3 Ways To Save Money On Your Next HEAD SHOT SESSION!
NO MORE FRUSTRATION
All 3 quotes have come back from the photographers that you have vetted and they are all outside of budget.
You want to respect the photographer’s price and not insult their process.
In this blog post I am going to share 3 tips to saving money when it comes to
getting headshots.
Tip 1: Arrive Hair & Make Up Ready
Photography head shot pricing can be all over the place, sometime photog’s
include hair and makeup inside their pricing to ensure your looks are consistent
and if there are any last minute touch ups prior or during the shoot the creative team is
there to assist.
Typically for head shots, an established photographer will use a creative that
is skilled at makeup and can style light hair.
If the photographer does not have to have to spend that money which is now money
saved for you the client.
When you request pricing, let the photographer know that you are coming hair and makeup ready so you will simply need pricing for the shoot and retouching of the images.
Tip #2: Shoot Outdoor versus Indoors
I wish could tell you all of the hidden expenses that a photo studio carries on a monthly basis. This list goes from rent to gas and electric, furniture, studio assistance, studio equipment, and camera gear just to scratch the surface. All of this goes directly into the price of your headshot sessions.
For some studio photographers, shooting your headshot for under $300 would put them at a loss of money because of the massive overhead.
The solution when you are working on a shoe string budget is to shoot outside or inside of a building with beautiful natural light.
Tip #3 Look for a Shoot & Burn Photographer
I saved the best for last, the shoot and burn photographer. What is it, where do I find this
photographer, and will I have to sacrifice quality.
In this photo, there is a picture of me doing professional headshots on location in Baltimore.
What you don’t see is my production assistant / assistant photographer. These are photographers that are up and coming, they are building their portfolio but have the
added advantage of working under a seasoned professional.
How do I find them?
After going through your selection and finding out the pricing from your top 3 photographers, if they are still outside of the range and you still need the images; send a message or call all three photographers with as much sincerity as possible and tell them as much as you would want to shoot with them that you simply can’t afford it.
Ask if they would happen to have a protege or assist photographer on their team that you can hire to shoot the headshots?
DING DING DING - Nine times out of ten they will send you a referral.
Will I have to sacrifice quality? In most cases no. Here is why, if the photographer is good enough to assist and work on set with the main photographer then they are typically good
enough to shoot a well exposed headshot.
Also the main photographer’s name and ego is on the line so he or she will not refer just anyone because it reflects on them.
Lastly be sure to tell the photographer what your budget is as the main photographer
may work something out with you.
My mother always told me that closed mouths don’t get fed, so you have not because you ask not.
I hope this has served you and I would love to see your results. Feel free to post your headshots below.
