// One package · No tiers · No add-ons · No surprises

One price. One package.
Built for one job.

Most photographers have three tiers and a list of add-ons. We have one of each. The price below is the price you pay, and the only price you pay.

// The First Headshot
$249
// Session 20 minutes
// Delivery 48 hours
// Output 2 retouched photos
// What's included
  • Studio session in South Riding, VA, purpose-built for headshot photography
  • Full coaching throughout the session, every angle, expression, and adjustment
  • Professional retouching, real, not airbrushed; you should still look like yourself
  • Multiple file formats, LinkedIn-optimized, high-res, square crop, and audience-specific specs (e.g., ERAS)
  • Pre-session prep guide sent before your appointment, what to wear, what to skip, where to find the studio
  • Free reschedule up to 48 hours before your session
Book a session → // Secure checkout · 2-minute booking
01 / Transparency

What we don't do.

Some photographers offer twelve add-ons and an upsell on the back end. We don't. Here's what's deliberately not part of this, and why.

No additional packages
There's no "premium tier" with longer sessions or more outfits. If you need a 90-minute personal branding session, we have a separate brand for that, Marquel Yvette Photography, and it's not what this is.
No extra-image upsells
The session delivers two fully retouched images, plenty for most application surfaces. Two is what most students need. Additional retouched images can be added later if requested, at $75 each.
No makeup or hair styling on-site
You arrive ready. The prep guide covers exactly what to handle before you walk in. Saves you ~$150 compared to studios that bundle makeup into the price.
No "rush delivery" upcharges
48-hour delivery is the standard. Same-day is sometimes possible, ask when booking. If we can do it, we'll do it; no hidden fee for normal speed.
No print sales or commercial licensing
You own the digital files for any personal and professional use, applications, LinkedIn, work directories, future job searches. No license restrictions to navigate.
02 / Compared to Where $249 sits

Cheaper than every other professional studio. More than the free career-center booth.

An honest look at where this lands compared to the alternatives you're probably already considering.

Option
Price
Session length
What you get
Free career-center booth (Iris, etc.)
$0
5–10 min
Self-serve, no direction, no retouch
Phone selfie / friend with a camera
$0
,
Whatever you can produce yourself
AI headshot generator
$29–79
,
AI-generated images (not actually you)
The First Headshot
$249
20 min
Real studio, full coaching, retouched
Typical DC Metro professional studio
$250–450
30–60 min
Multiple images, multiple tiers
Premium executive photographer
$500–2,000+
60–90 min
Multiple outfits, makeup, hair, magazine retouch

Pricing questions.

Is $249 really the final price?
Yes. The only thing that could ever change the total is sales tax (if applicable in your jurisdiction). There are no booking fees, no studio fees, no retouching fees, no delivery fees, and no surprise charges at checkout.
What if I need more than the 2 included images?
The session delivers two fully retouched images, that's the whole product. If you find you need additional retouched images from the same session afterward, you can request them at $75 per additional image. But almost all clients find that two images, used across LinkedIn, application portals, and resume profiles, are exactly what they need.
What if I'm not happy with the photos?
We review the images on the monitor together during the session, so you know what you're getting before you leave. If you have feedback on the retouching after delivery, adjustments are included. The goal is photos you actually want to use; we don't consider the session complete until that's true.
Why is this cheaper than other DC-area photographers?
Two reasons. First, this is a focused product, one session length, one fixed package, no add-ons, which means lower overhead per booking. Second, this is specifically built for students. We made deliberate choices to keep the price accessible without compromising on what matters: real studio, real coaching, real retouching.
Do you offer group discounts for student organizations?
Absolutely. I work with several student organizations on an ongoing basis and offer volume discounts. Email info@marquelyvette.com with your group size and rough timeline for a quote.
Can I get a refund if I need to cancel?
Free reschedule up to 48 hours before your session, no fee, no questions. Cancellations within 48 hours of the session aren't refundable since the studio time is reserved for you, but you can reschedule once at no charge if something comes up.
Do you accept gift cards or third-party payments?
Yes, bookings can be paid by anyone (parents, family members, scholarship funds). Just include the student's name in the booking notes if the payer's name is different. Gift card support is coming; for now, any major credit or debit card works.

Ready to book.

20-minute session. Two retouched photos. Delivered in 48 hours. $249, final.

Book a session →