Headshot Pricing: What’s Worth It and What’s a Rip-Off

Let’s be real—headshots shouldn’t cost as much as a weekend getaway. And yet, some photographers price them like they come with a personal stylist and a champagne brunch. So how do you know what’s fair?

Headshot costs vary wildly. You might pay $30 at a mall kiosk or drop $1000+ for a studio session with a top-tier photographer. The range depends on location, experience, image usage rights, retouching, and how many final shots you get.

Need just one polished LinkedIn photo? There are budget-friendly options if you’re willing to DIY or try AI-generated headshots. Need 10 high-res shots for a modeling portfolio? Yeah, that’s going to cost more.

But higher price doesn’t always mean better results. You’re paying for the photographer’s skill, sure—but also their ability to make you not look like you’re blinking in every frame.

If you’re stuck deciding what to budget or how to get the best value, this in-depth guide on how much do headshots cost breaks it all down—from cheap hacks to premium packages.

Bottom line: know what you need, set a realistic budget, and don’t get upsold into a photo package that includes “emotion coaching.” You just need to look confident, competent, and like someone people actually want to work with.