Not all photographers take good headshots. A talented wedding photographer can be terrible at headshots. A portrait artist who creates stunning editorial work might produce corporate headshots that look like everyone is attending a funeral. Headshot photography is a specific skill, and hiring the wrong person wastes your money and your time.

This guide covers how to evaluate photographers, what to ask before booking, what the session should include, and when to skip the photographer entirely.

Start with the Portfolio

What to Look For

Consistency. A good headshot photographer produces reliably good results across different faces, skin tones, and body types. If the portfolio looks amazing for one person and mediocre for the next, the photographer is getting lucky, not getting it right.

Natural expressions. The subjects should look like real people, not mannequins. Scan for genuine smiles, engaged eyes, and relaxed postures. If every photo looks stiff, the photographer can't direct people.

Good lighting. Even illumination, subtle shadows that create depth, no harsh spots or dark patches. Lighting is the technical foundation. If the portfolio shows inconsistent or flat lighting, the photographer hasn't mastered the basics. See our lighting guide to understand what good lighting looks like.

Variety within consistency. Different backgrounds, different clothing styles, different expressions, but a consistent level of quality. This shows the photographer can adapt to different clients while maintaining their standard.

What to Avoid

Only beautiful people in the portfolio. If every subject is young, fit, and photogenic, you're looking at a photographer who either selects only their best subjects or only works with models. You need someone who makes regular people look their best.

Heavy retouching. Skin that looks like plastic, eyes that glow unnaturally, backgrounds that are obviously composited. This suggests the photographer compensates for weak photography with post-processing. See our retouching guide for what appropriate editing looks like.

No headshots in the portfolio. This sounds obvious, but some photographers list "headshots" as a service while their portfolio is all weddings and events. Headshot photography requires specific skills in directing, lighting, and composition. If they don't show headshot work, they probably don't do headshot work well.

Questions to Ask Before Booking

About the Session

How long is the session? Standard headshot sessions run 20-60 minutes. Less than 20 minutes is rushed. More than 90 minutes for a single person is unusual unless it includes wardrobe changes and creative shots.

How many final photos are included? Typically 3-10 edited photos per session. Clarify whether additional photos cost extra and what "edited" means. Some photographers mean basic color correction. Others mean full retouching.

Do you provide direction during the session? This matters enormously. A photographer who says "just be natural" and starts shooting is not directing you. A good headshot photographer actively coaches your posture, expression, and head angle throughout the session. This is especially important if you're uncomfortable in front of cameras.

What's the turnaround time? Standard is 1-2 weeks. Rush delivery often costs extra. If you need photos by a specific date, confirm this before booking.

About Technical Details

What lighting setup do you use? Studio flash with modifiers like softboxes and umbrellas is the professional standard. Natural light works well in the right conditions. On-camera flash is a red flag.

What background options are available? Most studios offer solid color backdrops in gray, white, or blue, and some offer textured or environmental options. See headshot background ideas for what works in different industries.

Do you shoot tethered? Tethered shooting means the camera is connected to a monitor so you can see images in real-time during the session. This helps you evaluate poses and expressions as you go rather than hoping for the best.

About Pricing

What's the total cost including retouching? Some photographers include retouching in the session fee. Others charge per-image. A "$200 session" that requires $50/image retouching for 5 images is actually $450. Clarify this upfront. For pricing context, see our headshot pricing guide.

Are there usage rights or licensing fees? You should own the rights to use your headshots however you want. Some photographers retain copyright and charge for specific uses like print, web, or commercial distribution. This is increasingly rare for headshots but still happens. Clarify before paying.

Is there a deposit, and what's the cancellation policy? Standard practice is 25-50% deposit with 24-48 hour cancellation. Anything more restrictive should give you pause.

What a Good Session Looks Like

Before the Session

The photographer should:

• Ask about your industry and how the headshot will be used
• Provide guidance on what to wear, or point you to a resource like what to wear for a headshot
• Confirm lighting and background options
• Give clear logistical details: location, parking, what to bring

If they don't ask any of these questions, they're not preparing for your specific needs.

During the Session

The photographer should:

• Make you comfortable with small talk and by explaining what they're doing
• Actively direct your posture, head angle, and expression
• Give specific instructions like "tilt your chin down slightly" instead of "look more natural"
• Show you test shots so you can see what's working
• Shoot enough frames to ensure variety, typically 50-200+ clicks for a standard session
• Remind you to relax your shoulders periodically

If you feel abandoned in front of the camera with no direction, the session is going poorly.

After the Session

The photographer should:

• Deliver proofs within the agreed timeframe
• Provide retouching at the agreed level
• Deliver high-resolution files in standard formats. JPEG at minimum, ideally both JPEG and PNG.
• Allow revisions if retouching needs adjustment. One to two rounds is standard.

Red Flags

No contract or written agreement. Even a simple email confirming the scope, price, and deliverables is better than a verbal agreement.

Pressure to buy prints or products. Headshot photographers should deliver digital files. Upselling frames, prints, or photo books is a portrait studio tactic, not a headshot photography practice.

Unprofessional communication. Slow responses, vague answers, no confirmation email. If they're disorganized before the session, they'll be disorganized during it.

No references or reviews. Check Google, Yelp, and the photographer's social media. Real client reviews reveal the experience, not just the portfolio quality.

Same pose, every person. If their portfolio shows everyone in the identical position with the identical expression, the photographer has one trick. Your headshot should be tailored to you, not a template.

What to Expect to Pay

Headshot photography pricing varies significantly by market:

• Small markets: $100-200 per session
• Mid-size cities: $150-300 per session
• Major cities like NYC, LA, and Chicago: $300-800+ per session

These typically include 3-10 edited photos. Additional images, rush delivery, and advanced retouching cost extra.

For a detailed pricing breakdown including hidden costs, see our complete headshot pricing guide.

When to Skip the Photographer

Not everyone needs a photographer. Consider AI headshot generators if:

• Budget is tight. $29 for 200 photos vs. $200-800 for 3-10 photos. The math is clear.
• You need photos today. Photographer sessions require booking, travel, and 1-2 weeks for delivery. AI delivers in minutes.
• You freeze on camera. No amount of photographer direction helps some people. AI generates photos without the performance pressure.
• You need multiple styles. Different looks for LinkedIn, your company website, conference bios, and creative platforms. A photographer gives you one style per session.
• You're getting team headshots. Coordinating a photographer for 20+ people is a logistical project. AI lets each person generate photos on their own schedule. See AI headshots for teams.

For a full comparison, see AI headshots vs. professional photographer and best AI headshot apps.

Quick Checklist for Evaluating a Photographer

• Portfolio shows consistent quality across different subjects
• Natural, directed expressions, not stiff or templated
• Good lighting technique visible in portfolio
• Clear pricing including retouching costs
• Positive reviews from real clients
• Provides direction during the session
• Delivers high-res digital files with usage rights
• Reasonable turnaround time
• Professional communication before booking

For a complete overview of headshot options, see types of professional headshots.