"How much do headshots cost?" is one of the first questions I get asked. And the honest answer is: it depends on who you hire and what's included.
Headshot pricing ranges from $50 for a mini-session at a pop-up event to $1,500+ for a premium experience with a top photographer. But price alone doesn't tell you much. What matters is what you actually get for your money.
Here's how to think about headshot pricing so you can make a smart decision.
The Price Ranges
Budget: $50–$150
- What you get: 5–15 minute mini-session, 1–2 images, minimal retouching
- Common setup: Pop-up events, headshot marathons, or newer photographers
- Pros: Affordable, quick
- Cons: Rushed sessions, limited coaching, cookie-cutter results, often no wardrobe changes
Mid-Range: $250–$500
- What you get: 30–60 minute session, 1–5 retouched images, professional lighting and direction
- Common setup: Established photographers with studio or on-location options
- Pros: Professional quality, coaching, time for multiple looks
- Cons: Varies widely in quality — do your research
Premium: $500–$1,000+
- What you get: 60+ minute session, 3–10 retouched images, full session gallery, tethered shooting, wardrobe consultation
- Common setup: Specialized headshot photographers with dedicated studios
- Pros: Best quality, personalized experience, images you'll use for years
- Cons: Higher upfront cost
What I Charge (and Why)
I offer three packages:
- Starter — $349 (1 retouched image + full session gallery of up to 20 images)
- Professional — $499 (3 retouched images + full session gallery of up to 25 images)
- Executive — $649 (5 retouched images + full session gallery of up to 25 images)
Additional retouched images are $95 each, regardless of which package you choose.
Every package includes the same session: about an hour of shooting time with professional coaching, multiple outfit changes, tethered shooting so you see images in real time, and your full gallery of unretouched images delivered alongside your finals.
Most of my clients choose the Professional package. Three retouched images gives you enough variety for LinkedIn, your company website, and a speaker bio or email signature — without needing to schedule another session for a while.
What "Retouched" Actually Means
Professional retouching isn't about making you look like someone else. It's about:
- Evening out skin tones
- Removing temporary blemishes (a pimple, a scratch, a stray hair)
- Cleaning up under-eye shadows from a late night
- Ensuring proper color and exposure
- Minor clothing adjustments (wrinkles, collar fixes)
You should look like yourself on your best day. If someone wouldn't recognize you from your headshot, the retouching went too far.
What to Look for When Comparing Photographers
Price is just one factor. Before you book, ask:
1. How many retouched images are included?
Some photographers charge $200 for a session but then charge $75–$150 per retouched image. That "cheap" session gets expensive fast.
2. Do I get the full session gallery?
Having access to your unretouched images gives you content for months. Not every photographer includes this.
3. Do you shoot tethered?
Tethered shooting means you see your images on a large screen during the session. This eliminates surprises and lets you make decisions in real time. It requires specialized equipment and not every photographer offers it.
4. What's the turnaround time?
Some photographers take 2–4 weeks to deliver. I deliver retouched finals within 24–48 hours because I know you need your images now, not next month.
5. Do you provide coaching and direction?
If you've never had professional photos taken, working with a photographer who directs you through every pose and expression makes all the difference. Ask if coaching is part of the session.
The Real Cost of a Bad Headshot
Here's what I tell clients who are on the fence: think about where your headshot lives.
It's on LinkedIn, where recruiters and clients decide in seconds whether to click on your profile. It's on your company's website, where prospects are evaluating whether to trust you with their business. It's in email inboxes, on conference agendas, in press features.
A headshot that makes you look polished, confident, and approachable is working for you 24/7. A bad one is working against you just as hard.
The difference between a $100 headshot and a $500 headshot isn't $400 — it's every opportunity that your professional image either opens or closes.
Ready to Invest in Your Image?
View my full pricing breakdown or request a personalized quote if you have specific needs. You can also book your session directly — I shoot at my studio in Camarillo, CA, and serve clients across Ventura County, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles.