Why Are Headshots So Expensive?

Cameras capable of producing high quality images start at around $3400, that’s just the camera. This can go up to $47,995 for the ultra-cool Hasselblad H6D-400C. Considering that most photographers have at least 2 cameras in case of failure, it’s probably starting to become clearer.

Lenses are another extremely expensive piece of equipment that no headshot photographer can do without. Most professional photographers have no less than 4-5 lenses. There are 3 different lenses we typically use for headshot photography. Canon 85mm 1.2L, Canon 85mm 1.2L IS USM and the Canon 100mm 2.8L Macro. These are used in different circumstances according to the type of headshot.

Now, you need somewhere to store these images once you’ve taken them right? Of course! No normal computer will do when dealing with large files and images processing. These computers need to be fast! We have 2 laptops and 1 desktop.

Monitors are incredibly important to creating the best real-life representation of color. These need to be the best and software used to calibrate them every week is easily as important.

Where do you store all the digital images taken? We use large external hard drives as well as an online backup. There would be nothing worse than getting 1000s of images for them to be lost because of a corrupt hard drive. It is imperative to back up the files. Right now, we have 2- 5 Terabyte drives not including the online backup.