Professional Headshots

Outdoor headshots that don't look like everyone else's LinkedIn

Because the goal isn't a nice photo — it's the founder who books the meeting, the candidate who gets the callback, the consultant people trust on sight. Natural light, real Peninsula locations, eight retouched finals. From $425.

Outdoor professional headshot at a coastal Peninsula location, natural light
10+ yrs
Shooting Peninsula headshots
8 images
Retouched finals, every session
5 days
Standard delivery turnaround
$0
Reschedule fee if weather turns
Bruce Johnson — Bay Area headshot photographer
Hi, I'm Bruce

The same person who photographs you also retouches the final images

I've been shooting headshots on the Peninsula for over a decade. No assistants on the day. No production crew. You'll work directly with me from the first email to the final delivered gallery. The shot above is one I took recently to test light at a Menlo Park location. It's the same setup, same gear, same approach I use for every client session.

My background is in software, which shapes how I work: structured planning, consistent process, no surprises on delivery date.

Read more about Bruce →

Recent work

A small sample from recent Peninsula sessions. The full headshot gallery is on the portfolio page.

Outdoor professional headshot, SF Peninsula
Outdoor professional headshot, SF Peninsula
Outdoor professional headshot, SF Peninsula
Outdoor professional headshot, SF Peninsula
Outdoor professional headshot, SF Peninsula
Outdoor professional headshot, SF Peninsula
Outdoor professional headshot, SF Peninsula
Outdoor professional headshot, SF Peninsula

Simple pricing

No upsells. No mandatory print packages. The price you see is the price you pay.

Most Popular

Standard Outdoor Session

The one most people book

$425
  • 45-minute session at one Peninsula location
  • Up to 2 outfit changes
  • 8 fully retouched final images
  • 5 business day delivery
  • Personal, LinkedIn & company website license
  • Free reschedule if weather doesn't cooperate
Book the Standard session

Premium Outdoor Session

More looks, faster turnaround

$695
  • 90-minute session at one or two locations
  • Up to 3 outfit changes
  • 15 fully retouched final images
  • 3 business day delivery
  • Optional 5-image preview within 24 hours
  • Same license terms
Book the Premium session

Add-ons

  • Each additional retouched image$45
  • 48-hour rush on full delivery$95

Why outdoor instead of a studio

The studio is the default because it's climate-controlled and predictable. The tradeoff is the look. Studio headshots all look like studio headshots. Outdoor work done right looks better and costs less.

Outdoor headshot of a man in the Peninsula foothills, natural light
Outdoor headshot of a woman in a golden field at the right hour

Natural light at the right hour

First or last 90 minutes of daylight produces soft, directional light that flatters every face. No flash, no harsh studio shadows, no flat fluorescent office light.

Backgrounds that look like the Peninsula

Foothills oak shadows, Filoli gardens, Stanford sandstone, the Pacifica bluffs. Locations that put your photo in a place, not in a generic gray-paper backdrop.

Lower overhead, more images

No studio rent means I can include 8 retouched images at $425 instead of 1-3 like comparable studio sessions. Same craft, better deliverable count.

Free reschedule for weather

Bay Area marine layer is real. If the forecast turns, we move the session — no penalty, no rebooking fee.

How it works

Four steps from first email to retouched gallery.

1

Tell me what the headshot is for

LinkedIn, speaker bio, company website, dating profile, podcast cover — the use case shapes the wardrobe, location, and crop. A 10-minute call gets us aligned.

2

We pick the location and time

I send a location-specific outfit guide once we lock in the spot. Sessions run at sunrise or in the 90 minutes before sunset. I handle permits where needed.

3

45 minutes on location

Light direction, a few framing tweaks, real conversation. You'll forget the camera is there. I shoot 200-300 frames so we have plenty of options.

4

Retouched images in 5 days

You get a private gallery. Pick favorites if you want, or accept the 8 I selected. Web + print resolution, ready for LinkedIn the same day.

Frequently asked

The questions every headshot client wants answered before they book.

Do you have a studio?

No — every session is outdoors at a Peninsula location of our choosing. Natural light at the right hour looks better than most studio setups, and I pass the lower overhead through as more retouched images per package than the studio competitors include.

What if it rains or there's marine layer the morning of the shoot?

We reschedule for free. No rebooking fee. I monitor the forecast 48 hours out and we'll make the call together. I'd rather move the date than shoot in bad light.

Can you come to my office instead?

I do most of my work outdoors because the light is better, but on-location office shoots are available as a custom quote. Typical range is $695-$1,200 depending on the setup and team size.

How should I dress?

I send a location-specific outfit guide when we book. Short version: solid colors, no logos, layers you can take on and off. Avoid pure white in direct sun. Iron everything. Wrinkles photograph.

Do you retouch the images yourself?

Yes — every retouched image goes through my QC. I work with a small overseas team for the initial pass on standard packages, then I personally review and approve every final image before delivery.

What's the license? Can I use the photos commercially?

Standard packages include personal use, LinkedIn, and your company website. Commercial licensing for advertising, marketing campaigns, or stock-style use is available as a $200 add-on. Reach out and we'll spec it.

How quickly can you fit me in?

Outdoor sessions usually book 1-2 weeks out. Rush bookings within 48 hours are possible for an extra $95. Reach out with your target date and I'll confirm availability.

Where are you based?

Atherton. I shoot across the SF Peninsula — Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Woodside, Redwood City, and the coast from Pacifica down to Half Moon Bay. Sessions outside that radius are possible with a travel fee.

Ready to book?

Tell me what the headshot is for and your target date. I'll come back with a location, a time, and a calendar invite within a business day.

Get in Touch