If you’re in the market for headshots, and depending on where you live, you might have uncovered that headshots can be really expensive. In Los Angeles, I came across one place that listed a headshot session at several thousands of dollars. But, do headshots really have to be that expensive?
What Goes Into a Headshot That Makes It Cost More Than Just a Selfie?
So, you’ve setup a headshot session and you’re wondering if you should smile while photos are being taken. For some folks, it’s complicated – how much smile is a good smile versus not enough or overdoing it? It can get even more complicated than this, but it doesn’t have to be.
Can You Pull Off Just the Right Amount of Smile for Your Ideal Headshot?
You get what you pay for. It’s a cliché that has a lot of truth when it comes to how much a headshot costs. It’s also complicated to answer how much does it cost for headshots. There are many variables. That said, headshots don’t have to be expensive, at least not as much as many people think.
It can depend on your location – more on this in a bit. However, the cost for professional headshots can range wildly. I’ve seen ranges in major metro areas from as low as $50 to as high as nearly $10,000. Yes, $10,000 – I’ve typed it twice as to ensure you know it’s not a typo.
Headshot Rates Can Vary Widely from City to City or Depending on What They’re For
You are more likely now more than ever to need a professional headshot. But what is this anyway? First, it’s usually spelled “headshot” but sometimes also as “head shot.” Simply put, a headshot is a professional photo of your face. But there’s more to it than that. Nowadays it’s usually a digital file but there are still instances where prints are needed. A headshot is also often called a profile image – such as those you post on a social media profile. The next question that often comes up is why does it need to be professional? Well, for a lot of reasons.
A Professionally Made Headshot Stands Apart Compared with a Smartphone Shot or Other Non-Professional Photo
A good headshot can be the difference in getting a gig or not. In certain industries, headshots are not just a luxury, they are necessary – actors know this. But what makes a good headshot? One can argue it starts with the subject, or person, being photographed. Removing this, and so our question applies to anyone, let’s rephrase the question to what makes a good headshot regardless of the subject?
I believe there are four components to making a good headshot and we’ll break down each one. Note the word “make” because that’s the difference between working with a pro and someone just “taking” your photo.
Think of each these components as each being worth one letter-grade, if you will. So, missing one can be the difference between an A or B score and missing two can mean a C, and so on. These four components are: 1) having a good, technically and creatively sound photographer, 2) using a very good camera, 3) an understanding of how to use studio strobe or natural lighting, 4) and post-production work.
Sometimes the Goal in a Headshot is An Expression of Creativity
