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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!

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@taraflanneryphotography

You’re not supposed to know what to do in front of the camera—that’s my job. 🙌🏼

I’ll tell you where to put your hands, how to angle your body, when to shift your weight, where to look, and yes… I’ll probably demonstrate it myself first. 😂

Good posing isn’t about memorizing a bunch of complicated positions. It’s about making small adjustments that help you look confident, approachable, and like yourself.

And if you want a little head start before your next headshot or branding session, I put together a free guide with 5 Power Poses Every Professional Should Know.

These are simple poses you can use for professional photos, speaking engagements, events, or anytime a camera gets pointed your way.

📸 Grab the free guide through the link in my bio—and save this reel as proof that you will never be left standing in front of my camera wondering what to do with your hands. 😂

32 1
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18352023592223405
You’re not supposed to know what to do in front of the camera—that’s my job. 🙌🏼 I’ll tell you where to put your hands, how to angle your body, when to shift your weight, where to look, and yes… I’ll probably demonstrate it myself first. 😂 Good posing isn’t about memorizing a bunch of complicated positions. It’s about making small adjustments that help you look confident, approachable, and like yourself. And if you want a little head start before your next headshot or branding session, I put together a free guide with 5 Power Poses Every Professional Should Know. These are simple poses you can use for professional photos, speaking engagements, events, or anytime a camera gets pointed your way. 📸 Grab the free guide through the link in my bio—and save this reel as proof that you will never be left standing in front of my camera wondering what to do with your hands. 😂

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.

16 0
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.

19 1
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.

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.

13 0
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.

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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.