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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Jack’s headshot was outdated and he needed a new one for an upcoming publication.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!

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@taraflanneryphotography

A small snapshot of the teams I’ve worked with recently 📸👇🏻

Headshots are one of those things that are easy to put off… until you realize your photos no longer reflect where you are now.

Outdated images, inconsistent team photos, or a mix of styles across platforms can quietly take away from how your brand is perceived.

A headshot refresh doesn’t have to be complicated—it just needs to be intentional.

If your team’s photos haven’t been updated in a while, this is a good time to take a look at what you’re currently using.

📩 If you’re ready for a headshot refresh, you can book a consultation through the link in my bio.

3 0
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 17948665287227148
A small snapshot of the teams I’ve worked with recently 📸👇🏻 Headshots are one of those things that are easy to put off… until you realize your photos no longer reflect where you are now. Outdated images, inconsistent team photos, or a mix of styles across platforms can quietly take away from how your brand is perceived. A headshot refresh doesn’t have to be complicated—it just needs to be intentional. If your team’s photos haven’t been updated in a while, this is a good time to take a look at what you’re currently using. 📩 If you’re ready for a headshot refresh, you can book a consultation through the link in my bio.

Some of my favorite senior photos always include something personal.

Instruments, sports gear, pets, cars—these are the details that make your photos feel like you.

Senior sessions aren’t just about getting a few good pictures—they’re about capturing this season in a way that feels real and meaningful.

And with senior year right around the corner, now is the time to start thinking about it.

Spots tend to fill up quickly once the school year gets going, so planning ahead makes all the difference.

If you’re ready to start planning your senior session, you can book a consultation through the link in my bio.

12 0
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18220900369332453
Some of my favorite senior photos always include something personal. Instruments, sports gear, pets, cars—these are the details that make your photos feel like you. Senior sessions aren’t just about getting a few good pictures—they’re about capturing this season in a way that feels real and meaningful. And with senior year right around the corner, now is the time to start thinking about it. Spots tend to fill up quickly once the school year gets going, so planning ahead makes all the difference. If you’re ready to start planning your senior session, you can book a consultation through the link in my bio.

“Pick something you’d do for free…” It sounds simple—but building a career around it is anything but.

There’s a lot that goes into turning photography into something sustainable—learning your craft, understanding lighting, figuring out your gear, working with clients, and continuing to grow.

But if you’re willing to put in the time, it’s one of the most rewarding things you can do.

If you’re just getting started, I have a few free resources to help you figure out what actually matters (and what doesn’t).

🔗 You can grab them with the link in my bio.

35 1
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 17962580388138281
“Pick something you’d do for free…” It sounds simple—but building a career around it is anything but. There’s a lot that goes into turning photography into something sustainable—learning your craft, understanding lighting, figuring out your gear, working with clients, and continuing to grow. But if you’re willing to put in the time, it’s one of the most rewarding things you can do. If you’re just getting started, I have a few free resources to help you figure out what actually matters (and what doesn’t). 🔗 You can grab them with the link in my bio.

At the end of the day, it’s not about the title—it’s about what the photos actually do for you.

For most teams, the hardest part isn’t getting the photos taken… it’s coordinating everything around it.

Schedules, availability, keeping the look consistent across everyone—it adds up quickly, and it’s usually why it gets pushed off.

That’s exactly why I created a Corporate Team Headshot Planner—to make the process simple, organized, and easy to execute from start to finish.

📥 If updating your team’s photos has been sitting on your to-do list, this will help you finally get it done—link in bio.

36 0
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18116997898903617
At the end of the day, it’s not about the title—it’s about what the photos actually do for you. For most teams, the hardest part isn’t getting the photos taken… it’s coordinating everything around it. Schedules, availability, keeping the look consistent across everyone—it adds up quickly, and it’s usually why it gets pushed off. That’s exactly why I created a Corporate Team Headshot Planner—to make the process simple, organized, and easy to execute from start to finish. 📥 If updating your team’s photos has been sitting on your to-do list, this will help you finally get it done—link in bio.

If headshot lighting feels confusing, I put together a guide with 3 simple setups that will get you consistent results—link in bio.

If your headshots feel a little “off”… it’s usually not your camera—it’s your lighting.

Here are 5 mistakes I see all the time:

1️⃣ Lighting from below
Creates unflattering shadows. Keep your light slightly above eye level.

2️⃣ Too much (or too harsh) light
Softer, controlled light will always look more professional.

3️⃣ No direction to your light
Flat lighting = flat images. You need some angle to create depth.

4️⃣ Mixing multiple light sources
This is how you end up with weird color and inconsistent tones.

5️⃣ Ignoring catchlights
Small detail, big impact—this is what brings life to your subject’s eyes.

Lighting doesn’t need to be complicated… it just needs to be intentional.

Curious—what’s been the hardest part about lighting for you?

34 0
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 17870461365628869
If headshot lighting feels confusing, I put together a guide with 3 simple setups that will get you consistent results—link in bio. If your headshots feel a little “off”… it’s usually not your camera—it’s your lighting. Here are 5 mistakes I see all the time: 1️⃣ Lighting from below Creates unflattering shadows. Keep your light slightly above eye level. 2️⃣ Too much (or too harsh) light Softer, controlled light will always look more professional. 3️⃣ No direction to your light Flat lighting = flat images. You need some angle to create depth. 4️⃣ Mixing multiple light sources This is how you end up with weird color and inconsistent tones. 5️⃣ Ignoring catchlights Small detail, big impact—this is what brings life to your subject’s eyes. Lighting doesn’t need to be complicated… it just needs to be intentional. Curious—what’s been the hardest part about lighting for you?

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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.