How to choose a location for your headshot session | Headshots by Tara Flannery Photography

Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) based in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography specializes in headshots and corporate photography.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your individual headshot session or corporate headshots for the entire office.

How to Choose a Location for your Headshot Session

Choosing a location for your corporate or individual headshot session is an important decision.  When I first chat with clients about their end goals for the headshot, knowing the end goal is one of the topics we will cover.  If it’s for a business publication, a business card, website, magazine, or other promotional materials, we need to consider the background for each scenario.  Here are some examples of backgrounds that I use and why they are the right choice for each scenario.

Studio

I mostly use white, grey, and black studio backgrounds for a professional look.  Grey is the best color to use with multiple people since all colors of hair and clothing coordinate beautifully.  Considered the business standard, this studio headshot is professional, well-lit, and easily repeatable.  These studio sessions can take place in my home studio or at your office location.  Keep in mind that I’ll need space to set up background and lighting.

Natural Light Studio

The Natural Light Studio is only available in my home studio.  This is still a professional look but a little bit softer since no studio lights will be used.

Environmental

An environmental headshot takes place at your office or other location where the environment tells a story.  A headshot that includes a bit of story can be very interesting.  Even a little bit of a waiting area in your office can help people engage and connect with you through your headshot.

Outdoor

An outdoor headshot is a great modern alternative to the traditional studio headshot.  Again, we should consider the background and make sure that it tells the right story for your business.

Corporate Headshots for The Professionals Group

Lance contacted me about a corporate headshot session for his team.  Some team members work with commercial real estate, some with residential real estate, and others in the office setting.  After discussing the options, we decided to do the shoot in my home studio where we were able to get a mix of images for everyone.  We got a standard professional studio headshot for each team member.  Then we used my home for an environmental headshot for the residential real estate members.  Next, we took outdoor shots of the commercial members.  And finally, we took an outdoor group photo in the park with a natural setting.

Headshot session location in The Woodlands and ConroeHow to choose a location for your headshot sessionHow to choose a location for your headshot session

Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) based in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography specializes in headshots and corporate photography.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your individual headshot session or corporate headshots for the entire office.

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@taraflanneryphotography

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!
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.
Shooting outdoors doesn’t always mean “perfect lighting.” 👇🏻

One of the biggest challenges with natural light is inconsistency—
skin tones can shift depending on shade, surroundings, and even reflections (hello green grass 👀).

That’s why I use off-camera flash, even outside.

It helps create:
✅ consistent skin tones
✅ balanced lighting
✅ a cleaner, more polished final image

So instead of guessing what the light is doing…
I’m controlling it.

📥 If you’re a photographer trying to figure out lighting + gear, I’ve put together a guide with the setups I actually use—link in bio.
What it looks like behind the camera… vs. what you get 👇🏻

Different sessions, different people, different goals—
but always the same focus: helping you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.

Headshots, branding, families, seniors, and more… it all comes back to capturing people in a way that actually feels like them.

✨ If you’re ready to start planning your session, you can click 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.