The Best Places To Take Team Headshots in 2025

Modern teams need professional headshots that look cohesive, credible, and on-brand—without the scheduling nightmare.

In 2025, your company’s staff photo grid is your first impression. Consistent, professional headshots signal a unified brand, while mismatched selfies can chip away at the credibility you’ve worked hard to build.

Your team members already operate as a connected group, so their photos should reflect that same confidence and cohesion. Think about where they appear: your website, LinkedIn profiles, and marketing materials. Each image shapes how potential clients, partners, and candidates perceive your business before they ever meet you.

But coordinating a company-wide photo shoot is rarely simple. Between travel, packed calendars, and remote employees, it can quickly turn into a logistical headache that pulls focus from real work. Here’s how to find the best headshot photography solution for your team, from studio sessions to AI tools that simplify everything.

TL;DR: Aligned, high-quality team photos strengthen how clients see your brand. But organizing traditional photo shoots for large or remote teams can drain time and budget. AI tools like InstaHeadshots deliver studio-quality portraits in minutes, without travel or coordination stress.

Why team headshots matter

If professional photos seem like an unnecessary extra, think again. Team headshots are one of the easiest ways to strengthen credibility, boost internal culture, and make your brand feel more unified. Here’s why:

• First impressions matter: Putting staff photos on your company website builds instant trust with potential clients. For many, this will be the first time they see your team, so your headshots should help them picture who they’ll be working with: a group of knowledgeable, confident professionals. 
• More cohesive brand image: Consistent, high-quality headshots show clients that you care about the details and take your business seriously. Disjointed selfies or quick in-office snaps might feel convenient, but they can make your company look disorganized and less credible.
• Stronger company culture: Giving employees photos they’re proud to share shows that you value them and want them to put their best foot forward. It’s a small gesture that builds confidence, pride, and a sense of belonging across your organization.

Modern tools, including AI headshot platforms, make it easy to get professional, consistent photos without the cost or logistical complexity of traditional photo shoots.

Comparing popular places for team headshots

You’re ready to update your team’s photos, but where should you take them? Each option has trade-offs in cost, quality, and flexibility, so the best fit will depend on your company’s size, budget, and goals.

High-end photography studios

For enterprise organizations with big budgets, high-end photography studios can deliver exceptional results. They offer professional lighting setups, curated backdrops, and the expertise of photographers who specialize in business headshots. Studio packages often include advanced editing and retouching options to tailor the final images to your brand.

But there are a few challenges to consider—especially for smaller teams:

• Studio shoots are expensive and can take hours, which may not be realistic if you’re working with a limited budget or a hybrid workforce. 
• Coordinating extras like hair, makeup, and wardrobe can further complicate planning. 
• Post-production edits can add weeks to your images’ turnaround time.
• Remote employees may miss out entirely, leaving them without the same quality headshots as their in-office colleagues.

Local photographers

If you want studio-quality results without the high price tag, hiring a local headshot photographer can be a great middle ground. Many independents deliver the same professional look as a high-end studio but at more accessible rates.

Local photographers also tend to be more flexible with scheduling and travel. Many bring portable lighting and backdrops so they can take your headshots right in your office instead of having everyone travel to a studio. 

Just be sure to vet portfolios carefully. Skill levels and editing styles vary widely, so reviewing examples in advance will help ensure the final images align with your brand.

On-site office sessions

If your employees work primarily in the office, scheduling a photo session during the workday is an efficient way to get professional headshots.

Some tips for getting the most out of a simple office headshot session:

• Schedule during the workday: Make it easy for employees to participate by holding the session while they’re already in the office.
• Set up a temporary studio: Reserve a conference room or vacant office. Rent or borrow a quality camera and lighting equipment, and use a neutral-colored background for consistency.
• Choose the right location: A conference room or other large space works best—ideally one that allows the person taking photos to experiment with the optimal distance between the camera and the subject.
• Leverage natural light: Whenever possible, pick a room with windows for softer, more flattering lighting.
• Assign or hire a photographer: If someone on your team has photography experience, great. Otherwise, bring in a local photographer for support.
• Plan for setup and breakdown time: Allow enough buffer before and after the shoot so everything runs smoothly. A relaxed pace helps everyone look more comfortable and natural in their photos.

AI platforms

AI headshot generators are the most modern way to capture professional portraits because they’re fast, consistent, and scalable at a fraction of the cost of traditional photo shoots. They’re ideal for distributed teams that need refined, on-brand images without the hassle of coordinating schedules or travel.

These tools use everyday photos (like selfies or casual portraits) as input, then apply advanced AI modeling to create natural-looking headshots that capture your true likeness. Leading platforms like InstaHeadshots deliver results so realistic, they’re indistinguishable from traditional headshots. 

With InstaHeadshots, you can also customize each photo’s background, whether that’s an office setting, an outdoor cityscape, or a solid color that matches your brand. The process takes about 15 minutes per person, making it easy to achieve a consistent, professional look—even across remote or hybrid teams.

How to choose a consistent backdrop and lighting

With team photos, you want to present a cohesive, recognizable brand image. That starts with using similar backdrops, lighting, and basic framing (like head-and-shoulders shots cropped at a similar distance) for each person. Here’s how to achieve a unified look: 

• Background: Choose a setting that reflects your industry and brand identity. A creative industry might use bright, colorful tones, while a law, real estate, or financial firm could opt for a more neutral office environment. 

Backgrounds don’t have to be identical for every employee, but they should complement one another so the group feels visually connected.

• Lighting: Decide on a consistent headshot lighting setup for your team. If you’re taking photos in person, use studio lighting techniques (like butterfly or clamshell lighting) to create a soft, flattering look. 

If you’re shooting photos without professional-grade equipment, rely on natural light: sit at a 45-degree angle to a window and place a white sheet or reflector below your face to bounce light evenly.

Whether you’re working with a photographer or managing photos internally, document your backdrop and lighting choices in a short visual style guide so new hires can match the look later.

What to wear and how to pose

The right clothing helps people feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. Use these tips to strike the right balance between professional and approachable: 

• Keep it simple: Solid colors photograph best and keep attention on your face. Avoid busy patterns, large jewelry or accessories, or unconventional necklines that can pull focus.
• Dress for your industry: Outfits should feel appropriate for your field but still reflect your personality. For example, a tailored suit for a financial advisor, or something brighter and more creative for a marketing lead. 
• Prioritize fit and comfort: Clothes that move naturally, without pulling or wrinkling, help people feel at ease and confident during photo sessions.

Ultimately, the goal is to highlight your expression and overall demeanor, not your clothes.

When posing, keep your posture relaxed but upright, with your shoulders back and your body turned slightly to one side rather than facing the camera head-on. A subtle angle adds depth and looks more natural. A genuine expression always photographs best, so think about something that makes you smile naturally. 

If you’re using AI headshot tools, you can experiment with multiple poses and select the one that feels most authentic to you.

Budget and cost considerations

Different types of headshots come at different price points, but getting a professional look doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s what to consider when planning your budget. 

Traditional studio packages

High-end photo studios offer premium backgrounds, professional lighting, and advanced editing, but those upgrades come with a high price tag. Most charge either by the hour or per person, depending on the size of your group. 

Professional headshot pricing varies by location, but typically ranges from $500–$1,000 per hour or about $200 per person. Expect flat add-on fees for extras like custom backgrounds, retouching, or specialized lighting setups.

Mobile photographer fees

Hiring a mobile photographer often costs less than booking a high-end studio, but it can still add up quickly. Most charge a day rate for the full corporate session, typically between $400 and $1,500 per project.

Pricing depends on experience and location, and some may add travel fees for longer commutes or on-site setups. 

AI headshots pricing

AI-generated portraits are the most affordable option for large or distributed teams that need consistent, professional photos on a budget. InstaHeadshots offers flat per-person pricing starting at just $44 per employee.

You’re not limited to a single background, style, or pose—there are hundreds of variations to choose from. At scale, those savings can add up quickly, helping companies save hundreds or even thousands of dollars compared to traditional photo shoots.

Embracing AI-generated headshots for modern teams

InstaHeadshots uses advanced image modeling to deliver team headshots that look like they came straight from a professional studio without the scheduling hassle or high price tag. It’s the fastest, most consistent way to give every team member a polished, on-brand presence.

Realism and quality

InstaHeadshots’ technology doesn’t just mimic input photos. It recreates them with remarkable accuracy. Every image is generated from real selfies, preserving natural skin tones, subtle lighting, and authentic facial details. The resulting headshots look sharp, lifelike, and completely real—like you on your best day, shot by a pro.

Speed and convenience

Traditional photo sessions can take hours to coordinate and complete. With InstaHeadshots, each team member gets studio-quality results in about 15 minutes—whether they’re in-office or remote. Whether you need headshots for five employees or 500, the process stays fast and repeatable. No scheduling headaches. No waiting weeks for retouching. Just instant, consistent results.

Branding consistency

Company headshots should look cohesive no matter where or when they’re taken. InstaHeadshots makes that simple by applying a unified visual style across every image, ensuring your brand’s look stays consistent as your team grows. When new hires join, you can generate on-brand portraits in minutes and keep your website, LinkedIn, and internal profiles looking polished and professional.

A smarter way to get professional team photos

Cohesive team headshots send a clear message: Your organization is polished, trustworthy, and aligned. Whether they appear on your website, social media, or internal platforms, consistent portraits help reinforce your brand identity and professionalism.

Traditional photo shoots still have their place, but they’re no longer the only path to achieving great headshots. Modern AI tools like InstaHeadshots now deliver the same level of clarity and detail without the cost or scheduling challenges. It’s a faster, smarter approach for modern teams that want to move quickly without compromising quality.

Try InstaHeadshots today to create tailored, on-brand headshots for your entire team.

FAQs

How do AI headshots handle privacy?

Leading AI platforms like InstaHeadshots use bank-level encryption and delete training photos after processing. Your team's images are never shared with third parties or used to train future models.

What if my headshots need edits?

Most AI tools include basic touch-ups as part of the package. For specific adjustments (like removing blemishes or correcting color), professional photographers often charge $25–$50 per image, while AI platforms typically allow unlimited regenerations at no extra cost.

Can we use casual phone selfies for AI headshots?

Yes, but better input creates better results. Use natural lighting, avoid harsh shadows, and upload 10–15 photos with varied angles and expressions for the most realistic outcome.