Carlsbad studio opens January 2027
Carlsbad headshots for people who hate having their picture taken.
I'm Bryan Engel, and I've photographed headshots since 2017. I'll tell you exactly what to do with your face, one small change at a time. Business, LinkedIn and actor headshots in my private studio in Carlsbad, and corporate headshots at your office anywhere in San Diego County.
Recent headshots: Still you. Just relaxed.
See all workClient reviews: Word for word, from Google.
Read all the reviews on GoogleI recently updated my professional headshot using Bryan's service. The experience was terrific. He coached me through the process to ensure the best results. The finish product was far better than I could have imagined. Bryan is competitively priced; but, you get more "bang for your buck." I could not be happier.
Bryan is an amazing guy! Such an amazing photographer, our office was very fortunate to find him. We had a great time with our photo shoot for our office. I would highly recommend him. We waited until he could travel to us, I did not want to use anyone else. He a great guy! Thank you Bryan for making time for us!
I love my headshot from 101 Headshots! … He provided great instructions and helped me feel comfortable during the shoot. My shoot included multiple outfit changes, poses and I also requested different background colors. The whole time Bryan was very professional and never rushed me. He did an amazing job, I highly recommend 101 Headshots!
Bryan is an incredibly talented photographer! I recently had the pleasure of working with him to update my headshot for my portfolio. Bryan is very professional and uses high quality photography equipment. He gives very good direction in order for you to look your best and the most confident. In my opinion, Bryan is the best headshot photographer in the Kansas City area and I definitely recommend booking a session with him for your headshot needs!
Types of headshots: Framed for where it's going.
LinkedIn shrinks you to a small circle. A real estate photo ends up on a yard sign. I frame each type for its job, in the Carlsbad studio or at your office.
How a session works: Four stops. No guessing.
What to wear for headshotsPlan
In your booking request, tell me where the photos will be used and the look you're after. The wardrobe guide covers what to bring, down to the lint roller.
Shoot
About 90 minutes in the studio. I coach small changes to your jaw, eyes and posture, one at a time, until the tension is gone.
Choose
Every frame comes up on a screen as we shoot, and if none feel right, we keep shooting. Then we pick your favorites together before you leave.
Receive
Retouched, high-resolution files of the images you chose, usually back in 3 days.
Pricing: Pay for the frames you love.
The $350 session covers your time in the studio and all the coaching. Then you pick your favorites and pay $150 for each one I edit, so the session plus one edited headshot is $500. There are no packages to talk you into.
For teams, I bring the studio to your office, starting January 2027. How corporate days work
- Studio sessionOne person$350Your session in the Carlsbad studio, coached the whole way.
- Edited imagesEach$150Retouched and high resolution, usually back in 3 days. Choose as many as you want.
- Corporate dayOn siteQuoteA half or full day at your location, priced by how many people you're bringing. Send your head count and I'll email you a quote.
Meet Bryan Engel: Confident. Approachable. Both at once.
Every headshot I take is after two things: confidence and approachability. Confident enough that people trust you. Approachable enough that they want to call. Get both in one frame and you have a great headshot. Miss one and you look either stiff or forgettable.
That's what the coaching is for. The squinch, a slight narrowing of the eyes, is confidence. The smile is approachability. Add "jaw out, then down" and you have the cues you'll hear from me most. They sound strange until the next frame shows you why. Then there's "now think of your ex." Kidding.
Since 2017 I've photographed real estate agents, lawyers, corporate teams, models and actors. Most of them hated having their picture taken. I've put years and a lot of money into getting headshots right. Nobody needs to know how to pose. That part is my job.
The business is named for Highway 101. That's the shield in the logo. Carlsbad sits on the same highway.
Studio location: Carlsbad, on the 101.
Sessions are in my private studio in Carlsbad, a space set up just for headshots. It opens in January 2027, and you'll get the address and parking details when you book.
The studio serves Carlsbad and the rest of North County San Diego, from Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos and Escondido to Encinitas, Solana Beach and Del Mar, plus La Jolla.
For corporate headshots, I go to your team, anywhere in San Diego County.
Headshot FAQ: Good questions.
How much do headshots cost?
A studio headshot session at 101 Headshots is $350 for one person, plus $150 for each edited image you choose. A session with one edited image comes to $500. Corporate headshots on site are quoted by head count, so send me your team size and I'll email you a price.
How long does a headshot session take?
A studio headshot session takes about 90 minutes. That's long enough to get past the stiff first few minutes and into the frames you'll actually use.
Will a headshot session work if I hate having my picture taken?
Yes. That's most of my clients. I tell you exactly what to do, one small adjustment at a time, so you don't need to know how to pose. You just have to listen.
What happens if I don't like any of my headshots?
If you don't like any of your shots, we keep shooting. Say so, and we'll change something and go again.
Can I see my headshots during the session?
Yes, every frame comes up on a screen as we shoot. You see what's working while there's still time to change it, and we pick your favorites together before you leave.
How many headshots do I get?
In a studio session, you get as many edited headshots as you want, at $150 each on top of the $350 session. There are no packages, so if you only need one, you only buy one.
How long does it take to get headshots back?
Edited headshots usually come back in 3 days. You choose them before you leave the studio, so the only wait is the retouching.
How much retouching do you do on headshots?
I retouch enough to clean up skin, stray hairs and lint while you still look like you. Nobody should be surprised when they meet you in person.
What should I wear for headshots?
Wear solid colors in clothes that fit well through the shoulders, and bring a few options so we can choose together. Skip busy patterns, thin stripes and logos. Fine patterns can shimmer on camera. Read the full wardrobe guide
What's the difference between a business headshot and an actor headshot?
A business headshot is made to earn a client's trust, so it's polished and approachable. An actor headshot is made for casting, so it shows the kind of roles you play, usually with tighter framing and several looks. What each type of headshot is for
Why hire a headshot photographer instead of a general photographer?
Because a headshot is its own skill. A great wedding or family photographer can take a nice picture of you, but a headshot lives or dies on a few millimeters of jaw, eyes and smile. Headshots are my specialty, so the whole session is built around getting you confident and approachable in a tight frame.
Can you photograph our whole team at our office?
Yes, I'll bring a portable studio to your office or another location anywhere in San Diego County, starting in January 2027. Each person gets a short, coached slot and picks favorites before going back to work. I quote each corporate day by head count, so tell me how many people and I'll email you a price. How corporate days work
Where is 101 Headshots located?
101 Headshots is a private headshot studio in Carlsbad, California, in North County San Diego, opening January 2027. I share the address and parking details with you at booking. For teams, I bring a portable studio to offices across San Diego County.
When can I book a headshot session in Carlsbad?
You can request a headshot session now for January 2027 or later, when the Carlsbad studio opens. I'm still setting up the calendar, and I'll email you open times as soon as it's ready.
Book: Get on the calendar.
Tell me what you need. I'm still setting up the calendar, and I'll email you open times as soon as it's ready.
If you'd rather skip the form, call or text 858-260-9949, email bryan@101headshots.com, or find me on Instagram at @101headshots.