Why Are Headshots Expensive?

What is expensive is relative. Some people find $100 for a headshot expensive, while large companies do not. Professional photographers invest in their trade for the ability to create excellent photographs by touching up the images.

Why Are Headshots Expensive?

Everyone needs a quality business headshot, from entrepreneurs to business owners to new job applicants. We live in an increasingly visual world; especially in business, image is important.

According to Jason Wallis, a photographer who specializes in business headshot, a professional business headshot inspires confidence and trust in others and often helps the individual who is the subject also feel more in control. A corporate headshot can help individuals find jobs faster, network more effectively, meet new business partners and form stronger companies.

However, professionally done business headshots are not inexpensive, and many people wonder about the following:

Why quality business headshots are expensive
If business headshots are worth it

In this article, we will answer both questions. Let’s begin by estimating why the costs of professional headshots remain relatively high. Typically, business headshots range anywhere from $150 to $650, but some headshots sell for as high as $1500. These high numbers cover the photographer’s gear costs, travel costs, and more.

Production and Gear Costs

When a person spends under an hour with a professional headshot photographer, it is sometimes difficult to understand why that hour proved so costly. However, the concept is simple: headshots are one of the more expensive pictures to set up and shoot. While headshots may appear simple, the pressure is on to place the subject in the best light and make them appear as confident and “hirable” as possible.

In exchange for payment, photographers must negotiate the costs of their craft. Their equipment is often expensive to buy and maintain. Cameras can run between $3000 to $8000, and that is without mentioning film, flash unit, and various lenses. Also, most photographers own 3-5 cameras for different projects and situations.

Since everything is digitized now, the photographer must also possess computers with fast processors and a lot of memory to use with the large files from the cameras. Most photographers find that Apple computers work best for their creative pursuits, and they own a desktop and a laptop, perhaps more. However, when one adds monitors and multiple hard drives to the mix, the cost of equipment skyrockets. Considering that one computer costs approximately $4-5000, and the monitors start at $3-400, it becomes clearer why headshots cost so much.

Additionally, we must consider many more aspects of a photographer’s equipment when calculating their rates and fees. For example, many photographers travel to meet their subjects in their homes or conference room, and they pay for transportation costs such as gas. They also need to bring the entire backdrop. They also must bring power packs and outlets, lights, stands, and extra backdrops. Photographers also need cases to store their equipment, and storage cases can be costly.

In terms of production, photographers also need an entirely dark room or a high-quality printer or two for printing out photos. We haven’t touched on software yet, but most photographers use Photoshop, Lightroom, and other fairly expensive programs.

Therefore, when individuals pay for a session with a professional photographer, they are financing the individual’s costs for expensive yet necessary gear. We could go on and on about gear costs, from accessories to light meters to tripods and batteries. Also, the photographer needs insurance for all of their gear as well.

Setup and Travel Costs

We mentioned gas, but much more goes into a single session with a photographer than many people think. Many people see professional photographers’ hourly costs and assume they are exorbitant without factoring in the setup and travel times involved.

Many business headshot photographers must commute from their homes or office for each photo session. If the drive is 30 minutes each way, then that is an unpaid hour that they must deal with. Other factors are also to consider, including traffic and scheduling of other sessions.

Additionally, setting up all of the equipment for the shoot is time-consuming. This careful setup process also cannot be rushed, lest something break. Usually, the time needed to choose the spot, prepare the room, ready the backdrop, and set up the lighting and the cameras far exceed the time needed to take the pictures.

Finally, most photographers spend a few hours each day communicating with clients. These days, clients fire questions over email and text at all hours. Yet, independent contractors such as photographers have to answer, or they will get a reputation as difficult or “impossible” to contact.

Post-Production or Retouching

Clients of professional photographers expect their pictures to feature white teeth, perfect hair, clear faces, and no wrinkles—even if they, like most of us, have all or some of the above.

When a headshot photographer finishes clicking the shutter and packs up their gear, their work is just beginning. Part of what clients pay for is retouching, which means that the photographer uses expensive software and a keen eye to iron out any imperfections in the photo.

Even a tiny blemish can ruin an otherwise perfect picture, and photographers know that their final products must be clean of all imperfections. However, the retouching process is not easy and takes time. As a result, some photographers retouch their photos, while some pay a headshot editor to work on the pictures they take.

Photographers often use software like Lightroom or Photoshop in these processes, which must be first purchased and then updated yearly. Many photographers also have revision policies that allow customers to request changes. For example, if a client notices that their hair looks a little messy, the editor or photographer may be able to fix the hair without retaking the photo.

Retouching is an art; again, it is part of what clients pay for. Professional, skillful retouching of photos makes them look perfect. Perfect headshots inspire confidence and trust and can help individuals reach their goals. On the other hand, if retouching is done in haste or the editor makes errors, they can ruin the entire picture. Therefore, part of the expense of quality headshots goes to retouching expertise.

Are Business Headshots Worth It?

While business headshots are expensive, they are worth it in the long run. Having a professional image of oneself can only help a person’s business career, regardless of their level of expertise and regardless of the goals they are focused on accomplishing.

Some individuals decide to take their corporate headshots or have a friend attempt to make them appear as professional as possible. While these strategies may work, the resulting pictures will not have the longevity, accuracy, or sense of competence attained from working with a professional photographer.

Business headshots are especially recommended for individuals embarking on new business ventures or looking for employment. Sometimes, a quality headshot can make the difference between being hired by one’s dream company and being overlooked. Also, when networking with prospective business partners, entrepreneurs often use their headshots in different capacities, from business cards to websites.

Social media is a force to be reckoned with in the business world. A classy headshot can quickly make one’s Facebook or LinkedIn profile appear more put together, and peers will take notice.

When one looks at the expense of their corporate portrait as an investment, it may be easier to both calculate and justify the cost. For example, if an individual pays $600 for their pictures but is hired to work for $100,000 a year, isn’t the investment worth the cost?

Professional business headshots show business partners, employers, and other contacts that:

The individual has reached a respectable career level financially and otherwise
The person takes their career and image seriously
The individual understands the importance of both perception and reputation
The person may be detail oriented and a hard worker
The individual’s resume and materials are current
The person is working on their brand
The individual may need to field requests for professional photos

When individuals are ready to find the ideal headshot photographer, they can conduct research or network. Typically, the initial online results that pop up may be inexpensive but will not be worth it in the long run. If someone is ready to invest in their future, they should find a photographer who:

Has experience taking headshots
Has a portfolio available to examine
Has experience working with both businesses and individuals

It is perfectly acceptable if the photographer works in other fields, such as action or nature. However, examine their past work and find examples of headshots that you like in a style that could work for you. Interested individuals also might want to confer with the photographer beforehand, so feel free to set up a quick meeting or chat before the photo shoot.

Why Are Business Headshots Important?

Whether someone is seeking to establish their brand, looking for a new job, or expanding their company’s reach, a business headshot is a great idea. Intelligent entrepreneurs on the hunt for their next venture often update their headshots for networking with prospective business partners, too.

While the upfront costs may appear steep, individuals should consider the long reach of their business careers. Paying $300 every few years, or even paying $600, is comparable to other investments we make for our careers, such as buying a new phone or laptop.

An excellent headshot can improve one’s reputation with strangers and friends, help individuals get the jobs they want, improve their sales numbers, and simply attract more online attention.

A quality headshot results from the photographer’s time, expertise, and attention to detail, not to mention their costly equipment. Considering all the factors that play into taking a business headshot, the cost appears to be high but fair.

While business headshots may not be attainable for those just starting their careers and trying to save every penny, they should be seen as an attainable goal to add to their lists. When an employee or entrepreneur can finally afford to have their photo taken professionally, it signals that they have hit another career milestone, which is something to be proud of.

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