Pricing Guide
Headshot Photography Pricing
Transparent pricing for individuals, teams, and enterprise programs. No hidden fees. No surprise invoices. You know exactly what you are paying before we pick up the camera.
What Affects Headshot Pricing
There is no universal answer to "how much do headshots cost?" because the price depends on several factors specific to your situation. Understanding these factors helps you compare quotes accurately and avoid photographers who bury costs in fine print.
Program Size
This is the single biggest factor for team and company work. Once a group reaches 4 people, it moves off the individual rate and into the Corporate Headshot Program, which is quoted as production days, not per head. A small team is scoped as a half-day on site. A large company runs multiple days, and a national rollout runs as a scheduled multi-city tour.
Location
Studio sessions and local on-location shoots typically cost the same base rate. Travel beyond the local metro area adds costs for the photographer's time, transportation, and potentially lodging. In major metro areas like New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles, headshot pricing runs 20-40% higher than the national average due to higher operating costs. We quote travel as its own line item on every proposal and provide flat-rate quotes for national travel.
Session Type
A quick 10-minute LinkedIn headshot costs less than a full executive portrait session with multiple outfits, locations, and creative direction. Standard corporate headshots prioritize speed and consistency. Executive sessions prioritize creative variety and personal branding. The time difference translates directly to cost: a standard headshot takes five to ten minutes while an executive session runs 30-60 minutes.
Retouching Level
Basic retouching (skin smoothing, blemish removal, color correction) is included in most professional headshot sessions. Advanced retouching (teeth whitening, stray hair removal, clothing adjustments, background replacement) costs more per image. For team sessions, retouching is standardized for consistency. For individual executive portraits, retouching matches each person's preferences. The difference between basic and premium retouching adds $25-75 per image.
For individuals, our premium pricing is flat and inclusive. The final retouched images are part of the price, so there is nothing to add on. Other factors apply to team and enterprise work, like turnaround time (rush delivery costs more than standard delivery) and whether you need additional deliverables like group shots, environmental portraits, or behind-the-scenes content. For a team or enterprise program, the most accurate way to get your price is to request a custom quote.
Three Ways to Work With Us
From a single headshot to an ongoing enterprise program.
Individual Session
From $1,200
Premium executive and personal branding headshots for leaders who represent a company or a personal brand. One flat, inclusive price per person. You get expert direction, review in real time, and walk away with final retouched images. Executive Headshots start at $1,200. Personal Branding starts at $1,800.
- Flat, inclusive price per person
- Expression coaching and posing direction
- Real-time review on tethered monitor
- Executive Headshots: 3 final retouched images, multiple backgrounds
- Personal Branding: 8 to 10 final images, more looks
- High-resolution files for print and web
- Multiple background options
- Fast proofing gallery turnaround
Best for: Executives, founders, C-suite leaders, personal brands, speakers
Get StartedSmall Team Session
Quoted as production days, not per head. Scoped on a 15-minute call.
4 to 24 people. One location. A production half-day on site. One station, every person coached.
- 4 to 24 people
- One location
- A production half-day on site. One station, every person coached.
- Individual coaching for every person
- Proofing gallery
Best for: A practice group, a leadership team, a new-hire cohort.
Request a Program QuoteOffice Day
Quoted as production days, not per head. Scoped on a 15-minute call.
25 to 75 people. One location. One full production day. One station. Fast turnaround on proofs.
- 25 to 75 people
- One location
- One full production day. One station. Fast turnaround on proofs.
- Individual coaching for every person
- Proofing gallery
Best for: A single office that wants every face on the team page to match.
Request a Program QuoteCompany Program
Quoted as production days, not per head. Scoped on a 15-minute call.
75 to 300 people. One or two locations. Two to four production days, scheduled by department so no meeting is emptied twice.
- 75 to 300 people
- One or two locations
- Two to four production days, scheduled by department so no meeting is emptied twice.
- Individual coaching for every person
- Proofing gallery
Best for: A firm, a hospital department, a regional headquarters.
Request a Program QuoteMulti-Office Program
Quoted as production days, not per head. Scoped on a 15-minute call.
300 or more people. Two to six cities. A scheduled tour. The same photographer, the same lighting recipe, and the same retoucher in every city.
- 300 or more people
- Two to six cities
- A scheduled tour. The same photographer, the same lighting recipe, and the same retoucher in every city.
- Individual coaching for every person
- Proofing gallery
Best for: A national firm that needs one standard across every office.
Request a Program QuoteOn-site team work is quoted as production days, not per head.
Put a Number on It Before You Call
The calculator gives a ballpark for your session. For an exact quote, send the details and we will respond within one business day.
How many people need headshots?
Select the range that best fits your team.
Running Estimate
$4,300 – $7,500
What the Price Actually Covers
A headshot session is more than someone pointing a camera at you. Here is everything that goes into producing a professional image that represents your brand accurately.
Pre-Session Planning
Before the camera comes out, there is a consultation to understand your goals, brand guidelines, and intended use for the images. For team sessions, this includes coordinating with your HR or marketing team on scheduling, outfit guidelines, and backdrop selection. For individuals, we discuss your industry, target audience, and how the headshot fits into your personal brand. This planning is what separates a professional headshot from a snapshot.
Professional Equipment and Setup
Professional-grade lighting, backdrops, and camera equipment are transported, assembled, calibrated, and tested before a single frame is captured. For on-location sessions at your office, this setup transforms a conference room or empty office into a temporary portrait studio. The equipment investment behind a professional headshot operation runs $30,000-$50,000, and that gear is maintained, updated, and insured to deliver consistent results across every session.
Expression Coaching
The biggest differentiator between a mediocre headshot and a great one is the expression. Most people freeze or look uncomfortable in front of a camera. A skilled headshot photographer coaches you through natural expressions, demonstrates poses, and creates an environment where you relax and look like yourself. This skill takes years to develop and is the primary reason professional headshots look fundamentally different from DIY or AI-generated alternatives.
Professional Retouching
Every delivered image goes through professional retouching. This is not a one-click filter. It is manual, pixel-level work: evening out skin tones, removing temporary blemishes, softening under-eye circles, cleaning up stray hairs, and ensuring the colors are accurate and consistent. For team sessions, retouching also includes matching skin tones and exposure across all team members so your website gallery looks cohesive. This step alone takes 15-30 minutes per image.
File Delivery and Formatting
You receive high-resolution files optimized for every use case: print-ready files for marketing materials, web-optimized files for your website, and social-media-sized crops for LinkedIn, company directories, and email signatures. For enterprise clients, we can deliver files directly to your digital asset management system via API, tagged with each employee's name and department for easy organization.
Headshot Prices Range From $50 to Four Figures
Headshot pricing varies wildly across the industry. Here is a realistic overview of what you will find in the market so you can make an informed decision.
Budget Options ($50-$150)
At this price point, you are typically getting a mini session at a shared studio or a photographer who shoots headshots as a side offering. Sessions are short (five to ten minutes), retouching is minimal or automated, and there is little to no coaching. The images are adequate for basic LinkedIn profiles but lack the polish expected for executive-level professionals or corporate websites. You also rarely get real-time review, meaning you wait days to see your images and may not love any of them.
Mid-Range Options ($200-$500)
This is where many headshot photographers operate for individual sessions. You get dedicated session time, professional lighting, expression coaching, and quality retouching. The photographer specializes in headshots and portraiture, which means they understand how to direct people who are uncomfortable in front of a camera. This range suits general professional needs, and the images typically last 2-3 years before needing an update. Our individual sessions sit above this range. We build for executives and personal brands at a premium level, not the mid-market.
Premium Options ($500-$1,500+)
This is where Henry David Photography works for individuals. At the premium level, you are paying for extensive creative direction, multiple looks and backgrounds, and a set of final retouched images rather than a single frame. This range is common for C-suite executives, public figures, and authors who need professional images for different contexts: book covers, speaking engagements, press kits, and editorial features. Our individual pricing is flat and inclusive. Executive Headshots start at $1,200 with three final retouched images and multiple backgrounds. Personal Branding starts at $1,800 with more looks and 8 to 10 final images.
AI-Generated Headshots ($20-$50)
AI headshot services generate synthetic images from selfies you upload. The price is low, but so is the result. Common problems include uncanny-valley expressions, inconsistent or impossible lighting, warped jewelry and glasses, and backgrounds that do not exist in real life. More critically, AI headshots cannot capture your real expression and energy. People who know you will notice something is off. For a professional context where trust matters, a synthetic image sends the wrong signal.
Pricing Questions, Answered Straight
What things cost, how payment works, and what you get back.
How much does a professional headshot cost?
Individual sessions are premium and built for executives and personal brands. Pricing is flat and inclusive, per person, starting at $1,200. Executive Headshots start at $1,200 and include three final retouched images and multiple backgrounds. Personal Branding starts at $1,800 with more looks and 8 to 10 final images. The price includes the deliverables. There is nothing else to add on. Groups of 1 to 3 people book at the individual rate. Four or more people is the Corporate Headshot Program, quoted as production days by group size, not per person. On-site team work is quoted as production days, not per head.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards, ACH bank transfers, and company checks. For corporate clients, we can invoice your accounts payable department with NET-30 terms after credit approval. Payment plans are available for large team bookings.
Is a deposit required to book a session?
Yes. Individual sessions require a 50% deposit at booking, with the balance due on the day of the session. Team and enterprise bookings require a 25% deposit to secure your date, with the remainder invoiced upon completion. Deposits are applied to your total and are non-refundable within 48 hours of the session.
What is included in the premium session?
Everything is included in one flat price. The session covers pre-session consultation, professional lighting and backdrop setup, expression coaching during the shoot, real-time image review on a tethered monitor, and access to your proofing gallery. The final retouched images are part of the price. Executive Headshots include three final retouched images and multiple backgrounds. Personal Branding includes 8 to 10 final images and more looks. High-resolution files are delivered optimized for both print and web. There are no add-ons and no hidden fees.
Are there travel fees for on-location sessions?
Travel and setup are quoted as separate line items on every proposal, including sessions in the St. Louis metro. For locations within a 3-hour drive, a flat travel fee applies. National and international sessions include travel costs (airfare, hotel, ground transportation) as a separate line item in your quote. We fly to clients across the country and can provide an estimate within one business day.
Is there a minimum team size for corporate headshot sessions?
Groups of 1 to 3 people book at the individual rate, which starts at $1,200 per person. Four people is the minimum for the Corporate Headshot Program. A Small Team Session starts at 4 people and is quoted as a production half-day, not a per-person rate. We photograph programs ranging up to 500 or more people across multiple offices.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations made more than 7 days before the session receive a full refund minus a $50 administrative fee. Cancellations within 7 days forfeit the deposit but can be applied as credit toward a rescheduled session within 90 days. Rescheduling is free with at least 48 hours notice. Weather-related cancellations for outdoor sessions are always rescheduled at no cost.
Are professional headshots worth the investment compared to AI-generated headshots?
Professional headshots consistently outperform AI-generated images in trust, engagement, and conversion metrics. A LinkedIn study found profiles with professional photos receive 14x more views. AI headshots often have subtle uncanny-valley artifacts, inconsistent lighting, and cannot capture your real expression. Your headshot represents your professional brand to every client, recruiter, and colleague who views your profile. A premium executive headshot session starts at $1,200, includes the final retouched images, and the result represents you for years. For an executive or personal brand, that is difficult to beat.
Every Project Is Quoted Individually
Tell us your team size, timeline, and what the images are for, and we will send a detailed quote within one business day. No pressure, and no follow-up calls unless you want them.