I Spent $1,200 on Headshots That I Hated: My 2026 Guide to Portrait Photography

The $1,200 Mistake

Back in November, I decided to refresh the photos for my nutrition practice. I went to a high-end studio in West LA, paid a $1,200 “creative fee,” and walked out with photos that looked like they belonged to a robot.

I looked lifeless . The skin was too smooth, the lighting was too harsh, and I didn’t recognize the person in the frame.

To be honest, I felt like I’d been scammed by a fancy brand name.

The problem. They focused on “perfection” instead of “presence.

” A 2024 study published in the Journal of Psychological Science found that people form an impression of your trustworthiness from a photo in less than 100 milliseconds. If your portrait looks like an AI-generated filter, people subconsciously distrust you.

Actually, that’s why I ended up re-doing the whole shoot myself with a friend on the Santa Monica beach near Palisades Park. It cost me $0 and the results were ten times better.

If you’re struggling with your own professional image, you might find that
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com/. p=1858″ rel=”noopener noreferrer”>fixing your burnout first helps you show up more authentically in front of the lens.

You can’t fake a relaxed nervous system. The Essential Gear (And Why You Don’t Need Much)

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People get obsessed with gear.

They think they need a $5,000 Leica. You don’t.

Last Tuesday, I was chatting with a pro at the 3rd Street Promenade, and he was using a Sony Alpha 7 IV with a simple 85mm prime lens. That’s the “sweet spot” for portraits.

Why. Because an 85mm lens doesn’t distort your face like a phone camera (which is usually a wide-angle lens that makes your nose look bigger).

I personally use a used Sony 85mm f/1.8 that I bought for $450. It’s lightweight and sharp.

If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you might notice that your skin has a specific “glow” that digital sensors sometimes struggle to capture. Mastering
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nourishedlivingtoday.

com/2018/03/12/how-to-create-adjustment-layers-based-on-color-in-capture-one-9/” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>adjustment layers based on color is the secret to making sure your natural complexion looks healthy and vibrant

, not washed out.

Lighting: The Difference Between Pro and Amateur

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Getting a great portrait isn’t about the most expensive camera. It’s about lighting

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, the 85mm focal length, and feeling comfortable with your photographer. Avoid the “over-edited” AI look of 2025 and aim for “authentic realism” instead.

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🔗 Affiliate Disclosure

This article reviews photography gear and services I’ve personally used. Some links may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps keep my Santa Monica studio running.

The $1,200 Mistake

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45 PM near the pier

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, and we didn’t have to touch up a single blemish. The sun did the work for us.

Window Light (The Free Studio)

If you’re indoors, find a north-facing window. Stand about 3 feet away from it, at a 45-degree angle. This creates what photographers call “Rembrandt lighting”—a small triangle of light on your cheek.

It’s classic, it’s moody, and it works for everyone. I used this exact setup when I was documenting how I

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//www.nourishedlivingtoday.com/?p=1828″ rel=”noopener noreferrer”>used sound healing to manage my chronic pain

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⚠️ Warning	Never shoot with the sun directly behind you unless you have a professional flash to fill in the shadows on your face. You’ll just end up as a dark silhouette. Read More How to Pose Without Feeling Like a Dork This is where everyone panics. “What do I do with my hands. ” I get it. I’ve been there. When I was deep in corporate burnout, my body was always tense . That tension shows up in photos as “turtle necking” or “shrugging. “ The “Chicken Wing”	Put your hands on your hips
, but pull your elbows back. It creates space between your arms and torso, which is instantly slimming. The Sub-Maxillary Push	Push your chin slightly forward and down. It feels ridiculous—like you’re a turtle—but it defines your jawline perfectly on camera.
The Weight Shift	Put 90% of your weight on your back foot. It naturally angles your body and makes the pose look less static.
I remember a girl at my gym, Sarah, who wanted to start a fitness blog. She was so stiff in her photos. I told her to “exhale through her mouth” right before the shutter clicked. It relaxes the jaw. Just like that, she went from looking terrified to looking like a pro. It’s the same principle I use when teaching //www. nourishedlivingtoday. com/2026/01/18/adolescent-nutrition-fueling-growth-energy-and-mental-wellbeing/” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>adolescent nutrition —you have to meet the subject where they are emotionally before you can get results.	//www.nourishedlivingtoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/portrait_photography_15.webp” alt=”portrait photography – relevant illustration” /> Post-Processing	The “Less is More” Era of 2026 Feature Details I focus on Exposure Making sure the face is the brightest part of the image. White Balance Ensuring skin tones aren’t too orange or too blue. Contrast Just enough to make the eyes pop. Speaking of eyes, I once spent three hours trying to “fix” a photo where I looked exhausted. that said,, no amount of editing can replace a good night’s sleep and proper hydration. I’ve found that maintaining //www. nourishedlivingtoday. com/2023/08/12/potassium-electrolyte-balance-and-heart-health-essentials/” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>potassium and electrolyte balance does more for my under-eye circles than any Photoshop tool ever could. Really. The Cost Analysis Pro vs. DIY Should you hire someone. If it’s for a book cover or a major website, yes. If it’s for Instagram or a basic bio, maybe not. I’ve done both, and the “DIY with a friend” method usually yields more honest results because you’re actually laughing and having fun. [COST_COMPARISON] Professional Shoot $500 – $2 ,500 | DIY (Lens Rental) $85 | DIY (Phone) Feature Details If you do hire a pro, ask to see their “unedited” work. If their raw files look like garbage, they aren’t a good photographer; they’re just good at filters. Read More I learned this the hard way after paying a “big box” studio for a package that ended up being mostly upsells for low-quality prints. It felt like the //www. nourishedlivingtoday. com/? p=1854″ rel=”noopener noreferrer”>big box music store trap all over again—lots of flash , very little substance. ✅ Key Takeaways Use an 85mm focal length to avoid facial distortion. – Shoot during the Golden Hour or near a large window for soft, flattering light. – Focus on “authentic realism” rather than heavy AI editing. – Relax your jaw by exhaling right before the photo is taken.- Prioritize trust over “perfection” to connect with your audience. Honestly, start today. I used to wait until I “lost 10 pounds” or “fixed my skin,” but that’s a trap. In my experience, people connect with who you are now. I took my favorite headshot on a random Wednesday when I was actually feeling a bit tired, but the expression was genuine. Don’t wait for perfection. Start with “lifestyle” shots where you aren’t looking at the camera. I found that doing an activity—like holding a coffee cup or looking at a book—took the pressure off. My first successful shoot in Santa Monica involved me just walking along the beach while my friend snapped photos. It felt less like a “shoot” and more like a hangout. The biggest risk is bad lighting and “flat” images. If you don’t understand how light hits the face, you can end up looking older or more tired than you are. Always do a “test shoot” first. I once did a whole hour of photos only to realize I had a massive shadow across my nose the entire time. Check your shots every 5 minutes! It depends on the ROI. For my nutrition business, spending $500 on a talented local photographer was worth it because those photos helped me land features in magazines. However, spending $2,000 on a “celebrity” photographer was a waste. Look for someone whose portfolio shows real people looking comfortable, not just models. TL;DR Use an 85mm lens. Find a window. Stop over-editing. Done. Feature Put your hands on your hips Feature Push your chin slightly forward and down. It feels ridiculous—like you’re a turtle—but it defines your jawline perfectly on camera. Feature The Weight Shift Details Put 90% of your weight on your back foot. It naturally angles your body and makes the pose look less static. Feature //www.nourishedlivingtoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/portrait_photography_15.webp” alt=”portrait photography – relevant illustration” /> Key Takeaways Lighting: The Difference Between Pro and Amateur How to Pose Without Feeling Like a Dork Apply these insights to your specific situation Post-Processing Feature I focus on Details Feature Exposure Details Making sure the face is the brightest part of the image. Feature White Balance Details Ensuring skin tones aren’t too orange or too blue. Feature Contrast Details Just enough to make the eyes pop. Feature Use an 85mm lens. Find a window. Stop over-editing. Done. Similar Posts PhotographyTips & Tricks How to Create Adjustment Layers Based on Color By nourishedlivingtoday March 12, 2018September 19, 2023 BeautyPhotography Aerie Collection Was Originally Designed By Iskra By nourishedlivingtoday March 12, 2018September 19, 2023