How Long Do Corporate Headshots Take? (And How to Plan for Your Team)

Written By Scott Barron

One of the first questions businesses ask is:

“How long is this going to take?”

And usually what they mean is:

“Is this going to disrupt the entire working day?”

The short answer is no, if it’s structured properly.

Here’s what to realistically expect, and how to plan it so it runs smoothly.

How Long Does a Headshot Take Per Person?

For a professional corporate headshot, you’re typically looking at:

Around 8–10 minutes per person

That includes:

  • Getting them into position

  • Guiding posture and expression

  • Taking a small set of images to choose from

It’s not rushed, but it’s also not drawn out.

Most people settle into it within the first couple of minutes, and from there it becomes very straightforward.

What That Looks Like Across a Team

Here’s how that scales:

  • 10 people → around 1.5 to 2 hours

  • 20 people → around 3 to 4 hours

  • 30–40 people → usually a full day

This is why most team sessions are booked as a half-day or full-day.

It’s not just about shooting time, but keeping the flow consistent so people aren’t waiting around.

(You can see how team sessions are structured here: https://www.scottbarronphotography.co.uk/headshots)

How the Day Is Typically Structured

A well-run headshot session is organised, not chaotic.

The usual structure is:

1. Setup (30–45 minutes)

A portable studio is set up on-site, including:

  • Lighting

  • Background

  • Camera and tethering (where needed)

Once this is done, everything stays consistent for the rest of the session.

2. Scheduled Time Slots

Each person is given a rough time slot.

This avoids:

  • People queuing

  • Large gaps in the schedule

  • Disruption to the working day

People step in, get photographed, and go straight back to work.

3. Consistent Flow

The key is maintaining a steady rhythm.

Once the first few people are done, the process becomes very efficient. There’s no guesswork, and no delays.

How to Plan It Properly

This is where businesses either make it easy… or unnecessarily complicated.

Here’s what actually helps:

Keep It in One Location

Use a single room where the setup can stay in place.

Moving between rooms slows everything down and affects consistency.

Group People Logically

If possible:

  • Group by department

  • Or schedule people in blocks

This keeps things organised and avoids chasing individuals around the office.

Allow a Small Buffer

Someone will always be in a meeting or run late.

Build in a bit of flexibility so the schedule doesn’t fall apart.

What Slows Things Down (and Should Be Avoided)

A few common mistakes:

  • No schedule at all (“we’ll just grab people”)

  • People not being ready when called

  • Constant interruptions or room changes

  • Overcomplicating outfit changes

None of these are major issues individually, but together they can easily double the time needed.

Does It Disrupt the Working Day?

Not if it’s done properly.

Most people are away from their desk for around 10 minutes.

That’s it.

For a team of 20, you’re not losing a full day of productivity. You’re spreading small, manageable time slots across a few hours.

In reality, it’s far less disruptive than sending people off-site to a studio individually.

What Happens After the Shoot?

Once the session is complete:

  • Images are processed and prepared

  • A selection is provided for each person

  • Final images are retouched and delivered

Everything is handled in a structured way so you’re not left chasing files or trying to organise it internally.

How This Fits Into Your Wider Photography

Headshots are often part of a bigger requirement.

If you’re already organising a shoot, it can make sense to combine it with:

  • Team or group photos

  • Candid working images

  • Event coverage if something is happening the same day

Planning this in advance makes the most of the time on-site.

You can see how this fits alongside other services here:

Final Thought

Corporate headshots don’t need to take over your day.

With a clear structure, they run quickly, efficiently, and with minimal disruption.

Most businesses are surprised by how straightforward it is once it’s done properly.

Planning Headshots for Your Team?

If you’re working out how to fit headshots into your schedule, it’s usually just a case of mapping out numbers and timing.

Once that’s clear, everything else falls into place.

You can find more details here:
https://www.scottbarronphotography.co.uk/headshots

Scott Barron https://www.scottbarronphotography.co.uk
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