Peter Hurley
World-renowned headshot photographer known for his signature expression coaching technique
Overview
Peter Hurley is widely regarded as one of the top headshot photographers in the world, having built a global reputation through his innovative approach to expression coaching, his bestselling book 'The Headshot,' and his extensive educational content that has trained thousands of photographers worldwide. Based in New York City with regular shooting schedules in Los Angeles, Hurley has photographed actors, executives, and public figures for over two decades, with a client list that includes Sofia Vergara, Billy Magnussen, and Mikhail Baryshnikov alongside Fortune 500 executives and major agency roster talent. His signature 'Squinch' technique — a slight narrowing of the lower eyelid that conveys confidence and approachability — went viral after being featured on ABC News and was even scripted into a scene on Netflix's 'Orange Is the New Black,' cementing his status as the most publicly recognized headshot photographer in the industry. Hurley founded the Headshot Crew, a global network of associate photographers trained in his methodology, extending his influence far beyond his personal studio. His previous career as a professional model and competitive sailor gives him a unique understanding of what it feels like to be in front of the camera, which informs his empathetic, coaching-driven approach to sessions.
In 2025, Peter Hurley operates studios in both New York City and Los Angeles, working with actors, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and public figures who want headshots that project confidence, approachability, and professional authority. His approach is fundamentally different from most headshot photographers in that the photography itself is secondary to the coaching — Hurley spends the majority of each session directing, coaching, and drawing out authentic expressions from his subjects using proprietary techniques developed over decades. The results are headshots that consistently convey the subject's best qualities without appearing posed or artificial. Hurley's educational empire — including his book 'The Headshot,' extensive CreativeLive courses, Fstoppers video tutorials (over 10 hours of content), and Headshot Intensive workshops — has made him the most influential figure in headshot photography education, and his techniques have become industry standard practices adopted by photographers worldwide. For actors, a Peter Hurley headshot is a statement investment that signals seriousness about your career and provides images with the confidence and clarity that casting directors and agents consistently respond to.
How It Works
Booking a session with Peter Hurley begins with contacting his studio through peterhurley.com to check availability and discuss session options. Due to his shooting schedule across New York and Los Angeles, availability can be limited and advance booking is recommended, particularly during peak headshot season (late summer and early fall when actors update their materials). Sessions are conducted in his professionally equipped studios with controlled lighting environments optimized for his specific photographic approach. The session experience itself is intensely interactive — Hurley provides continuous direction and real-time coaching throughout the shoot, adjusting your expression, jaw position, eye engagement, and energy level with specific, actionable instructions rather than vague encouragement. This coaching-intensive approach means that even actors who are uncomfortable in front of the camera typically produce excellent results, as Hurley's direction takes the guesswork out of what to do with your face and body. Sessions include multiple look changes and wardrobe options to provide variety for different submission categories.
The Peter Hurley session experience is unlike any other headshot shoot because the photographer functions primarily as a performance coach rather than a camera operator. Hurley's proprietary expression coaching techniques — including the Squinch, the Squinch Smile, and jaw positioning methods — provide specific, teachable adjustments that produce measurably more confident and engaging images. Rather than asking actors to 'look natural' or 'think of something happy' (the vague direction most photographers offer), Hurley gives precise physical instructions: 'bring your lower eyelid up slightly,' 'push your forehead toward me,' 'drop your jaw one millimeter' — these micro-adjustments create dramatic differences in how the final image reads. The coaching continues in real time as images appear on a tethered monitor, allowing both photographer and subject to see immediately how adjustments translate to the final photograph. This feedback loop accelerates the process and ensures that both parties agree on the strongest images before the session ends. Hurley's lighting setups are refined to complement his coaching approach, creating consistent, flattering illumination that reveals facial structure without harsh shadows.
Who Uses It
Peter Hurley's client base spans the highest levels of the entertainment industry, corporate America, and public life. Actors at major agencies including CAA, WME, and UTA have been photographed by Hurley, alongside working actors at every career level who recognize the value of investing in the best possible headshot. Corporate clients include executives at Fortune 500 companies, tech startups, law firms, and financial institutions. His work has been featured in major publications and his teaching has influenced an entire generation of headshot photographers through the Headshot Crew network. For actors, the primary audience for Hurley's services includes established professionals updating their materials at a premium level, actors who have reached a career milestone that warrants a significant headshot investment, and performers who struggle with traditional photo sessions and benefit from his coaching-intensive approach that takes the pressure off the subject.
Pricing & Plans
Peter Hurley's sessions are priced at the premium end of the headshot market, starting at approximately $1,500 and ranging up to $3,000 or more depending on the session package, number of final retouched images, and specific requirements. The pricing reflects his position as the most recognized and in-demand headshot photographer in the industry and includes the intensive coaching experience that distinguishes his sessions from standard photography appointments. Compared to mid-range LA headshot photographers ($350 to $600 per session), Hurley's pricing represents a three-to-five-times premium, which is justified for actors who have the budget and who want the highest-quality images with the most effective coaching experience available. The Headshot Crew network of associate photographers trained in Hurley's methodology offers a more affordable alternative — these photographers use Hurley's techniques and approach at significantly lower price points, typically in the $400 to $800 range, and can be found through the Headshot Crew website. For actors on a limited budget, the Headshot Crew option provides many of the benefits of the Hurley approach without the premium pricing.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
Peter Hurley's greatest strength is the coaching methodology that transforms the headshot session from a passive photography experience into an active performance coaching session that produces measurably better results. The Squinch and related techniques are not gimmicks — they are physiologically grounded adjustments that genuinely change how the human face reads on camera, and Hurley's ability to teach these adjustments in real time produces images that project confidence and approachability regardless of the subject's comfort level with cameras. The dual New York and Los Angeles studio presence makes him accessible to actors in both major markets. The tethered shooting with immediate feedback creates a collaborative process where actors can see and understand what is working. His extensive educational content means that even actors who cannot afford a session can learn his techniques through his book and video courses. The global recognition of his brand means that a Peter Hurley headshot carries industry credibility before casting directors even look at the image itself.
What Could Be Better
The primary limitation of Peter Hurley is the premium pricing that puts his services out of reach for the majority of working actors, particularly early-career performers who are still building their income. At $1,500 to $3,000 per session, the investment is difficult to justify for actors who need to update their headshots frequently as their look, type, or career trajectory changes. The high-demand scheduling can make availability challenging, particularly in Los Angeles where his presence is periodic rather than permanent. While the coaching approach is highly effective for producing confident, professional expressions, some actors find the intensive direction constraining — performers who have developed their own sense of how they want to present on camera may prefer a more collaborative photographer who follows their lead rather than directing the session. The brand recognition, while generally positive, can also create a standardized 'Hurley look' that some casting professionals recognize as formula rather than authentic individuality. The Headshot Crew associate photographers, while trained in his methods, vary in skill level and do not deliver the same experience as shooting with Hurley personally.
Our Recommendation
Peter Hurley is the right choice for actors who can afford a premium investment and who want the gold standard of headshot photography with intensive coaching that produces images of exceptional clarity and confidence. If you are an established working actor with the budget, or if you are making a significant career move (relocating to LA or New York, signing with a new agency, transitioning from theatre to screen) that warrants the best possible headshot, Hurley delivers consistently at the highest level. If you are on a budget, explore the Headshot Crew directory for a photographer in your market trained in his methods — you will get many of the same benefits at a fraction of the cost. If you prefer a more collaborative, less directed session where you bring your own creative vision, other photographers on this list may be a better fit. Read his book 'The Headshot' regardless of whether you shoot with him — the expression coaching techniques are valuable for self-tapes, on-camera auditions, and any situation where you need to project confidence through a lens.
Pro Tips
Read Hurley's book 'The Headshot' and watch his free YouTube content before your session — understanding his techniques in advance means you can apply them immediately during the shoot rather than learning them from scratch, which maximizes the value of your expensive session time. Practice the Squinch in a mirror before shooting — bring your lower eyelid up slightly while keeping your upper face relaxed, and notice how it changes the energy your face projects. Bring at least four wardrobe options in solid colors that complement your skin tone — Hurley's coaching optimizes your expression, but your wardrobe and grooming still matter significantly. If you cannot afford Hurley directly, search the Headshot Crew directory at headshotcrew.com for certified photographers in your market — these photographers have been personally trained in Hurley's methodology and often deliver excellent results at $400 to $800. Book your session during Hurley's LA visits if you are a West Coast actor — availability fills quickly, so monitor his website and social media for announcement of upcoming LA shooting dates.