There are a lot of photographers in London. Finding one who is actually good at headshots is a narrower search than it first appears. Here is how to evaluate them properly.
By Dan Engelsman, photographer at Zero B.S. Photos · Updated 6 October 2026
Choose a photographer whose portfolio shows relaxed, natural-looking people, who shoots headshots regularly, whose process is simple and fast, and who tells you exactly what you get before you book. Price on its own is a weak signal.
What should you look for in a headshot portfolio?
Look at faces, not backdrops. Do the subjects look natural and at ease, or do they look like they are concentrating very hard on smiling? A technically sharp photo of a stiff, uncomfortable subject tells you the photographer knows how to use a camera, but not necessarily how to direct people.
The best headshot photographers produce subjects who look like themselves. Relaxed. Present. A bit of personality coming through. If a portfolio is full of technically clean shots where everyone looks slightly tense, keep looking.
Does it matter if they are a headshot specialist?
Many photographers offer headshots as one service among twenty. Wedding photographers. Event photographers. Product photographers. Some of them are excellent at headshots too. Many are not. Putting people at ease quickly is a specific skill, and it tends to develop through volume and repetition.
Look for evidence that they shoot headshots regularly, not occasionally.
What should the booking process feel like?
A good headshot session should feel straightforward. You show up, there is a brief conversation, you shoot for 20 to 30 minutes and you leave. If the booking process is complicated, the pre-shoot questionnaire runs to fifteen questions and the website talks a lot about creative vision and bespoke lighting setups, that is not necessarily a bad sign. But it is a different product from what most professionals actually need.
Most people want a photo that looks like them on a good day, delivered quickly, without having to think about it too much. Make sure the photographer you book is built around that outcome rather than their own creative process.
What should you ask about turnaround and deliverables?
Ask specifically how many edited images you receive and when. Some photographers charge per edited image above a small base number, which adds up quickly. Others include a fixed set. Know what you are getting before you book.
If you need photos urgently, check whether rush delivery is an option and what it costs. Not all photographers offer it.
Questions to ask before you book
- How many edited images are included, and who chooses them?
- How long is the session, and can I change outfits?
- Where does it happen, and what is the plan if it rains?
- When will the finished images arrive, and is faster delivery available?
- Is the price final, or is VAT or travel added on top?
Does a higher price mean better photos?
Not reliably. A £300 studio session is not automatically better than a £50 mobile session. It might be. It might also be charging for a room you did not need, a setup that does not suit your face and a turnaround that requires you to plan three weeks ahead.
Look at the portfolio. Read recent reviews. Ask a simple question before you book and see how quickly and clearly they respond. That response is usually a reasonable indicator of how the session itself will feel. For a breakdown of what each price range includes, see professional headshot prices in London.
Is natural light better than studio light for headshots?
Neither is automatically better. Natural light tends to feel relaxed and modern. Good studio lighting gives a crisper, more controlled look and does not depend on the weather. What matters is how well the photographer uses it.
Natural light suits you if
- you want a relaxed, contemporary feel
- you like a bit of real-world background
- a short outdoor walk sounds better than a room
Studio light suits you if
- you want a crisp, polished, consistent look
- you would rather nobody was watching
- you do not want the weather involved
Ask to see examples of both in the photographer's portfolio. If they only ever show one, that is probably the only one they are comfortable with. We compare the two in more detail in studio vs natural light headshots.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a headshot photographer in London?
Check that their portfolio shows relaxed, natural-looking people, that they shoot headshots regularly, that the process is simple and that you know exactly how many edited images you get and when. Price alone is a weak signal.
Is natural light or studio light better for headshots?
Neither is automatically better. Natural light tends to feel relaxed and modern. Studio lighting gives a crisper, more controlled look and does not depend on the weather. How well the photographer uses the light matters more than the type.
Does a more expensive headshot photographer take better photos?
Not reliably. Higher prices often reflect studio rent, longer sessions or extra retouching rather than better direction. Judge the portfolio, recent reviews and how clearly the photographer communicates.
How long should a headshot session take?
For most professionals, 20 to 30 minutes is plenty. Shorter sessions suit one simple look, while longer ones help if you want several outfits or uses.
Get your headshot sorted.
Short, guided sessions with real edits, delivered within three working days. Outdoors in natural light, or indoors with studio lighting at the ZBS studio in Borough. Pick your day and the setting comes with it.
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