Facebook logo
Instagram logo
Pinterest logo
Linked In logo
Tara Flannery Photography logo
Business Headshots
Actor/Model Headshots
Branding
Family Portraits
Senior Portraits
Book a free
consultation
HOMEtake me home
all the latestBLOG
get to know meABOUT
get in touchContact
1:1 MentoringPHOTOGRAPHERS

Headshot Photography Tips | 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 will help with headshot photography tips as we prepare for the session.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your professional headshot today!

Headshot Photography Tips

Once you have scheduled a headshot session with your photographer, it’s time to think about the session itself and prepare.  Here are a few tips to help with preparation.

  1. Hair, makeup and nails: This one is for the guys too, so don’t check out men!  Ladies, makeup should be natural and similar to what you wear everyday to the office.  Maybe a touch more lips and cheek color would be good and bring powder and lip color to the session for touch-ups.  For hair, make sure it is styled the way you normally style it for a day at the office.  If you always have it pulled up for the office, then come with it down and we’ll try a shot pulled up as well.  Be sure nails are trimmed and nail polish is fresh.  Men, be sure hands and nails look good.  Your hands may not show in the headshot but if they do, it’s best that they look good!
  2. Wardrobe:  Start with what you normally wear to the office.  Stay away from patterns like stripes or other patterned shirts.  Solid colors are best.  And the most important thing about the shirt is the collar and neckline.  Depending on your role and company, you can choose to go more formal (suit jacket) or more casual (polo, button-down, or blouse).  Whatever you choose, make sure that you feel confident in what you’re wearing and make sure that it fits properly (not too big or too small).
  3. Rest: be sure to get rest and drink lots of water before your session.  This will enable you to relax and enjoy the process.  I always talk my headshot clients through the session.  I’ll be giving you directions and we’ll be chatting along the way!
  4. Bring a friend: sometimes it helps to have a friend or spouse with you in the session.  They can make you smile and help you relax for that perfect moment!

With a little bit of preparation and using these headshot photography tips, your headshot session will be smooth and simple.  Hey, you might even enjoy the process!!

Headshots for Jack

Jack’s headshot was outdated and he needed a new one for an upcoming publication.  He came into the studio and we got a number of great headshots.  He chose four final images – some with a bigger smile and some with a more reserved smile.  A smile for a headshot is usually the best expression, unless you’re a lawyer or some other profession that needs to have a stronger tone.  However, sometimes the biggest smiles are not the ones we choose.  As I work with people, I have them start with a smaller smile and then work through to their biggest smile.  This gives us options for the smiles and sometimes the ones in between are the best!

Headshot Photography TipsHeadshot Photography Tips

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

🎓 Planning senior photos? Start with my Senior Session Guide!

I put it together to help you plan your session—from what to wear and what to bring to all the little details that make your photos feel like you. Grab it through the link in my bio!

And one thing I always encourage seniors to think about? Don’t document just one moment of senior year.

So much changes between the beginning of the school year and graduation.

Fall is about who you are right now—your personality, interests, style, sports, hobbies, and everything that made these last four years yours.

By spring, the focus starts shifting toward what’s next—college decisions, future plans, and all the excitement that comes with finishing senior year.

And then comes the cap and gown. 🎓 The final milestone before one chapter officially closes and another begins.

Senior year goes FAST. Take the photos. 🤍

📸 Class of 2027: Grab my Senior Session Guide through the link in my bio and start planning your senior photos!

1 0
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18127290313793441
🎓 Planning senior photos? Start with my Senior Session Guide! I put it together to help you plan your session—from what to wear and what to bring to all the little details that make your photos feel like you. Grab it through the link in my bio! And one thing I always encourage seniors to think about? Don’t document just one moment of senior year. So much changes between the beginning of the school year and graduation. Fall is about who you are right now—your personality, interests, style, sports, hobbies, and everything that made these last four years yours. By spring, the focus starts shifting toward what’s next—college decisions, future plans, and all the excitement that comes with finishing senior year. And then comes the cap and gown. 🎓 The final milestone before one chapter officially closes and another begins. Senior year goes FAST. Take the photos. 🤍 📸 Class of 2027: Grab my Senior Session Guide through the link in my bio and start planning your senior photos!

Great headshot lighting doesn’t need to be complicated—it needs to be intentional. 📸

Where you place your light, how you position your reflector, and understanding what each one is actually doing can be the difference between a headshot that feels fine and one that looks clean, crisp, and polished.

And once you find setups that work? You don’t need to reinvent the wheel at every session.

That consistency is especially important when you’re photographing corporate teams and need every headshot to look cohesive—even when people are photographed at different times.

If you’re a photographer working on your headshot lighting, I put together a FREE guide with 3 Lighting Setups for Flawless Headshots that you can reference when planning your next session.

💡 Grab the guide through the link in my bio and save this reel for the next time you’re setting up your lights!

46 3
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18124994476793619
Great headshot lighting doesn’t need to be complicated—it needs to be intentional. 📸 Where you place your light, how you position your reflector, and understanding what each one is actually doing can be the difference between a headshot that feels fine and one that looks clean, crisp, and polished. And once you find setups that work? You don’t need to reinvent the wheel at every session. That consistency is especially important when you’re photographing corporate teams and need every headshot to look cohesive—even when people are photographed at different times. If you’re a photographer working on your headshot lighting, I put together a FREE guide with 3 Lighting Setups for Flawless Headshots that you can reference when planning your next session. 💡 Grab the guide through the link in my bio and save this reel for the next time you’re setting up your lights!

Your business doesn’t need to be “more established” first.

You don’t need to lose the weight, finish the website, perfect your wardrobe, or wait until you feel 100% ready.

If your current photos no longer reflect the level of business you’re building, that’s reason enough to update them.

A branding session gives you more than a new headshot—it gives you a library of intentional, on-brand images you can actually use across your website, social media, marketing, speaking opportunities, and everything in between.

We’ll plan the looks, the location, the shots you need, and how you’ll use them.

You just have to finally put it on the calendar. 😉

📸 Ready for a refresh? Book your consultation with the link in my bio!

8 0
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18124473211701850
Your business doesn’t need to be “more established” first. You don’t need to lose the weight, finish the website, perfect your wardrobe, or wait until you feel 100% ready. If your current photos no longer reflect the level of business you’re building, that’s reason enough to update them. A branding session gives you more than a new headshot—it gives you a library of intentional, on-brand images you can actually use across your website, social media, marketing, speaking opportunities, and everything in between. We’ll plan the looks, the location, the shots you need, and how you’ll use them. You just have to finally put it on the calendar. 😉 📸 Ready for a refresh? Book your consultation with the link in my bio!

You’re not supposed to know what to do in front of the camera—that’s my job. 🙌🏼

I’ll tell you where to put your hands, how to angle your body, when to shift your weight, where to look, and yes… I’ll probably demonstrate it myself first. 😂

Good posing isn’t about memorizing a bunch of complicated positions. It’s about making small adjustments that help you look confident, approachable, and like yourself.

And if you want a little head start before your next headshot or branding session, I put together a free guide with 5 Power Poses Every Professional Should Know.

These are simple poses you can use for professional photos, speaking engagements, events, or anytime a camera gets pointed your way.

📸 Grab the free guide through the link in my bio—and save this reel as proof that you will never be left standing in front of my camera wondering what to do with your hands. 😂

39 1
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18352023592223405
You’re not supposed to know what to do in front of the camera—that’s my job. 🙌🏼 I’ll tell you where to put your hands, how to angle your body, when to shift your weight, where to look, and yes… I’ll probably demonstrate it myself first. 😂 Good posing isn’t about memorizing a bunch of complicated positions. It’s about making small adjustments that help you look confident, approachable, and like yourself. And if you want a little head start before your next headshot or branding session, I put together a free guide with 5 Power Poses Every Professional Should Know. These are simple poses you can use for professional photos, speaking engagements, events, or anytime a camera gets pointed your way. 📸 Grab the free guide through the link in my bio—and save this reel as proof that you will never be left standing in front of my camera wondering what to do with your hands. 😂

- STAY IN TOUCH -

Serving the Greater Houston, Texas Area

tara@taraflannery.com

713-412-5437

Facebook logo
Instagram logo
Pinterest logo
Linked In logo

FloDesk FREE STYLE GUIDE

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.