How to Find a Professional Headshot Photographer
Choosing the Right Photographer
A good photographer makes you forget there’s a camera pointed at your face. And with the right person, it should feel more like chatting over coffee than sitting in front of a lens.
You’ll know within minutes if they’re any good. The good ones talk like humans. They’ll make you feel comfortable, while adjusting your pose, and convincing you that your face is in a safe place, because it is.
Why the Right Photographer Matters
Let’s be honest. Not everyone loves being photographed. Which is fine, because our job is to make it feel easy, fun, and not like you’re getting a passport photo at Walgreens.
A great headshot photographer won’t just fix the lighting; they’ll read you and know when to make you laugh, when to stay quiet, and when to catch that flicker of vulnerability you didn’t think you’d ever show on camera.
Experience & Portfolio: What to Evaluate
A photographer’s portfolio should tell you two things: that they know what they’re doing and they can do it more than once. Can they light different faces, skin tones, and moods without every shot looking like it came from the same session?
If every image feels identical, you’re looking at a template. A professional headshot photographer has range and can shoot in an office, a studio, or outside.
Style & Lighting: Matching Your Brand Image
Lighting and style shape how people see you. Bright and neutral feels fresh and open. Dark and directional feels confident and a little bold. Both work when they fit who you are. A great photographer tailors the setup to the story. The background, color, and mood all work together so the image feels like you.
That’s the difference between a portrait that looks professional and one that works for your brand.
How to find a professional a headshot photographer that is the right fit?
Check for Reviews, Testimonials, and Consistency
What matters is what real people say after working with someone. Read the reviews. Are clients saying they felt comfortable? That the photographer listened, gave direction, and delivered on time? That’s what you want to see repeated.
Good testimonials are about trust. When people from different industries like actors, execs, and students all say the same thing, it means the experience is consistent.
“I was desperately looking for a talented photographer for our corporate shots in New York after a disappointing first collaboration where the deliverables simply didn't meet our expectations. Finding David & Christine and their team was the best decision I could have made.”
- Lamiaa Maniar, VP, Communications, NAMIB MINERALS
Communication & Direction During Sessions
A great headshot isn’t just about lighting or gear. It’s about people. That’s where Christine and I come in.
Christine’s an actor and director, so she knows how to get people out of their heads. She’s there to guide, adjust posture, fix the details, and make sure you don’t overthink the process. I’m behind the camera watching the light, expression, and timing. Between us, we keep the energy loose but focused.
Some people tense up when they’re photographed. They become self-conscious, but we break that. Christine and I will talk to you, get you laughing, or settle you in if that’s what’s needed.
Red Flags to Avoid
If every photo in a photographer’s portfolio looks like it came from the same shoot, keep scrolling. A one-style-fits-all approach means you’ll get dropped into that same formula.
Watch out for vague pricing. If you can’t tell what’s included or how many images you’ll get, that’s not “custom” - that’s potential for a lot of up-charging.
Avoid photographers who talk more about their gear than their process. The camera doesn’t make people comfortable; people do.
And if someone promises “unlimited looks” or “200 edited photos,” run. Volume isn’t value. You want quality, care, and someone who knows when to stop shooting because they already got it.
Your trusted NYC headshot photographer
Work with David & Christine
You don’t need to know what to do in front of a camera. That’s our job.
We make the process simple, quick, and enjoyable. Between us, you’ll walk away with photos that look sharp, real, and exactly how you want to be seen.
If you’re ready to update your headshot or build out your company’s image library, we’ll make sure it’s done properly and without the awkwardness.
Link to Blog 2 (“going beyond headshots and investing in Corporate Branding Photos”)