A professional headshot session in the United States typically costs a few hundred dollars. An analysis of 751 local photographer websites published by HeadshotPro (data updated January 2025) found a national median of $250 and an average of $230, with packages ranging from about $100 at the low end to $2,500 for large personal-branding shoots. Prices vary widely by city, photographer, session length and how many retouched images are included, so treat these figures as a starting point and always confirm what a quote includes.
Typical headshot prices at a glance
| Measure | Figure | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| National median, single session | $250 | HeadshotPro survey of 751 photographer sites, updated Jan 2025 |
| National average, single session | $230 | HeadshotPro, Jan 2025 |
| Cheapest package found | $100 (11 of 751 photographers) | HeadshotPro, Jan 2025 |
| High-end personal-brand session | Up to about $2,500 | HeadshotPro, Jan 2025 |
| Hourly rate | $100 to $230, average about $150 | Bark price guide, 2025 |
| Per final image (where priced that way) | About $75 to $350 | Matt Roberts Photography, updated Aug 2026 |
A note on sources: much of the published pricing data comes from companies that sell headshots, including AI headshot services and studios. That does not make the numbers wrong, but it is a reason to compare several quotes in your own area rather than relying on any single figure.
How location changes the price
Where you live is one of the biggest factors. In the HeadshotPro state-by-state data, median session prices ranged from $150 in Nevada to $550 in Wyoming.
| Lowest state medians | Price | Highest state medians | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | $150 | Wyoming | $550 |
| Indiana | $175 | California | $450 |
| Missouri | $175 | Mississippi | $449 |
| Ohio | $200 | Washington | $449 |
| West Virginia | $200 | Massachusetts | $400 |
Small state samples can swing a median, so a high figure in a less populous state may reflect a few premium studios rather than a statewide norm.
The Bark price guide, which is based on photographers quoting through its marketplace, gives lower average figures by state: about $225 in California, $200 in New York, $180 in Texas, $165 in Colorado and $150 in Wisconsin. The two data sets measure different things (published package prices versus marketplace averages), which is part of why they differ.
Price by type of headshot
Bark breaks down its 2025 averages by type of shoot:
- Corporate headshots: about $100 to $200, often priced per person when the photographer comes to your workplace.
- Entertainment headshots (actors, models, presenters): about $140 to $270.
- Modeling headshots: about $150 to $185.
- Team sessions: about $280 to $400 per session, the most expensive category in its data.
For larger teams, photographers often quote half-day or full-day rates instead of per-person pricing, and travel costs may be added for distant locations.
What you usually get for the money
The number of final images is where packages differ most. In HeadshotPro's survey, 66% of packages delivered three or fewer finished headshots, and 34% delivered just one.
| Final images in package | Share of packages |
|---|---|
| 1 | 34% |
| 2 | 19% |
| 3 | 13% |
| 4 to 5 | 9% |
| 6 to 10 | 9% |
| 11 to 20 | 7% |
| 21 to 50 | 6% |
| More than 50 | 4% |
That means two quotes with the same headline price can be very different value. A $250 session with one retouched image is a different product from a $300 session with five.
What drives the cost up or down
- Session length. Short 15-minute sessions with one image are among the cheapest options; longer sessions allow more poses and outfits.
- Number of retouched images. Many photographers price per final image, and extra images cost more.
- Retouching and editing. Bark notes that extra editing, such as background removal or blemish retouching, is often charged as an additional fee rather than included by default.
- Outfit changes and looks. Each additional look usually adds time and images.
- Studio vs. on-location. Shooting at your office or outdoors adds travel and setup.
- Experience. A photographer's skill with lighting, posing direction and timing is one of the main factors behind higher rates.
AI headshots vs. a photographer
AI headshot generators create images from selfies you upload. HeadshotPro, which sells this service, lists packages of 40 images for $29, 100 for $39 and 200 for $59. These are far cheaper per image than a studio session, but you are getting generated likenesses rather than photographs of you on a specific day, and results vary. A photographer also directs your pose and expression, controls lighting, and can match a company's existing team photos. If people will meet you in person, consider whether a generated image will look enough like you on the day.
Questions to ask before you book
- How long is the session, and how many outfits or looks can I bring?
- How many final retouched images are included, and what does each extra image cost?
- What does retouching include?
- Will I choose images during the session or from an online gallery afterward?
- How soon will I receive the final files, and in what sizes and formats?
- What usage rights do I have, for example on a company website or in ads?
- Is travel, a background change or a rush delivery charged separately?
- Can I see headshots you have taken of people in my field?
How to budget
For a single person who needs one or two strong images for LinkedIn, a website and a speaker bio, budgeting around the national median of $250, adjusted for your state and local market, is a reasonable starting point. If you need several looks, more final images or a team shoot, request itemized quotes from two or three local photographers and compare what each includes per image, not just the headline price. Prices change over time, so check current rates in your area before you commit.
