Facebook logo
Instagram logo
Pinterest logo
Linked In logo
Tara Flannery Photography logo
Business Headshots
Actor/Model Headshots
Branding
Family Portraits
Senior Portraits
Book a free
consultation
HOMEtake me home
all the latestBLOG
get to know meABOUT
get in touchContact
1:1 MentoringPHOTOGRAPHERS

5 Ways to Look More Relaxed in Headshots | Houston Headshot Photographer

Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP)  and Craftsman based in Houston, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography specializes in headshots and can give you 5 ways to look more relaxed in headshots.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your professional headshot today!

5 Ways to Look More Relaxed in Headshots

You can have the best headshot photographer money can buy, but if you don’t look relatable and engaging in your photos, they’re not going to have the effect you are hoping for.

When you’re relaxed before and during a headshot photo session, it’s easier for your personality and professionalism to shine through.

Here are a few things you can try to make your upcoming headshot session worthwhile.

  1. Relax before your shoot. Whether you want to run a bath or put on your favorite playlist, do something before your headshot session that will put you in the right headspace. You can even ask your photographer whether you can bring your playlist along with you.
  2. Engage with your photographer. You should already have an idea of what your photographer is like prior to your session. However, it can also help to ask them a few questions before your session begins to help you feel even more comfortable with them.
  3. Don’t freeze. Your headshots are meant to tell a story so don’t feel like you have to freeze for several seconds as you wait for the camera to click. Move your head and shoulders and try out different poses as and when they feel right – your photographer will do the rest. And most importantly, don’t forget to breathe. Holding your breath will make you feel more anxious, which will show through in your photos.
  4. Think about your character. Because you want your headshots to reflect your character, it helps to repeat things out loud or in your mind that speak to your character. For example, if your trustworthiness is one of your best traits, you could say something like “I trust you” to emulate the feeling of a client or employer trusting you.
  5. Dress accordingly. Your headshot session is not the time to try a new outfit or hairstyle. You want to look and feel good, but you want to be comfortable too. This will help you feel more confident and relaxed for your photos.

There you have it – 5 basic tips that will help you have a more positive headshot experience. Don’t forget to have fun! Your photographer knows what they are doing.

Examples of Relaxed Headshots

Samantha is a realtor and we had a blast with her branding session!  Her husband came with us and he made her laugh, which is always a great way to relax during your session.  I absolutely adore the comfortable, warm nature of her branding images.  Chad and I also had a great branding session.  His wife came along and she was a huge help too!  Couples can usually interact and create a relaxed atmosphere that shines through in photos.

Realtor Branding PhotosHeadshots and Branding for RealtorsBranding photos

5 Ways to Look More Relaxed in HeadshotsMan's branding headshot branding images portfoliobusiness professional meetingbusiness professional branding casual relaxed

Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP)  and Craftsman based in Houston, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography specializes in headshots and can give you 5 ways to look more relaxed in headshots.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your professional headshot today!

- INSTAGRAM -

@taraflanneryphotography

A little bit of flash can go a LONG way outdoors. 📸

When I’m photographing families or seniors outside, I’m not trying to overpower the natural light or make the photo look like it was taken with flash.

I just want a little extra light to soften those shadows, even out skin tones, and give me a more polished final image.

The key? Keep it subtle.

Your flash should work with the natural light—not fight against it. When you get that balance right, you still get the beautiful look of an outdoor session, just with a little more control over your subject’s lighting.

If you’re a newer photographer, start experimenting with adding a small amount of off-camera flash to your outdoor sessions. You might be surprised by how much of a difference it makes!

📸 And if you’re building your photography skills, I have free resources on lighting, gear, posing, and more available through the link in my bio.

53 2
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18130059538764645
A little bit of flash can go a LONG way outdoors. 📸 When I’m photographing families or seniors outside, I’m not trying to overpower the natural light or make the photo look like it was taken with flash. I just want a little extra light to soften those shadows, even out skin tones, and give me a more polished final image. The key? Keep it subtle. Your flash should work with the natural light—not fight against it. When you get that balance right, you still get the beautiful look of an outdoor session, just with a little more control over your subject’s lighting. If you’re a newer photographer, start experimenting with adding a small amount of off-camera flash to your outdoor sessions. You might be surprised by how much of a difference it makes! 📸 And if you’re building your photography skills, I have free resources on lighting, gear, posing, and more available through the link in my bio.

The goal is to coordinate—not match. 👏🏻

Planning outfits for the whole family can easily become the most stressful part of family photos, so here’s my favorite way to simplify it:

Start with one person’s outfit (Mom, I’m looking at you 😉) and build everyone else around it.

Choose a color palette that works well with your location. For an outdoor session, earthy greens, browns, blues, creams, and other natural tones photograph beautifully.

Then add some variety! Mix different shades of denim, layer jackets or sweaters, and incorporate different fabrics and textures. Everyone should look like they belong together without looking like you bought the same outfit in five different sizes. 😂

And most importantly, choose clothes that actually feel like your family. You’ll be much more comfortable in front of the camera—and it’ll show in your photos.

And don`t forget, my weekend family session dates are filling up fast! 👇🏻

October 10th & 17th
November 8th & 15th

📸 Need a little more help planning your session? My free Family Session Welcome Guide covers wardrobe, locations, preparing for your session, and more. Grab it through the link in my bio!

8 1
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 17954187546289592
The goal is to coordinate—not match. 👏🏻 Planning outfits for the whole family can easily become the most stressful part of family photos, so here’s my favorite way to simplify it: Start with one person’s outfit (Mom, I’m looking at you 😉) and build everyone else around it. Choose a color palette that works well with your location. For an outdoor session, earthy greens, browns, blues, creams, and other natural tones photograph beautifully. Then add some variety! Mix different shades of denim, layer jackets or sweaters, and incorporate different fabrics and textures. Everyone should look like they belong together without looking like you bought the same outfit in five different sizes. 😂 And most importantly, choose clothes that actually feel like your family. You’ll be much more comfortable in front of the camera—and it’ll show in your photos. And don't forget, my weekend family session dates are filling up fast! 👇🏻 October 10th & 17th November 8th & 15th 📸 Need a little more help planning your session? My free Family Session Welcome Guide covers wardrobe, locations, preparing for your session, and more. Grab it through the link in my bio!

Photographers: the secret to family sessions with little kids? Stop expecting them to follow the plan. 😂📸

Young kids are going to move. They’re going to get distracted. They may decide halfway through that they’re completely DONE with your ideas—and that’s okay.

Instead of fighting it, work with it.

Keep them moving and engaged. Give them something to do instead of constantly asking them to smile. And don’t forget to coach Mom and Dad, too! Encourage them to interact with their kids, keep looking at you when you need the classic family shot, and trust you to get the moment.

Because some of the best images happen in between the poses—the laughs, cuddles, movement, and little expressions you couldn’t have planned if you tried.

You don’t need perfectly behaved kids to create beautiful family portraits. You need patience, flexibility, and a few tricks ready when your original plan goes out the window. 😉

📸 If you’re growing your photography business, I have free resources covering everything from gear and lighting to posing and more. Check them out through the link in my bio!

5 0
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 17908907229552968
Photographers: the secret to family sessions with little kids? Stop expecting them to follow the plan. 😂📸 Young kids are going to move. They’re going to get distracted. They may decide halfway through that they’re completely DONE with your ideas—and that’s okay. Instead of fighting it, work with it. Keep them moving and engaged. Give them something to do instead of constantly asking them to smile. And don’t forget to coach Mom and Dad, too! Encourage them to interact with their kids, keep looking at you when you need the classic family shot, and trust you to get the moment. Because some of the best images happen in between the poses—the laughs, cuddles, movement, and little expressions you couldn’t have planned if you tried. You don’t need perfectly behaved kids to create beautiful family portraits. You need patience, flexibility, and a few tricks ready when your original plan goes out the window. 😉 📸 If you’re growing your photography business, I have free resources covering everything from gear and lighting to posing and more. Check them out through the link in my bio!

Standing out professionally matters more than ever—especially when you’re competing for someone’s attention before you ever get the chance to meet them.

Your LinkedIn profile, company bio, website, or online portfolio may be someone’s very first introduction to you. And while your experience and qualifications are what really matter, the way you present yourself can help shape that first impression.

That’s where a great professional headshot comes in. 📸

A current, polished photo helps you look confident, approachable, and intentional about how you show up professionally. And in a tough job market, those little details matter.

If your current headshot is several years old, doesn’t really look like you anymore, or is still a cropped photo from your camera roll…it might be time. 😉

Let’s create a headshot that actually represents the professional you are today.

📸 Book your headshot session through the link in my bio.

11 0
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18499470895099554
Standing out professionally matters more than ever—especially when you’re competing for someone’s attention before you ever get the chance to meet them. Your LinkedIn profile, company bio, website, or online portfolio may be someone’s very first introduction to you. And while your experience and qualifications are what really matter, the way you present yourself can help shape that first impression. That’s where a great professional headshot comes in. 📸 A current, polished photo helps you look confident, approachable, and intentional about how you show up professionally. And in a tough job market, those little details matter. If your current headshot is several years old, doesn’t really look like you anymore, or is still a cropped photo from your camera roll…it might be time. 😉 Let’s create a headshot that actually represents the professional you are today. 📸 Book your headshot session through the link in my bio.

I think family photos mean something a little different to me now. 🤍

For years, I was the mom hanging new portraits on the walls while my kids were still living at home. Then came senior portraits, graduations, and eventually watching both of them head off to start their own next chapters.

Now that my youngest is off at college, the house is a whole lot quieter.

But everywhere I look, there they are.

On the walls. In frames. In albums. All of these different versions of our family and my kids at ages I can’t go back to.

And maybe that’s why I feel so strongly about family portraits.

When you’re in the middle of raising your kids, it’s easy to think there will always be another year. Another fall. Another chance to schedule the photos.

There probably will be.

But they’ll never be exactly this age again.

Take the photos. Print them. Put them on your walls. Let your home fill up with the people you love.

Someday, you’ll be really glad you did. 🤍

📸 I still have a few weekend dates available for fall family portraits. If you’ve been telling yourself you’ll get around to updating yours, maybe this is your sign.

Head to the link in my bio to reserve your session.

18 2
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18090608813278341
I think family photos mean something a little different to me now. 🤍 For years, I was the mom hanging new portraits on the walls while my kids were still living at home. Then came senior portraits, graduations, and eventually watching both of them head off to start their own next chapters. Now that my youngest is off at college, the house is a whole lot quieter. But everywhere I look, there they are. On the walls. In frames. In albums. All of these different versions of our family and my kids at ages I can’t go back to. And maybe that’s why I feel so strongly about family portraits. When you’re in the middle of raising your kids, it’s easy to think there will always be another year. Another fall. Another chance to schedule the photos. There probably will be. But they’ll never be exactly this age again. Take the photos. Print them. Put them on your walls. Let your home fill up with the people you love. Someday, you’ll be really glad you did. 🤍 📸 I still have a few weekend dates available for fall family portraits. If you’ve been telling yourself you’ll get around to updating yours, maybe this is your sign. Head to the link in my bio to reserve your session.

- STAY IN TOUCH -

Serving the Greater Houston, Texas Area

tara@taraflannery.com

713-412-5437

Facebook logo
Instagram logo
Pinterest logo
Linked In logo

FloDesk FREE STYLE GUIDE

Tara is a member of the Professional Photographers of America PPA.
Tara is a Certified Professional Photographer.
Tara is a member of TPPA Texas Professional Photographer's Association.
Tara has earned her Master of Photography degree.
Tara has earned her Photographic Craftsman certification.
Tara is a member of the Professional Photographers Guild of Houston PPGH.