Have you been looking up headshot photography services in your area recently and feeling stressed at the costs? Wondering whether it is worth it to fork out your hard-earned cash to get a headshot taken?
Today we will outline five reasons why headshots can be expensive, as well as looking at some cost-saving alternatives to keep you looking fresh with more cash in your pocket.
A Sneak Peek
Today’s article will outline costs associated with expensive headshots. These begin with a base range of overhead costs typical in operating a business, such as labor, equipment, location rental, and travel costs.
Next, we’ll cover premiums associated with obtaining services from reputable photographers with high artistic value and talk about why this is an increasingly valued practice
Finally, the perfect headshot in particular comes with a value premium above most other types of photograph. Their value in conveying professional capability and building both a strong online presence and stronger bottom line cannot be understated.
Headshots also come with some longevity and reusability—the perfect headshot can be used in multiple contexts, profiles and applications for years to come.
What if the Cost is Too High?
For those looking for ways to cut typical costs of headshots, we’ll also recommend some cost-saving strategies including using AI headshot generators, discounts, solo and emerging photographers, DIY smartphone approaches and more.
The List: 5 Reasons Why Headshots are Expensive
Let’s get into the details of the expenses behind professional headshot photography, starting with base costs associated with running a business, tiering up towards societal premiums associated with specialist photographers as well as the perfect end product.
1. Human resources
The first cost associated with headshot photography is human resources. In plain terms, that is the cost of having a range of people involved in the process.
Depending on the scale of your photographer’s business, and if they are part of a studio, costs for a photo session may cover the price of having a whole team involved in the process.
Photographer
The first cost should come as no surprise. You need to pay the photographer. A headshot photographer is typically a specialist in the field, capturing these kinds of portraits, day in, day out.
You are paying for a photographer who knows how to create professional, flattering images with the best angles and lighting.
Crew
In addition there are often several peripheral crew members who can be involved, depending on specific photography packages.
Setup crews for staging and lighting can be involved, and there may be a crew of hair, makeup and styling artists present before and during the shoot, to get you shining your best.
Business
Depending on the scale of the photo studio, there may also be personal assistants, website and social media managers as well as background business accounting and payroll teams who need to be paid.
2. Equipment Cost
Running a business creating headshots involves both initial set-up and ongoing equipment costs. These are factored into the charges for a headshot photoshoot.
Camera Equipment
Photo equipment is highly specialized and very expensive. From the camera itself, to stabilizing equipment, cameras are no small cost. Light generating and reflecting equipment as well as sets and backgrounds are used in studio settings.
This technology is constantly evolving. To keep up with expectations in photo quality, as well as issues with ongoing compatibility between hardware and software, photographers may have to replace and upgrade this equipment more than you think.
Storage and Processing
Storing and processing photos requires computers with lots of memory storage and high processing capacity. Photos take a lot of space and a lot of energy to manipulate.
Photographers can take hundreds to thousands of photos in one photoshoot, for each client. These need to be safely stored and worked with at ease.
That amount of storage, if cloud services are adopted, as well as subscriptions to editing software are ongoing costs for anyone providing headshot photo services.
Styling
If various styling processes are included in a headshot package, the ongoing costs of maintaining a size-inclusive wardrobe, as well as a range of makeup and hair styling products can be extensive.
3. Rental and Travel Costs
Whether photographers take their photos outside, or inside with a dedicated photo studio setup, costs also rack up for rental and travel costs.
Rental
Primary rental costs for the field of headshot photography is a venue in which to set up a backdrop and lights for an indoor studio.
This can include areas for wardrobe, hair and makeup, as well as equipment storage, and an area to store and edit headshots from each session.
Travel
Sometimes headshots are taken at special locations relevant to the occupation of the headshot subject, or outdoors in nature. Photographers are often hired to take a series of headshots for a group of people, such as at a workplace.
This incurs special travel costs for the photographer, their equipment, and any other team members who need to travel to the shoot location.
4. Reputation and Artistic Value
As the world is becoming increasingly online, the ability to build and maintain an online presence and make an impression online matter more and more to employees and entrepreneurs alike.
Workers are increasingly looking for a headshot to use as their professional profile picture in their emails, work profiles, job-seeking profiles and more.
Instagram Famous
Thus, many people are looking for successful headshot photographers who show competency in online-appropriate professional headshots. Their work as artists is often showcased on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
This means many people are willing to pay extra to work with a photographer or studio with a solid reputation, proven results, and an active following online, which increases overall costs.
5. Headshot Product Value
The final, and potentially most important reason why headshots are expensive is the value in the end product. Headshots provide value that goes beyond most other photographs, in the social impression they can convey, and the life impact such an image can have.
Curate Your Brand Image
The perfect headshot can assist in potential career progression and other important applications. When recruiters or hiring managers are looking across LinkedIn or other apps, your LinkedIn headshot can be one of their first impressions of you.
A photograph can say alot about a person—many decisions about whether to reach out to you or progress an application can hinge on the subconscious impression left by your headshot. An image where you look poised, comfortable yet at ease, with a pleasant expression and a well-groomed appearance can increase the likelihood the decision sways in your favor.
Taking the time to take a clear, high resolution, professional image can speak volumes. In this sense,a headshot is not just a photo. It’s a brand image; a representation of you as a professional.
A Lasting Impression
Another cost-incurring consideration with headshots is that the end product can be used repeatedly. You can use the same or similar versions of a headshot on business cards, email profiles, professional profiles, social media accounts,, dating sites and more.
The price you pay goes beyond a small series of portraits of you in your Sunday best. You’re paying for a series of carefully curated brand representations you can use across various platforms.
Cost Saving Strategies
Not everyone has the funds available to splash out for comprehensive headshot sessions with a premium photographer at a sought-after studio. Yet we believe everyone should have access to this important tool for career advancement.
So we’ve outlined various ways that you can reduce the cost of your headshots—including options that won’t cost you a penny! For each cost-saving strategy, we’ve outlined the benefits and drawbacks to help you make the best decision for you.
1. AI Headshot Generators
With the advent of modern technology, anyone with access to a computer or a smartphone, an internet connection, and a handful of digital photos of themselves can experience a digital “un-photoshoot”—the generation of an AI headshot in your likeness without having to travel anywhere!
Pros
Using some of the best AI headshot generators instead of undergoing a physical photoshoot saves on almost all fronts—time, effort, and expenses. Most AI headshot generator services cost well below the cost of a regular photoshoot, and services like Portrait Pal even offer free versions for you to try out.
Free versions often generate a handful of images in various styles and poses. If you have a less specific vision in mind, and are happy with a generically “professional” image style, this option may be perfect for you.
Cons
You may have to opt for paid AI services if you want more control over the specific elements of an image—what the background is like, the color of your blazer, or a specific pose and shot framing for example.
Different AI headshot generators have different policies regarding use licensing and ownership of generated images. While images generated by Portrait Pal are yours to use where and as you wish, check carefully the policies of other similar services to abide by lawful use.
2. Emerging Talent
There are always freshly trained and emerging talents starting out in the headshot photography game. Hiring one of these amateur photographers is one way you can save money and still get a set of professional-grade photos.
Pros
Emerging artists tend to charge less for their services as they have a smaller portfolio and less experience to back their reputation. In some cases, emerging artists may even offer free photoshoots in exchange for using some of your images to build their portfolio.
Cons
The quality of an emerging photographer may vary, especially if they are self-trained. Where you can, opt for someone who has completed some formal training, and ask to see any previous headshots from at least a few different clients.
3. Solo Artists
A step above engaging the services of an amateur photographer is to hire a “lone-wolf” photographer—a highly skilled professional photographer who shoots without a team, in a fairly basic setup.
Pros
Without the inclusion of a business team, large studio space, or shooting crew, costs can be substantially lowered. You are mostly covering the photographer’s time as well as simple equipment and studio costs. Photos will likely be of higher quality than the work of an emerging photographer.
Cons
You’ll pay a small premium above an amateur photographer for the skills of an established artist. You will also have to style yourself, choosing your own outfit, hair, and possibly makeup. If you are not comfortable making these decisions, this can limit the professional poise you’ll achieve for the final headshot.
4. Holiday and Off-Peak Deals
One way to save money in almost all aspects of life is to wait around for a sale, or look for specific deals that are on offer if you choose wisely. It is no different in the world of headshot photography.
Many headshot photographers broadcast their businesses on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. As consumers are sold special deals on holidays, headshot photographers often follow this trend, offering limited-time, holiday, or anniversary discounts.
There can also be special rates on offer if you book a photographer on days or times where bookings tend to be low, in a bid to fill their spaces.
Pros
Depending on the sale or special rate on offer, discounts can be substantial. This is an easy way to get the same service at a cheaper price.
Cons
People searching for headshot often want them quickly. With this approach you need to wait for a deal, and be lucky to get a limited space. Off-peak rates are often during working hours, which can be inaccessible to some employees.
5. Smart-Phone Savvy
A final cost-saving strategy is to try to take your own professional headshot, at home, or with a friend. If you have a modern smartphone, chances are you have access to a really good camera, with flattering portrait software. With a tripod or stable surface, good lighting, an appropriate background, and skilled self-styling, this can be a great cost-saver for those in a pinch.
Pros
Aside from using a free AI headshot generator, if you already own a smartphone this can be the cheapest option on our list. Many modern phones have software that is optimized to create flattering images that are suitable for an online presence, with background blurring and slight facial retouch features.
Cons
Good lighting and backgrounds can be hard to find, and this is really only an option for those with a good wardrobe and styling skills, or for those requiring minimal styling. Although access in price is then equal to some AI options, the quality of output is liable to vary widely.
In Summary
Today we have covered five reasons why headshots are expensive, as well as some cost-saving alternatives to acquiring a headshot.
Noted contributors to headshot expenses included:
1. Costs of human resources
- These can extend beyond just a photographer.
- Shoot crew and business staff may be employed at larger studios.
2. Equipment costs
- Keeping photographic equipment up-to-date and compatible is costly.
- Headshot storage and editing software incur ongoing costs.
3. Rental and travel costs
- Photographers usually rent a space to host a photo studio.
- Travel to outdoor or workplace shoots incurs transportation costs..
4. Premiums when using established photographers
- A strong online presence is increasingly more valued and sought-after.
- A premium is associated with photographers working within such spaces.
5. The ongoing and extensive value of a good headshot
- A good professional headshot can convey a sense of ease, approachability and competency, increasing career prospects.
- Headshots can be used in multiple contexts: business promotional materials, online profiles, job applications and more, and for several years.
Suggested cost-saving alternatives were outlined:
1. AI Headshot Generators
- Headshots can be generated with AI services, using existing images you already have.
- There are free options as well as paid services that allow for more image tailoring.
2. Emerging Talent
- Photographers just starting out in the field are generally cheaper to work with, or are free.
- Check for photography training and previous work to make sure quality is acceptable.
3. Solo Artists
- Photographers with small setups and no peripheral team are also cheaper to work with.
- Headshot quality is likely high, however self-styling may impact the end product.
4. Holiday and Off-Peak Deals
- Discounts can be offered around holidays and anniversaries, as well as off-peak rates.
- Product acquisition delay, space and time availability are limits to using this approach.
5. Smart-Phone Savvy
- Those with access to new, high-end smartphones can try their hand at a DIY headshot.
- Quality will vary largely depending on lighting, background and self-styling skills.
We hope you now have a greater understanding of the costs behind headshots, and an appreciation for the profession. For those looking to save costs, we hope you enjoy our range of cost-saving alternatives, including free options such as DIY and popular AI headshot generators like Portrait Pal.