How Much Does a Headshot Photographer Cost in 2026?

Headshot photography pricing varies widely based on photographer experience, location, session type, and what's included. This comprehensive 2026 guide gives you the numbers you need to budget effectively.

Headshot Photography Pricing Overview 2026

Professional headshot photography in 2026 ranges from approximately $100 for a basic session with an emerging photographer to $1,500+ for a premium executive portrait session with an established specialist. Most individual professional headshot sessions fall in the $200–$600 range.

Price is determined by: photographer experience and reputation; geographic market; session length and number of looks; number of edited final images included; turnaround time; and whether additional services like hair and makeup are included.

Individual Professional Headshot Session Pricing

• Budget tier ($100–$199): Emerging photographers, student photographers, or photographers early in their career. Quality can be excellent at this tier, especially with a strong portfolio, but turnaround and included images may be more limited.
• Mid-market tier ($200–$450): Experienced headshot photographers with solid portfolios and consistent results. This range delivers professional quality for most LinkedIn, website, and standard corporate use cases. Typically includes 1–3 edited final images.
• Premium tier ($450–$900): Established specialists with strong reputations, more comprehensive packages, faster turnaround, and a higher level of client experience. Often includes 3–10 edited final images, multiple looks, and sometimes hair and makeup services.
• Executive/luxury tier ($900–$2,000+): Top-tier photographers specializing in C-suite and executive portrait work. Multiple setups, comprehensive image delivery, potential multi-location options, and a white-glove experience.

Corporate Headshot Day Pricing

For companies organizing headshot days for multiple employees:

• Day rate: $800–$3,000 depending on photographer tier and hours
• Per-head rate: $75–$250 per person depending on session length and included images
• Setup fee: Some photographers charge a setup/travel fee ($100–$300) separately from the per-head rate

Pricing by City

Market rates vary significantly by geography. Major coastal markets command a premium:

• New York and Los Angeles: Typically 30–50% above national average
• San Francisco and Boston: 20–40% above national average
• Chicago, Seattle, Miami: 10–20% above national average
• Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Denver: Near national average or slightly below

What Should Be Included in Your Headshot Session

• Dedicated shooting time (typically 30–90 minutes for individuals)
• 1–3 edited final images (mid-market standard)
• Professional retouching on all delivered images
• High-resolution and web-optimized versions
• Licensing for professional personal and corporate use

Use ProShoot.io to post your headshot job and receive competitive bids from qualified photographers in your market. The marketplace format ensures you see a range of options at different price points. Browse headshot photographers or browse by city. Post a free job today.