How Long Does a Headshot Session Take?

You’re looking at your calendar, trying to figure out where to squeeze in a headshot session between back-to-back meetings. So naturally, you want to know: how long is this actually going to take?

Here’s the honest answer: it really depends on what you’re trying to get done (and what your photographer offers). I know that’s probably not the specific number you were hoping for, but stick with me—understanding what affects session length will help you plan better than any generic timeframe could.

The Short Answer

Most professional headshot sessions take somewhere anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. That’s the typical range you’ll see. A wide range, but still something to think about.

But here’s the thing: some photographers offer quick 15-minute express sessions (usually one outfit, minimal adjustments). Others might offer multi hour long shoots if you’re building a complete photo library with multiple outfits and backgrounds. Neither approach is wrong—they’re just different ways of working that serve different needs.

The key is asking your photographer upfront what they typically allocate and what’s included in that time.

What Affects How Long Your Session Takes

Several factors influence duration (and honestly, they matter more than any standard timeframe):

Number of outfit changes. One professional look? Quick. Bringing three outfits to cover different contexts (suit, business casual, maybe something more creative)? That takes longer.

Background variety. A single studio setup is faster than moving between multiple backgrounds or adding outdoor locations. Some photographers include both indoor and outdoor options, but that naturally extends your session. Some of my clients want to do portraits around my studio building, that adds a good amount of extra time to the session.

How many final images you need. Getting one or two great headshots is different from building a library of images for your website, LinkedIn, conference materials, and PR needs. More variety means more shooting time.

Individual vs. team sessions. Corporate headshot days where we’re photographing multiple people back-to-back work differently than individual sessions (usually faster per person, but more time overall).

Your comfort level on camera. Some people warm up quickly. Others need more time to relax and find their natural expressions (which is totally normal, by the way). A good photographer builds in time for this.

Your photographer’s process. Some shoot tethered and review images with you during the session. Others move faster but don’t show you anything until later. Both approaches have advantages (though I’d argue seeing images during the session helps you feel more confident about what you’re getting). That process can add some extra time too. Learn more about what to expect during your headshot session.

Here’s something worth knowing: rushed sessions can feel stressful (you’ll probably see that tension in your expressions). But sessions that drag on too long get tiring, and that shows up too. There is certainly a sweet spot.

What a Typical Session Actually Looks Like

Let’s say you’ve booked a 45-minute session (pretty standard). Here’s roughly how that time breaks down:

First 5 minutes: You arrive, we chat for a minute, do a final wardrobe check (making sure your collar sits right, no lint, that kind of thing). This settling-in time matters more than you’d think.

Next 5-10 minutes: First few shots. Honestly, these are often the warm-up phase. We’re finding your angles, figuring out what works for your face, helping you relax into it.

The next 20-30 minutes: This is the actual shooting. Different expressions, slight angle adjustments, maybe an outfit change if your photographer includes that. This is where the good stuff happens (usually once you’ve forgotten about the whole photo taking aspect of the session).

Final 5-10 minutes: Quick review of images if your photographer offers this (I do, because it helps you know exactly what we got/are getting so there are no surpises). Some photographers skip this step and just send you everything later to review.

Keep in mind: every photographer structures their time differently. This is just one approach I have seen used.

Planning Your Schedule

Don’t book a meeting immediately after your session. Give yourself buffer time (things occasionally run a few minutes over, and you might want to change back into your regular clothes without rushing after your session is done).

If you’re coming to a studio location, factor in parking and travel time. For instance, if you’re heading to Center City for your shoot, add 15-20 minutes for finding parking (probably more during peak hours, if we’re being realistic). Ask your photographer if they offer off street parking to their clients.

Also worth considering: avoid scheduling your headshot right before a major presentation or high-stress day. You’ll photograph better when you’re not mentally somewhere else.

The Bottom Line

The real answer to “how long does this take?” is: ask your photographer what to expect for the specific session you’re booking.

Every photographer’s process is different (and that’s okay). Some work fast, some take their time. Some include wardrobe changes and location variety, others keep it simple. What matters is that you know what you’re getting and can plan accordingly.

And honestly? It’s better to have a little extra time than to feel rushed. You’ll get better photos when you’re not watching the clock.

What I offer my clients is pretty simple, I have an express photoshoot option for people that know they just need a quick photo. And then I also offer an unlimited photoshoot option, no limits on time, clothing changes, backgrounds, lighting changes, photos around the studio building. It can all happen during that session so no need to watch the clock. But your needs might be different—and that’s exactly why it’s worth having a conversation before you book with your photographer.