As more-and-more professionals are looking to make their stamp on the world, they’re looking to Professional Photographers to create their Headshots.
While there is a wide range of pricing for a Professional Headshot, today I’m going to answer the question, “How much do Headshots Cost?”
When you’re looking for a Dallas Portrait Photographer, it’s important to know what you’re getting for your money, and why some Photographers may charge more than others.
So, let me answer your question on Headshot cost, and why you’re paying what you’re paying.
The Cost of a Headshot
The best answer for your question on how much do Headshots cost is, it DEPENDS.
On the low end, you can expect to pay $75, while on the high end you can expect to pay a $1,000 +.
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Many variables determine how much a Photographer charges for a Professional Headshot, which I’ll get into in a minute.
On the low end, I recently asked a real-estate agent in one of my local Dallas networking groups how much he paid for a recent Headshot, and he told $75.
While this is super low, I have a friend who is a Photographer in Irving, TX who charges $125 for his Headshots.
My Photillustrator Headshots fall in the low to middle range of costs, and you can expect to pay $450 for my work.
On the high end, Photographers like Peter Herley from New York will charge $1,000 plus for his Headshots, which are worth the investment.
Ultimately, what you pay is determined by how much you value a good, quality Headshot Portrait.
Investing in Your Image
Regardless of whether you’re one of the 60% of business owners who work out of their home, an employee for a company, or the CEO of a major corporation, you are your Brand.
I know you’ve heard that people do business with those they Know, Like, and Trust.
Having a congruent Image (Brand) throughout your social media platforms, website, and your printed materials is critical to building the Know, Like, and Trust your consumers want.
People do business with people, not businesses.
So, if your consumers are buying from you because of you, then why would you consider your Headshot anything but an investment?
While investing in a high-end Headshot may not be in your budget right now, paying for a cheap Headshot may not deliver the Image most beneficial to you, or your business.
Why Headshots Cost what they Cost
As I mentioned early, there are a wide range of Photographers charging a wide range of prices for their Headshots, and it’s important you know the difference so you know what you’re paying for.
Not all Headshot Portraits are created equal.
Experience: Commonly, new Headshot Photographers just breaking into the industry will charge less than Photographers who have many years of experience.
Editing: Typically, low-end Headshot Photographers offer little to no editing to correct colors, blemishes, and wrinkles, while high-end Headshot Photographers pride themselves on higher quality, editing portraits.
Convenience: If convenience is important to you, location Headshot Photographers commonly charge more because of the time and variability of coming to you to create your Headshot Portrait.
Equipment: While the iPhone creates great photos, the camera equipment, lighting equipment, computers, and editing software necessary to create great Headshot Portraits cost a lot of money.
The Wal-Mart Effect: The Photography industry, like many other industries, is plagued with Headshot Photographers who are willing to cut their margins to nearly nothing in an effort to just get the job.
My Photillustrator Headshots
Many Headshot Photographers vary slightly in style, which is an additional factor that may determine the cost of your Headshots.
Because I apply my Photillustrator style to my Headshots, I always make sure my style is what you’re looking for.
Being a Dallas Headshot Photographer, I’m always looking for opportunities to create Headshots that are better than average, and that help you stand out in the overwhelming noise of the internet and marketing.
how many images do you typically give a client for a headshot session?
I don’t do many headshots anymore but I generally choose 3 or 4 of the best and let them choose which one they’d like me to edit. If they choose more than one, that’s ok, as long as they understand they’ll be paying for the additional edited images.
WHAT DO MOST “head shot” photographers deliver for the end produc?
I think that depends on the photographer. Every photographer has their way of doing things.
do you charge 125 per person getting the headshot or is this per job.
I would charge $375 per person and would consider charging less per person if there were 10 or more.
I have a request for 35 corporate headshots at their location. How would you price that? I usually price $200-$300 for individuals at my location. Do you use a cost breakdown for multiples?
Hey Bill… If it were me I’d make it easy and charge a day rate rather than per person. Tell them you usually charge $300 per person but since your doing 35 portraits for them, you’ll do it for $3,500 or higher if you’d like.
I wouldn’t charge less then $200.00 for a headshot session
I think that’s a good starting point.
That depends on the market, quality, uniqueness among other things.
Don’t compete on price. Maintain your brand, reputation.
I 100% agree!
Hi,
a company asked me to make them an invoice for shooting 30 ppl 4 business portraits per person. They requested a makeup artist for men and women. I am based in Croatia so i know how much people respect a good photo. Lets just say they decide to make a pro portrait when they work with western clients. If their work is local they use selfies. So i made them the offer for 30 ppl best 4 photos(edited) per person for around 60$. That is 120 portraits for 30 ppl for around 1700$ + 15$ for makeup for men and 30$ makeup for women. Around 2300 total.
The client thanked me for sending the offer and that was it. No reply after that. When i read how much you guys charge in the US and in western EU i want to cry. And not to mention that if i offer time limit on my portraits in my contract i would get 0 work.
I’m sorry to hear that for you. However, people will pay good money for things they value. So, if the market in Croatia doesn’t value high-quality portraits, then it’ll be difficult to get good money for your work unless you can show them your value. If you can do something “different” and they see value in it, they will pay you whatever you want. It’s hard but with some thought and planning, you can do it.
hi, I was asked to photograph a local real estate agency of 40+ people. 1 group shot and then more creative work weekly, documenting their new office space remodel. Would you charge separately for the group shot, and then weekly for the creative shots? They will be using them for their website and social media marketing
I personally would charge only one price for all of it. Charging separate fees might feel like you’re nickel and diming them. However, on your invoice, you can break it down so they can see what they’re investing in.
Hi Jason,
I’m being asked to do a group photo session (without headshots for now due to schedules & time) and I’m having trouble deciding on a price. I’m not a beginner, I’m definitely not a pro, but I do think the quality of my work reflects a semi-pro. (Ha! This of course is my own bias). Do you have any recommendations of what I should price this shoot? It will only be an hour of my time shooting plus editing. Thanks for your time and help!
There are many variables that go into pricing such as where you’re located, the size of the group, and how the image will be used to name just a few, which makes it nearly impossible for me to effectively answer that question. I would recommend deciding on what you are comfortable getting for the photo session then adding 20%. That way you’re happy with the value trade, their money for your time, and if you discover later that’s still too low, then you can always go up from there. Whatever you do, however, don’t undervalue your time and experience, which is why you should add 20% on to what you think is fair. Hope this helps.
You mentioned back early last year you’re not doing so many headshots any longer.. why was or is that?
This year has been both good and bad for headshots, definitely stirred the pot.
Thoughts on the future?
I wasn’t doing many headshots because my focus was only on doing crazy family portraits. However, because of the way things are I’m considering pushing corporate headshots a little heavier because they’re quick and an easy source of income. As for the future? There will always be a place for quality headshot portraits and maybe even more so now that so many people will be in the job market. The question is… How will you, me, us create headshots that stand out and get noticed for our clients?
Hello,
I was recently asked to do headshots for a nearby school’s yearbook, around 350 students + staff. I am a junior in high school, and while not a professional I’m far from a beginner, and my work reflects that. The school reached out to me because they didn’t want to pay a professional the $3500 that he was asking, and I have friends that go to that school that recommended me to the staff. I should mention that I live in Eastern Europe where $3500 is a little steep. Of course, it’s a no brainer for me to take the job because, well, I’m a high schooler in need of money. However, I don’t know how much to charge, especially considering my situation. Do you have any thoughts?
Thanks for your time!
That’s a lot of work there. I would charge $2,950 if I were you.
Helpful information about headshots, thanks.
You are welcome.
I’m a photographer making the move from hobby to professional (15-20 years experience as a hobbiest). Just starting my business, I have focused this first half of the year (2021) on portfolio building. I did a portfolio headshot session for a friend who wanted it for his company profile (website). The business owner is very happy with the way they turned out and as such, wants to hire me to make headshots of his entire staff (30-50). I’m considering $100 per person to include 3 hi-res edited images of their choice (at a park location or at their business site) and $20 per additional image. After reading your article (well thought out and presented, btw) I’m starting to think I may be undercutting myself but I really want the job, too. Would appreciate it if you would comment your thoughts as to what a more appropriate rate is or if you believe I’m offering too much for too little? Or am I about right, commensurate to my experience in delivering requisitioned portraits?
Thanks for your question Gabriel and congrats on going pro with your photography career. As for what you’re charging… I can’t tell you whether what you’re charging is appropriate or not. However, I can tell you that payment can come in something other than actual money. There is value in the experience you’ll gain not only photographically but with business, there’s value in exposure for your brand, and there’s value in getting content for your gallery and website.
As your photography career grows and you need less brand exposure and less gallery content, then your prices will go up. Right now, ask yourself what’s more valuable. Having all the dollars? or getting experience?
Hope this helps a little.