Headshot photographers? Coming right up.
This list of photographers at different price ranges comes courtesy of a teacher at a class I took. He’s not supposed to “officially” recommend photogs so I won’t mention the class…now. But if you read my blog and or newsletter (what? You don’t get my once-in-a-blue-moon newsletter for actors? Sign up here!) you’ll hear about all the classes and workshops and SAG/AFTRA experiences…I share it all.
I've done a little summary of the least-expensive package for each company. Check the websites yourselves for the details- I may have missed something, prices may have changed, or bless their hearts they may have disappeared off the face of the earth, AKA moved to Phoenix.
PALOMA PORTRAITS
Paloma’s entry level prices are great, and if you need something
Bottom line: 2 hours, 3 looks - $250.
What popped out to me was a two for one offer they have: Bring a friend and it’s $150/ea – 2 looks per person, appears to be 2 hr session. Partner up, people!
ONE LAST ROLL STUDIO
Basic: $350/2 looks
FYI, in olden times film used to come in rolls.
KAT TUOHY PHOTOGRAPHER
Entry price is $375 for 2 looks, she says on the site sessions are 1.5-3.5 hours depending on looks etc.
ASHTON PHOTOGRAPHY
Unlimited looks, 3 hours $425
ROB MAINORD PHOTOGRAPHY
Regular headshot session $450. Also offers something called a “2 look session” but it appears to be for people who’ve already done a regular session with him.
DANA PATRICK
3-4 looks $690
hair and make-up automatically reserved- women $180, men $75.
My added advice:
- Research carefully, and if you can, actually speak to human beings who’ve experienced that photographer.
- Personally I’d skip anyone who’s doing a bunch of kinds of photography (weddings, babies, condos…) and stick to someone who does headshots all day, every day.
- When studios are planning ad campaigns they hire photo doubles and plan the best shots so that when talent gets there they can put them right in place. Be your own producer! IN ADVANCE get your wardrobe on and get a friend to take some pictures. Figure out now that you hate certain poses or angles rather than in front of the photographer when time is ticking away.
- If you’re handling hair and makeup, I’m a big fan of GLAMSQUAD
BONUS PHOTOGRAPHER/BOOK RECOMMENDATION
Actor/teacher/session director Shaan Sharma recommends photographers Theo and Juliet. They are SUPER spendy, (packages start at $1,395) but I thought we should have at least one high end one on the list. Shaan speaks at SAG-AFTRA monthly about working in commercials. I encourage all SAG-AFTRA members to look out for his lectures and attend one. He wrote a book with much of the same information Commercial Acting in LA: a session director’s guide.
OK, kids! Go get some great headshots!
Dinah
BTW: I am not getting kickbacks from Shaan for selling his book but I do get a teeny cut from Amazon if you shop through my links. I get no perks from GLAMSQUAD either (if you’re reading, guys- I’m here and open to the idea!!!)
