Branding and headshot photography prices explained

If you've been researching branding photographers, you've probably noticed something: pricing really varies. One photographer charges $500, another charges $5,000, and you're left wondering what the difference is—and what you actually need.

What's Included in a Branding Session?

A personal branding session isn't just showing up and taking some pictures. There's a lot that happens before, during, and after the shoot to make sure you get images that actually work for your business.

Here's what most professional branding photographers include:

Pre-Session Consultation
We talk about your brand, your goals, and how you plan to use the images.

Wardrobe Planning
This matters more than you might think. The right outfits can elevate your entire brand and your confidence. I include a dedicated Zoom session to go over your wardrobe choices before the shoot, so you show up confident and prepared.

Multiple Outfit Changes
You'll want variety—different looks for different platforms and purposes. A good branding session typically includes 4-6 outfit changes, giving you enough content to last at least a year.

Location Options
Some photographers only work in their studio. Others shoot exclusively on location. Many offer both. The right choice depends on your brand and the story you want to tell.

Professional Editing
Each image is professionally edited and delivered in high resolution, ready to use on your website, social media, marketing materials, and print.

The Add-Ons Worth Asking About

In addition to the above list, these two points are worth asking about:

Professional Hair and Makeup
Some photographers include this, others charge separately. I highly recommend getting professional makeup done. It's one less thing to worry about getting right for photography, plus it's a bit of pampering for yourself on shoot day.

Props
If you need specific items for your brand—tools of your trade or products you sell—it's worth discussing with your photographer beforehand. Some photographers specialize in product or prop-heavy work, so it's good to clarify what you need when you're researching.

So What Does It Actually Cost?

Here's where it gets tricky, because photographers use completely different pricing models. What you pay depends not just on the photographer's experience, but on how they structure their business.

Here are the most common pricing structures you'll see:

Session + per image: Lower upfront fee, pay for what you choose
Hourly rates: $150-$1,500/hour depending on experience
Flat packages: $1,000-$5,000+ all-inclusive
Day rates: $1,500-$10,000+ for half or full days

Every photographer prices differently based on their experience, market, and what's included.

How I Structure My Branding Sessions!

At Colleen Neel Photography, I use a session-plus-package model because I've found it works best for my clients.

Here's how it breaks down:

Session fee: $345 – This covers the pre-session consultation, the wardrobe planning Zoom, the shoot itself, professional makeup, and all the planning that goes into making sure you get exactly what you need.
Image packages start at $795 – About 7-10 days after your session, we'll review your gallery together and you'll choose the images you love. Packages start at $795 and go up from there depending on how many images you want.

Branding photography requires some planning. We're going to spend time figuring out your goals, colors and wardrobe. After investing this time, it makes sense to get enough images to for the variety you need to use across your website, LinkedIn, social media, email signatures, and anywhere else you show up.

If you're looking for professional branding photos that will serve your business well, expect to invest $1,000-$3,000 for a solid session with a good variety of images.

Team Headshots: Start the Year Cohesive

Maybe your whole team needs an update! If you're managing a team, now's a great time to update everyone's headshots. I bring my studio setup right to your office, coordinate all the details, and make it seamless for your team. I also take team branding shots at your office or location.

I would, as always, love to take your headshots, branding photos or your whole team's headshots.

If fresh photos are anywhere on your radar for 2026, it might be worth just getting it done now.

Fill out the contact me form, call or email! I would be honored to be your photographer.

Contact Me

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The Real Cost of Branding Photos