Where to Get a Professional Headshot in NYC
Choose the Setting Before You Choose the Background
Professional headshots are portraits taken for professional reasons, maybe it’s for your company’s or your personal bio, your work profile, etc. But where to get your professional headshot done? Is it just you getting your headshot done? Consider where you’ll be using your professional headshot, maybe it’s for your LinkedIn profile picture as a job seeker, maybe you’re an executive and you need a headshot and a portrait in a wider format for press and your company’s website. Or maybe you’re getting professional headshots for your entire team. Consider what you’d like your headshots to look like (it can help to collect some visual references), who on your team will be available for in-person NYC headshots (and how you want to maintain consistency for team members hired down the line). If you’re an executive getting your headshot taken, it might also help to chat with your photographer about whether or not you’d like to do multiple formats (say, a headshot and a wider framed portrait) and/or settings (your office, for example).
Bring visual references that reflect your profession and the first impression you want your headshot to convey.
Choose the Format That Fits the Job
So where to get a professional headshot in NYC? Before starting to peruse through professional headshot photographer portfolios, consider which type of professional headshot session would suit your needs best, what’s important to you (or your team)? Privacy? Ease? A specific style of headshot? If you’re doing team headshots, it might make sense to do everyone’s headshots in one visit at your photographer’s studio, or maybe you’d like to hire a headshot photographer that will come to your office, or maybe a combination of both. Need consistent professional headshots for a remote team located in different cities? Ask your NYC headshot photographer about their remote headshot process. Discuss your cropping, lighting, and background wishes with your photographer so you’re on the same page before your session.
Who needs a portrait? | Start here | Confirm before booking |
|---|---|---|
One person in NYC | Compare individual studio packages, prices and deliverables. If travel is difficult, compare an on-location appointment. | Session time, included retouched finals, how you choose the image and the files you receive. |
A team in one office | Headcount, room and access, scheduling, one visual reference and later-hire options. | |
Employees in different cities | Booking, camera setup, selection ownership, retouching and a consistent final crop. |
Studio Professional Headshots
At a photo studio, the photographer has control over camera setup, lighting and background. Studio headshots can be a great option for LinkedIn or other professional profiles, company websites, or building your personal brand, especially when privacy is important to you, and you don’t want to factor in weather conditions or city crowds when planning your headshot session. Before your studio headshot session, discuss with your photographer the level of formality or professionalism you want your headshot to convey: more formal, or relaxed. For a LinkedIn headshot, you’ll typically want to look professional, yet approachable, within the context of your industry. If you wear glasses, make sure to check a test capture with your photographer during your headshot session, and look out for any potentially distracting reflections. Zoom into your image to the size that you’ll be using it at; this will help you make an informed selection after your session.
Match Production offers studio headshots by appointment at 545 8th Avenue, Suite 2111 (in Midtown Manhattan). See what Match’s studio looks like, and compare length of studio headshot session at Match, number of professionally retouched headshots included, background and outfit changes, and other details in Match’s individual headshot packages. Color-corrected selects are the images you’ll review; professionally retouched headshots are the images you’ll receive after selecting your favorites; make sure to clarify with your photographer which type(s) of images you’ll be receiving before booking your session.
Office and On-Location Team Headshots
If you’re planning professional headshots for a team, consider hiring a photographer to come to your office; this way, your team members won’t need to plan an extra trip just for headshots. Before booking your on-location team headshot session, make sure to discuss with your photographer how many people will be getting headshots, how much space you have available at your office, access to electrical outlets, and timing/scheduling for headshots. Discuss how your photographer would set up professional lighting and background at your location, and agree upon cropping, lighting, and camera height preferences to get consistent headshots for everyone on your team.
Browse professional headshots taken at clients’ offices using Match’s on-location headshot guide, or see more ideas for team headshots in NYC if getting cohesive headshots for your team is your #1 goal. Curious about the pros and cons of getting team headshots in NYC studio vs. on-location? Read our NYC studio versus on-location headshots guide.
Outdoor Headshots in Natural Light
If you’re considering outdoor headshots, keep in mind that you’ll be able to incorporate elements of nature, or interesting architecture, into your professional headshot. However, you’ll also want to walk through your preferred location in advance, ideally at the same time of day that you’ll be shooting at, and think about how natural light changes throughout the day, as well as random city goers, could potentially impact the image quality of your headshots. Don’t forget to double-check whether you’ll need a photography permit at your preferred location, and discuss potential rain plans with your photographer.
Remote Headshots
Wondering if there’s a way for you (or your team) to get professional headshots without traveling to a photographer’s studio? Ask your NYC headshot photographer about their remote headshot process: from booking and setting up your camera to posing/direction, image selection, retouching, and how to maintain a cohesive look (especially relevant for teams). Currently, Match offers virtual headshots for individuals; double-check with your photographer about booking virtual headshots for your entire team before rolling out invites.
What to Check Before a Headshot Session
Before booking professional headshots with your NYC headshot photographer, consider:
Purpose of your headshots (ex: personal branding, company website, social media, etc.) and necessary crops/orientations
Number of people getting headshots & whether future hires should get headshots in the same style
Availability of a private room, accessibility, ease of building entry/exit, and flexibility of scheduling (for office/studio headshots)
Photography permits, foot traffic, and rain plans (for outdoor headshots)
Deliverables (ex: amount of retouched images, length of headshot session, number of backgrounds/wardrobe changes, etc.)
Cancellation policies (especially relevant if access to your office/scheduling/permits/weather could potentially impact your headshot session)
When you’re ready to start narrowing down NYC headshot photographers, consider portfolio style/cohesion, in-person/virtual posing & direction, image selection, retouching, and logistics/deliverables.
Plan Your Match Team Session
To get started planning your Match Production team headshot session, let us know how many people will be getting headshots, whether you’ll be shooting at a Match Production studio in NYC or your office, where you plan to use your images, and if there’s a chance you’ll be adding new team members in the future.
Match Production’s team headshot day packages cover up to 5, 10, 25, or 50 people, and our managed company headshot programs list up to 50, 100, 250, or 500 employees. Keep in mind that these are package headcounts; this doesn’t necessarily mean that all offices/schedules will be able to accommodate similar setups. Be sure to discuss how Match Production can help with planning/scheduling/coordination for your headshot day(s) based on your team size and shooting location(s).
Be sure to browse Match Production’s corporate headshots and team headshots pages for more details about retouching and image selection before planning your team headshot day with Match Production.
Which Match Production Option Fits?
Match Production’s studio headshot packages for individuals start at $399, and our team headshot days for up to 5 team members start at $1,449. Virtual headshot sessions (for one individual, with live posing/direction from your photographer) are $200. Be sure to double-check the length of your headshot session and final image deliverables; company-wide virtual headshots aren’t currently included with Match Production’s virtual headshot sessions for individuals.
Ready to dive deeper into Match Production’s headshot packages for individuals at our Midtown studio? Browse our individual headshot sessions page (linked above) to compare the headshot price and package inclusions.
Planning headshots for your team at your NYC office? Browse our on-location headshot and team headshot pages.
Curious about getting headshots for team members in different cities? Learn more about remote headshots.
Want to request a custom quote for headshots for your entire company? Head over to Match Production’s corporate headshots page and compare your quote to our corporate headshot pricing guide.
Not sure which Match Production headshot package is right for you or your team? Be sure to double-check what’s included in each headshot package/pricing tier before booking. Still have questions about planning professional headshots for your team? Email us at hello@match-production.com with the approximate number of employees/clients that will be getting headshots, your ideal headshot setting, and where you plan to use your images.
Questions to ask a headshot photographer
How do I find a photographer who specializes in professional headshots?
Ask around in your business network. Check out photography directories. Search online and read recent reviews. Browse through entire galleries on social media and photographers' websites. Make sure the lighting is consistent and you like the overall look and style. Check out the professional photographer's headshot gallery (corporate, personal branding, etc.). Don’t just look at someone’s wedding gallery and wonder if they also do headshots.
Is a personal brand photo library the best option for me?
If you’re just looking for a new LinkedIn photo, book a headshot session. You can ask for a crisp head and shoulders photo for your LinkedIn profile. If you need photos for LinkedIn, website banner images, press photos, images that show you at work, in your element or in your space, ask about booking a personal branding photo library. It’s a good idea to send the photographer the sizes of the images you need so they’re prepared to take the right photos for your needs. Don’t forget that just because you need more than one image doesn’t mean you need more than one headshot.
What files should I ask for?
Remember to ask about file sizes and delivery. How many color-corrected selects and retouched finals will you receive? Proofs, selects and finals are different. How will you receive your images? When can you expect to receive/download your images? What will be the file size and format? Who owns the copyright/what are the usage rights? Will the images be retouched? How will you select your favorite images? You may want to request a couple different crops for different uses, for example, if you want to use the photo for LinkedIn, you may want a tight head and shoulders crop. If you also want images for your website, you may want to request a couple different, wider crops as well. Before you upload your new LinkedIn photo, check out how the photo looks cropped on LinkedIn.
How can I feel comfortable during my headshot session?
It doesn’t matter if you’ve never done headshots before; let the photographer know. Ask them how they direct people during a photo session. Ask if you can review a test shot together during your session. You don’t have to come up with a smile and pose before your session, the photographer will work with you to find your best posture, facial expression, etc. Let the photographer know if there’s anything you need to be comfortable during your session (ie. can we use a chair?).
What should I wear to my headshot session?
Clothing that you’re comfortable in. Solid colors photograph well. Double check how patterns look in a tight crop. Avoid trendy items or large logos that can take away from your face.
How should I prepare my hair and skin for my headshot session?
If you’re thinking of getting a haircut, try to schedule it about a week before your photo session so you can figure out how you like to wear/style your hair. Bring any makeup/hair products that you use regularly in case you need touch ups during your session. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep and drink plenty of water the day of your shoot. Check out your collar. Don’t forget about your glasses.
Can I book a headshot with you from home?
For one person, yes. Remote headshots are photos taken on your phone with live direction from your photographer. It’s different from booking an AI headshot (using an AI image generator to create synthetic headshots, be sure to check to make sure your AI generated headshot still looks like you and is compliant with your company’s photo policy) or taking DIY headshots at home with basic tools (set your phone up at eye level on a tripod or other sturdy surface, position yourself in front of a window so you’re lit by soft natural light, use a solid background, crop your photo to include your head and shoulders; if using portrait mode, check out the edges of your hair and glasses to make sure they aren’t blurry; get a friend to assist if you can’t reach your phone/camera). Ask your photographer if image selection/retouching is included with remote headshots.
My company/school/group would like to book headshots. Does everyone need their own slot?
For on-site group headshots, give each employee their own slot and make sure to leave time between each employee’s headshot in case someone runs late or you need a break. Figure out who will be in charge of reminding employees to show up for their headshot and keeping track of who’s been photographed. If the provider offers an admin dashboard, check it out to see how you’ll be able to access everyone’s photos and how employees can approve their headshots. For remote headshots, ask what phone/camera employees will need to participate and if the photographer will direct employees on a video call.
I’m a student and need a professional headshot for the first time. Any suggestions?
Students can reach out to their school’s career services/career office and see if they offer free headshot days. Just make sure to ask how to book, what images you’ll receive and what the image usage rights are before counting on free student headshots to save the day (and meet that pesky resume photo deadline).
Will I get my photos the same day?
Ask your photographer about photo delivery. Just because your headshot appointment is same day doesn’t mean your (retouched) headshot will be delivered same day. Ask when you’ll receive your headshot proofs and final images and if expedited photo delivery is an expedited option.
When should I request a headshot quote?
If you’re interested in headshots for your executive team, employees at multiple office locations or want to explore other options, reach out for a custom quote. Provide the number of employees you’d like photos of, the address(es) of your office(s), dates/times you’re interested in booking, your photo delivery deadline and how you plan to use the photos. Also be sure to ask how the booking calendar works, what equipment is required and how future employees can receive consistent headshots. The more information you can provide, the more accurate your custom quote will be.
