Cheap Professional Headshots: 5 Options Under $50

Professional headshots don't have to cost $300-500. You can get LinkedIn-ready results for under $50—if you know where to look and what to avoid.

Here are five legitimate ways to get professional headshots on a budget, ranked by quality and value.

5 Cheap Professional Headshot Options

Option	Cost	Quality	Turnaround
AI Headshot Generator	$19-39	Excellent	2 hours
Photography Student	$25-50	Good to Excellent	1-2 weeks
DIY with Smartphone	$0	Variable	Immediate
Mini Session Deals	$40-75	Good	1-2 weeks
Retail Portrait Studios	$30-75	Basic	Same day

1. AI Headshot Generators - Best Value ($19-39)

AI headshot generators are the best budget option in 2025. Upload a few casual photos, and receive dozens of professional headshots in hours.

Why It Works

• Professional-quality results indistinguishable from traditional photography
• 40+ photos to choose from (vs. 1-3 from cheap photographers)
• 2-hour turnaround—no scheduling or travel required
• Money-back guarantees from reputable services

What to Watch For

• Avoid free AI tools—they often produce poor quality or sell your data
• Choose established services with clear refund policies
• Upload high-quality input photos for best results

For detailed comparisons, see our guide to the best AI headshot generators in 2025.

2. Photography Students ($25-50)

Photography students need portfolio pieces. You need cheap headshots. It's a perfect match—when you find the right student.

How to Find Them

• Contact local community colleges or art schools with photography programs
• Post in university job boards or Facebook groups
• Check Instagram for students tagging their school's photography department
• Ask the department directly—many maintain referral lists

What to Expect

• Sessions typically 30-60 minutes
• 3-10 edited images
• Quality varies significantly—review their portfolio first
• Turnaround may be slower (1-2 weeks)

Tips for Success

• Look for students in their 2nd+ year with established portfolios
• Agree on deliverables in writing before the session
• Offer to provide a written testimonial in exchange for lower rates

3. DIY with Smartphone (Free)

Modern smartphones can produce professional-looking headshots—if you nail the lighting, background, and composition.

Essential Requirements

• Lighting: Natural window light is your best friend. Face the window directly, shooting during overcast weather or golden hour
• Background: Plain wall (gray, white, or light blue works best). No clutter, no patterns
• Camera: Use portrait mode if available. Have someone else take the photo—no selfies
• Distance: Position yourself 4-6 feet from camera for natural proportions

Common DIY Mistakes

• Selfie angle (distorts face proportions)
• Harsh overhead lighting (creates shadows under eyes)
• Busy backgrounds (distracts from your face)
• Over-filtered editing (looks unprofessional)

The Honest Truth

DIY can work, but it's harder than it looks. Most attempts produce mediocre results. If your first few tries don't look professional, the $19 AI option will save you time and produce better results.

4. Mini Session Deals ($40-75)

Some professional photographers offer discounted mini sessions—abbreviated shoots designed for simple headshot needs.

Where to Find Them

• Groupon and LivingSocial occasionally feature headshot deals
• Photographers running seasonal promotions (January/February, July/August)
• New photographers building portfolios
• Photography studios with "headshot day" events

What's Typically Included

• 10-15 minute session
• 1-3 final retouched images
• Digital delivery only (no prints)

Potential Downsides

• Limited time means less variety
• May not include outfit changes
• Quality varies—research the photographer first
• Often requires scheduling weeks out

5. Retail Portrait Studios ($30-75)

JCPenney, Walmart, and similar retailers offer portrait services that can work in a pinch. Not ideal, but better than nothing.

What to Expect

• Package pricing (you may pay for prints you don't need)
• Generic backgrounds and lighting setups
• Quick sessions with minimal direction
• Same-day digital delivery often available

When It Works

• You need something today and have no other option
• Basic LinkedIn photo for an entry-level position
• Temporary placeholder while you arrange something better

When to Avoid

• Senior professional roles where image matters
• Client-facing positions
• Any situation where the photo will be scrutinized

What to Avoid

Cheap doesn't have to mean bad—but some options should be avoided entirely:

Free AI Headshot Tools

If it's free, you're the product. Free AI tools often produce poor quality, add watermarks, or use your photos to train their models. Stick with paid services that have clear privacy policies.

Selfies (Even Good Ones)

Selfie angles distort facial proportions. Even with great lighting, they signal "I didn't care enough to get a real photo." Don't do it.

Heavily Filtered Photos

Instagram filters and Facetune make you look artificial. Recruiters and clients want to see what you actually look like. Over-editing creates distrust.

Cropped Group Photos

Random arms and shoulders at the edge of your photo look unprofessional. It screams "I have no professional photos."

Vacation/Party Photos

Even if you looked great at that wedding, it's not a professional headshot. The context is wrong.

Quality Threshold: When Cheap Isn't Enough

A bad headshot is worse than no headshot. Before using any budget option, ask yourself:

• Does this look professional, or obviously amateur?
• Would I trust someone with this profile photo?
• Does it accurately represent how I look in person?

If you can't answer yes to all three, spend the extra $19-39 on AI headshots. The cost of looking unprofessional—missed job opportunities, lost clients—far exceeds the savings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are cheap headshots worth it?

Cheap can be excellent value—AI headshots at $19 produce professional results comparable to $300 photographer sessions. But "cheap" options like free AI tools or DIY attempts often produce poor results. The key is choosing the right cheap option, not just the cheapest option.

Can I use my phone for professional headshots?

Yes, but it requires skill. You need proper lighting (window light), a plain background, someone else to take the photo (not a selfie), and portrait mode. Most DIY attempts fail because people underestimate these requirements. AI headshots are more reliable for $19.

How do I know if my headshot looks professional?

Show it to 3-5 people who will be honest. Ask: "Would you trust this person to [do your job]?" If they hesitate, the photo isn't working. Professional headshots create immediate positive impressions.

What's the absolute minimum I should spend?

$19 for AI headshots is the floor for reliable professional results. Below that, quality becomes inconsistent. Free options rarely produce usable results. Think of it as an investment—$19 is trivial compared to the cost of looking unprofessional.

The Bottom Line

You don't need to spend $300-500 for professional headshots. AI headshot generators deliver excellent results for $19-39, and photography students offer another viable budget option at $25-50.

The key is knowing what to avoid: free AI tools, selfies, heavy filters, and cropped group photos will hurt more than help.

For most people, AI headshots represent the best balance of quality, speed, and cost. Upload a few photos, receive 40+ professional options in 2 hours, and move on with your career.