How to Find a Great Headshot Photographer

It can be daunting to find a great professional headshot photographer who creates quality work, is easy to work with, and fits into your budget. A great headshot can change the game if you are updating your LinkedIn profile, acting, or creating a brand. Below is a practical guide to discovering a headshot photographer who aligns with your goals and values.

Research Their Work

The first step to finding a headshot professional getting a feel for each one’s style and expertise. Begin looking at portfolios online to get a sense of the quality and even consistency of each photographer’s work.  Be on the lookout for quality of light, framing, backdrops and posing. Do their clients show personality?  Do images look slick but authentic and real?

Another place to review portfolios of work is on social media.  Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn allow you to see each photographer’s approach, style, clients, and backdrops. LinkedIn allows you to see businesses and professionals, while Instagram may show more branding and casual images.  Sometimes they even show behind the scenes on Facebook to give you a better feel or each photographer’s personality.

Read Reviews

Reviews and testimonials from former clients are a must. Even though a photographer’s work may look polished, reviews show how a photographer works and behaves with their real clients. It can also show how they handle feedback whether negative or positive. Former clients can tell you how it feels to work with a specific photographer and how he treats customers.

The best places to see reviews are Google, Yelp, and Facebook. It is also important how the photographer responds to each review.  This can give additional insight into how he or she interacts with clients that come in for headshots.

Get Recommendations

Headshots are very personal so there is no substitute for word-of-mouth recommendations from clients. Ask co-workers, family or friends who may have worked with a particular photographer in the past.  Being able to ask specific questions and follow up allows a more detailed perspective. If they are willing, perhaps they will show you the final images to allow you to judge the quality for yourself.

Local networking groups or social groups online and in person are a great place to start the process for getting quality recommendations.  If you can get folks within your industry that is even better. People often have strong opinions and are more willing to share with a person they know and trust already.

Consider the Price

Price is a huge factor, but everything is relative. You should understand exactly what you are getting for your dollars spent. Professional headshots can range from $99 to $1,800 per image.  Many variables factor into that cost.  Price can be influenced by session location, session length, photographer experience, quantity of images or outfit changes, etc.

You should expect to pay for additional services such as hair & makeup, retouching & editing, as well as printing. If you want a fully polished look, including image editing and makeup, expect to pay extra. Many headshot photographers offer deals and packages that include some or all of the items listed above. Always ask prior to booking your session.

It’s important to remember that extensive experience, quality equipment such as lighting and a communitive photographer who draws out the best in clients come at a higher price point.  Headshots are an investment and most of the time, what you end up paying is directly linked to the quality of the final product.

Communicate Communicate Communicate

Clear communication before your headshot session is a must.  You should create and maintain open communication channels before you begin.  Talk through every aspect of the experience.  Tell your photographer what you want and need from your new headshot image. Discuss image uses and purposes. Do you want a polished or casual image?  Will you use it for corporate or branding purposes? What colors work with your clothes and backdrop?  Be clear about your vision.

A seasoned headshot professional actually wants you to share all the details and ideas. These help him bring your personality and style to life in your images. Some photographers even offer suggestions based on experiences they’ve had with prior clients that you might never have considered.  Things like light position and intensity for skin tones and clothing, backdrop lighting or shading, and even industry-specific requirements all come into play when working with a good headshot photographer.  Clear communication prevents misunderstandings.

Trust Your Gut

Listen to your gut when choosing your new headshot photographer. The decision is personal, and sometimes, your own internal feelings mean more than all the research you can possibly do. If you feel comfortable with someone, you will be relaxed when the shoot starts, and this will result in amazing images. 

By the same token, if something does not feel right, you should heed your own internal warning system.  If you feel uneasy at the shoot, that feeling comes across in the final images every time. Book with a photographer who makes you feel comfortable and confident in your skin.  It’s your headshot, image, and brand at stake, so make the experience the best it can be.

In Summary

A great headshot photographer is more than just a person with a camera.  The person you choose is responsible for capturing the essence of YOU.  Do research, view lots of portfolios, consume reviews, ask a friend, pay attention to price, and don’t forget to communicate. Don’t forget to trust your gut. A great headshot photographer will not only take great images but also make you feel comfortable and help you project the best version of yourself to the world.

Remember, your headshot is an investment in you and your brand, take time to choose wisely.

Your Headshot ~ Your Story