How many images will you get from your headshot session?

This is a question we are asked regularly… “How many pictures will I get from a headshot session?” Well, the answer is a little wishy-washy and will differ from one photographer to another. So lets use our own packages as an example…

By far our best-selling headshot photography package for businesses is our Individual package. This is a one hour headshot session in our studio with our photographer for business people, entrepreneurs and leaders. The number one question we are asked by almost everyone who books this package is: “how many images will I get?”. During a one hour session, we tend to produce around 150 images. 

Our most popular actors headshot package is our Casting Pro Package, which is a two hour session during which we’ll shoot six looks (outfits/backdrops). During this session, we’ll produce a contact sheet of around 300 images. Again, these are sent to the client on the same day of the shoot. 

So roughly speaking, we produce around 150 images per hour during a headshot session. But most photographers, including ourselves, will not include all of the images taken. It’s pretty much industry standard to provide the client with a contact sheet, or a link to a gallery, where they can choose images to be retouched/processed. Again, how many finished images are included will vary from photographer to photographer.

In our case, the amount of included images varies, but a one hour studio session with a professional (for their LinkedIn/Website etc) includes two fully retouched images. The two hour actors headshot session includes five retouched images. Of course, every photographer will allow additional retouched images to be purchase and prices will vary- we charge £20 per additional retouched image.

Here are a few tips on how to get the most from your session:

1: Listen to your photographers direction

This is the number one piece of advice we would give to anyone having their headshot taken. A good headshot photographer will direct you and offer advice on how to get the most from your session. There are a few tips we give almost everyone we shoot, and these are mostly to help convey confidence and show off your best side. Many people have ‘bad habits’ in terms of expressions and poses. Don’t be offended if we ask you to do something different.

2: Keep moving

A great way to get more images from your session is to move slightly in between shots. Offering your photographer slight differenced in head position, hand position and expression from shot-to-shot is a great way to ensure you get more images out of your shoot. This is harder than it sounds (it’s what professional models do) and it requires confidence. Be brave!

3: Relax

We get it. Sitting in front of a camera is not something you are used to, but if you let the fear get to you it will show in your images. Our photographer is very good at putting people at ease, but try and do whatever you can before the shoot to relax. A good way to prepare for a headshot shoot is to sit in front of a mirror and practice a little. This might sound daft, but it will get you a bit more ready for the actual shoot and you will feel less nervous if you have taken the time to do this. Also, avoid too much coffee prior to the shoot!

4: Be rested

A good night’s sleep the night before your headshot session is a must. If you feel tired, it will be harder to focus during your shoot and you won’t look your best. A good night’s sleep will also reduce the chance of you waking up with dark circles around your eyes- not something you want on the day of your shoot. 

5: Have fun

Once the shoot arrives, try and enjoy yourself! This isn’t something that happens every day, and you are in good hands. The more you go into this experience thinking of it as a good thing that you will enjoy- the more you will get out of it!