Headshot photography: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering headshot photography

You offer professional headshots for resumes, websites and business profiles. This guide covers what customers ask, how to win the booking and what to show on your profile.

What customers ask

  • What should I wear, and what colors work best?
  • Can you shoot a team at our office?
  • How many retouched images will I get, and in what sizes?
  • How much retouching is included?
  • Can I use the headshots for marketing?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask what the headshots are for, where they will appear, how many people need them and whether the shoot is at a studio or an office
  • Send sample headshots from a similar industry, labeled with the use and the look
  • Put the session length, the number of looks, the retouched image count, the file formats and the usage rights in the written quote
  • Share a short clothing and color guide so each client arrives prepared
  • Confirm the office or studio time, the space for lighting and the team schedule in writing
  • Explain your retouching level with a before-and-after example
  • Name your backup date and what happens if the session must move

What to put on your profile

  • Headshots grouped by industry and use, such as resume, website or team photos
  • A few retouching examples with the level noted
  • Photos of your studio or on-site setup
  • Your insurance status and the types of business clients you serve

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a yearly refresh session for clients whose roles or looks change
  • Suggest a team session for a company that needs headshots for new hires
  • Recommend a second look or a seated versus standing option for a longer session

Licenses and permits

No state license is usually required for headshot photography. Carry general liability insurance and check the rules for any office or public location with your state or local licensing agency.

Questions

Do I need the company's permission to shoot at an office?

Yes. Confirm the access rules and the schedule with the company in writing before the shoot.

How do I keep a team shoot on schedule?

Share a schedule with time slots for each person, plan the setup in advance and send a clothing guide to every team member.

What if a client is unhappy with the retouching?

Offer a set number of revision rounds, agreed in advance, and explain what the changes will look like before you make them.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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