As a business owner, you know that first impressions are key. A professional headshot is the perfect way to make a great first impression with potential clients, networking contacts, and more. But how much do professional headshots in LA cost? And what should you look for when hiring a photographer? Let’s talk about it!
LA is a great location to find a variety of photographers to choose from, each with their own unique style, process, and yes– price point. Photographers base their rates on numerous factors, including their experience, location, and equipment. Because of this, there is no ballpark figure of what you can expect to pay– it could be anywhere from $250-$600 for a one to two look session.
In addition to those factors, you also need to take your specific needs into account, such as:
- The style you’re looking for – are you looking for something creative and on-location, or do you just need a basic in-studio headshot? In general, the more creative a shoot is, the higher the price will be. For location shoots, there are travel and portable lighting fees that take setup time into consideration.
- The experience of the photographer – It goes without saying that the more experienced a photographer is, the better their process and outcome so the more they’ll charge. While the same exact session may cost less with a beginner or an intermediate, keep in mind, there’s usually a reason for that discount. Less experienced photographers don’t have the confidence to produce consistent results or to tackle more challenging requests.
- The number of outfits – If you’d like a variety of shots in different outfits, the session, lighting changes and post work is going to take longer, and as a result, the price point will increase as well.
- The final product – Do you plan to have the photos retouched? Some photographers may include retouching in the package price, and others may not. While some may include a limited number of retouched photos, and charge a fee for additional shots beyond that.
With a better understanding of what factors affect the price of a business headshot in LA (and elsewhere!), you can start to make a list of what is or isn’t important to you for your headshots, and use that criteria when you’re ready to start interviewing potential photographers for your shoot.
Aside from thoroughly researching their website and reviews, below are some questions you may want to ask:
- Where are your photos taken (in-studio or on-site)?
- How many outfits are included in your package?
- How long does the session last?
- What is included and are there any additional charges I should be aware of (travel expenses, post-processing fees, etc)?
- Do you provide a hair and makeup artist?
Interviewing photographers may be one of the MOST important steps you can take– make sure you’ve viewed their portfolio for consistency and that you like their style before you click that BOOK button! This way, you can ensure there are no surprises that drive up the final price of your corporate headshot session.
I hope this article has given you a starting point for understanding how much professional business headshots cost and what you can do to keep rates within your budget. Have any tips of your own? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
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