How Much Do Professional Headshots Cost?

What 700+ photographer listings reveal about the cost and value of professional headshots.

Different types of headshots can cost anywhere from $50 to over $1,200 depending on your location, the photographer’s experience, and how many final images are delivered. 

But headline pricing doesn’t tell the full story.

In this 2025 U.S. Headshot Pricing Report, we analyzed over 700 photographer listings to understand what professionals are really paying—and what they’re getting in return. 

From public studio pricing to package breakdowns and client reviews, the results make one thing clear: the industry is fragmented, outdated, and increasingly misaligned with what modern professionals need.

Here’s what this report covers:

• Cost breakdowns by state and major cities
• What’s typically included in a session (and what’s not)
• What photographers are delivering
• Where AI headshots outperform on quality, speed, and value

Short on time? Jump ahead to see how InstaHeadshots can give you studio-quality results in 15 minutes.

TL;DR: Professional headshots typically cost $50 to over $1,200, depending on the photographer, location, editing, and extras. But a high price point doesn’t always mean better results. You can still end up with stiff poses, over-retouched skin, or unnatural expressions. InstaHeadshots offers a smarter, modern option for realistic, high-quality headshots delivered in 15 minutes, for under $70, with no photoshoot or studio needed.

What’s the average cost of a professional headshot in 2025?

The average starting cost for a professional headshot in the U.S. is $283. That number spans a wide range—from $50 to over $1,200, depending on the photographer, package, and location.

But price doesn’t always guarantee value.

You might spend $350 and only get one lightly edited headshot or portrait (plus any additional charges for licensing, background changes, or revisions). Another photographer might charge the same amount and deliver 10 images with full rights included. With no industry standard, it can be hard to know whether you’re investing wisely—or just overpaying for basic JPGs.

How many photos do you get in a headshot session?

Most people who are paying for headshot sessions assume they’ll get a robust bundle of 20+ varied, beautifully retouched photos. 

But that’s rarely the case.

We analyzed 714 photo shoot listings to see what clients actually walk away with. The data shows a clear pattern: Most traditional headshot packages include only a handful of final images, often far fewer than clients expect.

Here’s the breakdown. 

What the numbers reveal

The data tells a clear story: traditional headshot sessions deliver minimal variety for a high price. Here are the takeaways:

• Output is overwhelmingly low.
  • 45% of listings include just 1 photo.
  • 29% deliver only 2–3 photos.
  • In total, 74% of sessions include 3 or fewer final images, leaving little room for variety in terms of looks, expressions, or platform-specific nuances (like a photo for your LinkedIn profile vs. one for your company website or other personal branding channels).
• Variety is rare.
  • Only 12% of listings offered 10–29 photos.
  • Just 4% offer 30+ images (and these were typically high-end, enterprise-level shoots).
• “Full shoot” often means “1 usable image.”
  • Long booking lead times, multi-hour sessions, and extensive selection processes often end with just 1 or 2 usable results.

It’s not hard to see why many professionals are opting for AI headshots via InstaHeadshots, which offer greater flexibility, variety, and convenience for a fraction of the cost. The value gap is staggering: 

• Traditional shoot (average): $250+ for 1–3 photos ($83+ per image)
• InstaHeadshots: $49 for 100+ photos in 5 minutes ($0.49 per image)

The takeaway? Almost 75% of traditional sessions deliver 3 or fewer final images, while high-volume packages are rare. AI headshots flip this model, delivering dozens of high-quality, professional options instantly, without the cost, scheduling delays, or output limitations of a traditional shoot.

Headshot cost by state (2025)

Based on our analysis of over 700 listings, here’s the average starting price for professional headshots in every U.S. state:

State-level headshot pricing insights

Headshot pricing isn’t just high. It’s inconsistent, outdated, and often poor value. Here’s what we uncovered after analyzing photographer rates across all 50 states:

• Most “cheap” headshots are still expensive: 38 out of 50 states have starting prices that are above $250. Only five states fall below $200 (Mississippi, Kansas, Idaho, Iowa, North Dakota).
• States with busy metropolitan areas dominate the high end: Maryland ($423), Connecticut ($373), Arizona ($351), and New Jersey ($334) are among the most expensive.
• Vermont has the highest starting price at $437: That’s more than a full InstaHeadshots bundle (which includes 100+ photos).
• Even “middle-of-the-road” states are pricey: New Hampshire ($289), North Carolina ($287), and Texas ($286) all exceed the national average.

Headshot cost by city (top 25 U.S. cities)

Costs vary widely by metro. Here’s what you can expect in major cities:

City-level headshot pricing insights

While larger cities may have a bigger pool of photographers, that doesn’t always translate into better pricing. In many cases, headshot costs in major metros are still well above average, with starting rates that rival or exceed those in smaller markets. Here’s what the data reveals:

• High-price leaders: Lakewood, CO ($750), Madison, WI ($650), and Washington, D.C. ($585) top the list for most expensive entry-level packages.
• Mid-sized markets still boast premium pricing: Cities like Albuquerque, NM ($543), Gilbert, AZ ($433), and Chattanooga, TN ($367) rival major metros despite smaller populations.
• Few low-cost options: Among the top 25 cities listed, none start below $300 except Anchorage, AK ($321), Chicago, IL ($325), and San Diego, CA ($326).
• Big-city pricing is wildly inconsistent: Even within the same region, costs can vary dramatically: Tampa ($240) vs. Miami ($164); San Francisco ($436) vs. San Jose ($230); Atlanta ($249) vs. Augusta ($182).
• National city-level average (top cities): The typical starting price among the top 25 cities falls between $423 and $433—over 8x the cost of the Starter plan at InstaHeadshots.

So, what are you really paying for?

A traditional headshot session often comes with a long list of hidden costs—time you can’t spare, fees you didn’t anticipate, and results that rarely justify the price tag. When you add it all up, most professionals are paying premium rates for minimal output. Here’s where the money actually goes:

• Time: A “quick” business headshot can consume half your day. Commuting, setup, outfit changes, and image selection easily add up to 3–5 hours. Factor in back-and-forths for proofs, retouch approvals, or reshoots, and the disruption multiplies. The 30-minute shoot is the smallest part of the time cost.
• Session fee: Some photographers charge $50–$400 just to get on their calendar. That base fee covers their time, gear, and studio overhead, but not your final images. If you assume it’s all-inclusive, you’ll be paying more before the process is done.
• Retouching: Expect $30–$100 per image for edits like lighting correction, background changes, or skin retouching. Every tweak adds to the bill.
• Final images: Based on our research, most packages include only 1–3 finished photos, and often just one. If you need multiple looks for LinkedIn, your company site, and speaking engagements, you’ll either settle for one-size-fits-all or pay for costly add-ons.
• Revisions & retakes: Revisions are often limited, and full reshoots are rarely included unless there’s a photographer error. If you blinked, the lighting was off, or you simply had an off day, you’re paying again.

The bottom line: What’s marketed as a “$250 studio headshot” frequently becomes $400+ after editing fees, delays, and extras—and you still leave with only a handful of usable images.

The smarter alternative: AI headshots (starting at $49)

Traditional headshot photography is built on outdated assumptions that you need a professional photographer, a studio, and hours of your time to get results worth using. AI headshots have changed that. 

With just a few selfies and minutes, you can create polished, professional images without ever leaving home. It’s faster, cheaper, and a better way to get more looks, more variety, and more control.

The difference is hard to ignore:

• Traditional session: $250+ for a handful of images, delivered days or weeks later
• InstaHeadshots: 100+ fully retouched headshots for $49, ready in about five minutes 

No scheduling. No travel. No coordinating with a photographer. Everything happens on your terms. 

Need corporate headshots for a team? Traditional shoots can rack up over $5,000 for 20 people. With InstaHeadshots, teams get studio-quality headshots for just $680 using team pricing, no matter where you’re located—perfect for remote, hybrid, and global teams. 

Explore our team plans and join over 150,000 professionals already using InstaHeadshots—the world’s most trusted AI headshot generator.

Headshot pricing FAQs 

Are professional headshots worth it?

Yes. They can help you make a strong first impression in your industry. But “professional” doesn’t have to mean expensive or time-consuming. With AI headshots, you can get studio-grade results without the studio price tag or scheduling headaches.

Why are headshots so expensive?

Traditional pricing bakes in photographer time, studio overhead, travel, and retouching—costs that add up fast. You’re often paying hundreds for just 1–3 final images. AI headshots remove those overhead costs, delivering more value for a fraction of the price.

How can I get affordable headshots fast?

Skip the studio. Upload a few selfies to InstaHeadshots and get polished headshots in about five minutes for under $70.

Do AI headshots look real?

Yes—when done right. InstaHeadshots is built to produce natural, professional images that look like you on your best day, without over-editing or uncanny AI effects.

How many headshots do I need?

At minimum, one strong headshot for LinkedIn or your company profile. But variety matters. Different platforms and audiences often call for different looks. That’s why InstaHeadshots delivers 100+ images, so you always have the right one for the right context.