Headshot Photo Booth vs. regular Headshot Photographer – what is the difference?

You have several options when it comes to choosing a headshot provider for your upcoming conference, convention or trade show.  The team here at The Headshot Factory℠ wrote this article to help you research the best headshot solution for your event size and budget, keeping the goal of your headshots in mind as well.

Option One – A traditional headshot photographer

The most affordable option for you to be able to offer headshots at your next event is just any old regular, local photographer.  Most headshot photographers work one on one with their clients, at their private studio.  The client can usually try several different outfits on, take many photos with several different backdrops to find the best look for their complexion and business sector.  This is a slower, more intimate experience, where the headshot photographer gets a chance to really get to know you, and get to know exactly the type of expression and style of headshot you are looking for.  Then, your photographer usually spends several hours at a later time in their workflow, to edit your photos in their post production process.  The final “keepers” are delivered to you, often weeks or even a couple months later.  Most traditional photographers do NOT want to work with huge crowds and numbers of guests, and instead work one on one, in this more relaxed, traditional approach.  You also have to wait for the portrait to be delivered at a later date.  But this is probably your most economical option available. 

Option Two – A Headshot Photo Booth provides instant digital delivery

When you hire a professional headshot photo booth provider like The Headshot Factory℠, the key difference is the sheer volume of guests you can service, and the instant digital delivery method.  A good headshot station provider can handle hundreds of event attendees per day.  There is no need to wait weeks or months for your guests to receive their portraits.  A true headshot booth provider means that your attendees have instant access to their finalized professional headshot photos.  All of our rentals come complete with our instant sharing kiosk, and your guests can look through their photos immediately, and send themselves their preferred selections, in full resolution, instantly.  A true headshot photo booth specialist is also completely used to the volume and pace of work needed for conferences and conventions.

Option Three – Any old photo booth rental company 

Lots of photo booth rental providers think they can now offer a ” headshot booth ” without any professional photography experience or equipment.  They use cheap crop sensor cameras with kit lenses, and call it a headshot booth.  Beware this type of provider.  The end result is a flat image, completely lacking the shallow depth of field and electric charge that a proper headshot is supposed to have.  The team at The Headshot Factory℠ has custom built headshot booths, using only full frame cameras for incredible color, 7 foot softbox umbrellas for a beautiful diffuse light source, and portrait lenses, specifically tailored to provide the “bokeh” look found in true professional headshots.

How will this look from the guests perspective?

Clients who are considering booking The Headshot Factory℠ often ask how the guest experience and flow will work.  Your event guests will see our huge softbox umbrella from all the way across the expo hall floor.  They get intrigued. As they get closer they will see a small line of other industry insiders waiting for their chance to update their headshot photo.  Our headshot photographer greets them with a smile as they approach your headshot booth. We crack jokes the entire time, help them pose and feel comfortable, and capture an amazing headshot within a couple minutes. 

The end result, an authentic expression, is collected and then immediately distributed to each guest via our sharing station.  Users simply email themselves their preferred photos and receive them in their inbox immediately.  They also have a micro website created with a unique URL just for them, automatically, from our sharing kiosk.  Most guests will have several “keepers” and are blown away at the speed and the quality of their new professional photo.  They can select as many of their shots as they would like, we place no limits on anything at all and no expenses were spared in creating this luxurious booth for professional headshots.

So if you are looking for someone who can provide hundreds of professional grade headshots per day, using pro gear, with instant digital delivery, you want to book one of the leading, national level Headshot Photo Booth providers! (hint: book us)

Alternatively, if you are on a tight budget, or don’t mind skimping on the quality of your portraits, you can hire a traditional headshot photographer or any old local photo booth company.