Boston · South Shore Massachusetts
Boston Headshot Photographer
Studio headshots built for the specific use: actor casting submissions, executive corporate portraits, LinkedIn profiles, personal branding. Session-specific lighting — not a generic one-light setup applied to every client. Photographed and individually retouched by Chris McCarthy. Gallery delivered in 3–5 business days. Studio sessions from $395; on-location from $495.
76 five-star reviews on Google
Who We Serve
Professional Headshots for Every Industry in Boston & the South Shore
Every client type has different requirements: what works for a casting submission differs from what belongs on a law firm website. The lighting configuration, framing, and editing are calibrated to match the actual end use — not standardized across every session.
LinkedIn Headshots
Profiles with a professional photo receive up to 21× more views and 36× more messages than those without. First impressions on LinkedIn are formed in under a second — your photo works before your headline does. We use clamshell lighting for clean, approachable results that read well at thumbnail size.
Corporate & Executive
Company websites, annual reports, press releases, and speaking bios all require a consistent, polished professional image that represents your brand. We match background and framing to your organization's visual standards — whether that's a clean white, branded color, or environmental context.
Actor Headshots
We shoot both theatrical and commercial looks in a single session — so you arrive with one booking and leave with a complete, submission-ready set for Actors Access, Casting Networks, and agency submissions. Boston casting directors make decisions in seconds; range and image quality are everything. Split-lighting for dramatic looks, soft box for commercial.
Personal Branding
Coaches, consultants, freelancers, and entrepreneurs need imagery that communicates who they are, not just what they do. Brand-aligned headshots build trust before the first conversation — and work across your website, email signature, podcast artwork, and social profiles simultaneously.
Real Estate & Insurance
Your photo is on every listing, email, and business card — it works 24/7. Agents and brokers who use professional headshots consistently report higher client trust. We shoot in styles that read as approachable and competent — the two things buyers and sellers need to feel before they pick up the phone.
Medical & Legal Professionals
Doctors, attorneys, therapists, and financial advisors benefit from headshots that convey both expertise and approachability — two qualities patients and clients look for before booking. We keep backgrounds and lighting neutral and professional to align with the standards of hospital, firm, and practice websites.
Every Session Includes
What to Expect From a Photography Shark Headshot Session
Every Boston headshot session starts with a quick consultation so we understand exactly what you need — LinkedIn update, acting reel, corporate bio, or personal branding. We match the lighting, background, and direction to your goals, not a template.
Most clients are nervous in front of a camera. We spend the first few minutes just talking — by the time we start shooting, the stiffness is gone. The result is headshots that look like you at your best, not you enduring a photo.
- Pre-session style and goals consultation
- Professional studio lighting or on-location setup
- Multiple background options: white, gray, charcoal, and environmental
- Fully retouched images — no unedited files ever delivered
- High-resolution files for web, print, and all platform use
- Commercial use license included — no royalties or restrictions
- Online gallery delivered within 3–5 business days
Investment
Boston Headshot Pricing
Two straightforward packages with no hidden fees. Studio or on-location — same 30-minute session, same 10 retouched images. Add-ons available.
Pricing last updated April 2026
Studio Session
$395
30-Minute Session
10 Retouched Images
- 30-minute studio session
- 10 retouched images
- Option to purchase additional images
- Full-resolution download
- Commercial use license
On Location Session
$495
30-Minute Session
10 Retouched Images
- 30-minute on-location session
- Location of your choice
- 10 retouched images
- Option to purchase additional images
- Full-resolution download
- Commercial use license
Add-Ons
Travel time: All on-location shoots require a separate travel quote. Contact us with your location before booking for a full quote.
Client Reviews
What Clients Say
“This was the funnest headshot session I ever had. Chris made me feel comfortable and offered guidance on how to pose. Same day, I was able to view the photos online and pick the ones I liked. Highly recommend.”
— Julie
“I had an amazing experience getting my headshots done with Chris. He was able to fit me in the very next day, was incredibly accommodating. The photos turned out absolutely beautiful — the lighting, editing, and overall quality were fantastic. I would recommend Chris 1000 times over.”
— Chantal Booker
“Absolutely the best experience I've ever had. Chris was extremely accommodating and professional and the photos speak for themselves.”
— Tyler McDonnell
Why It Matters
Why Boston Professionals Invest in Headshot Photography
Boston is one of the most competitive professional markets in the country. Finance, biotech, law, tech, healthcare, real estate — every industry here is saturated with talented people, and your headshot is often the first thing a hiring manager, client, or casting director sees before they know anything else about you. A low-quality phone photo or an outdated headshot from five years ago signals carelessness before you've had a chance to say a word.
A professional Boston headshot session at Photography Shark delivers images that are clean, modern, and versatile — the kind that work on LinkedIn, on a company website, in a press kit, and on a casting submission simultaneously. We shoot with controlled studio lighting and neutral backdrops so the focus stays on you, not the environment. The result is a headshot that looks polished without looking like a passport photo.
For actors in the Boston market, a strong headshot is the single most important marketing tool you have. Casting directors in Boston, New York, and across the country make split-second decisions based on headshots alone. We shoot both theatrical and commercial looks in a single session — so you arrive with one set of goals and leave with a complete submission-ready portfolio covering the full range of roles you can realistically book.
For executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals, the equation is simpler: people do business with people they trust, and trust is built visually before it's built verbally. A headshot that looks confident, approachable, and current is not a vanity investment — it's a business development tool that works passively every time someone searches your name.
We are based on the South Shore and serve clients across the entire region — Quincy, Braintree, Weymouth, Hingham, Hull, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell, Marshfield, Duxbury, Kingston, Plymouth, Rockland, Hanover, Pembroke, Milton, and beyond. If you're looking for a headshot photographer on the South Shore, you won't need to drive into the city. Studio sessions are available locally, and on-location shoots can be arranged at any spot that works for you.
Read our complete guide to professional headshots in Boston →
According to LinkedIn research, profiles with a professional photo receive up to 21× more profile views and 36× more messages than those without — making a quality headshot one of the highest-return professional investments available.
Where We Shoot
Headshot Photography Across Boston & the South Shore
Based on the South Shore, we offer studio and on-location headshot sessions throughout the region — no need to fight Boston traffic. Same-week availability for most communities below.
Preparation
What to Wear for a Professional Headshot in Boston
Clothing choices have a significant impact on how your headshot photographs. The most reliable rule: solid colors in mid-range tones. Navy, charcoal, burgundy, forest green, slate blue, and warm neutrals all perform consistently well under professional studio lighting. They hold detail without competing with your face and work across every background color.
What to avoid: thin stripes, busy patterns, and logos. These create visual noise that draws the eye away from your expression. Bright white can blow out highlights under studio strobes — if you want to wear white, an off-white or cream tends to hold better detail. All-black outfits tend to lose definition against dark studio backgrounds, creating a floating-head effect. A dark outfit works well on a lighter background.
Bring two or three options on session day. Since every Photography Shark package includes unlimited outfit changes, you can try different looks and see which works best with the lighting and background setup we're using. Most clients discover on the day that one option they weren't planning to use turns out to be the best.
For actors: bring the range of looks that represent the roles you want to be called in for — commercial clean, dramatic, character, and any specific type you work in. For corporate and LinkedIn headshots, dress at or slightly above the level you'd wear to your most important client meeting.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Boston Headshots
How much do professional headshots cost in Boston?
Photography Shark offers Boston headshot sessions starting at $395 for a 30-minute studio session with 10 retouched images. On-location sessions are $495 and include a 30-minute shoot at a location of your choice with 10 retouched images. Add-ons include additional persons ($200), outfit changes ($150), additional session time ($150), and group shots ($100).
What should I wear for a professional headshot?
Solid colors photograph best — navy, charcoal, burgundy, forest green, and warm neutrals all work well in studio lighting. Avoid busy patterns, thin stripes, and bright whites. Bring two or three outfit options. For actor headshots, bring the range of looks you'd submit to casting — commercial, theatrical, character. For corporate or LinkedIn headshots, dress as you would for your most important client meeting.
How long does a Boston headshot session take?
Sessions are 30 minutes — both the studio and on-location packages. That is enough time for one or two looks: a LinkedIn update, corporate directory photo, or acting submission set. If you want more time for additional outfits or backgrounds, additional session time is available as an add-on for $150.
Do you offer actor headshots in Boston?
Yes. Actor headshots are a specialty. We shoot both theatrical and commercial looks in one session so you leave with a full range of submission-ready photos for Actors Access, Casting Networks, and agency submissions. Boston is an active casting market — a strong set of actor headshots makes a real difference.
Can I use my headshots for LinkedIn, my company website, and acting submissions?
Yes — all delivered files are high-resolution and fully licensed for digital and print use. LinkedIn profiles, company websites, press kits, casting submissions, author bios, speaker profiles — all covered. You own the files with no platform restrictions.
Do you serve the South Shore as well as Boston?
Yes — the South Shore is our home base. We serve clients throughout Quincy, Braintree, Weymouth, Hingham, Hull, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell, Marshfield, Duxbury, Kingston, Plymouth, Rockland, Hanover, Pembroke, Abington, Milton, and all surrounding communities. Studio sessions are available locally so you don't have to drive into Boston. On-location shoots can be arranged anywhere on the South Shore or in the city for an additional $100.
“Chris not only takes amazing photos but he's super fun to work with. Highly recommend him for any photography projects since he has a great collection of props and backdrops.”
— Callie O., Boston
Your Photographer
Chris McCarthy
Every Photography Shark session is personally photographed and edited by Chris McCarthy — a South Shore-based photographer with over 10 years and 500+ sessions of experience shooting actors, executives, lawyers, doctors, and professionals across Greater Boston. No assistants, no outsourcing, no batch editing. You work directly with Chris from booking through gallery delivery.
Chris runs Godox strobe systems and builds every lighting setup from scratch for the session type — clamshell for clean LinkedIn and corporate work, split-lighting for theatrical actor looks, broad softboxes for editorial portraits. Galleries are delivered in 3–5 business days. Most clients receive their finished images in 3.
About Chris →By Industry
Headshots by Profession
Industry-specific guidance, wardrobe expectations, and use cases for the professions that book us most.
Planning Your Session
Practical Guides for Before Your Headshot Session
By Profession
Specialty Headshot Pages
Ready to Book?
Book Your Boston Headshot Session
Studio sessions from $395; on-location from $495. Same-week availability across the Boston metro area and South Shore of Massachusetts. Have questions? See the FAQ.
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