How much do headshots cost?
Short answer: a traditional professional headshot typically runs $100–$400+, while AI headshots cost roughly $0–$50. Here’s the full breakdown — and how to spend the least for what you actually need.
Headshot prices vary widely by who takes the photo, where you live and what you need it for. The two main paths — a traditional photographer and an AI headshot generator — sit at very different price points. Below is an honest breakdown of each, with the factors that actually move the number.
Traditional photographer headshots: $100–$400+
A session with a professional photographer is the premium option. In most markets a basic headshot session runs somewhere around $150–$300, with big-city studios, retouching, multiple outfits or rush turnaround pushing it past $400. Very budget setups — a quick session, a single shot — can dip near $100; high-end personal-brand shoots run well beyond that.
You’re paying for a real photographer’s lighting, direction and editing, and for an unedited, authentic photograph, which a few contexts still require. The trade-offs are cost, scheduling, and that you usually walk away with a single look rather than a range of styles and backgrounds.
AI headshots: roughly $0–$50
AI headshot generators are dramatically cheaper because there’s no studio time. Most paid tools charge a one-time fee in the region of $20–$50 for a pack of headshots in several styles and backgrounds, generated from selfies you upload. A few advertise “free,” but a genuinely free, finished, high-resolution headshot is rare — the cost usually reappears as a watermark, a tiny resolution, or a subscription.
On this site, browsing every style and platform crop is genuinely free with no signup, so you can see exactly what you’d get. Upload-and-generate is rolling out in early access, with a free low-resolution preview planned before any paid download — so you confirm the likeness before spending anything. You can browse the free AI headshot generator to start.
Which is right for you — and how to pay the least
If you need an authentic, unedited photo for a context that requires it, or you want a photographer’s personal direction, pay for a traditional session. If you need a clean, professional headshot for LinkedIn, a resume, a company page or social profiles, an AI headshot delivers most of the value for a fraction of the cost — and gives you several styles at once.
Either way, the rule that saves money is the same: see the result before you pay. Preview an AI tool’s output on your own photos, or ask a photographer for sample work in your style. For help choosing between AI tools, see our honest best-of guide.
Browse the styles yourself — free
See every professional style on real LinkedIn, resume and company-page crops. No account, no card. Join early access to make your own.
Frequently asked questions
How much do professional headshots cost?
A traditional professional headshot session typically costs around $150–$300, ranging from about $100 for a basic shoot to $400+ for big-city studios, retouching or multiple looks. AI headshots are much cheaper, usually $0–$50.
How much does a headshot cost on average?
There’s no single average, because it depends on the photographer and your market, but $150–$300 is a common range for a traditional session in many places. An AI headshot pack is typically $20–$50, and browsing styles here is free.
Are AI headshots cheaper than a photographer?
Yes, substantially. Most AI headshot tools charge a one-time $20–$50 for a pack of styles, versus $100–$400+ for a photographer. The trade-off is that AI generates from your selfies rather than a live shoot, so preview the likeness before paying.
Can I get a headshot for free?
You can browse every professional style here for free with no signup. Truly free finished, high-resolution headshots are rare — “free” tools usually add a watermark, low resolution or a subscription. Our plan is a free preview before any paid download so you never pay for a result you haven’t seen.