Why Does a Great Headshot Cost What It Does?(And Why It's Worth Every Penny)
Let's talk about money. Specifically, let's talk about why professional headshots seem to cost anywhere from $150 to $1,500+, and why that range is about as helpful as saying "a car costs between $5,000 and $500,000." Technically true, wildly unhelpful.
If you're researching headshot photographers in Minnesota, you've probably noticed something peculiar: some photographers charge one flat rate that includes everything, while others (like us at Excalibur Portraits) charge a session fee plus additional costs per image. And you might be thinking, "Why would I pay more for fewer things included?"
Great question. Let's unpack this together.
The All-Inclusive Package: Simple... But Is It?
Imagine walking into a restaurant where every meal costs exactly $50, whether you order a salad or a seven-course tasting menu. Sounds weird, right? That's essentially what all-inclusive headshot pricing does.
These packages typically look something like: "$350 for your session, includes 3 retouched images." Clean. Simple. Easy to understand. And honestly? For some people, it's perfect. If you know exactly what you need, an all-inclusive package eliminates surprises.
But here's the hidden cost: you're paying an averaged price that accounts for everyone's needs, not just yours. The photographer has to charge enough to cover their most demanding clients (the ones who need extensive retouching, multiple outfit changes, or hours of hand-holding). So if you're efficient, decisive, and low-maintenance? You're subsidizing everyone else's extra time.
The Session Fee + Per-Image Model: Tailored to You
At Excalibur Portraits, we use a different approach: a session fee that covers our time, expertise, and equipment, plus individual image pricing. Think of it like a lawyer's retainer—you're paying for access to professional service, then paying for the specific deliverables you actually need.
Here's why this benefits you:
You only pay for what you use. Need just one killer headshot for LinkedIn? You're not forced to buy three. Need fifteen different looks for various marketing materials? You can get them without feeling like you're "wasting" a package that only includes three.
Quality scales with your investment. When photographers bundle everything into one price, they're incentivized to work quickly and efficiently—which isn't always the same as working thoroughly. When you're paying per image, we're motivated to make each one absolutely perfect, because you're making an intentional choice about each photograph you purchase.
Flexibility for different needs. Maybe this session you need one image. Maybe next year you need twenty. The model adapts to your life, not the other way around.
Yes, the math can sometimes work out to a higher total cost. But you're not paying more for the same thing—you're paying for a better thing, customized to your actual needs.
The Value Equation: What Are You Really Buying?
When you invest in professional headshots, you're not buying pixels. You're buying:
Expertise in making you look like the best version of yourself. We've photographed thousands of people (seriously, check out our gallery). We know how to position your shoulders to convey authority, how to adjust lighting to minimize that thing you're self-conscious about, and how to coach you into a genuine smile rather than that weird teeth-baring thing we all do when someone says "smile!"
Time you don't have to spend learning photography. Could you take your own headshot with a smartphone and a ring light? Sure. Could you also cut your own hair, repair your own transmission, and perform your own root canal? Technically, yes. But there's a reason we pay professionals who've spent years mastering their craft.
An asset that works for you 24/7. That headshot appears on your LinkedIn profile, your company website, your conference bio, your email signature, your speaking proposals, and everywhere else people form first impressions. If it helps you land one client, speaking engagement, or job opportunity, it's paid for itself many times over.
For a deeper dive into maximizing the return on your headshot investment, check out our article on making your headshot work harder for your career.
The Makeup Artist Question: Luxury or Necessity?
Let's address the elephant wearing perfectly applied foundation in the room: professional makeup.
Some photographers include basic makeup touch-ups. Some offer it as an add-on for $150-300. Some don't offer it at all. And you might be thinking, "I already know how to do my own makeup, thanks."
Here's the thing: camera makeup is different from everyday makeup. Stage actors don't wear the same makeup to perform that they wear to brunch, because lighting changes everything. Studio lighting is unforgiving—it reveals every bit of shine, every uneven tone, every fine line that's invisible in your bathroom mirror.
A professional makeup artist who specializes in photography understands:
How to control shine without making you look flat
Which products photograph well (many everyday products contain SPF that creates a ghostly white cast on camera)
How to enhance your features without making you look "made up"
How to create makeup that looks natural on camera but terrible in person (which is fine—the camera is all that matters)
When to skip the makeup artist: If you're going for a very casual, authentic look, or if you're already skilled with makeup and understand how it translates on camera, you might not need professional help.
When it's worth every penny: If you're camera-shy, if your industry expects polished presentation, if you're investing significantly in these images, or if you simply want to feel pampered and confident walking into your session—book the makeup artist. The confidence boost alone is priceless, and confidence photographs beautifully.
The Aspirational Investment: You're Worth It
Here's what I've learned photographing everyone from nervous first-time entrepreneurs to seasoned executives: people who invest more in their headshots show up differently. They're more engaged in the process. They value the images more. They use them more strategically.
It's not about the money itself—it's about the commitment. When you decide "I'm worth a premium headshot," you're making a statement about how you see yourself and how you want the world to see you.
At Excalibur Portraits, we work with clients who understand that professional presentation isn't vanity—it's strategic. You're competing for attention in an increasingly visual world. Your headshot might appear next to fifty others on a conference speaker page, or in a grid of "Our Team" photos, or at the top of Google search results for your name.
In those moments, do you want to look like everyone else, or do you want to stand out?
The Bottom Line (Literally)
Professional headshots cost what they cost because they're worth what they're worth. The session fee model might seem more complex than an all-inclusive package, but it offers something valuable: choice. You choose your investment level based on your actual needs, not on what the photographer decided to bundle.
Whether you need one perfect image or a complete visual brand refresh, you're paying for expertise, equipment, experience, and the intangible magic that happens when all those elements combine to create an image that makes you think, "That's who I am."
And honestly? That's priceless. We just happen to have a price list.
Ready to see what's possible? Explore our pricing options or browse our portfolio to see the kind of results you can expect. Or better yet, let's talk about what you need—no pressure, no sales pitch, just honest conversation about creating images that work as hard as you do.
Because you're not just buying a headshot. You're investing in how the world sees you. And that investment? It pays dividends for years to come.
