Why are headshots so damn expensive?!

I think this may be the first blog post I’ve written since I stopped shooting weddings. Headshots don’t blog in that same dreamy story-telling way that weddings do so it’s a bit more difficult to keep this blog alive.

Today, we are going to talk about the lack of education out there when it comes to headshots and commercial photography. Most people don’t realize that there is a big difference between commercial photography, and portrait/wedding photography (often referred to as “retail photography.”)

“..but, Ashleyyyy, WHY are a couple of headshots so much more expensive than the photo shoot my family did last fall? We got like 50 photos!"

I don't get asked this question too often anymore, but it does come up from time to time. Especially from companies and small business who have never hired a commercial photographer before.

Ya know that TikTok audio: “Ok, but that’s not the same! That’s NOT THE SAME!”

The short and sweet answer is: you're not purchasing these images to hang in your home, to be enjoyed by your family. You're hiring an experienced photographer to create custom high quality images for your business that are going to increase your visibility, help you to stand out among the competitors by looking more professional, and in turn, make you money. (“make you money” is the KEY phrase to take away here).

Commercial photography is an investment. When done correctly, it pays for itself pretty quickly.

Think of it this way: If you listen to music in your home, the licensing for your spotify account is pretty cheap. However, if you decide to use your favorite artist's song in a movie you're making, that tons of people will see, that licensing is going to look very different, right? And it would be a much larger investment.

In conclusion: If you are using something someone else created to increase your own profits, the profits of the creator should also be increased. Make sense?

I'd love to answer any more questions you all have about commercial photography, licensing, etc.

Are you a photographer who's just starting commercial work? Reach out!