It goes without saying that sessions lasting half or a full day will cost more. Besides, photographers often charge an hourly rate for longer sessions. Photography sessions that require multiple outfits and look changes may have extra charges. Make sure you discuss the pricing clearly before signing the contract.
Delivery File Format
The format of the image files can influence your headshot prices. Nowadays, photographers deliver photographs digitally through online galleries or file-sharing platforms. Print copies or specific formats, such as web-optimized or print-ready files may require additional costs.
Make-up & Hair Artist
Makeup and hairstyles are the keys to making people look their best in the photographs. Not all clients have makeup and hair styling skills. For this reason, some photographers offer makeup and hair set-up services along with headshot sessions.
Since they collaborate with professional makeup and hair artists, this additional service makes the packages more expensive than the regular packages.
Image Post Production Cost
Headshot packages usually include a few retouched images. Since the focus remains on the face of an individual, it is important to make them look perfect. Photo retouching techniques such as smoothing skin texture, removing blemishes, adjusting color balance and fixing other flaws in the photos are a must.
It’s worth mentioning that these retouching efforts are time-consuming and require specialized skills. Sometimes, the photographer does the retouching tasks themselves. However, for the best results, they seek help from image editing service providers.
So, obviously, you are not getting them for free. The cost of photo retouching is also included in the headshot packages. For this reason, you may need to pay extra for additional retouch image requests
Frequently Asked Questions About Professional headshot Pricing
How Much is an Average Headshot?
The cost of a headshot mostly depends on the photographer’s skills and the package category. Beginner-level photographers may ask for a minimum of $25 to $75. The price may rise above $1,000 for a professional headshot photographer. So, on average, $125 to $500 can provide you with high-quality headshots.
Why are Headshots so Expensive?
The cost of headshot photography may appear to be paying for the labor of the photographer, but it is more than that. Headshot photography is a business in itself. Photographers invest a lot in the studio and professional equipment such as cameras, lenses, lighting, etc. Besides, you get professional-quality final photographs because of the experience and skills they have honed throughout the years. The comprehensive value of these factors together makes headshots expensive.
How Long Do Headshot Sessions Last?
The duration of the headshot photoshoot session depends on your photography package. Usually, basic packages where the setup is ready and the shots are simple may take around 10 to 15 minutes. However, if you need to change outfits and locations multiple times, then the session may take about an hour or more.
Are Headshots Worth It?
Professional-quality headshots can help you establish a competent personality among the audience. The first impression you will create through these images will be positive and long-lasting. Moreover, people will develop trust in you and your expertise. Since professional headshots offer so many benefits for your career, it can be considered a worthwhile investment.
Conclusion
Headshot photography is a valuable investment for personal branding as well as professional growth. You must do your research properly before getting into a headshot session. A clear understanding of all the included facilities, such as background options, outfit changes, the number of retouched images and many more, is essential to achieving your goals.
Now that you understand the various factors influencing headshot prices, you can search for the best deal and get the most value for your hard-earned money.
