The High Cost of a Cheap Headshot

Sometimes “good enough” just isn’t good enough.

When people think about what a headshot should cost, they tend to think in concrete terms. What is the price tag? The bottom line? It’s tempting to believe that the cheapest option is the best value. And yet, we know that’s often not the case.

When it comes to a headshot, the fact is that a cheap one comes at a high cost. Oftentimes, your online presence is your introduction to a new business contact. Whether you’re trying to land a new client or a new job, your first impression counts. A first impression that’s anything less than polished and professional will cost you in lost opportunities.

And it’s not enough for your headshot to be professionally done. I think we all know by now that using a selfie as a business profile headshot is a bad idea. (You know that, right?) Most people do seek out a professional. Not all professional photographers, however, know how to create an effective headshot. It is very possible that you will find what seems like a great deal with a professional photographer – and then end up with an image like the one on the left above. Looks pretty good, right?

It’s not a bad photo, per se, but it is not an effective headshot. You need more than just a pretty picture. You need an image that will connect with the viewer, and connection is all about eye contact. Anything that disrupts that contact or distracts from visual connection – such as the shadows in the lefthand image – will render your headshot ineffective. So, although it may look fine at first glance, it would be a waste of money to get an image like the one on the left. This is one of those times when “good enough” just isn’t good enough.

We know – that’s a lot of weight for one photo to bear. It can be nerve-wracking to invest more than you were planning in a headshot when you don’t know whether you’ll like the results. That’s why we urge you to put yourself in our capable hands. We specialize in crafting a professional, polished headshot that will connect you to your target audience. And, no, we are not the cheapest. But we bend over backwards to honor your investment in your image. We know it’s about more than just the price. It’s about the value.