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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

Not sure what to wear for your headshot? You’re not alone.

From buttoned-up blazers to soft knits and summery tops, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer—and that’s a good thing.

📸 Your headshot should reflect you: your profession, your personality, your brand.

In this post, I’m breaking down four wardrobe levels I guide clients through all the time. Whether you lean classic, casual, or somewhere in between, there’s a look that will help you feel confident and camera-ready.

👉🏻 Need help choosing the right outfit for your session? I’ve got you covered.

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What should you wear for your headshot session?
It depends on how you want to show up.

Your outfit sets the tone — and the right level of polish helps you appear confident, credible, and uniquely you.

Here are 4 levels of formality to help you choose the best look for your headshots 👇🏻

1️⃣ The Modern Suit Jacket
Crisp, structured, and powerful. Perfect for executives, attorneys, and leadership roles.

2️⃣ Soft Professional (No Jacket)
A sleek blouse or polished top with clean lines. Professional without being stiff — great for coaches, consultants, and entrepreneurs.

3️⃣ Elevated Casual (Sweaters & Knits)
A fitted knit or stylish sweater gives an approachable, warm, and modern vibe. Ideal for creatives, educators, or small business owners.

4️⃣ Casual Short Sleeve
Simple, solid, and flattering. Feels relaxed but still polished — great for wellness pros, lifestyle brands, or startup teams.

✨ Quick Styling Tips:
– Stick to solid colors that flatter your skin tone
– Skip busy prints & distracting accessories
– Choose wrinkle-free, well-fitting pieces
– Bring a backup outfit or layering option!

🎯 Not sure what’s best for your brand?

We go over wardrobe during your pre-session consultation — so you’ll feel 100% confident in what you wear and how you show up.

📆 Contact me to book your headshot session!

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Summer might be the best time for family portraits—and here’s why.

Fall gets all the hype, but it also brings packed schedules, tight timelines, and holiday stress. Summer? It’s lighter. Looser. Happier.

The kids are home. The evenings are longer. And yes—there’s golden light and gorgeous greenery everywhere.

Whether you want an outdoor session or something cozy indoors (hello, air conditioning!), summer gives you the flexibility to actually enjoy the experience.

Swipe through for just a few reasons to book your family photos now—not later.

📅 Let’s chat about what kind of session fits your family best.

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Summer might be the best time for family portraits—and here’s why.

Fall gets all the hype, but it also brings packed schedules, tight timelines, and holiday stress. Summer? It’s lighter. Looser. Happier.

The kids are home. The evenings are longer. And yes—there’s golden light and gorgeous greenery everywhere.

Whether you want an outdoor session or something cozy indoors (hello, air conditioning!), summer gives you the flexibility to actually enjoy the experience.

Swipe through for just a few reasons to book your family photos now—not later.

📅 Let’s chat about what kind of session fits your family best.

His headshot made him more money… and here’s why 👇🏼

When my videographer finally swapped his profile photo for the professional headshot I took, something changed.

✅ More responses to cold DMs
✅ Better leads
✅ Real revenue growth

All from one simple update.

It’s not magic — it’s psychology.

🤝 People do business with people.

They want to see the face behind the brand, connect with a real human, and feel like they can trust who they’re hiring or buying from.

Your headshot is often the first impression you make online. Make sure it actually represents the real you — confident, approachable, and ready for the opportunities you want to attract.

✨ Ready to make the switch?

Contact me for a free consultation and let’s get you a headshot that works.

#businessowners #brandingforbusinesses #professionalheadshots

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Every kind word from a client feels like fuel for what I do—and this one really lit me up. 💛

I’m so grateful to work with incredible teams who value connection, professionalism, and showing up as their best selves. Creating headshots that reflect who someone is (not just what they do) is the heart of my work—and it’s a joy every single time.

If you’re thinking about updating your team’s headshots, I’d love to help.

📩 DM me to schedule a consultation and let’s plan something great, together.

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Every kind word from a client feels like fuel for what I do—and this one really lit me up. 💛

I’m so grateful to work with incredible teams who value connection, professionalism, and showing up as their best selves. Creating headshots that reflect who someone is (not just what they do) is the heart of my work—and it’s a joy every single time.

If you’re thinking about updating your team’s headshots, I’d love to help.

📩 DM me to schedule a consultation and let’s plan something great, together.

These 5 photos will completely transform your real estate brand 👇🏼

Whether you’re a solo agent building a personal brand or a growing team trying to stand out in a crowded market—your photos matter.

Because real estate is personal. People want to see who they’re working with and feel like they can trust you.

Here are 5 must-have brand photos I recommend for every real estate professional:

📸 Professional Team or Solo Portraits
Polished but approachable. Whether it’s a team shot or a solo headshot, these are the foundation of your brand.

📸 Cohesive Headshots
A unified look builds brand recognition and creates a stronger first impression—especially across platforms.

📸 Lifestyle Images
Show yourself (or your team) in action: walking a property, chatting with clients, reviewing listings. These help clients picture the experience of working with you.

📸 Detail Shots
From signage to coffee cups and closing folders, detail shots add depth and personality to your brand story.

📸 On-Location Photos
Highlight your market and your vibe—whether it’s downtown, the suburbs, or somewhere in between.

✨ Ready to level up your real estate brand? Contact me and let’s create images that actually work for your business.

📍Serving Houston, The Woodlands, and surrounding areas

#realestatebranding #realestatephotos #photosforrealtors #brandingforrealtors

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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.