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September 28, 2022

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.

Serious: especially when paired with a crossed arm, this can be a pretty somber option but may be helpful for some occupations
Small smile, no teeth: this may be a good option for those whose eyes get very small with a bigger smile
Small toothy smile: This may be a happy medium with a smile and eyes
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: Expression Happy expression for headshots

Smiling expression for headshots Full 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!

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@taraflanneryphotography

I’ve been a photographer for a long time, and somewhere along the way I realized the photos are only part of what I get to create. 🤍

I get to help someone who hates being photographed finally feel comfortable in front of the camera.

I get to help business owners show up confidently for the brands they’ve worked so hard to build.

Yes, I make photographs.

But I also get to create confidence, connection, and something worth holding onto.

And I think that’s a pretty great way to make a living. 📸

Ready to create something of your own? Whether you need updated headshots, fresh branding photos, senior portraits, or family photos, I’d love to have you in front of my camera.

📩 Book your session through the link in my bio.

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Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18048708641798880

I’ve been a photographer for a long time, and somewhere along the way I realized the photos are only part of what I get to create. 🤍

I get to help someone who hates being photographed finally feel comfortable in front of the camera.

I get to help business owners show up confidently for the brands they’ve worked so hard to build.

Yes, I make photographs.

But I also get to create confidence, connection, and something worth holding onto.

And I think that’s a pretty great way to make a living. 📸

Ready to create something of your own? Whether you need updated headshots, fresh branding photos, senior portraits, or family photos, I’d love to have you in front of my camera.

📩 Book your session through the link in my bio.

If your team is constantly changing… this is worth knowing. 👇🏼

Group photos can be one of the hardest things to keep updated—especially for businesses with high turnover, growing teams, or people who aren’t always in the same place at the same time.

That’s where a group composite comes in.

Instead of trying to coordinate everyone for one big photo, I photograph each person individually—so you get cohesive, professional headshots—and then build the group image from there.

The biggest benefit?

When someone joins or leaves your team, you don’t have to start over. We simply update the composite—no need to reschedule a full team session.

It’s a much more flexible (and realistic) way to keep your team looking consistent and up to date.

If your team photos have been on your to-do list, this might be the solution you’ve been looking for.

📩 You can book a consultation through the link in my bio.

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Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18147126937523026

If your team is constantly changing… this is worth knowing. 👇🏼

Group photos can be one of the hardest things to keep updated—especially for businesses with high turnover, growing teams, or people who aren’t always in the same place at the same time.

That’s where a group composite comes in.

Instead of trying to coordinate everyone for one big photo, I photograph each person individually—so you get cohesive, professional headshots—and then build the group image from there.

The biggest benefit?

When someone joins or leaves your team, you don’t have to start over. We simply update the composite—no need to reschedule a full team session.

It’s a much more flexible (and realistic) way to keep your team looking consistent and up to date.

If your team photos have been on your to-do list, this might be the solution you’ve been looking for.

📩 You can book a consultation through the link in my bio.

🤝🏼 Meet Danielle Woods

Danielle is a powerhouse in the world of HR technology—helping companies around the globe turn HR into a high-impact, value-driving part of their business. As a Global Director of People Technology and Workday strategist, she’s led digital transformations across 40+ countries and supported companies through major milestones like M&As and IPOs. 🚀

This is Danielle’s third branding session with me—and that’s something I always love to see.

Because your brand isn’t static. As your business grows and evolves, your visuals should reflect that.

For Danielle’s last two sessions, we worked in a professional studio setting. This time, she wanted something more relaxed and personal—so we turned her home into the backdrop.

And that shift matters. Your photos should match not just what you do, but how you show up now.

Updating your branding isn’t about starting over—it’s about staying aligned with where your business is today.

Danielle, thank you for trusting me (again) to capture your brand. 🤍

HMUA: @artistrybyrubi_

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2027 graduates… this is your moment. ✨👇🏻

Senior year comes up faster than you think—and before you know it, calendars are full and you’re trying to squeeze something in last minute.

The best sessions happen when there’s time to plan.
Time to choose the right location, the right outfits, and create photos that actually feel like you.

Every senior you see here had a session that was intentional, relaxed, and built around who they are.

That’s what makes the difference.

If you’re part of the Class of 2027 (or the parent of), now is the time to start thinking about your session.

📩 You can book a consultation through the link in my bio.

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Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18123032242827915

2027 graduates… this is your moment. ✨👇🏻

Senior year comes up faster than you think—and before you know it, calendars are full and you’re trying to squeeze something in last minute.

The best sessions happen when there’s time to plan.
Time to choose the right location, the right outfits, and create photos that actually feel like you.

Every senior you see here had a session that was intentional, relaxed, and built around who they are.

That’s what makes the difference.

If you’re part of the Class of 2027 (or the parent of), now is the time to start thinking about your session.

📩 You can book a consultation through the link in my bio.

If you’re just starting a photography business… you need to watch this.

I recently showed up to a headshot session at an office building with all my gear—ready to go—and security wouldn’t let me in.

Not because anything was wrong… but because there was a miscommunication, and I didn’t have a certificate of insurance on file with the building.

It’s one of those things you don’t think about when you’re first starting out—but it matters.

As you grow and start booking more corporate or on-location sessions, these small admin details become part of the job.

Clear communication with your client (or their admin team) ahead of time can save you a lot of stress on shoot day.

👉🏻 If you’re in that stage of figuring everything out, I’ve put together a few resources to help you avoid mistakes like this—grab them in my bio.

What’s something you’ve learned the hard way on a shoot? 🤔⬇️

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One of the biggest things I hear from senior guys is:
“I don’t know how to pose…”

And honestly—you don’t need to.

That’s my job.

Most of the poses you see here are simple, natural, and just small adjustments that make a big difference on camera. The goal isn’t to feel stiff or over-posed—it’s to look like yourself, just a little more confident.

I’ll guide you through everything during your session so it feels easy and relaxed the entire time.

Senior year is coming up quickly, and sessions start filling up once the school year gets going.

If you’ve been thinking about senior photos, now is a great time to start planning.

📩 You can book a consultation through the link in my bio.

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Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18103950527146852

One of the biggest things I hear from senior guys is:
“I don’t know how to pose…”

And honestly—you don’t need to.

That’s my job.

Most of the poses you see here are simple, natural, and just small adjustments that make a big difference on camera. The goal isn’t to feel stiff or over-posed—it’s to look like yourself, just a little more confident.

I’ll guide you through everything during your session so it feels easy and relaxed the entire time.

Senior year is coming up quickly, and sessions start filling up once the school year gets going.

If you’ve been thinking about senior photos, now is a great time to start planning.

📩 You can book a consultation through the link in my bio.

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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.