How I Turn $200 Headshots Into $700+ Clients

For the longest time, headshots confused me as a business category.

Sports has seasons.
School photography has seasons.
Cheer has seasons.
Senior portraits have seasons.

But headshots?

Headshots just kind of show up whenever they want to 😂

One month you might get one or two. Another month you might get 10 to 15 people needing updated images for LinkedIn, speaking engagements, magazines, websites, or promotions.

And over time, I started realizing something:

Headshots may not be the biggest revenue stream in our studio… but they might be one of the smartest.

The “Silent” Revenue Stream

So many photographers overlook headshots because they think:

“It’s just a quick $200 session.”

But what I started noticing was that those $200 sessions were quietly turning into $500, $700, sometimes even much larger commercial relationships later on.

Why?

Because a headshot session is rarely just about the photo.

It’s usually connected to a moment in someone’s life or business.

They got promoted.
They’re launching a company.
They’re going on a speaking circuit.
They’re writing a book.
They’re updating their branding.

And when you become the person helping them through that transition, you stop becoming “just a photographer.”

You become part of their business network.

Why Headshots Lead to Bigger Opportunities

Over the years, we’ve strategically connected with banks, credit unions, hospitals, attorneys, and local businesses.

And many times, the relationship started with something simple:

“Hey, we just need a headshot.”

But then that headshot turns into:

• Team photos

• Office branding images

• Event coverage

• Commercial photography

• Video work

• Social media content

• Marketing assets

That one session becomes an entry point into a much bigger relationship.

And honestly, that’s where the real value is.

My Simple Strategy During Every Headshot Session

One thing I do during almost every session is intentionally overshoot.

If someone books one image, I’m still going to photograph multiple looks, multiple crops, different expressions, different backgrounds, horizontal and vertical options, jacket on, jacket off — all of it.

Then I tell them this:

“Hey, while you’re here, we might as well create several options so you don’t have to come back later.”

That line changes everything.

Because there’s no pressure attached to it.

I’m simply helping them maximize their time.

And most business professionals LOVE hearing that.

Nobody wants to:

• Buy another outfit

• Re-do makeup

• Re-shave

• Re-style their hair

• Take another afternoon off work

So instead, they leave with a small library of images they can pull from later.

That’s how a $200 client becomes a $700+ client over time.

Not because I pressured them…

But because I created additional value while they were already there.

AI Headshots Aren’t the Enemy

I know AI headshots have a lot of photographers nervous right now.

And honestly? I get it.

When companies started releasing AI headshot generators, people panicked.

But after sitting with it for a while, I realized something important:

AI is not replacing photographers.

It’s creating a different category of customer.

The people using AI headshots are often:

• Bootstrapping businesses

• DIY-minded

• Early in their entrepreneurial journey

• Looking for speed over experience

And that’s okay.

But the people building serious brands?

The people getting featured in magazines?

The people speaking on stages?

The people growing companies?

They still want connection.
They still want experience.
They still want something authentic.

AI can imitate photography.

But it can’t replace YOU.

It can’t replace your ability to make someone feel comfortable.

It can’t replace your ability to pull real emotion out of someone.

And it definitely can’t replace relationship-building.

The Most Overlooked Part of Headshots

One of the biggest things that’s helped us grow headshot work is something incredibly simple:

Behind the scenes content.

Before most sessions, I ask:

“Hey, is it okay if we record a little behind the scenes?”

Almost everybody says yes.

Then I explain:

• I’ll tag their business

• I’ll share the experience online

• It gives both of us exposure

• It becomes a collaboration instead of just a transaction

Now the client feels celebrated.

They share the content.

Their friends see it.

Their coworkers see it.

And suddenly, that one session becomes marketing for BOTH businesses.

Honestly, I think photographers underestimate how powerful this is.

Filming your client experience is basically creating live testimonials in real time.

You don’t always need someone to write a review when people can SEE how your clients feel working with you.

Behind the scenes during a professional headshot session at Tademy Photography. Leroy Tademy photographs a corporate client while content creator Elijah films BTS footage for social media and marketing content. This setup showcases how headshot sessions can become opportunities for branding, storytelling, and building long-term commercial photography relationships.

Final Thoughts

If you’re worried about AI replacing your photography business, I really want to encourage you:

Keep being authentically YOU.

Keep building relationships.

Keep creating experiences.

And keep showing your work.

Because photography has never just been about the image.

It’s about connection.

And connection will always matter.

Check out the full YouTube video here!