Many folks have different definitions of a great Headshot photo. A traditional headshot is as simple as it sounds. A shot that is 8x10 (4x5 format) and goes from your chest to just over your head. Many people will mistake something like this for a headshot. This is not a traditional headshot.
This is NOT a Headshot Photograph
As the photography industry has evolved, we have begun to use headshots in other areas. Now the image above maybe considered a headshot for many industries these days. For actors it's actually not a headshot, it's a promo shot. A headshot is actually much tighter. Pictured below is a standard headshot.
A lot of people might confuse this with a standard headshot, and I'm not even saying most folks don't use shots like this, but this is actually a promo shot.
Standard Actor's Headshot Photo
For Actors this is the headshot they often hand out to their agents. Very little make up, this is the same shot just cropped in. Not much photoshop is done to shots like this, folks often want a blank canvas so they can project it on to the big screen. Last thing you want is an outdated or shot that doesn't look like you.
Corporate Headshot Photo
A headshot in the real estate, or sales or professional is going to be a lot more of a promo style and less of a tight shot. Often be environmentally orientated or a nice plain white or grey background. Headshots are different industry to industry the good news is your photographer will understand what kind of headshot you need for your career and they'll take care of that for you. A great headshot photographer will do everything for you and have a means for getting to know you.
Here is an example of a nice corporate headshot with a white back drop. It's nice, it's clean and it looks great on your corporate profile pics. It works great for things like linkedin profiles, and more. You might even think this is a little too loose and could be tighter for a good headshot, I'd agree.
A strong simple profile pic gives you value, it should encompass your position at the company, your personality, and you as a person. A good photographer wants to capture you, they may spend extra time getting to know you, so they can convey that image of you that you and your friends see... and show it everyone else. Headshot photography needs to be very simple but lighting, backdrop, lens choice, settings, and pose all help convey the image story of you.
Headshot Photographer's need to know You some to capture you!
The reason I don't like doing short photoshoots is in my opinion the first 20-30 minutes is usually rapport building. This is true for headshots too. If I can spend 20 minutes talking with you... I can learn more about you and what makes you beam... then I aim to freeze that version of you for everyone to see.
How much is a good Headshot Photographer?
A good headshot photographer can charge a number of ways, but what they aren't? Cheap, if you are paying $125 or $89 for a headshot and then $20 or $30 for each additional shot, you get what you pay for. A great headshot photographer will start at $499 and quite quickly get to triple digits and only for 3-6 shots, with touch up work.
When you pay for a headshot you're not paying him for just his time today. You are paying for the fact that he knows the backdrop that will convey your brand, you're paying for his expensive light kit, and lens, and camera. Not to mention insurance, a studio, and pay for their home and bills.
A great headshot is much different than a good headshot, you can take a good headshot with a number of those "cheaper" photographers. And for many industries you should be quite happy with their work. Some even undercharge for the value of their work. However if you are looking for a good proven headshot photographer, he'll quickly be able to examine your career, brand, environment and know how to give you a collection of images in a short period of time that will best suit your purposes.
Some headshot photographers have a specific style and look they do and you know what you get and what you are paying for. Those guys are great too, often almost production at that point. You pay less you're going to lose options like studios, which often is the difference in quality.
Paz Imaging does high end San Diego Headshot photo work. If you are looking for a great San Diego Headshot photographer you can contact me at victormpazjr@gmail.com, (760)575-5700, or Facebook Messenger. I do other shoots including couples portraits, family portraits, corporate shoots, event shoots, and more, as well as a variety of videography.