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!
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One of the biggest factors in a successful headshot—especially for women—is hair.
Even with great lighting and strong posing, something as simple as how your hair is sitting can completely change the outcome of a photo.
In many cases, one small adjustment to your hair can be the difference between a photo that feels off… and one that looks polished and intentional.
That’s why it’s something I pay close attention to during every session—and why I often show images as we go so we can make those adjustments in real time.
Why Hair Matters So Much in Headshots
Your hair frames your face and plays a big role in how balanced and put-together your overall look feels.
The camera tends to highlight small details—so anything that feels slightly out of place becomes more noticeable in a photo than it might be in real life.
When your hair is sitting well, it enhances your features and helps create a clean, professional look. When it’s not, it can become a distraction.
Length: How It Impacts Your Look
Hair length affects how much attention and adjustment is needed during your session.
Shoulder-Length and Above
Shorter styles tend to hold their shape well and usually require minimal adjustment throughout the session.
The most important thing here is to make sure everything looks the way you want it in the mirror before stepping in front of the camera.
Mid-Length and Longer Hair
Longer hair offers more versatility—but it also requires a bit more intention.
Depending on your hair’s fullness and movement, we’ll often try a few different options:
- Wearing both sides forward
- Pushing one side back to open up your face
- Switching the part or direction slightly for variety
When we push one side back, I like to make sure it falls straight down in the back rather than sweeping across to the other side. This helps avoid gaps or unevenness behind the shoulders.
I’ll also keep an eye on how the back of your hair is sitting and make adjustments as needed. While some of this can be refined in post-production, it’s always best to get it right in-camera.
If your session allows for it, bringing a second option—like a half-up or fully up style—can give you a more everyday, versatile look as well.
Volume: Small Adjustments, Big Impact
Volume plays a big role in how your hair photographs.
If your hair is too flat, it can feel lifeless in photos. If it’s too full or uneven, it can become distracting.
Sometimes all it takes is a quick adjustment—a little lift or smoothing—to create a more balanced look.
Hair Near the Face
The areas closest to your face are some of the most important to pay attention to.
Shorter layers, face-framing pieces, or bangs should be styled in a way that doesn’t fall into your eyes or create uneven gaps.
Even small inconsistencies in this area can stand out in photos, so it’s something I’m always watching closely during a session.
Hair on the Neck and Shoulders
These are two areas that are often overlooked—but make a noticeable difference.
Neck:
I like to keep hair from “hugging” the neck too closely. Smoothing it slightly inward helps create cleaner lines and a more polished look.
Shoulders:
It’s best to avoid hair spreading out across the shoulders. Keeping it intentional—either fully forward or cleanly placed—helps avoid a messy or unstructured appearance.
What About Flyaways?
This is something a lot of clients worry about—but it’s usually not a concern.
Small flyaways or baby hairs are completely normal and can easily be cleaned up in post-production.
If there are larger sections out of place, we’ll fix those during the session—but the small details don’t need to be perfect.
For Clients and Photographers
This is one of those areas where small adjustments go a long way.
For clients, it’s helpful to know that your hair doesn’t need to be perfect—but being aware of how it sits can make a big difference.
For photographers, paying attention to these details and guiding your client through small changes can elevate the final result significantly.
Ready to Feel Confident in Your Headshots?
If you’re preparing for a headshot session, I’ll guide you through every detail—including hair—so you feel confident and look your best.
Click HERE to get started.
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!
