Corporate Headshot Prices in Johannesburg (2026): What You'll Actually Pay
Short answer
In Johannesburg, a standard individual headshot session costs about R800 to R1,800. Budget studio mini-sessions start from R247–R600 for a few quick photos, and premium styled or executive sessions run from about R4,950 to R8,000. For companies, studio team rates run around R1,000–R1,200 per person, while an on-site team headshot day with Event Photography SA is R4,500 for up to 15 people, or R300 per person excluding VAT (prices as at September 2026).
Whether you're updating your LinkedIn profile or you need 40 matching portraits for the company website, the price you pay depends on four things: how many images, how much retouching, where the shoot happens, and how many people are being photographed. Here's what the Johannesburg market charges and what you get for it.
Johannesburg headshot prices at a glance (2026)
| Type of shoot | Typical price (Gauteng) | What you usually get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget studio mini-session | R247 – R600 | 15 minutes, 3–5 edited photos, basic editing |
| Individual headshot / LinkedIn session | R800 – R1,800 | 20–30 minutes, 3–20 edited photos |
| Longer studio session | R3,000 – R4,000 | 1–2 hours, 30–50 edited photos, several outfits |
| Premium / styled executive session | R4,950 – R8,000+ | Styling, hair and make-up or executive direction, high-end retouching |
| Team headshots (per person) | R300 – R1,200 per person | 10-minute slots, 1–2 retouched images each, one consistent look |
What Johannesburg and Pretoria photographers charge (September 2026)
| Provider (area) | Package | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio24.7 (Fourways & Cresta) | Mini / Signature / VIP / Ultimate | R247 / R1,797 / R2,997 / R3,997 | 15 min, 3 photos · 30 min, 20 photos · 1 hr, 30 photos · 2 hrs, 50 photos. Editing 5–7 working days |
| Crafford Studio (Pretoria East) | Basic / 30-minute | R600 / R1,050 | 15 min, 5 edited photos · 30 min, 10 edited photos. Basic editing only |
| Monsoon Photography (Pretoria East studio) | Studio headshot | From R800 ex VAT | Estimate; tailored quote |
| iDu Pictures | Personal headshot | From R1,500 per person | Head-and-shoulders headshots |
| Headshots Johannesburg (Bryanston) | Monthly small-team Headshot Day | R1,200 pp (3–9 people) / R1,000 pp (10+), ex VAT | 10 min per person, 2 retouched images, at their studio, once a month |
| Tamryn Lowe | Headshot & personal branding | R4,950 | Styling consultation, hair and make-up, 20–30 min session, 1 retouched image (extra images from R4,000) |
| Brandon Barnard | Individual / executive session | From R8,000 incl. VAT | ~30–60 min executive portrait session |
| Event Photography SA (Sandton, on-location) | LinkedIn session / Team Headshot Day | R950 / R4,500 for up to 15, ex VAT | 20 min, 3 retouched images · at your office, 1 retouched image per person (R300 pp). 24-hour delivery |
Prices as published on each provider's own website, checked 26 September 2026. VAT treatment differs by provider (some quote ex VAT, some incl. VAT, some don't say), so compare carefully. Prices change; contact each provider for a current quote.
Two things stand out. First, the headline price rarely tells the full story: R600 for 5 photos with basic editing and R4,950 for 1 styled, retouched image are completely different products. Second, for companies the per-person maths matters most. At a studio team rate of R1,000–R1,200 per person, 15 staff costs R15,000–R18,000 plus everyone's travel time. A Team Headshot Day at your office for the same 15 people costs R4,500, and nobody leaves the building.
What's included in a headshot price (and what isn't)
Two quotes that look similar can be very different deals. Check for:
- Number of retouched images. "Session from R800" may include one final image, and extras are charged per image.
- Retouching level. Natural skin retouching and colour grading should be standard. Heavy retouching often costs extra.
- Crops for different uses. LinkedIn, email signature, website team page and CV all need different crops.
- Travel. Many photographers charge for on-location shoots. Event Photography SA travels free within 40 km of Sandton CBD.
- Turnaround. Standard editing at many studios takes 5 to 7 working days. We deliver a private gallery within 24 hours.
- Usage rights. Make sure you can use the images on your website, press releases and marketing without extra licence fees.
LinkedIn headshots in Johannesburg: what you should pay
A LinkedIn photo is seen tiny, round and next to your name, so it needs a tight crop, a clean background and an expression that reads as confident and approachable. You don't need a two-hour shoot for that.
Our LinkedIn headshot package: R950
A focused 20-minute session, professional lighting, a choice of backdrop tones, guided posing for people who hate being photographed, and three retouched images sized for LinkedIn, CVs, email signatures and company bios, delivered within 24 hours. Sessions run in-studio or at your Sandton, Rosebank or East Rand office. See the LinkedIn headshot package →
Team headshot days: the smart option for companies
A team page only looks professional when every portrait matches: same light, same crop, same background. Sending staff to different studios over three months never achieves that.
How a team headshot day works
- We set up a portable studio in your boardroom or a clear 3 m × 4 m space with a power point.
- Staff book 10-minute slots, so 15 people are photographed in a morning.
- Everyone gets one retouched image on an identical setup.
- We record the lighting and camera settings, so new hires can be matched later.
Team headshot day price: R4,500 for up to 15 people
That's R300 per head, excluding VAT, with travel free within 40 km of Sandton CBD. Larger teams are quoted per additional person on the same booking. Book a team headshot day →
What affects the price of a corporate headshot?
Studio vs on-location
Studios cost less per person for one or two people. For five or more, bringing the studio to your office is almost always cheaper once you count staff time and travel.
Number of people
Per-person pricing drops sharply with volume. Ask for a team rate as soon as you pass three people.
Retouching and number of final images
This is where cheap quotes grow. Confirm how many retouched finals are included before you compare.
Photographer experience
An experienced portrait photographer gets a natural expression from nervous executives in minutes. Founding photographer Eddie Mtsweni has photographed executives, academics and public figures across Gauteng since 2006. See our full corporate headshots service.
How to prepare for your headshot session
- Wear solid, mid-tone colours in the style you actually wear to work. Avoid busy patterns and large logos.
- Bring a second top or jacket so you have a choice.
- Avoid a brand-new haircut the day before. Give it a few days to settle.
- For team days, send staff the time slots and a one-line dress guide a week ahead.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ
How much do professional headshots cost in Johannesburg?
Most individual professional headshot sessions in Johannesburg cost between R800 and R1,800. Budget studio mini-sessions start from about R247 to R600 for a few quick photos, and premium styled or executive sessions cost roughly R4,950 to R8,000. Event Photography SA charges R950 excluding VAT for a 20-minute session with three retouched images.
How much does a team headshot day cost?
At Event Photography SA, a team headshot day costs R4,500 excluding VAT for up to 15 people: about R300 per person, including on-site setup, one retouched image each and 24-hour delivery. Larger teams are quoted per additional person.
How long does a corporate headshot session take?
An individual LinkedIn session takes about 20 minutes. On a team headshot day, each person needs roughly 10 minutes, so 15 people can be photographed in a morning.
How quickly will I get my headshots?
Standard editing at many studios takes about 5 to 7 working days. Event Photography SA delivers a private online gallery within 24 hours, and retouched finals follow within one working day of your selection.
Can new staff be matched to our existing team headshots?
Yes. We record your company's lighting, backdrop and camera settings, so new joiners can be photographed on the identical setup, in-studio or at your office, and fit seamlessly onto your team page.
Get your headshots done this week
Individual LinkedIn sessions from R950 or a full team headshot day from R4,500, with a 24-hour gallery, free travel within 40 km of Sandton CBD and 20 years of portrait experience. See all packages on our pricing page or book your headshot session →
