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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

A little bit of flash can go a LONG way outdoors. 📸

When I’m photographing families or seniors outside, I’m not trying to overpower the natural light or make the photo look like it was taken with flash.

I just want a little extra light to soften those shadows, even out skin tones, and give me a more polished final image.

The key? Keep it subtle.

Your flash should work with the natural light—not fight against it. When you get that balance right, you still get the beautiful look of an outdoor session, just with a little more control over your subject’s lighting.

If you’re a newer photographer, start experimenting with adding a small amount of off-camera flash to your outdoor sessions. You might be surprised by how much of a difference it makes!

📸 And if you’re building your photography skills, I have free resources on lighting, gear, posing, and more available through the link in my bio.

53 2

Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18130059538764645

A little bit of flash can go a LONG way outdoors. 📸

When I’m photographing families or seniors outside, I’m not trying to overpower the natural light or make the photo look like it was taken with flash.

I just want a little extra light to soften those shadows, even out skin tones, and give me a more polished final image.

The key? Keep it subtle.

Your flash should work with the natural light—not fight against it. When you get that balance right, you still get the beautiful look of an outdoor session, just with a little more control over your subject’s lighting.

If you’re a newer photographer, start experimenting with adding a small amount of off-camera flash to your outdoor sessions. You might be surprised by how much of a difference it makes!

📸 And if you’re building your photography skills, I have free resources on lighting, gear, posing, and more available through the link in my bio.

The goal is to coordinate—not match. 👏🏻

Planning outfits for the whole family can easily become the most stressful part of family photos, so here’s my favorite way to simplify it:

Start with one person’s outfit (Mom, I’m looking at you 😉) and build everyone else around it.

Choose a color palette that works well with your location. For an outdoor session, earthy greens, browns, blues, creams, and other natural tones photograph beautifully.

Then add some variety! Mix different shades of denim, layer jackets or sweaters, and incorporate different fabrics and textures. Everyone should look like they belong together without looking like you bought the same outfit in five different sizes. 😂

And most importantly, choose clothes that actually feel like your family. You’ll be much more comfortable in front of the camera—and it’ll show in your photos.

And don`t forget, my weekend family session dates are filling up fast! 👇🏻

October 10th & 17th
November 8th & 15th

📸 Need a little more help planning your session? My free Family Session Welcome Guide covers wardrobe, locations, preparing for your session, and more. Grab it through the link in my bio!

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Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 17954187546289592

The goal is to coordinate—not match. 👏🏻

Planning outfits for the whole family can easily become the most stressful part of family photos, so here’s my favorite way to simplify it:

Start with one person’s outfit (Mom, I’m looking at you 😉) and build everyone else around it.

Choose a color palette that works well with your location. For an outdoor session, earthy greens, browns, blues, creams, and other natural tones photograph beautifully.

Then add some variety! Mix different shades of denim, layer jackets or sweaters, and incorporate different fabrics and textures. Everyone should look like they belong together without looking like you bought the same outfit in five different sizes. 😂

And most importantly, choose clothes that actually feel like your family. You’ll be much more comfortable in front of the camera—and it’ll show in your photos.

And don't forget, my weekend family session dates are filling up fast! 👇🏻

October 10th & 17th
November 8th & 15th

📸 Need a little more help planning your session? My free Family Session Welcome Guide covers wardrobe, locations, preparing for your session, and more. Grab it through the link in my bio!

The best family photos aren’t always the perfectly posed ones. 🤍

Of course, we’re going to get that classic photo where everyone is together, looking at the camera, and smiling. But that’s only one small part of a family session.

We’ll get the whole family together. Just the kids. Mom and Dad. Each parent with the kids. And plenty of different combinations along the way.

But we’ll also make room for the in-between moments.

The silly faces. The big laughs. The cuddles. The kids being kids. The moments when everyone forgets about the camera for a second and is simply enjoying being together.

I’ll guide you into poses and give you direction throughout your session, but we’re not chasing perfection. Sometimes a pose is just the starting point—and what happens immediately after it ends up being the photo you love most.

Because years from now, you won’t only want to remember what everyone looked like.

You’ll want to remember what being together felt like. 🤍

📸 Ready to update your family portraits? I still have a few fall weekend dates available! Head to the link in my bio to reserve your session.

10 0

Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 17965858836213735

The best family photos aren’t always the perfectly posed ones. 🤍

Of course, we’re going to get that classic photo where everyone is together, looking at the camera, and smiling. But that’s only one small part of a family session.

We’ll get the whole family together. Just the kids. Mom and Dad. Each parent with the kids. And plenty of different combinations along the way.

But we’ll also make room for the in-between moments.

The silly faces. The big laughs. The cuddles. The kids being kids. The moments when everyone forgets about the camera for a second and is simply enjoying being together.

I’ll guide you into poses and give you direction throughout your session, but we’re not chasing perfection. Sometimes a pose is just the starting point—and what happens immediately after it ends up being the photo you love most.

Because years from now, you won’t only want to remember what everyone looked like.

You’ll want to remember what being together felt like. 🤍

📸 Ready to update your family portraits? I still have a few fall weekend dates available! Head to the link in my bio to reserve your session.

Photographers: the secret to family sessions with little kids? Stop expecting them to follow the plan. 😂📸

Young kids are going to move. They’re going to get distracted. They may decide halfway through that they’re completely DONE with your ideas—and that’s okay.

Instead of fighting it, work with it.

Keep them moving and engaged. Give them something to do instead of constantly asking them to smile. And don’t forget to coach Mom and Dad, too! Encourage them to interact with their kids, keep looking at you when you need the classic family shot, and trust you to get the moment.

Because some of the best images happen in between the poses—the laughs, cuddles, movement, and little expressions you couldn’t have planned if you tried.

You don’t need perfectly behaved kids to create beautiful family portraits. You need patience, flexibility, and a few tricks ready when your original plan goes out the window. 😉

📸 If you’re growing your photography business, I have free resources covering everything from gear and lighting to posing and more. Check them out through the link in my bio!

5 0

Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 17908907229552968

Photographers: the secret to family sessions with little kids? Stop expecting them to follow the plan. 😂📸

Young kids are going to move. They’re going to get distracted. They may decide halfway through that they’re completely DONE with your ideas—and that’s okay.

Instead of fighting it, work with it.

Keep them moving and engaged. Give them something to do instead of constantly asking them to smile. And don’t forget to coach Mom and Dad, too! Encourage them to interact with their kids, keep looking at you when you need the classic family shot, and trust you to get the moment.

Because some of the best images happen in between the poses—the laughs, cuddles, movement, and little expressions you couldn’t have planned if you tried.

You don’t need perfectly behaved kids to create beautiful family portraits. You need patience, flexibility, and a few tricks ready when your original plan goes out the window. 😉

📸 If you’re growing your photography business, I have free resources covering everything from gear and lighting to posing and more. Check them out through the link in my bio!

Standing out professionally matters more than ever—especially when you’re competing for someone’s attention before you ever get the chance to meet them.

Your LinkedIn profile, company bio, website, or online portfolio may be someone’s very first introduction to you. And while your experience and qualifications are what really matter, the way you present yourself can help shape that first impression.

That’s where a great professional headshot comes in. 📸

A current, polished photo helps you look confident, approachable, and intentional about how you show up professionally. And in a tough job market, those little details matter.

If your current headshot is several years old, doesn’t really look like you anymore, or is still a cropped photo from your camera roll…it might be time. 😉

Let’s create a headshot that actually represents the professional you are today.

📸 Book your headshot session through the link in my bio.

11 0

Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18499470895099554

I think family photos mean something a little different to me now. 🤍

For years, I was the mom hanging new portraits on the walls while my kids were still living at home. Then came senior portraits, graduations, and eventually watching both of them head off to start their own next chapters.

Now that my youngest is off at college, the house is a whole lot quieter.

But everywhere I look, there they are.

On the walls. In frames. In albums. All of these different versions of our family and my kids at ages I can’t go back to.

And maybe that’s why I feel so strongly about family portraits.

When you’re in the middle of raising your kids, it’s easy to think there will always be another year. Another fall. Another chance to schedule the photos.

There probably will be.

But they’ll never be exactly this age again.

Take the photos. Print them. Put them on your walls. Let your home fill up with the people you love.

Someday, you’ll be really glad you did. 🤍

📸 I still have a few weekend dates available for fall family portraits. If you’ve been telling yourself you’ll get around to updating yours, maybe this is your sign.

Head to the link in my bio to reserve your session.

18 2

Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18090608813278341

I think family photos mean something a little different to me now. 🤍

For years, I was the mom hanging new portraits on the walls while my kids were still living at home. Then came senior portraits, graduations, and eventually watching both of them head off to start their own next chapters.

Now that my youngest is off at college, the house is a whole lot quieter.

But everywhere I look, there they are.

On the walls. In frames. In albums. All of these different versions of our family and my kids at ages I can’t go back to.

And maybe that’s why I feel so strongly about family portraits.

When you’re in the middle of raising your kids, it’s easy to think there will always be another year. Another fall. Another chance to schedule the photos.

There probably will be.

But they’ll never be exactly this age again.

Take the photos. Print them. Put them on your walls. Let your home fill up with the people you love.

Someday, you’ll be really glad you did. 🤍

📸 I still have a few weekend dates available for fall family portraits. If you’ve been telling yourself you’ll get around to updating yours, maybe this is your sign.

Head to the link in my bio to reserve 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.