Does the friendly headshot win? Houston Headshot Photographer

Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) based in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography specializes in corporate headshots.  Does the friendly headshot win?  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your professional headshot today!

Does the friendly headshot win?

Yes, absolutely, the friendly headshot wins every time.  The professional headshot is potentially the most important tool for introducing yourself to new customers, clients, patients, and business partners.  In today’s digital marketplace, your online presence is vitally important.  And with the Covid pandemic, it’s even more important to have a great headshot.  When you use a headshot on your website, marketing materials, and social media, it’s important to be friendly and welcoming.  That’s how people relate to people.  It’s the psychology of making a connection with another human being.  If you appear friendly and welcoming in your headshot, that connection is made more easily and with more confidence.  I’ve always promoted the friendly headshot with only slight variations for a subject’s industry and role.  However, even in this article from FindLaw, lawyers should remain friendly.

Stern or friendly? Go with friendly, hands down. Smile, at least a little bit. A forbidding look might communicate authority, but to a non-lawyer, it also says “I will talk down to you.”

Similarly, an article from the University of Washington, confirms that we should be smiling in our headshots.

Your job: Look approachable. Time after time, I notice this as a key common denominator separating good profile shots from bad ones.

So, the bottom line is smile for your headshot.  Go ahead and practice in the mirror a few times before your headshot session and you’ll be ready to greet your newest connections!

Headshot Examples

The latest from the smiling headshot galleries…

Does the friendly headshot win?outdoor environmental headshot for magazineprofessional headshot friendly professional headshot

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

- INSTAGRAM -

@taraflanneryphotography

Here's the truth: feeling awkward on camera isn't about you—it's about not knowing what to do with yourself.

Most professionals freeze up because they're thinking about how they look instead of what they're communicating. That self-consciousness? It shows up in every frame.

Here's what actually works:
✅ Give yourself something to do with your hands (gesture naturally, hold something meaningful) 
✅ Think about your MESSAGE, not your appearance 
✅ Remember: confidence comes from preparation, not perfection 

When you show up prepared and focused on serving your audience, that natural confidence comes through. And that's what builds credibility and connection.

Need professional imagery that actually represents the confident leader you are? 

Let's talk about creating headshots and brand content that work as hard as you do.

#CameraConfidence #ProfessionalHeadshots #PersonalBranding #HoustonPhotographer #ExecutivePresence #BrandPhotography #CorporateHeadshots
Exciting update for 2025: I’m now using Headshot Tools to make your team headshots even smoother!

Here's the truth: The hardest part of team headshots isn't the photography—it's the chaos that comes after.

Tracking who chose which image. Chasing down approvals. Keeping everyone organized.

This year, I've integrated a system that eliminates all of that:

✨ Private proof galleries for each team member
📸 They choose their favorite on their own time
✅ I see selections instantly and deliver retouched images back to their gallery

No group emails. No confusion. No chasing people down.

When you bring me to your next corporate event, your team gets professional headshots without the coordination nightmare.

Ready to simplify your team's headshot experience? Lets Talk. 

#CorporateHeadshots #ProfessionalHeadshots #TeamHeadshots #BusinessHeadshots #HeadshotSession
Want flawless, consistent headshots every single time? Here's the secret 👇🏻

The right equipment and settings.

When you're starting out, headshot photography can feel inconsistent—great results one session, frustrating the next.

Here's what I've learned: Consistency isn't about luck. It's about dialing in your setup.

✅ The right lens and focal length
✅ Lighting that flatters every face
✅ Camera settings you can replicate
✅ A process that works under pressure

When you nail these fundamentals, you stop second-guessing yourself. Your clients get professional results every time. And you build a reputation for quality they can count on.

Starting or refining your headshot photography? 

Drop your questions in the comments—let's talk through what's working (or what's not) in your setup.

#CorporateHeadshots #ProfessionalHeadshots #HeadshotPhotography #TheWoodlandsTX
Here's the truth ⬇️ 

Coordinating headshots for conference attendees shouldn't fall on your already-overloaded admin team.

If you're planning a conference with attendees flying in from all over, here's what happens when you add a professional headshot station to your event:

✅ Zero scheduling coordination (no calendar nightmare)
✅ Professional headshots captured on-site during the event
✅ Automatic delivery via link—no manual file sending
✅ Optional email capture for your database (bonus networking intel)
✅ Literally zero admin work for your team

The software handles everything. Your attendees get professional headshots. You get organized delivery and optional email data. Your admin team gets their sanity back.

Ready to eliminate headshot coordination from your event planning checklist?

👉🏻 Let's talk logistics. Shoot me a DM!

#CorporateEvents #EventPlanning #CorporateHeadshots #HeadshotPhotographer #CorporateBranding
Let me walk you through a corporate event headshot session 👇🏻

I set up a professional headshot station right at your event—guests funnel in and out in minutes, and here's the magic:

✨ Quick, guided posing (I'll tell you exactly what to do—no awkward guessing) 
✨ Instant proof gallery so you can choose your favorite on the spot 
✨ Polished, professional edits delivered fast 
✨ Cohesive headshots for the whole team (perfect for company websites, LinkedIn, you name it)

The best part? You don't have to schedule separate sessions, travel anywhere, or stress about what to wear. You show up, I guide you through it, and you leave with a headshot that actually represents you well.

No stiff corporate vibes. No feeling lost in front of the camera. Just efficient, professional, and dare I say... kinda fun? 😄

Corporate event headshots = convenience + quality + personality. If your company is planning an event and wants to give your team this experience, let's talk.

#corporateevents #eventphotography #corproateheadshots
Here's the truth 👇🏻

Your headshot has an expiration date. ⏰

If your current headshot is more than three years old, it's time for a refresh.

When someone looks you up before a meeting or collaboration, they're forming their first impression. If your headshot doesn't match who shows up on the Zoom call, it creates an immediate disconnect.

Your headshot should reflect who you are RIGHT NOW. Your current energy. Your current confidence. Your current professional presence. 

✨ THE 3-YEAR RULE:
Update your headshot every 2-3 years, or sooner if you've had a significant change in appearance, role, or brand positioning.

💡 PRO TIP:
If you're hesitant because you don't love being photographed, that's exactly why the right photographer matters. Your session should feel empowering, not vulnerable.

You are worthy of being seen exactly as you are right now. Let's create headshots that feel authentic and work hard for your business.

Ready to update your professional presence? Link in bio to book your session. 📸

#headshotphotography #professionalheadshots #corporateheadshots

- STAY IN TOUCH -

Serving the Greater Houston, Texas Area

tara@taraflannery.com

713-412-5437

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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.