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December 13, 2023

Headshot Photography Tips – How to Capture the Perfect Headshot

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!

How to Capture the Perfect Headshot

When it comes to headshot photography, capturing your best self requires teamwork between you and your photographer. To help you prepare for your headshot session and ensure you get the perfect headshot here are four of my best Headshot Photography Tips.

Headshot Photography Tip #1 – Choose a well-lit location:

The right lighting can make or break a headshot photography session. Opt for a location with ample natural light, like a room with large windows or an outdoor spot on an overcast day. Good lighting will help bring out your best features and create a flattering look.

Headshot Photography Tip #2 – Trust Your Photographer:

Your photographer is there to guide you through poses and expressions that bring out your best self. Listen to their instructions and trust their expertise. Natural and authentic expressions often yield the most appealing headshots.

Headshot Photography Tip #3 – Dress Comfortably and Confidently:

Select clothing that makes you feel comfortable and confident. Solid colors and classic styles work best, as they won’t distract from your face. Avoid busy patterns or logos. When you feel good in what you’re wearing, it will shine through in your photos.

Headshot Photography Tip #4 – Relax and Be Yourself:

Remember that the goal of your headshot session is to capture your genuine self. Relax, be yourself, and trust that your photographer will capture your best angles and expressions.

By following these headshot photography tips, you’ll be well-prepared for your headshot session and increase your chances of getting the perfect headshot that truly reflects your unique personality and style.

Most Recent Headshot Sessions

Take a look at some more of my most recent Headshot Sessions!

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@taraflanneryphotography

My Photographer Gear Guide is linked in my bio if you’re trying to figure out what’s actually worth investing in when you’re first starting out.

Because the truth is—you don’t need everything right away.

When you’re new, it’s easy to feel like you need all the gear… but really, it comes down to a few key pieces.

A solid camera body and a really good lens will take you further than a full bag of equipment you don’t know how to use yet.

If you’re deciding where to spend your money, start there.

A 24–70mm or 70–200mm lens will cover more than you think—and give you the flexibility to shoot a wide range of sessions without overcomplicating things.

Curious—what was the first piece of gear you invested in?

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My Photographer Gear Guide is linked in my bio if you’re trying to figure out what’s actually worth investing in when you’re first starting out.

Because the truth is—you don’t need everything right away.

When you’re new, it’s easy to feel like you need all the gear… but really, it comes down to a few key pieces.

A solid camera body and a really good lens will take you further than a full bag of equipment you don’t know how to use yet.

If you’re deciding where to spend your money, start there.

A 24–70mm or 70–200mm lens will cover more than you think—and give you the flexibility to shoot a wide range of sessions without overcomplicating things.

Curious—what was the first piece of gear you invested in?

One of my favorite things about this session 👇🏻

Every single person showed up in outfits that coordinated with their brand colors—without overdoing it.

Nothing felt forced. Nothing felt too “on brand.” It just worked.

And that’s the difference.

When you’re in a business like coaching, your brand isn’t separate from you… it IS you.

So the way you show up—your colors, your styling, your overall presence—matters more than you think.

When everything feels aligned, the end result is naturally more polished, more cohesive, and honestly… just better.

Not because it’s perfect—but because it feels intentional.

If you’re planning a branding session, start with clarity first—

🌟 What do you want your brand to feel like?

🌟 How do you want to show up?

That’s exactly why I created my Brand Personality Workbook—to help you define that before you ever step in front of the camera.

📥 Grab it through the link in my bio. And while you’re there, go ahead and schedule a FREE consultation with me for a branding session!

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‼️ No clients (or videographers) were harmed in the making of this video 🤣

(For the record—this is very much a joke.)

But if you are a photographer, you know the real challenge isn’t getting someone in front of the camera… it’s knowing how to guide them once they’re there.

Small adjustments = big difference in how confident and natural someone looks.

And having a go-to posing flow makes everything feel easier—for you and your client. (so you don`t resort to violence 😉)

➡️ I put together a Headshot Posing Flow Cheat Sheet to help with exactly that—link in bio.

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A quick look at the people and brands I had the chance to photograph this month 👇🏻

Grateful for every person and team that trusted me to capture this season of their business.

Each session is different, but the goal is always the same—to create images that actually represent you well and support where you’re going next.

If you’ve been thinking about updating your headshot or branding photos, now is a great time to get it scheduled before things get busy later in the year.

📩 You can book your session through the link in my bio.

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Taking team photos that actually look like your team 👇🏻

Clean. Consistent. Professional.

Because when your entire team shows up cohesively across your website, LinkedIn, and marketing… it makes a difference.

It builds trust.
It feels more established.
And it reflects the level your business is operating at today.

If you’re planning a team session, there’s more to it than just picking a date and showing up.

That’s exactly why I created a Corporate Headshot Planner—to help you organize everything ahead of time so your session runs smoothly and your final images feel aligned.

📥 Grab it through the link in my bio and start planning your team’s update.

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This is why good branding photos feel different 👇🏻

A strong session isn’t just about showing up and taking a few pictures.

It’s about direction.
It’s about intention.
It’s about creating images you can actually use across your business.

The end result should feel aligned—like your photos finally match the level you’re operating at now.

But here’s the part most people skip…
Before you ever step in front of the camera, you need clarity on your brand.

✅ What do you want your brand to feel like?
✅ How do you want to show up?

That’s exactly why I created my Brand Personality Workbook—to help you define that first so your photos actually work for you.

📥 Grab it through the link in my bio, then let’s plan your session.

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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.