How much does a photographer charge for one doctor headshot?

Usually $150–400 depending on your city and the studio. That covers a 15–30 minute session, basic retouching, and 1–3 final images. Premium studios in NYC or LA charge more.

Are AI headshots actually good enough for a hospital website?

Yes — the quality gap has essentially closed. Modern AI headshot generators produce high-res images that are hard to distinguish from studio photos. Many hospitals already use them for staff directories.

What's the most affordable option for a medical team?

AI generators with team plans. A subscription like MedshotsAI's Professional plan ($49.99/mo) covers your entire team with consistent, high-quality results — versus $1,000+ for a photographer to shoot 10 people.

How often should I update my headshot?

Every 2–3 years, or whenever your appearance changes noticeably. With AI generators, refreshing is cheap and fast, so many doctors update yearly.

Can I write off AI headshot costs?

In most cases, yes. Professional headshots for marketing, directories, and profiles are typically a deductible business expense. Worth confirming with your accountant.

How Much Do Doctor Headshots Cost in 2026?

At some point every doctor needs a headshot. New practice, updated hospital bio, insurance directory, LinkedIn — the list keeps growing. The question most people Google is simple: how much is this going to cost me?

The honest answer: it depends on whether you go the traditional route (photographer) or the modern route (AI). Here's a straightforward breakdown.

The Traditional Route: Hiring a Photographer

Studio photography still works great. You show up, someone adjusts the lighting, you smile a few times, and you walk out with 2–3 polished images. Here's what you'll pay:

Individual Session

Expect $150–400 per person. That typically includes a 15–30 minute session, basic retouching, and 1–3 final images. Higher end if you're in a major metro area.

Team Sessions

Photographers usually offer group rates for practices:

5–10 people: $100–250 per person
10+ people: $75–200 per person
Some charge a flat setup fee ($500–1,500) plus per-person editing

The real cost with team sessions isn't just money — it's coordination. Getting 10 providers to the same place at the same time, between shifts and clinic hours, can drag on for weeks.

On-Location

Having the photographer come to your office adds convenience and usually $100–300 in travel/setup fees on top of per-person rates.

The AI Route

AI headshot generators have gotten genuinely good. You upload a selfie (even just one works), pick your attire and background, and get studio-quality results back — usually in under an hour.

Pricing in 2026 generally falls into two models:

Per-session: $29–59 for a batch of headshots
Low-cost one-time: $5 for 5 headshots (no subscription)
Subscription: $19.99–49.99/month with ongoing generation access

MedshotsAI offers a Credit Pack ($5 for 5 headshots, no subscription). The Small Practice Plan runs $19.99/month (100 credits, up to 3 additional team members). The Professional Plan at $49.99/month adds unlimited members and 200 credits. Annual plans save roughly two months.

Side-by-Side

Scenario	Photographer	AI (MedshotsAI)
Single doctor	$150–400	$5 one-time
5-person practice	$500–1,500	$49.99/mo (team)
10-person group	$1,000–2,500	$49.99/mo (team)
Time to results	Days to weeks	A few minutes
Re-dos	Extra cost	Included

When a Photographer Still Makes Sense

There are legit reasons to book a studio session:

You want photos in your actual clinic or office space
Your hospital has specific branding requirements that need a controlled setup
You need full environmental portraits, not just headshots
You simply prefer the in-person experience

When AI Is the Better Call

You need results fast — today, not next month
You want multiple looks (lab coat, scrubs, business suit) from one upload
Budget matters — especially for residents and early-career docs
Your team can't coordinate a group session around everyone's schedules
You update your headshot frequently (new role, new practice, new look)

Bottom Line

A traditional headshot runs $150–400 and requires scheduling. An AI headshot can start at $5 (one-time Credit Pack) and scale up to monthly plans when needed — all from your couch in a few minutes.

For teams, the math gets even more lopsided. A photographer for 10 people: $1,000–2,500. An AI team plan: under $50/month.

Both produce professional results. Which one makes sense depends on your budget, your timeline, and whether you need healthcare-specific attire — which, right now, only AI platforms like MedshotsAI offer.