CEO Headshots: How to Plan, Costs, Examples & More

When potential clients evaluate your company’s website, they aren’t just assessing your product or service offering. That “About Us” or “Our Team” page is getting more attention than you realize.

A service is only as good as the team behind it, so building a positive first impression behind your chief executive officer is critical to winning over new contracts.

Your CEO represents your entire staff. A polished and professional executive headshot speaks to your brand’s overall professionalism, credibility, and competence. It can motivate new parties to become investors in your company, as customers or partners.

That said, securing high-quality professional photos for your chief executive officer may be more challenging than anticipated.

First, you have to find a suitable time in your CEO’s busy schedule for a photo session. Then, you need to manage the entire project, sourcing equipment rentals, finding the right photographer for the job, and ensuring you receive the headshot you want.

At Headshots.com, we know our way around tight shooting timelines, so we put together a guide to walk you through getting headshots for your CEO. Below, we explain everything you need to know about arranging outstanding headshots for the head of your company, including the expected costs and tasks for reference.

 

Why Your CEO Headshots Are So Important

Your CEO’s photo gets used on your company’s website, social media profiles like LinkedIn, and in their email signature. While your CEO likely has a business headshot already, a regularly updated executive portrait with a more modern look showcases your company’s forward-thinking mentality.

There’s no better way to illustrate the importance of CEO headshots than to experience the impact for yourself. For example, let’s take a look at this first headshot:

 

This chief executive officer has an up-to-date, clean headshot, highlighting a distinctive look and approachable smile.

In contrast, let’s take a look at this headshot:

While this photo has some elements of a great headshot, including a spot-on wardrobe and smile, it appears a bit dated.

Your CEO represents your company’s personal style and future. Their headshot should reflect this, with a bright, polished outlook.

 

Planning a Headshots Session for Your CEO

There are multiple ways to plan a headshot session for your chief executive officer(s). Let’s outline two routes to help you secure professional CEO headshots quickly.

The Traditional Way (A Proven but Challenging Route)

1. Schedule Time in Your Busy CEO’s Schedule

Often, the most challenging part of scheduling a CEO’s in-person photo shoot is finding time in their ever-hectic schedule. Your CEO typically needs to set aside several hours to prepare for and execute the headshot session.

You may need to schedule the shoot weeks in advance, depending on the availability of your prospective photographer. Try to offer several compatible dates and times should the photographer you choose be unavailable for your preferred date.

2. Book the Photo Shoot and Prep Accordingly

Find a few professional headshot photographers and compare their quality, availability, and timeline before committing to a time slot.

Once you’ve decided on these details, work with your executive and photographer to agree upon the posing style and the backdrop. Be sure your CEO get answers to all their questions so they can block off the time needed for the in-person shoot.

3. Have the Photo Shoot

Time is of the essence on shoot day, especially if you’re outside where the lighting can rapidly change.

Your photographer will guide your CEO through poses and offer additional direction. Try to get several different shots and angles, giving you enough material for various applications.

4. Work through Edits and Retouches 

After the photo shoot, you generally have to wait a few days to weeks while your photographer processes, edits, and retouches the photos. This process may come at an additional cost if not pre-discussed in your initial package.

Once you receive the completed headshots, you can update your company website and other platforms.

Headshots.com (An Easier Solution)

A second (and simpler) route is to opt for a 100% virtual shoot through Headshots.com. Our fully remote service means your CEO doesn’t have to put their life on pause to update their business portrait.

With Headshots.com, you won’t have to waste unnecessary time or energy coordinating an in-person photo shoot. We help you get a finished headshot in a fraction of the time needed for an in-person photo shoot.

Our interactive guide walks your CEO through the entire process. From recommending poses and styles for your executive to curating a backdrop for your brand, our trained staff makes securing headshots a breeze. We manage the process for you, and you can count on getting your new headshot back as soon as possible.

Your CEO takes their own photo utilizing  just a cell phone. Once you submit those pictures, the Headshots.com team gets busy hand-editing and retouching the final product for delivery within 3 business days. You can easily download the final headshots as soon as you receive them. Use the shots to update your company website, print materials, email signature, LinkedIn profiles, and other social media sites.

 

What Your CEO Should Wear

Help your chief executive officer be well prepared for shoot day. Here are some general outfit guidelines, so your executive can dress for success.

Women’s Headshots

Winning women’s headshots are best centered around attire of dark, solid colors that don’t wash out your CEO’s complexion. A lighter underlayer is fine, paired with an outer blazer, cardigan, or sports jacket.

Jewelry and makeup are welcome, though remember that the best accessory is a warm smile!

Men’s Headshots

Similarly, men’s headshots shine with dark, solid colors, whether in a sports jacket, suit, or clean-cut collared shirt. Lightly patterned ties are acceptable accessories along with glasses or anything else that are part of your CEO’s everyday look.

 

Examples of How to Pose

Our team at Headshots.com shepherds your CEO through every stage of the photography process. However, having some ideal poses in mind helps you get the best headshot for your executive. Here are a few pose possibilities to inspire you.

The Classic

You can’t go wrong with this classic look. Dressed as if they’re going to meet with an important client, have your CEO stand with their feet shoulder-width apart and hands relaxed at their sides. With an assured, confident smile, you have a winning shot:

Friendly Focus

Try a more approachable look with this comfortable yet confident pose. For this profile-focused shot, instruct your CEO to stand tall at a slight angle, with their chin facing the camera.

Top off this headshot style with a cheery grin and a fun background that features some of the office, the surrounding area, or a unique configuration like this one:

At an Angle

Switch it up with this modern take on a classic pose. Have your CEO stand with their feet shoulder-width apart and one shoulder angled towards the camera. Complete the look with a bright smile and strong, solid posture.

 

Typical Cost of Headshots for CEOs

You may find all the labor that goes into putting together a successful headshot shoot for your CEO to be surprising. All that work and coordination may also have a hefty price tag.

When you add up the photographer’s services, equipment rentals, and post-production costs, you can expect to pay several hundred dollars for your CEO’s finished headshot.

It’s worth noting that an in-person photo shoot also comes with significant opportunity costs, too. These include the energy your CEO spends preparing and working through the photo shoot, which means time away from leading your company.

Approximate Price Paid per Finished Headshot

Traditional Photo Shoot*	Headshots.com
$100 to $1,000 per headshot	$25 to $50 per headshot

*Not including pre-planning or opportunity costs due to the logistics involved with a traditional photo shoot

Alternatively, you can opt for a completely virtual photo shoot through a service like Headshots.com. We help you get headshots at a fraction of the cost while managing the entire process, so you and your CEO don’t have to waste extra time capturing a polished picture.

The Headshots.com team walks your CEO through every stage of the process, leading them through poses and wardrobe choices. Your CEO submits their photo on their own time, using tools they have on hand.

Then, we hand-edit and retouch every headshot, providing amazing photos backed by our Happiness Guarantee. You can expect our headshots to cost as low as $25, and you can use and enjoy your new headshots within days rather than weeks.

 

Next Steps: Get Studio-Quality CEO Headshots with a Fraction of The Effort

Get the ball rolling with our 100% virtual headshot service. Our team is happy to handle the entire process, from sourcing a custom backdrop to shot direction, so you don’t have to lift a finger.

Learn more about Headshots.com and save time and money while securing corporate headshots for your CEO, all in just a few clicks.