Everything You Need to Know
Answers to the most common questions about professional headshots, our process, pricing, and what to expect at Fuentes Studio.
Booking & Scheduling
How do I book a headshot session at Fuentes Studio?
You can book online in about two minutes at fuentesstudio.com/book. Choose your session, pick a date and time that works (weekends or weekday evenings), and pay securely to lock in your slot. You'll receive an instant confirmation email with session details, your meeting spot, and a preparation guide.
How far in advance should I book my session?
Booking closes two days before a session, so if you are reading this midweek, this coming Saturday or Sunday is usually still open, and weekday evening slots open up as little as two days out. The calendar always shows the earliest date still available. Team, school, and event days are arranged by quote, so reach out two to three weeks ahead for those.
Can I reschedule or cancel my session?
Yes. You can reschedule with at least 48 hours' notice at no charge, and your payment moves to the new date. If weather cancels an outdoor session, we move you free. Bookings themselves are non-refundable.
Do you offer weekend or evening sessions?
Yes, both. Individual, family, and mini sessions run on Saturdays and Sundays during the day, plus weekday evenings (Monday to Friday, start times from 5:00 to 6:30 PM). Outdoor sessions need daylight, so outdoor evening slots run from spring through October; the indoor Studio Headshot in Riverdale runs weekday evenings year-round. On-site school and team photo days run on weekdays during the day, at your school or office, because that is when you are open. Booking closes two days before a session, and golden-hour times go first, so reserve early.
Can I book a session for my entire team or office?
Yes. Team and event days are arranged case by case and quoted individually. We photograph groups outdoors in natural light, at a park or street location near your office, with consistent framing and editing across everyone. Visit our team headshots page or contact us for a custom quote.
Do you offer on-location headshot sessions?
Most sessions are on location and outdoors, and headshots can also be shot indoors in a studio in Riverdale (the $214 Studio Headshot). Outdoor sessions happen in Riverdale and Van Cortlandt Park in The Bronx, plus Spuyten Duyvil, Kingsbridge, Untermyer Park & Gardens in Yonkers, and lower Westchester. For team days we travel to an outdoor spot near your office anywhere in the NYC metro area, and a travel fee may apply depending on distance.
Pricing & Sessions
How much do professional headshots cost at Fuentes Studio?
Five options: the $95 Stroll & Shoot Mini (a 20-minute walk-and-shoot), the $149 Outdoor Headshot, the $214 Studio Headshot (the same headshot indoors in a Riverdale studio), the $275 One-Hour Session (two to three outfits and a full retouched gallery), and the $265 Family Portrait Session. All but the Studio Headshot are shot outdoors in natural light, and every session includes posing and expression coaching, retouching, and digital delivery. On-site school and team photo days are quoted on request, from $1,495. Full details are on our services page.
What is included in each session?
Both sessions include a pre-session consultation, coaching on posing and expression during the shoot, expert retouching on your best selects, and high-resolution digital files optimized for LinkedIn, company websites, and print. The 20-minute Stroll & Shoot Mini is the relaxed walk-and-shoot version; the 30-minute Outdoor Headshot adds more time, style guidance beforehand, and multi-format delivery within 48 hours.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. Our pricing is fully transparent. The price listed on our website is the price you pay. The only potential addition is a travel fee for sessions outside the Riverdale and lower Westchester area, and that is communicated upfront before you book.
Do you offer payment plans?
Individual sessions are paid in full when you book, by card on Stripe's secure checkout. For team and school days, we can arrange invoicing. Contact us to discuss your needs.
Is a professional headshot worth the investment?
Research shows that profiles with professional headshots receive up to 14 times more views on LinkedIn and 36 times more messages. For executives, attorneys, and finance professionals, a headshot is not a cost. It's a career asset. Many of our clients report landing new roles, attracting clients, or closing deals after updating their image. At $149 for the Outdoor Headshot, the ROI is substantial: one new client, one promotion, or one closed deal pays for the session many times over.
Do you offer discounts for groups or repeat clients?
No. There are no discounts or promo codes. Every session is the same price for everyone, as listed on our services page. Team headshots at your office are $99 per person with a $495 minimum; school and full team photo days are quoted from $1,495.
What to Wear & How to Prepare
What should I wear to my headshot session?
Wear solid, muted colors that complement your skin tone. Navy, charcoal, black, white, and deep jewel tones photograph beautifully. Avoid busy patterns, logos, and neon colors. Sessions are outdoors, so arrive dressed and bring a layer you can add or drop. A blazer on and off gives you two distinct looks without a wardrobe change. When in doubt, dress one level above your daily professional attire.
Should I get hair and makeup done before my session?
We recommend arriving with your hair and makeup done to your professional standard, the way you'd look walking into an important meeting. If you'd like professional hair and makeup, we can recommend trusted artists who work with our clients regularly. The goal is to look polished but still like yourself.
How should I prepare my skin before my headshot?
Stay hydrated in the days leading up to your session. Avoid trying new skincare products the week before. If you're prone to breakouts, stick to your regular routine. Minor blemishes are easily handled in retouching, so don't stress about perfection on the day.
Should I bring accessories like glasses or jewelry?
Bring your glasses if you wear them regularly. Your headshot should look like you. For jewelry, keep it understated and professional. We'll shoot options with and without glasses so you can choose. Avoid anything overly reflective or distracting on camera.
What if I'm not sure what to wear?
We include a pre-session consultation with every session. Beforehand, you'll receive a detailed style guide with recommendations for your industry. You can also send us photos of outfit options and we'll give you feedback. We work with attorneys, finance professionals, tech founders, and executives daily, and we know what works.
How should I prepare mentally for my headshot session?
The most important thing is to relax. We coach you through every session, so you don't need to know how to pose or where to look. Our job is to make you look natural, confident, and approachable. Many clients say the experience is much more comfortable than they expected. Get a good night's sleep, eat a meal beforehand, and trust the process.
During Your Session
How long does a headshot session take?
The Stroll & Shoot Mini is 20 minutes: a relaxed walk-and-shoot. The Outdoor Headshot is 30 minutes, which is enough time to work a couple of backgrounds and land a LinkedIn-ready frame. Team and event days are scoped to the size of your group and confirmed when we send the quote.
How many photos will be taken during my session?
We capture well over a hundred frames even in a short session. We keep the camera working while we coach you rather than stopping between setups. From those, we curate and present the strongest selections for your review, and your best selects come back fully retouched in your gallery.
Will I get help with posing during the shoot?
Yes. Coaching is at the core of every session. We guide your posture, expression, chin angle, eye line, and energy throughout the entire shoot. You don't need any modeling experience. Our clients consistently say the coaching is what makes the difference between a good photo and a great one.
Can I bring someone with me to the session?
You're welcome to bring one guest. Some clients find it helpful to have a colleague or friend for moral support or outfit opinions. However, for the most natural results, we find that sessions with fewer distractions tend to produce the best expressions.
What kind of backgrounds do you use?
Natural ones by default: soft greenery in Van Cortlandt Park, park paths, stone and brick, and clean city street backdrops thrown out of focus behind you. If you need a plain, uniform look for a firm bio page or a team directory, we can bring a portable white backdrop and shoot it outdoors in natural light. We'll pick the right option with you during your consultation.
Can I see photos during the session?
Yes. We review key frames on the back of the camera as we go, so you can see how things are looking in real time. This collaborative approach ensures you're confident in the results before we wrap up. If you want to try a different expression, angle, or background, we'll adjust on the spot.
Retouching & Delivery
How long does it take to receive my final photos?
Headshot and individual sessions are delivered within 48 hours; family sessions within 5 days; school and team days within 2 weeks. If you need images sooner (for a job application deadline or a website launch), let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate rush delivery.
What does retouching include?
Our professional retouching includes skin smoothing, blemish removal, under-eye reduction, color correction, and exposure balancing. We enhance; we don't alter. The goal is to present the best, most polished version of you while keeping the image completely natural and authentic.
Will my retouched photos still look like me?
Absolutely. We take a conservative approach to retouching. You'll look like the best version of yourself on your best day, not like someone else. Over-editing is one of the most common mistakes in headshot photography, and we intentionally avoid it. Your colleagues should recognize you instantly.
In what formats will I receive my photos?
You'll receive high-resolution JPEG files optimized for multiple uses: LinkedIn (400×400 and 800×800), company websites, email signatures, and print. If you need a specific crop or size for a particular platform or publication, tell us and we'll include it.
Can I request additional retouched photos beyond my selects?
Yes. If you spot another frame you love in your gallery, send us the file number and we'll confirm the cost to retouch it. Many clients add one or two extra shots after seeing their proofs, especially when they discover a great expression they weren't expecting.
How will my photos be delivered?
We deliver via a secure online gallery. You'll receive a link to view, download, and share your images. Files are available in full resolution and web-optimized versions. Your gallery remains active for 90 days.
Industry-Specific Questions
Do you specialize in headshots for lawyers and attorneys?
Yes. Attorneys are a core client group, from solo practitioners to firm partners. We understand the balance between approachable and authoritative that legal professionals need. Our attorney headshots are optimized for firm websites, bar association directories, Martindale-Hubbell, and LinkedIn. Learn more on our headshots for lawyers page.
Do you work with finance professionals and Wall Street executives?
Yes. Analysts, advisors, IR teams, and bankers book headshots here. Finance headshots require a particular look: polished, confident, and trustworthy. We understand the conventions and deliver images that meet the standards top-tier firms expect. See our headshots for finance page for details.
Are your headshots suitable for tech founders and startup teams?
Yes. Tech headshots tend to balance professionalism with approachability. You want to look credible to investors while still being authentic. The files are sized for pitch decks, YC applications, and company pages. Visit our headshots for tech page.
Do you photograph consultants and management consulting professionals?
Yes. Consultants live and die by personal credibility, and your headshot is often the first impression a prospective client sees. We work with management consultants, strategy consultants, independent advisors, and boutique-firm partners across NYC. Our consultant headshots project competence, warmth, and authority. See our headshots for consultants page.
Can you match our company's brand guidelines for team headshots?
Yes. For team days, we review your brand guidelines beforehand and match the tone: location, framing, crop, and editing stay identical from the first person to the last. If your directory calls for a plain background, we bring a portable white backdrop and shoot it outdoors so every headshot matches. The result is a cohesive, professional look across your entire website and marketing materials.
Do you photograph speakers, authors, and public figures?
Yes. Speakers and authors need headshots that convey both expertise and charisma. We create images suitable for event pages, book covers, speaker bureaus, and media kits. The 30-minute Outdoor Headshot is the right fit when you need both a composed portrait and a looser, personality-driven frame.
Technical & Usage Questions
What is the ideal size for a LinkedIn profile photo?
LinkedIn recommends a minimum of 400×400 pixels, but for the sharpest display, we deliver at 800×800 pixels. The photo should be a close crop of your head and shoulders, well-lit, with a clean background. We optimize every LinkedIn headshot to meet these specifications exactly.
Can I use my headshot for both LinkedIn and my company website?
Yes. We deliver images in multiple resolutions and aspect ratios so you can use them across all platforms: LinkedIn, company bio pages, email signatures, conference materials, and print publications. You own full usage rights to your images.
Do I own the rights to my photos?
You receive all delivered images in web-optimized and print-ready formats. You can use them on LinkedIn, your company website, marketing materials, publications, and anywhere else you need a professional photo. We retain the right to use images in our portfolio with your permission.
How often should I update my professional headshot?
We recommend updating your headshot every one to two years, or whenever your appearance changes significantly (new hairstyle, glasses, weight change). An outdated photo can undermine trust. When someone meets you and you look different from your photo, it creates a disconnect. Many of our clients book an annual refresh session.
What resolution are the delivered images?
We deliver at full professional resolution, typically more than 4,000 pixels on the long edge at 300 DPI. This is more than sufficient for any digital or print application, from a small LinkedIn thumbnail to a large conference banner. Web-optimized versions are also included for faster loading on websites.
Can my photos be used for print materials like business cards and brochures?
Yes. All delivered images are high-resolution and print-ready. They'll look sharp on business cards, brochures, event programs, and even large-format prints. If you need a specific crop or dimension for a particular print application, let us know and we'll prepare it.
About Fuentes Studio
Where is Fuentes Studio located?
We're based in Riverdale, The Bronx, a direct ride on the 1 train from Midtown Manhattan. Most sessions are shot outdoors in natural light, and headshots can also be booked indoors in a studio in Riverdale (the $214 Studio Headshot). For outdoor sessions we meet you in Riverdale or Van Cortlandt Park, and also shoot in Spuyten Duyvil, Kingsbridge, Untermyer Park & Gardens, and lower Westchester (Yonkers, Bronxville, Hastings-on-Hudson, Dobbs Ferry, Tuckahoe, Eastchester, Scarsdale, Pelham, and Mount Vernon). You'll get the exact meeting spot in your confirmation email.
Who is the photographer?
Emmanuel Fuentes is the founder and lead photographer at Fuentes Studio. His approach combines careful coaching with a relaxed session environment to capture portraits and event coverage that are both technically excellent and genuinely you.
What makes Fuentes Studio different from other headshot photographers?
Three things set us apart: hands-on coaching (we don't just point and shoot; we coach every expression and angle), fast turnaround (most studios take one to two weeks), and transparent pricing with no hidden fees. We also offer a satisfaction guarantee. Read more on our Why Fuentes Studio page.
Do you offer a satisfaction guarantee?
Yes. If you're not happy with your photos, we'll re-shoot at no additional cost. We stand behind every session because our reputation depends on it.
Can I see examples of your work?
Yes. Visit our portfolio page to see recent headshots across industries and styles. You can also view industry-specific examples on our lawyer headshots, finance headshots, and tech headshots pages. Each page includes work tailored to that profession's standards.
Special Situations
I'm camera-shy. Will I still get good results?
Some of our best sessions are with clients who describe themselves as camera-shy. Coaching makes the difference: we handle the posing, the angles, and the energy so you can relax and be yourself. By the end of most sessions, camera-shy clients tell us they actually enjoyed the experience. Trust the process.
I need headshots urgently for a job application. Can you help?
Book the next open slot. Booking closes just two days before a session, so a weekday evening later this week or a Saturday or Sunday slot is usually still open. With 48-hour delivery that means finished headshots in your hands inside a week. If you are against a hard deadline, say so in the booking notes and I will do my best to turn the gallery around sooner.
Can I update just one or two photos from a previous session?
If you'd like additional retouched images from a past session (within 90 days), send us the frame numbers and we'll confirm the cost. If you need a completely new session, just book the one that fits. Returning clients book the same sessions at the same listed prices.
Do you offer headshots for actors or for casting purposes?
Our specialty is professional and executive headshots: the images that appear on LinkedIn, law firm websites, and corporate bios. While we can certainly photograph actors, our style is tailored for business professionals. If you need a theatrical headshot for casting submissions, we'd recommend a photographer who specializes in that specific genre.
I'm transitioning careers. How should I approach my headshot?
A career transition is actually one of the best times to invest in a professional headshot. Your new image should reflect where you're going, not where you've been. During your consultation, we'll discuss your target industry and roles so we can tailor your wardrobe, background, and overall look to match. Many of our clients book during career pivots.
Do you offer gift certificates for headshot sessions?
Yes. A professional headshot session makes an excellent gift for a recent graduate, a colleague starting a new role, or anyone leveling up their career. Contact us to purchase a gift certificate for either session. We'll provide a beautifully formatted digital certificate you can send directly.
Still Have Questions?
Send a message and you'll get a straight answer, usually the same day. No pressure, no obligations.