To book a professional photo session, start with what the photos are for, then check five things before you commit: what is included, how many final images you get, how much retouching is done, what you are allowed to use them for, and how fast they arrive. On Book Holiday Photos, each independent photographer lists those details on their profile, next to real prices and open dates. Here is the full checklist, and how booking works step by step.
Start with the job the photo has to do
"Professional photo" can mean a lot of things. Before comparing photographers, write down where the image will live:
- A LinkedIn profile and company directory.
- Your website's about page or a team page.
- A speaker bio, conference program or podcast page.
- A press kit, book jacket or article byline.
- Real estate signs, business cards, or printed brochures.
Each one hints at the crop, the backdrop and the mood you need. A LinkedIn photo is a tight, friendly crop. A speaker page often wants something more editorial with room around you. If you know the uses, you can ask the right questions and the photographer can plan the right frames.
The questions to ask before you book
What is included in the price?
Check exactly how long the session is, how many outfits or looks are allowed, and whether backdrops are included. Some prices cover only the time in the studio, with images sold separately. In NYC, headshot sessions typically run from around $150 to $450 depending on length and what is included, so compare profiles rather than prices alone.
How many final images do I get?
This is where prices that look similar stop being similar. Look for how many retouched images are included and whether you see the rest.
How much retouching is done?
Some photographers barely touch the files, others reshape faces. Neither is right for most professional uses. Look at before and after examples in their portfolio, and ask if you can't tell. A good standard: skin and stray hairs cleaned up, color and light balanced, no reshaping. You should look like yourself on a good day.
What can I use the photos for?
This is the question people forget. Personal use (your own LinkedIn) is usually fine. Commercial use, like your company's website, ads, proposals or press materials, is sometimes extra or not allowed. Check the profile, or message the photographer before booking.
What file sizes and formats will I receive?
A small web file looks fine on LinkedIn but falls apart on a printed program. Look for both web and print sizes.
How long until I get them?
Look for a firm turnaround, especially if you have a deadline like a conference or a new job announcement. Delivery times vary by photographer and are shown on the profile.
What happens if I need to reschedule?
Cancellation and rescheduling terms differ between photographers, so read them on the profile. Because you pay online when you book, it is worth knowing the policy before you do.
How booking works on Book Holiday Photos
- Choose a photographer whose headshot style and prices suit you.
- Pick a session and an open time on their profile.
- Pay online when you book. Your card is held and charged only once the photographer accepts, usually within 48 hours. If they decline, the hold is released in full.
- The photographer contacts you with the location and details. Tell them what the photos are for: LinkedIn, website, press, team page, or something else. Mention any backdrop your company already uses.
- Come to the session with your outfits. Most headshot sessions are short, with a few looks and expression coaching as you go. You can read the minute-by-minute in what happens during a headshot session.
- Receive your gallery within the time the photographer lists, with the retouched headshots, web and print sizes as described on their profile.
How to prepare in the days before
- Plan your three looks. For example: a jacket, a shirt or blouse without the jacket, and something softer or more relaxed. Our guide on what to wear for headshots covers colors, necklines and glasses.
- Get a haircut a week before, not the day before, so it has settled.
- Sleep and water do more for your skin than any filter.
- Bring your glasses if you wear them daily, and a lint roller if your jacket loves dust.
- Think about the expression you want. Approachable, confident, serious, warm. Tell your photographer and they will coach toward it.
Booking for more than one person
If you need headshots for a team, a practice or a family business, ask a photographer whether they can schedule people back to back with the same backdrop and light, so every photo matches. Message them with the number of people and your preferred days. More in team headshots in NYC.
Running your own business and need photos for several places at once? See headshots for small business owners, which covers planning three looks for a website, socials and press.
Red flags when comparing photographers
- A price with no clear number of final images.
- No mention of usage rights.
- Retouching examples where everyone looks the same.
- No firm delivery time.
- Cancellation terms you cannot find or do not understand.
Clear answers to the questions above are a good sign, whoever you book with. For a broader look at what a good headshot needs, read our guide to professional headshots in NYC.
Quick answers
How do I book a professional photo here?
Choose a photographer, pick a session and an open time on their profile, and pay online when you book. The photographer contacts you with details after they accept.
Am I charged straight away?
Your card is held when you book and charged only once the photographer accepts, usually within 48 hours. If they decline, the hold is released in full.
Can my company use the photos?
That depends on the photographer's usage terms, which are on their profile. Check before you book if the photos are for your company's website, proposals or press.
Find your photographer
Ready to book? Browse headshot photographers in NYC and Long Island, compare sessions and open dates, and tell your photographer where the photos will be used.