Surely someone in this city takes headshots.
February 3, 2012 6:53 PM   Subscribe

Headshot photographer recommendations?

So for future work-related projects (yay!) I need to have a recent, semi-professional photo of myself (ack!) My normal solution, a photo of Facebook (seriously), might not cut it this time.

As I understand it, my city is crawling with professional photogs, but the ones coworkers and the like recommended charge literally more than the projects will pay, which I'm sure is a fair rate (is it a fair rate? I don't know what a fair rate is?) but way out of my price range. How do I even begin to do this? Any recommendations, or places to start to look?

This isn't an acting/performing headshot, if those are different. I don't know whether they're different. But if they are, it's not.
posted by dekathelon to Work & Money (11 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Response by poster: OFF Facebook. Ugh I can't proofread. Basically it was taken off-hours at a conference.
posted by dekathelon at 6:54 PM on February 3, 2012


Your location might help.

If you want a professional photo, you're going to have to pay a professional rate. I don't know what kind of quotes you are getting but I would expect to spend a few hundred at least for anyone above the "So I have this nice camera..." level. Or you could try to find an art student or something.
posted by bradbane at 7:01 PM on February 3, 2012


Any idea as to what locale?
posted by bz at 7:04 PM on February 3, 2012


Response by poster: Oh shit sorry. NYC.
posted by dekathelon at 7:06 PM on February 3, 2012


Inexpensive standard photo portraits? Department store photo studios. Samples:

J.C.Penney Portrait Studios

Target Portrait Studios
posted by caclwmr4 at 7:38 PM on February 3, 2012


Yeah, when I worked at a Sears Portrait Studio we did a lot of head shots for realtors. Probably under $20 for a very basic package.
posted by book 'em dano at 8:37 PM on February 3, 2012


I'm in NYC and shoot headshots. I'm on vacation for a few months though so I can't offer my services - but I've got plenty of friends who are affordable and available. Let me know if you're interested and I'll be happy to send you their info!
posted by blaneyphoto at 10:22 PM on February 3, 2012


What about a passport photo place, and tell them it's not ACTUALLY for a passport, so it's OK to smile.
posted by trialex at 11:28 PM on February 3, 2012


A.E Fletcher.
posted by brent at 8:09 AM on February 4, 2012


Response by poster: Thanks for the suggestions! I'm actually not sure what kind of photo they're looking for - think jacket copy stuff - but some of the options I never would've thought of.

(The original price I was quoted, incidentally, was $750 - like I said, I'm sure this is a totally fair rate especially for here, but still.)
posted by dekathelon at 2:41 PM on February 4, 2012


Best answer: My husband does headshots sometimes (though that's not his primary business) and he charges less than you were quoted, also in NYC. If you're on a budget, he suggests calling one of the local photography schools and see if they have any students who will do it at a low rate.
posted by bedhead at 6:48 PM on February 4, 2012


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