$0.85 Headshots? – Inexpensive New York Headshots
Is There Such a Thing as a Cheap NYC Headshot Photographer?
It’s no secret that our nation is in a financial crisis, and between the already plunging economy, the effects of the Writer’s Guild strike, and the possibilities of a SAG strike, many actors and actresses in need of the best headshots money can buy, instead find themselves buying the cheapest head shot they can find.
This is not a good thing!
I’ve already written about why choosing your headshot photographer based on money is a bad idea, so I won’t go into that here–instead, I would like to take minute to discuss how an actor can:
- afford a high quality New York headshot
- shoot with an established New York headshot photographer, at a discount
- make the most of the money he or she spends
Good New York headshots cost anywhere from $500-$1,500 depending on the headshot photographer. When looking for someone to take his or her headshot, how can an actor justify spending the money? And how much is too much? And is there any way to shoot a cheap headshot without doing it yourself?
There are quite a few New York City “headshot photographers” willing to work for next to nothing, but when it comes to amazing photos that will really contribute to an actor’s career, there’s no escaping spending some money. But you don’t have to pay a fortune to get good shots.
Change Your Perspective –
Is That Head Shot Photographer *Really* Expensive?
Yes, $600 or $700 is a lot of money. Of course it is! That’s 600 cheeseburgers from McDonalds (as my brother likes to say)!
But when you think about your headshots as an investment, that $600 doesn’t sound so bad…
A nationwide, broadcast television commercial can easily net an actor $10,000. Would you be willing to spend $600 to make $10,000? That’s a 1,666% return on your investment!
A lead role in a pilot for network television, even if that pilot doesn’t get picked up, can mean $50,000+ for an actor. Would you be willing to spend $600 to make $50,000?
Most people would answer with a resounding yes… put in that perspective, $600 seems like a pretty cheap headshot if it can get you one step further towards making an income.
Discount Sessions –
Inexpensive Headshot Options for Actors on a Budget
Most professional headshot photographers in New York City have options available for actors on a budget. I offer a returning client discount to help out performers who are updating their look, student discounts for performers getting headshots while in college or high-school, discounts for children’s headshots, and reduced-look sessions for performers who would love to shoot a session with me, but simply can’t afford a full session.
The absolute best option for a working, professional actor is a full session with multiple looks… but if you absolutely can’t afford that option, or are pursuing acting part-time or just feeling it out, a reduced session could be the right choice (especially if it means working with a good headshot photographer).
Not every photographer advertises or posts reduced session rates, so be sure to ask. My rates are now all online, and if you aren’t sure if a particular discount applies to you, please contact me and ask.
The Long Tail –
How Can I Afford a Professional New York City Headshot?
If reading the above still hasn’t given you an option that you can afford, to shoot with a headshot photographer you love, it might mean taking a hard look at the value you place on your career.
A typical headshot should last about two years. If you shot a full session with me (5 looks), that would be $625. That’s $26 a month, or $6 a week, or $0.85 a day (depending on how you look at it). Are you willing to spend $0.85 a day on your career?
Do you go to Starbucks every day? If you change your Venti Caramel Macchiato ($3.65) to a tall ($2.80) you save $0.85 a day–which is exactly the price of your headshots!
So when you’re thinking about updating your shots, or getting professional headshots at all, ask yourself if you really need that hot coffee in a Venti size… because the difference could mean a headshot that gets you in the door!
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Blue
Hey there, Thanks for your article. I am in a dilemma because I’m a broke medical student looking to break into the world of print modeling for some extra cash. So it’s like me investing money I don’t have for money I may make in the future.
Most people are so jaded in NYC that they won’t even consider a free ad spot on my very new blog in exchange for headshots. Any ideas?
http://beautyburn.blogspot.com/
Nick Coleman
Hi “Blue”,
I totally understand your dilemma! When just starting out in any business, it’s tough to cough up the resources required to invest in your future. No business opportunity is a sure thing, so there’s always risk involved. The question you have to ask yourself is: do I believe in myself enough to invest in myself? If the answer is no, then why are you pursuing modeling or acting? If the answer is yes, then it’s up to you figure out a way to make the investment.
Trading or bartering for services is always a valid way to go… if you’re considering ad space on your blog as an option, then you need to be able to prove to your potential advertisers that they’re getting something valuable in return for their services: how many readers does your blog have? How many web hits does it get every month or every day, and are those readers people who might consider paying a photographer for headshots?
A link exchange is about $25 a year right now, on websites that list headshot photographers. Banner ads are more expensive, but they are usually offered by sites that have thousands of views per day, and cater almost exclusively to actors. That may be why you’ve been unsuccessful in finding someone willing to take you up on your offer.
Getting started is tough! But we all go through it… best of luck in your career, and I hope your blog is a success too!
kevin
listen
Here is the TRUTH. Anyone asking over $400 for standard professional head-shots for film and commercial is making way too much money off you.
Don’t look at websites that write articles like this one telling you to accept the fact that headshots costs are this high. Many of my SAG friends got really good headshots for 275-450 tops, 500 is pushing it.
500 and up to say a 1000 would only be if you are already somewhat an established actor. You are retaking it because you want even better shots, more glam our, different looks, etc. The money you pay extra will make your actual head shot experience more fabulous, meaning you will be pampered.
Save your money… you’ll need it to survive as an actor
Nick Coleman
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for checking out my site! And for looking out for the best interests of your actor friends… there are definitely a lot of people out there trying to take advantage of actors.
As far as your concerns about headshot prices, it all comes down to value. A $275 headshot session is a terrible value if those shots don’t get you auditions. A $1,000 headshot session that repeatedly gets you into auditions (where you book national commercials at $30,000 a pop) is indeed an *amazing* value.
If saving money is most important to you, by all means, look for a cheap photographer.
If getting auditions with casting directors (and meetings with agents) is most important to you, then I would suggest looking into professional headshot photographers (and most pros aren’t cheap).
All the best,
Nick
Martin Bentsen
I actually believe that an actor can get amazing headshots with any photographer so long as the photographer can shoot the shots professionally and knows the technical details and has the right equipment.
If the actor has a great time and gets along well with the photographer, their shots should look great. Think about it, if they keep snapping the shutter, something is bound to turn out good eventually. But I think the actors has to make the right decision on which headshot to use.
Nick Coleman
Hi Martin!
You’re right that if you snap the shutter enough times, you should end up with something usable… but that’s a bit akin to letting monkeys pound on typewriters until they end up writing Hamlet. It’s bound to happen, but it’s terribly inefficient, and a waste of resources.
Headshot photography is an art form… and artistry takes time, talent, and skill. 🙂