Facebook logo
Instagram logo
Pinterest logo
Linked In logo
Tara Flannery Photography logo
Business Headshots
Actor/Model Headshots
Branding
Family Portraits
Senior Portraits
Book a free
consultation
HOMEtake me home
all the latestBLOG
get to know meABOUT
get in touchContact
1:1 MentoringPHOTOGRAPHERS

How to Take a Good Headshot | Houston Headshot Photographer

Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) based in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography specializes in corporate headshots and can help with how to take a good headshot.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your professional headshot today!

How to Take a Good Headshot

As with everything, a little preparation for your headshot goes a long way!  Here are a few tips for your next headshot session.

  1. MAKE IT CURRENT.  If it’s been several years since your last headshot, it’s probably time for an update.  Or if you’ve changed your hair style or general styling, it’s also time for an updated headshot!
  2. MAKE IT JIVE.  Dress according to your position, work, and industry.  Financial professionals can be a little more formal with clothing.  Realtors like to be friendly and approachable.  Doctors need to be confident but friendly and warm.  Think about what you normally wear to the office and then take it up a level and pretend that you are your boss.  Plan your clothing ahead of time and make sure everything is clean, pressed, and that it fits!  Please make sure it fits!!
  3. MAKE IT POLISHED.  Hair, makeup, and nails should be appropriate for your work as well.  I highly recommend professional hair and makeup services but they are not required.  A professional HMU artist knows the right degree of color that will flatter you, even after the lighting makes its own adjustments.  Makeup will need to be a little heavier than what you would normally wear due to the lighting.  Also be sure that nails are in good shape in case they show up in your headshot.
  4. MAKE IT YOU.  Above all else, make sure you are comfortable with the way you look.  Practice your look and your smile.  All of the professional services will do nothing if you don’t feel like you.  So that is ultimately what we want.  To show the very best version of you that we can.

Headshot Examples

Here are a few recent headshot sessions that I’ve had the opportunity to perform.  I love meeting people and creating something amazing together!  Maureen needed headshots for her new book coming out.  I absolutely adore the images we got in her backyard!  HMU by April Thompson.  Liz needed an updated headshot and we ended up with three amazing and unique looks for her.  Trista also got two very different but polished, professional headshots from her session.

female physician headshot outdoorsHow to Take a Good Headshotman in dark suit headshotHow to Take a Good Headshotfriendly female headshotprofessional headshots for womenprofessional headshots for womenwomen's professional headshotsman in three piece suit headshot professionalmen's headshots on clean white backgroundHow to Take a Good Headshot

Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) based in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography specializes in corporate headshots.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your professional headshot today!

- INSTAGRAM -

@taraflanneryphotography

At the end of the day, it’s not about the title—it’s about what the photos actually do for you.

For most teams, the hardest part isn’t getting the photos taken… it’s coordinating everything around it.

Schedules, availability, keeping the look consistent across everyone—it adds up quickly, and it’s usually why it gets pushed off.

That’s exactly why I created a Corporate Team Headshot Planner—to make the process simple, organized, and easy to execute from start to finish.

📥 If updating your team’s photos has been sitting on your to-do list, this will help you finally get it done—link in bio.

32 0
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18116997898903617
At the end of the day, it’s not about the title—it’s about what the photos actually do for you. For most teams, the hardest part isn’t getting the photos taken… it’s coordinating everything around it. Schedules, availability, keeping the look consistent across everyone—it adds up quickly, and it’s usually why it gets pushed off. That’s exactly why I created a Corporate Team Headshot Planner—to make the process simple, organized, and easy to execute from start to finish. 📥 If updating your team’s photos has been sitting on your to-do list, this will help you finally get it done—link in bio.

If headshot lighting feels confusing, I put together a guide with 3 simple setups that will get you consistent results—link in bio.

If your headshots feel a little “off”… it’s usually not your camera—it’s your lighting.

Here are 5 mistakes I see all the time:

1️⃣ Lighting from below
Creates unflattering shadows. Keep your light slightly above eye level.

2️⃣ Too much (or too harsh) light
Softer, controlled light will always look more professional.

3️⃣ No direction to your light
Flat lighting = flat images. You need some angle to create depth.

4️⃣ Mixing multiple light sources
This is how you end up with weird color and inconsistent tones.

5️⃣ Ignoring catchlights
Small detail, big impact—this is what brings life to your subject’s eyes.

Lighting doesn’t need to be complicated… it just needs to be intentional.

Curious—what’s been the hardest part about lighting for you?

31 0
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 17870461365628869
If headshot lighting feels confusing, I put together a guide with 3 simple setups that will get you consistent results—link in bio. If your headshots feel a little “off”… it’s usually not your camera—it’s your lighting. Here are 5 mistakes I see all the time: 1️⃣ Lighting from below Creates unflattering shadows. Keep your light slightly above eye level. 2️⃣ Too much (or too harsh) light Softer, controlled light will always look more professional. 3️⃣ No direction to your light Flat lighting = flat images. You need some angle to create depth. 4️⃣ Mixing multiple light sources This is how you end up with weird color and inconsistent tones. 5️⃣ Ignoring catchlights Small detail, big impact—this is what brings life to your subject’s eyes. Lighting doesn’t need to be complicated… it just needs to be intentional. Curious—what’s been the hardest part about lighting for you?

I put together a Guide to Photography Gear for those of you who need some help deciding what is actually worth investing in (and what`s not). The link is in my bio!

Lighting is one of those things that feels complicated when you’re starting out… but it doesn’t have to be.

At the end of the day—light is light.

You don’t need the most expensive setup to get good results. What matters more is having something reliable that you understand how to use.

Especially if you’re shooting outside… the last thing you want is a $2,000 light going down in the wind.

Start simple.
Focus on gear you can trust.
And build from there.

Curious—what lighting setup are you using right now?

43 1
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18124927108663241
I put together a Guide to Photography Gear for those of you who need some help deciding what is actually worth investing in (and what's not). The link is in my bio! Lighting is one of those things that feels complicated when you’re starting out… but it doesn’t have to be. At the end of the day—light is light. You don’t need the most expensive setup to get good results. What matters more is having something reliable that you understand how to use. Especially if you’re shooting outside… the last thing you want is a $2,000 light going down in the wind. Start simple. Focus on gear you can trust. And build from there. Curious—what lighting setup are you using right now?

My Photographer Gear Guide is linked in my bio if you’re trying to figure out what’s actually worth investing in when you’re first starting out.

Because the truth is—you don’t need everything right away.

When you’re new, it’s easy to feel like you need all the gear… but really, it comes down to a few key pieces.

A solid camera body and a really good lens will take you further than a full bag of equipment you don’t know how to use yet.

If you’re deciding where to spend your money, start there.

A 24–70mm or 70–200mm lens will cover more than you think—and give you the flexibility to shoot a wide range of sessions without overcomplicating things.

Curious—what was the first piece of gear you invested in?

50 3
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 17980146186029923
My Photographer Gear Guide is linked in my bio if you’re trying to figure out what’s actually worth investing in when you’re first starting out. Because the truth is—you don’t need everything right away. When you’re new, it’s easy to feel like you need all the gear… but really, it comes down to a few key pieces. A solid camera body and a really good lens will take you further than a full bag of equipment you don’t know how to use yet. If you’re deciding where to spend your money, start there. A 24–70mm or 70–200mm lens will cover more than you think—and give you the flexibility to shoot a wide range of sessions without overcomplicating things. Curious—what was the first piece of gear you invested in?

- STAY IN TOUCH -

Serving the Greater Houston, Texas Area

tara@taraflannery.com

713-412-5437

Facebook logo
Instagram logo
Pinterest logo
Linked In logo

FloDesk FREE STYLE GUIDE

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.