Group Composites vs. Group Photos: 4 Shocking Misconceptions

Tara Flannery is a  Certified Professional Photographer (CPP), Photographic Craftsman, and Master of Photography based in Houston, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography specializes in corporate headshots.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your professional headshot today!


Group Composites vs. Group Photos

When it comes to corporate team photos, there’s always the question: do we go for a traditional group photo or opt for a group composite? If you’ve never heard of the latter, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Many people still aren’t familiar with the benefits of group composites, and some common misconceptions might steer you away from this modern solution.

As a professional photographer, I’ve worked with countless corporate teams, and I can tell you this: group composites are a game-changer. Not only do they make the entire process smoother, but they also save you time, effort, and money in the long run. In this blog post, I’m breaking down some common misconceptions about group composites versus traditional group photos and explaining why I always recommend composites for corporate teams.

Group Composites for executive leadership team.

Misconception 1: “Group Composites Don’t Look Natural”

This is one of the biggest myths I hear. People tend to think that group composites are just a bunch of poorly Photoshopped individual headshots placed together. The truth? A well-executed group composite looks just as natural (if not better!) than a traditional group photo. With the right lighting, positioning, and editing, each team member looks like they were all photographed in the same room at the same time.

In fact, group composites often allow for even better lighting consistency. With traditional group photos, someone always ends up too far from the light source or blocked by another person’s shadow. Composites allow me to photograph each team member individually, ensuring the lighting is perfect every time.

Misconception 2: “Group Photos Are Faster and Easier”

At first glance, you might think setting up a single group shot would be faster than arranging individual portraits. But here’s the catch: getting the perfect group photo can take forever. Between making sure everyone is posed correctly, the lighting is just right, and no one is blinking, it’s a time-consuming process. Not to mention, coordinating schedules so that your entire team is available at the same time can be a logistical nightmare.

With group composites, I photograph each team member individually, which means we can work around busy schedules. If someone’s out sick or has to leave early, no problem—they can be photographed later and seamlessly added to the composite. This flexibility is a massive time-saver for corporate teams.

Wealth management team smiling for a group photo.

Misconception 3: “Group Composites Are Harder to Set Up”

Actually, the setup for a group composite is much simpler. When doing a traditional group photo, I have to consider every single person in the frame: their height, their position, who’s standing where, etc. It’s a lot of micro-managing! With group composites, I can focus on one person at a time. I pose each team member in the best possible light, and since they’re the only person in the frame, I don’t have to worry about how they’ll look standing next to someone else.

This also means that group composites allow for more creativity. I can adjust each person’s pose and expression individually, ensuring everyone looks their best. Plus, if you want a more modern, non-traditional layout for your team photo, composites make it easy to create that customized look.

Misconception 4: “You Need a Whole New Group Photo if Your Team Changes”

This is one of the biggest reasons I recommend group composites for corporate teams. When your team grows or someone leaves, do you really want to go through the hassle of setting up an entirely new group photo? Probably not. With a group composite, it’s incredibly easy to make updates. If someone leaves, I can simply remove their image from the composite. If someone joins, I can photograph them individually and seamlessly add them in without redoing the entire setup.

This flexibility is priceless for businesses that experience frequent personnel changes. You’ll always have an updated, professional-looking corporate photo without the need for a full reshoot every time.

Composite group company photo.

The Bottom Line: Why I Recommend Group Composites Every Time

In the end, group composites offer more flexibility, efficiency, and customization than traditional group photos. They allow you to avoid the headache of trying to coordinate everyone’s schedules, provide consistent lighting and posing, and make it easy to update your team photo when someone leaves or joins.

For corporate teams, the time saved and the ability to maintain a polished, cohesive look is invaluable. Plus, by photographing each person individually, we can take the time to make sure everyone is happy with their pose, lighting, and expression, resulting in a final image that truly represents your team at its best.

So, if you’re thinking about updating your corporate team photo, consider a group composite. Trust me, once you’ve tried it, you’ll never go back to traditional group photos!

Regular Group Photos

Realtor team smiling for a group photo.

Oil and gas executive leadership and board of directors group photo.

Composite Group Photos

Composite group photo for doctors in lab coats.

Composite group photo for a team of doctors.

Composite group photo for a retina practice.
Houston Headshot Photographer Tara Flannery Photography

Tara Flannery is a  Certified Professional Photographer (CPP), Photographic Craftsman, and Master of Photography based in Houston, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography specializes in corporate headshots.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your professional headshot today!

- INSTAGRAM -

@taraflanneryphotography

His headshot made him more money… and here’s why 👇🏼

When my videographer finally swapped his profile photo for the professional headshot I took, something changed.

✅ More responses to cold DMs
✅ Better leads
✅ Real revenue growth

All from one simple update.

It’s not magic — it’s psychology.

🤝 People do business with people.

They want to see the face behind the brand, connect with a real human, and feel like they can trust who they’re hiring or buying from.

Your headshot is often the first impression you make online. Make sure it actually represents the real you — confident, approachable, and ready for the opportunities you want to attract.

✨ Ready to make the switch?

Contact me for a free consultation and let’s get you a headshot that works.

#businessowners #brandingforbusinesses #professionalheadshots
These 5 photos will completely transform your real estate brand 👇🏼

Whether you’re a solo agent building a personal brand or a growing team trying to stand out in a crowded market—your photos matter.

Because real estate is personal. People want to see who they’re working with and feel like they can trust you.

Here are 5 must-have brand photos I recommend for every real estate professional:

📸 Professional Team or Solo Portraits
Polished but approachable. Whether it’s a team shot or a solo headshot, these are the foundation of your brand.

📸 Cohesive Headshots
A unified look builds brand recognition and creates a stronger first impression—especially across platforms.

📸 Lifestyle Images
Show yourself (or your team) in action: walking a property, chatting with clients, reviewing listings. These help clients picture the experience of working with you.

📸 Detail Shots
From signage to coffee cups and closing folders, detail shots add depth and personality to your brand story.

📸 On-Location Photos
Highlight your market and your vibe—whether it’s downtown, the suburbs, or somewhere in between.

✨ Ready to level up your real estate brand? Contact me and let’s create images that actually work for your business.

📍Serving Houston, The Woodlands, and surrounding areas

#realestatebranding #realestatephotos #photosforrealtors #brandingforrealtors
Let’s be real—getting your photo taken can feel super awkward.
You’re standing in front of a camera, trying to look natural… and it doesn’t always come naturally. That’s where I come in.

My goal isn’t just to take a great headshot—it’s to make sure you feel great while we’re doing it.

🗣 I keep things casual and conversational so you’re not stuck in your head.
🙌🏼 I give real-time encouragement to help you feel supported and at ease.
📲 And I stream your images to an iPad so you can see exactly how things are going—and speak up if something feels off.

Because the best photos don’t happen when you’re perfectly posed.
They happen when you’re relaxed, confident, and feel like yourself.

Ready to finally love your headshot?
Contact me to schedule a session designed to make you feel good and look good. 🤍

#professionalheadshots #howtobeconfidentoncamera #confident #headshottips
What is your headshot or branding saying about you?

Because whether you realize it or not… your image is already telling a story.
The question is — is it the right one?

Your photo is often your first impression: on LinkedIn, your website, your business card, even your email signature. And people will make assumptions based on what they see.

✔️ Does your headshot show confidence and approachability?
✔️ Does it reflect your personality, values, and professionalism?
✔️ Or is it outdated, unclear, or totally misaligned with where you're headed?

Your image should tell your story before you even speak.
Make sure it’s the one you want people to hear.

Let’s capture photos that reflect the real you — with intention, authenticity, and style.

📸 Contact me to schedule your branding or headshot 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.