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Headshot Tips: Expression | Houston Headshot Photographer

Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP)  and Craftsman based in Houston, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography specializes in corporate headshots and can provide Headshot Tips: Expression.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your professional headshot today!

Headshot Tips: Expression

Expression is a truly personal choice.  However, in terms of branding and marketing yourself and your brand…we generally want to be friendly and invite people into our business.  Therefore, I’m a big fan of the big, toothy smile.  Why?  Because it’s friendly and welcoming!  So the first consideration is the smile.  The other thing to consider with expression is the eyes.  The bigger the smile, generally, the smaller the eyes become.  So, there is a delicate balance between eyes and smile.  Sometimes I find it helpful to work through a variety of expressions so that you can see the different options and what message they convey.  The best expression may be a slightly smaller smile with more eyes.

  1. Serious: especially when paired with a crossed arm, this can be a pretty somber option but may be helpful for some occupations
  2. Small smile, no teeth: this may be a good option for those whose eyes get very small with a bigger smile
  3. Small toothy smile: This may be a happy medium with a smile and eyes
  4. Big toothy smile: My favorite expression to convey a happy human!

Headshots

You can see a variety of expression in the following recent headshots.  Take note of which expression you prefer.

Headshot Tips: ExpressionHappy expression for headshots

Smiling expression for headshotsFull smiling expression for headshots

Headshot Tips Expression

Headshot Tips Expression man smiling

Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP)  and Craftsman 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!

- INSTAGRAM -

@taraflanneryphotography

Mid-session. Camera in hand. Client in front of me…
and suddenly my camera starts throwing error codes.

I turn it off. Pull the battery. Take the card out.
Put everything back in and hope it works again.

And then it happens again.

Three memory cards failed on me during that shoot.

After that, I switched to Sony Tough cards—and haven’t had an issue since.

It’s one of those things you don’t think about… until you’re in a high-pressure moment and your gear has to perform.

📥 If you’re a photographer and want a breakdown of the gear I actually use and trust, I’ve put together a guide—link in bio.

👇🏼 But I`m curious, what cards have been working for you?

13 5
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18101239706170394
Mid-session. Camera in hand. Client in front of me… and suddenly my camera starts throwing error codes. I turn it off. Pull the battery. Take the card out. Put everything back in and hope it works again. And then it happens again. Three memory cards failed on me during that shoot. After that, I switched to Sony Tough cards—and haven’t had an issue since. It’s one of those things you don’t think about… until you’re in a high-pressure moment and your gear has to perform. 📥 If you’re a photographer and want a breakdown of the gear I actually use and trust, I’ve put together a guide—link in bio. 👇🏼 But I'm curious, what cards have been working for you?

It’s never just pressing a button.

It’s reading the room.
Adjusting in real time.
Knowing how to bring out confidence—even when someone feels uncomfortable in front of the camera.

The technical side matters.
But the connection, the instinct, and the ability to see what others don’t… that’s what turns it into something more.

📩 If you’re ready for photos that feel like you, you can book through the link in my bio.

24 0
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18597822523060953
It’s never just pressing a button. It’s reading the room. Adjusting in real time. Knowing how to bring out confidence—even when someone feels uncomfortable in front of the camera. The technical side matters. But the connection, the instinct, and the ability to see what others don’t… that’s what turns it into something more. 📩 If you’re ready for photos that feel like you, you can book through the link in my bio.

Come along with me as I set up for a headshot + branding session 👇🏻

When you’re just getting started, it’s easy to think you need all the gear before you can take on client work.

You don’t.

For in-office headshots, a solid setup really comes down to a few essentials:
✅ reliable lighting
✅ a strong lens
✅ a backdrop
✅ reflectors to help control light and keep skin tones consistent

That’s how I’m able to create clean, professional headshots—without being in a studio.

And for branding? That’s where I shift.

Instead of a backdrop, I’m using the client’s space—capturing environmental images that feel more natural, personal, and aligned with their business.

Same session, two different approaches—both intentional.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about having more gear…
it’s about knowing how to use what you have.

📥 If you’re a newer photographer, I’ve put together resources to help with gear, lighting, and posing—click the link in my bio to check them out!

302 15
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18065753045437081
Come along with me as I set up for a headshot + branding session 👇🏻 When you’re just getting started, it’s easy to think you need all the gear before you can take on client work. You don’t. For in-office headshots, a solid setup really comes down to a few essentials: ✅ reliable lighting ✅ a strong lens ✅ a backdrop ✅ reflectors to help control light and keep skin tones consistent That’s how I’m able to create clean, professional headshots—without being in a studio. And for branding? That’s where I shift. Instead of a backdrop, I’m using the client’s space—capturing environmental images that feel more natural, personal, and aligned with their business. Same session, two different approaches—both intentional. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about having more gear… it’s about knowing how to use what you have. 📥 If you’re a newer photographer, I’ve put together resources to help with gear, lighting, and posing—click the link in my bio to check them out!

If your brand hasn’t been updated this year… this might be your sign 👇🏻

Summer is one of the best times to refresh your branding imagery—and most people don’t take advantage of it.

Things tend to slow down just enough to step back and actually look at what your brand is communicating.

And for a lot of businesses, this is when it becomes clear:
→ the photos don’t match the level you’re operating at anymore

A mid-year refresh isn’t about starting over—it’s about making sure your visuals reflect where you are now, not where you were a year ago.

But before you even book new photos… you need clarity.

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 align.

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

22 0
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18208684459338406
If your brand hasn’t been updated this year… this might be your sign 👇🏻 Summer is one of the best times to refresh your branding imagery—and most people don’t take advantage of it. Things tend to slow down just enough to step back and actually look at what your brand is communicating. And for a lot of businesses, this is when it becomes clear: → the photos don’t match the level you’re operating at anymore A mid-year refresh isn’t about starting over—it’s about making sure your visuals reflect where you are now, not where you were a year ago. But before you even book new photos… you need clarity. 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 align. 📥 Grab it through the link in my bio, and then let’s plan your next session.

- STAY IN TOUCH -

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.