Where to get headshots
For LinkedIn, resumes, company websites and business profiles, the best place to get headshots is a local photographer who specializes in professional headshots. Search for someone with a strong corporate, executive or LinkedIn portfolio. Before booking, compare the number of final images, retouching, turnaround time and usage rights.
You can find photographers through Google Maps, Thumbtack or the Headshot Crew directory. Headshot Crew lets you search by city, while Thumbtack provides local estimates and booking options.
Thumbtack's published U.S. benchmark lists headshot photography at approximately $216 to $427, with an average price of $304. Actor headshots often cost about $200 to $500, depending on the location and package. Premium executive sessions can cost more. ****
Where Should You Get Headshots?
A local professional headshot photographer is the best choice for most LinkedIn, resume, company website and business profile photos.
| Your Goal | Best Place to Book | Why |
|---|---|---|
| LinkedIn or resume | Professional headshot photographer | Provides controlled lighting, posing direction and natural retouching |
| Company website or executive profile | Corporate headshot photographer | Creates an image suited to your industry and brand |
| Multiple employees | On-location corporate photographer | Keeps lighting, framing and backgrounds consistent |
| Acting or modeling | Actor or modeling headshot photographer | Understands casting and industry presentation |
| Social media or dating profile | Portrait photographer or self-service studio | Allows for more relaxed expressions and varied backgrounds |
| Passport or visa photo | Passport photo provider or passport acceptance facility | Follows official size, background and framing requirements |
| Lowest-cost option | AI headshot service or DIY setup | Costs less, but may produce an inaccurate likeness or a less credible image |
Best Overall: A Local Professional Headshot Photographer
A professional headshot photographer controls the lighting, camera angle, expression, background and retouching. That makes the photographer a stronger choice than a general portrait service when the image will represent you at work.
Look for real headshots of people in your age range, profession and preferred style. A wedding or family photographer may take attractive portraits but may not work often with the tighter framing and professional expression expected for LinkedIn or executive profiles.
Search for terms such as:
professional headshot photographer near meLinkedIn headshot photographer in [city]corporate headshot photographer in [city]executive headshots in [city]actor headshot photographer in [city]
The photographer's portfolio matters more than the label on the business. Look for consistent work across many clients, not one unusually strong example.
Best for Finding Local Options: Thumbtack
Thumbtack is useful when you want to compare several photographers quickly. You can request estimates, filter by budget and choose a studio, office or outdoor location.
Before booking, check:
- The photographer's full headshot portfolio
- Recent customer reviews
- The number of edited images included
- Whether posing direction is part of the session
- The expected delivery time
- Whether retouching is included
- Whether studio use or travel costs extra
Do not choose only by the lowest estimate. A cheaper session may include one final image, basic editing or extra download fees.
Best for Specialist Photographers: Headshot Crew
Headshot Crew is a good choice when you want a photographer who focuses on headshots. Its directory lets you search by city, and its network includes photographers trained in headshot-specific techniques.
The directory may suit:
- Actors
- Executives
- Entrepreneurs
- Real estate agents
- Lawyers
- Doctors
- Speakers
- Professionals building a personal-brand image
Compare several photographers in your area. Style, price and availability can vary substantially between them.
Best for a Team: An On-Location Corporate Photographer
For a company team, hire a corporate photographer who can bring lighting and a backdrop to your office or another workplace location.
This is usually more practical than asking every employee to book a separate session. It also gives the company consistent images for its website, staff directory, press releases and social media.
Ask about:
- The minimum number of employees
- The time required per person
- Group pricing
- Background and lighting options
- Image naming and delivery
- Retouching standards
- Whether employees receive personal usage rights
- Whether the company can use the images in advertising
The agreement should explain who may use the images and where. In many photography contracts, the photographer keeps copyright while the client receives a defined license to use the final images.
Best for Actors: An Actor Headshot Specialist
If you need photos for auditions, use a photographer who regularly works with actors rather than a general portrait photographer.
Actor headshots should show your current appearance while communicating your casting type. Casting Networks describes a professional actor profile as a combination of a headshot and other materials, such as a reel and summary.
Look for a photographer who understands:
- Casting-friendly framing
- Natural expressions
- Different character types
- Industry-standard digital files
- Your current appearance
- Multiple looks or wardrobe changes
- Appropriate retouching
Avoid heavily edited images that make you look noticeably different from your real appearance.
Best for Passport Photos: A Passport Photo Service
A passport photo is not the same as a professional headshot. For a U.S. passport, use a passport photo provider or an acceptance facility that offers photo services.
The U.S. Department of State says some passport acceptance facilities can take the required photo when you apply. Passport photos must meet rules for size, background, facial position and other specifications.
Do not submit a dramatic studio portrait, business headshot or AI-generated image with a passport application.
How to Choose the Right Headshot Photographer
Choose the photographer whose portfolio matches the way you need to appear. A photographer with the most impressive general photography portfolio is not necessarily the right choice for your headshot.
Check these details before paying a deposit.
1. Portfolio Consistency
Look for consistent skin tones, sharp focus, natural expressions and flattering lighting across many people. One strong sample does not necessarily represent the photographer's usual work.
2. Retouching Style
Ask whether retouching covers temporary blemishes, flyaway hairs, clothing wrinkles and minor under-eye shadows. Good retouching improves the image without making your skin look artificial or changing your identity.
3. Number of Final Images
A package may include:
- One retouched image
- Several retouched images
- Proofs from which you choose
- High-resolution and web-sized files
- Additional images at an extra cost
Confirm exactly what you will receive before the session.
4. Turnaround Time
Ask when you will receive proofs and final retouched images. If you need the photo for a job application, conference, audition or company launch, tell the photographer about the deadline before booking.
5. Usage Rights
Ask whether you may use the image on:
- Your resume
- Your company website
- Social media
- Press releases
- Marketing materials
- Paid advertising
Personal and commercial use may be covered by different terms in the photographer's agreement.
Is a Self-Service Photo Studio Worth It?
Yes, a self-service studio can work well if you want controlled lighting without paying for extensive photographer direction.
It suits people who:
- Know which expressions and angles work for them
- Need a simple LinkedIn image
- Have a limited budget
- Want to review the photos immediately
- Do not need detailed posing or personal-brand guidance
A traditional photographer is a better choice if you feel uncomfortable in front of a camera, need several looks or want photos for executive branding, acting or other public-facing work.
Should You Use an AI Headshot Service?
An AI headshot service can work for a quick profile image, but a real photographer is the safer choice when your appearance and credibility matter.
Use a photographer when:
- You meet clients or employers in person
- The photo represents a company
- You are an actor or model
- You need images for press or advertising
- Your appearance has recently changed
- You want multiple poses, outfits or backgrounds
An AI-generated image may alter facial details, hair, clothing or proportions. That can create a noticeable difference between your profile photo and your real appearance.
Bottom Line
For most people, book a local professional headshot photographer who specializes in corporate or LinkedIn headshots. Use Thumbtack or Headshot Crew to find candidates, compare full portfolios and confirm what the quoted price includes.
Choose an on-location corporate photographer for a team, an actor headshot specialist for auditions and a passport photo provider for government documents. The right choice depends less on the camera than on whether the photographer regularly produces the type of headshot you need.