Team headshots work when they match: the same backdrop, the same light, the same crop and a similar expression, so your team page looks like one company rather than a collage of vacation photos. The easiest way to get that is to photograph everyone in the same setup, back to back, with one photographer. Here is how to plan team headshots in New York, and what you can do to make the day smooth.
Why consistency matters more than any single photo
A team page is read as a whole. If one person is on white, another on a brick wall and a third cropped from a wedding, visitors notice the mess before they notice the people. Consistent headshots:
- Look professional at a glance, on a website, in a pitch deck or on a conference slide.
- Make new hires easy to add. If the setup is documented, next year's new colleague can match.
- Treat everyone equally. The intern and the founder get the same light and the same care.
What has to match:
- Backdrop tone.
- Light: direction, softness, brightness.
- Crop: how much of the shoulders, where the eyes sit.
- Camera height and angle.
- Retouching level, so nobody looks more polished than their neighbor.
What does not need to match: outfits (coordinated is enough), and personality. People should still look like themselves.
How a photographer keeps a team consistent
In the studio, the photographer sets the backdrop and light once and keeps them the same for every person who sits down. The same crop guides go into the edit, and the same retouching (skin, stray hairs, color balance, no reshaping) goes onto every image.
If your company already has headshots, bring an example or send a link to your photographer. Ask them to match the backdrop, light and crop as closely as they can, so new photos sit next to the old ones. Light grey is the most common team choice; see which headshot backdrop to choose for the trade-offs.
Scheduling a team, back to back
Studio time works best when people arrive in a steady flow rather than all at once.
- Message the photographer with the number of people, the dates that suit you, and where the photos will be used. Some photographers offer team packages, so check the profile.
- Agree a schedule: back-to-back time slots with the same setup for everyone.
- Share the slots with your team and let each person pick one. A simple shared sheet is enough.
- Send everyone the wardrobe guide ahead of the day, so outfits coordinate.
- People arrive at their slot, change if needed, and are photographed. No waiting room full of nervous colleagues.
For people who cannot make the team day, they can book their own headshot session later with the same photographer, noting the team setup, so their photo still matches.
Preparing your team
What everyone wears
You do not need uniforms. A shared, simple brief works better:
- One level of formality for everyone: all jackets, all business casual, or all relaxed.
- Solid colors in mid to deep tones. Navy, charcoal, soft blue, burgundy, forest.
- No logos, unless it is your own company's and everyone wears it.
- Avoid all black on a dark backdrop and very pale tops on a light one.
- Glasses on for people who wear them daily.
Send your team the guide on what to wear for headshots. It answers the questions you would otherwise get by email the day before.
Making nervous colleagues comfortable
Most people do not enjoy being photographed at work, and team headshots can feel like a chore. A few things help:
- Private slots. One person at a time, rather than a line of colleagues watching.
- Short and coached. Good photographers give small, clear directions ("chin down a touch, breathe out") and a little humor. Most people relax after the first few frames.
- No surprises. Tell people in advance how long it takes, what to bring, and that retouching cleans up without reshaping.
What each person gets
An individual headshot session usually runs about 30 minutes, with a few looks and several retouched photos. Prices in NYC typically run from about $150 to $400 per person, and many photographers offer a lower per-head rate for teams. For a team, agree the plan with your photographer before the day (how many people, how many looks each, the schedule) and get the price confirmed in writing, so there are no surprises.
Galleries are usually delivered online within a few days, but check the profile. Confirm that commercial use is included, so the photos can go on your website, proposals, press materials and LinkedIn.
Tips for using team headshots
- Pick one crop for the website and use it for everyone. Do not let each person choose a differently cropped favorite.
- Name files clearly (first and last name), so the person updating the site does not have to guess.
- Update LinkedIn the same week. A matching set across LinkedIn makes the company look organized. See LinkedIn headshots in NYC.
- Write down the setup (backdrop, crop) for future hires.
- Refresh every couple of years, or when the team changes a lot.
Small teams and founders
For a business of two or three people, you can simply book back-to-back headshot sessions with the same photographer and note in each booking that you want matching photos. The guide to headshots for small business owners covers planning extra looks for your website, socials and press.
Quick answers
How do we book team headshots in NYC?
Find a headshot photographer who suits your style, message them with the number of people, your preferred dates and where the photos will be used, then agree a back-to-back schedule and price.
Will new hires be able to match the team photos later?
Yes, if you book the same photographer and note the team setup. A new colleague can then be photographed in the same look.
Can each person get more than one look?
Many headshot sessions include a few looks. For a team day, tell your photographer what you need and plan the looks per person beforehand.
Find your photographer
For one or two people, book directly. For a team, message the photographer to plan the schedule. Browse headshot photographers in NYC and Long Island.