Headshot photographer in Houston | Motiva

Tara Flannery is a Houston headshot photographer based in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book an individual headshot session or a corporate session for the entire company.

The Perfect Profile Picture?

An article by Photofeeler on social media profile pictures analyzed certain attributes of a profile image.  Pictures are rated on competence, likability, and influence.  The findings may surprise you!  To see the full article, click here.  By the way, you can upload your profile photo to this website and get feedback on it.

A profile photo is your representative in the digital world.

“We look to it every time we interact with you online, and even imagine it speaking the words you type.  Profile photos are so essential to modern communication that a good one’s become a basic necessity. And that couldn’t be truer than for those of us whose professional lives are tied to social media profiles.  That’s why we at Photofeeler decided to set our first major study on the goal of targeting just a few, over-arching guidelines.  That is, we asked ourselves— if we set aside characteristics like gender, age, and physical traits, to focus only on what we can easily control— what elements reliably produce a better professional headshot photo (for use on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)?”

The results are as follows:

  • eyes: squinching (as in a smile) increases competency, likability, and influence
  • face: smiling with teeth increases competency, likability, and influence
  • body: formal dress increases competency and influence
  • setting: the background has essentially no effect on competency, likability, or influence
  • editing: over-processing an image (high saturation or dark photos) has a negative effect on the image while a black and white image has no effect

This analysis shows the importance of certain elements in your profile image.  Hiring a professional photographer will ensure that you get the best image for your website, social media, and marketing materials.

Motiva

This is my third corporate session for Motiva at its downtown Houston offices.  Different groups within the company have hired me for their professional headshots.  This time the legal group needed headshots.  This was a super efficient group!

Motiva strives to become the safest and most profitable downstream business in the United States.  Reaching our goal depends on 2,300 dedicated US employees working together across our operating territory, bringing the country the energy it needs and giving back to the communities where we operate. Our legacy of delivering quality products dates back over 100 years with our Port Arthur refinery. Now, it’s North America’s largest, with a crude capacity of 600,000 barrels a day. And today, our network of 24 distribution terminals has extended our reach, supplying gasoline and diesel to thousands of retail outlets under the iconic Shell and 76® brands.

 

 

Houston headshot photographerHouston headshot photographerheadshot photographer in Houston

Tara Flannery is a Houston headshot photographer based in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book an individual headshot session or a corporate session for the entire company.

- INSTAGRAM -

@taraflanneryphotography

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? 🤔⬇️
Think Tank Bags… if you see this… please sponsor me 🤝🏼

But in all seriousness—photographers love a good piece of gear.

And it’s really easy to convince yourself that the next upgrade is what’s going to take your work to the next level.

Sometimes that’s true.

If a piece of equipment makes your workflow smoother, more efficient, or solves a real problem for you—it’s worth every penny.

But if it’s just shiny, new, and replacing something that already works… it can probably wait.

The goal isn’t to have more gear—it’s to have the right gear for how you actually shoot.

🔗 If you’re trying to figure out what’s actually worth investing in, I put together a Photographer Gear Guide that breaks it all down—link in bio.

🤔 Curious… what’s one piece of equipment you’ve bought that was 100% worth it?
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.
“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.

- 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.