Headshot Session FAQ

This posts answers all of the most common questions. If you still have questions after reading this, please shoot me a message at [email protected].

How much does a headshot session cost in Baltimore?

Sessions start at $375. Here’s the full price list:

• Mini Session — $375. One person, 45 minutes, on location, one retouched image. Good for an executive headshot or a single LinkedIn refresh.
• Corporate Session — $875. Up to 5 people, two-hour window, on location, one retouched image per person. Right size for partner-level photo refreshes or small department updates.
• Super Session — $1,375. Up to 10 people, three-hour window, on location, one retouched image per person. The most common booking for full team updates.
• Personal Branding — $1,200. Four-hour session, multiple looks, ten retouched images included. For coaches, consultants, attorneys building solo practices.
• Dating Profile — $695. Two-hour session, indoor and outdoor locations, four retouched images included.
• Actor Headshot — $475. 90-minute session, multiple looks, industry-standard delivery, two retouched images.

For groups larger than 10 or unusual situations, I quote a custom rate — typically starting around $1,800 for a half-day with up to 20 subjects. Additional retouches beyond what’s included are $35 per image. Hair and makeup artists can be arranged at roughly $125 per person.

See the full list with sample images.

How long does a session take?

For team and corporate work, plan on 45 minutes to 90 minutes per ten people once we’re set up. Each individual rotates through their own headshot in 5 to 20 minutes depending on group size. The pop-up studio takes about 15 minutes to set up and another 15 to break down. So a 10-person Super Session blocks about three hours of office time, including setup. A single-person Mini Session is 45 minutes start to finish.

Where do you serve?

The Baltimore and Frederick metropolitan areas plus everywhere in between — Glen Burnie, Towson, Frederick, Columbia, Westminster, Mount Airy, and central Maryland generally — by appointment, no travel fee. Based out of Union Bridge, MD.

Sessions in the Annapolis and Washington DC metro areas (Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Arlington, Alexandria) include a flat $150 travel fee due to traffic. Not sure if your location is inside the no-fee zone? Send me a message before booking and I’ll confirm.

How can I make an appointment? When and how do I pay?

The easiest way to see my availability and make an appointment is to check out my scheduling calendar. I take a $100 deposit to hold the session. You can use a credit card or Paypal to make the appointment right on my calendar, or if you prefer I also accept Venmo (where my username is “@Dennis-Drenner”). The remainder is due at the end of your session.

How do I prep my team before a corporate headshot session?

About a week ahead, send your team a short email covering four points:

1. Wardrobe. Solid or simple patterns, dark to mid-toned colors. Avoid bright whites, busy patterns, or low-cut tops (which can crop strangely). Bring a backup option in case something doesn’t photograph well.
2. Hair & grooming. Same as for a normal client meeting. Men should pay extra attention to facial hair — I can’t fix a missed shave with retouching.
3. Makeup. Optional. Slightly heavier than usual is fine because the camera takes some off. If you want to bring in a hair-and-makeup artist for the day (about $125 per person), let me know in advance.
4. Schedule. I’ll send you a sign-up sheet with 5–15 minute slots per person. Each person should plan to arrive a few minutes before their slot.

I’ll bring everything else — lighting, backdrops, and the patience to get a usable image even from the people who hate having their picture taken.

What if I need to reschedule?

Your confirmation email has a reschedule link you can use to reschedule your appointment up to 24 hours in advance. Last minute cancellations will incur a $100 fee (i.e. you lose your deposit).

I am concerned that there is not a good area to shoot at my location. What should I do?

In my entire (over 20 year) career, I have never found a space that I wasn’t able to make work for headshots. I have photographed everywhere from grand ballrooms to cramped offices next to the copy machine. If there’s enough room for you to turn around, I can squeeze a headshot studio in there!

Why don’t you have a studio? And why are your location fees so much less than others?

I had a studio in Baltimore city for years, but I travel a lot now (I even own an apartment in Medellin, Colombia!) and couldn’t justify the expense of a commercial studio lease. What I save on the studio I pass on to you, allowing me to offer studio rates for location shoots.

I’m looking for a portrait that shows some of the background. Can you help with that?

Absolutely. I love doing environmental portraits and have done hundreds of them over the years. We can photograph you in your place of work, in a field with your cows or hanging off the skids of your helicopter. Whatever helps tell your story! Please email me for a customized quote for this type of job (generally we’ll be looking at something closer to my location session pricing).

I am also able to change the background digitally if that is a better option for you. You can see examples of that here and here. Digital background changes incur additional retouching fees. Please inquire for more details.

What to wear?

Wear solid or simple patterns, dark to mid-toned colors, avoiding bright whites and bold patterns. In your headshot we want the attention on your face, not on your clothing. Splashes of color (like a red shirt under a dark blazer) are good. Ideally, bring a few options— different shirts, jackets, ties, jewelry, scarves.

Blouses for ladies should not too low cut or they could end up being cropped entirely out of the frame (and it will look like you are doing a naked headshot shoot!) We can also deal with this issue by using clips to hike the blouse up a bit closer to your neck.

Makeup and grooming tips

I don’t usually recommend makeup for men. It can help, but unless you’re an actor or TV personality, the makeup is more likely to make you uncomfortable and isn’t worth the trouble. Men should pay extra attention to grooming their facial hair. I can’t give you a clean shave with Photoshop!

For women, keep the makeup simple and flat, but a bit heavier than usual is OK as the camera takes some off.

If you want to work with a professional makeup artist, please let me know and I’m happy to recommend some of my local favorites. For individual studio sessions, most folks will arrange to have their makeup done off-site just before the session. For larger groups, we will often arrange to have the makeup artist on location. You should double check price and details with the MUA, but it’s usually around $125 per person.

What happens after the shoot?

I shoot somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 images during a typical 45 minute session. After our shoot, I will narrow this down to 30-50 of the best images which I will put into an online gallery and deliver to you within two or three business days. At your convenience, you can let me know your favorite image for a retouch. Regular sessions include one free retouch, and additional retouches are just $35. I am usually able to get the retouched images back to you within two business days.

For more details on post-shoot matters like downloading and retouching, please check out this post: After the Shoot

I’m on a super tight deadline. How quickly can I get my photos?

I usually take two business days to deliver your initial set of images. It takes another day or two to deliver final retouches of your favorite/s. For folks on a tight deadline, I can speed this process up, even delivering images the same day. Please let me know if you need me to go warp nine — I can usually help! (Rush service does incur a $100 additional fee).

So I get all the pictures?

Yes. You can download and keep all the photos in my final edit of approximately 30-50 photos and do what you want with them!

Can you do passport and visa photos?

Yes I can and they are included in my normal studio session, though you will have to get them printed elsewhere. For more details please check out this post: Passport Photos. If you don’t want a professional headshot and just want a quick passport photo, try Service Photo on Falls Road in Baltimore.