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Headshots Background Choices | 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 and can recommend headshot background choices.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your professional headshot today!

Headshot Background Choices

The background used for a headshot can set the tone for the headshot itself.  When clients inquire about a headshot session, I like to walk through the options of background and setting with them.  For me, there are three main options for a headshot backdrop.  First is the studio setup.  The studio look with backdrop and studio lighting is easily repeatable, consistent, and professional.  This look is great when you have a larger number of people who need headshots.  It’s also the perfect option for a standard business headshot.  Another option is a hybrid of the studio look with natural light.  In my studio, we have the option of using natural light with backgrounds.  This creates a softer, casual yet still professional look.  The final option is an environmental headshot.  Using the office or other commercial setting, we use the space itself as the background.  This is a great modern option for the headshot background.  The environmental headshot is becoming very popular for all industries.  This look gives a little bit more information about you by including surroundings in the headshot image.

Headshots for Ashley

We decided on a clean white background for Ashley’s new headshot.  This background is perfect for social media sites like LinkedIn where the image is not cluttered by a dark background.  A white background is also a great choice for websites that are mainly white.  Instead of your eye catching the dark background, your attention focuses on the person.  That is the intention of a headshot in the first place!

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.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your professional headshot today!

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@taraflanneryphotography

Shooting outdoors doesn’t always mean “perfect lighting.” 👇🏻

One of the biggest challenges with natural light is inconsistency—
skin tones can shift depending on shade, surroundings, and even reflections (hello green grass 👀).

That’s why I use off-camera flash, even outside.

It helps create:
✅ consistent skin tones
✅ balanced lighting
✅ a cleaner, more polished final image

So instead of guessing what the light is doing…
I’m controlling it.

📥 If you’re a photographer trying to figure out lighting + gear, I’ve put together a guide with the setups I actually use—link in bio.

83 1
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18598237504019822
Shooting outdoors doesn’t always mean “perfect lighting.” 👇🏻 One of the biggest challenges with natural light is inconsistency— skin tones can shift depending on shade, surroundings, and even reflections (hello green grass 👀). That’s why I use off-camera flash, even outside. It helps create: ✅ consistent skin tones ✅ balanced lighting ✅ a cleaner, more polished final image So instead of guessing what the light is doing… I’m controlling it. 📥 If you’re a photographer trying to figure out lighting + gear, I’ve put together a guide with the setups I actually use—link in bio.

What it looks like behind the camera… vs. what you get 👇🏻

Different sessions, different people, different goals—
but always the same focus: helping you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.

Headshots, branding, families, seniors, and more… it all comes back to capturing people in a way that actually feels like them.

✨ If you’re ready to start planning your session, you can click the link in my bio.

22 2
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 17967967670930278
What it looks like behind the camera… vs. what you get 👇🏻 Different sessions, different people, different goals— but always the same focus: helping you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. Headshots, branding, families, seniors, and more… it all comes back to capturing people in a way that actually feels like them. ✨ If you’re ready to start planning your session, you can click the link in my bio.

You don’t need the most expensive gear to be a good photographer.

When I first started, I thought I needed everything—top-tier camera, expensive lighting, all of it.

The reality?

A solid camera and a good lens will take you a long way.

If you’re just starting out, keep it simple:
✨ A versatile zoom lens (24–70mm or 70–200mm)
✨ Gear you can rely on and learn inside and out

And when it comes to lighting—especially outdoors—don’t overinvest too early.

Wind happens. Gear gets knocked over. Things break.

Light is light.

Focus on learning how to use what you have before worrying about upgrading everything.

📥 I’ve put together resources for new photographers covering gear, lighting, posing, and more—click the link in my bio!

233 19
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18447093919114110
You don’t need the most expensive gear to be a good photographer. When I first started, I thought I needed everything—top-tier camera, expensive lighting, all of it. The reality? A solid camera and a good lens will take you a long way. If you’re just starting out, keep it simple: ✨ A versatile zoom lens (24–70mm or 70–200mm) ✨ Gear you can rely on and learn inside and out And when it comes to lighting—especially outdoors—don’t overinvest too early. Wind happens. Gear gets knocked over. Things break. Light is light. Focus on learning how to use what you have before worrying about upgrading everything. 📥 I’ve put together resources for new photographers covering gear, lighting, posing, and more—click the link in my bio!

Most men think they don’t know how to pose for a headshot…

but it’s not about knowing poses.

It’s about a few simple adjustments that make you look confident and natural on camera.

A couple go-to options (like the classic “GQ” stance, arms crossed, or a relaxed lean) can completely change how you show up.

And the rest? That’s what I guide you through.

📥 If you’re also not sure what to wear, I’ve got you covered—grab my Men’s Style Guide for Headshots through the link in my bio.

📩 Ready for updated headshots? You can book through the link as well.

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Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18150959422488806
Most men think they don’t know how to pose for a headshot… but it’s not about knowing poses. It’s about a few simple adjustments that make you look confident and natural on camera. A couple go-to options (like the classic “GQ” stance, arms crossed, or a relaxed lean) can completely change how you show up. And the rest? That’s what I guide you through. 📥 If you’re also not sure what to wear, I’ve got you covered—grab my Men’s Style Guide for Headshots through the link in my bio. 📩 Ready for updated headshots? You can book through the link as well.

If you’re just getting started in photography… don’t worry about finding your niche right away.

When I first started, I photographed everything—weddings, babies, families, headshots, corporate… if someone needed photos, I was there.

And that’s how you figure it out.

You don’t find your niche by waiting—you find it by doing the work, learning what you like, and getting better with every session.

Every type of shoot teaches you something different.
Every client builds your experience.

Over time, you start to see what actually fits you—and that’s where your expertise comes from.

📥 If you’re in that phase right now, I’ve put together resources to help—covering lighting, gear, posing, and more.

✨ Grab them through the link in my bio!

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Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18099966404019088
If you’re just getting started in photography… don’t worry about finding your niche right away. When I first started, I photographed everything—weddings, babies, families, headshots, corporate… if someone needed photos, I was there. And that’s how you figure it out. You don’t find your niche by waiting—you find it by doing the work, learning what you like, and getting better with every session. Every type of shoot teaches you something different. Every client builds your experience. Over time, you start to see what actually fits you—and that’s where your expertise comes from. 📥 If you’re in that phase right now, I’ve put together resources to help—covering lighting, gear, posing, and more. ✨ Grab them through the link in my bio!

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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.