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How to Take a 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.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your professional headshot today!

How to Take a Headshot

Here are some tips for headshots.  Talk to your headshot photographer about your goals, what you’ll be using the image for, and your line of work.  All of these things will help you and your photographer create the perfect headshot for you.

  1. Wardrobe: it really starts here.  Think about your typical company wardrobe.  Is it relaxed and casual or formal?  What line of work are you in?  How do your customers and clients dress?  What you choose for wardrobe will have an influence over the type and style of lighting and background we will use for the headshot.  If you prefer dark colors, a medium or darker background will be best.  If you like a light or colorful wardrobe, a white or light background will be best.
  2. For ladies, please consider hair and makeup.  A hair and makeup artist will know exactly how much makeup you’ll need for studio lighting.  It seems like a lot when you first see it but when you see the images with studio lighting, it’s perfect.  You will look your natural best self with a carefully executed makeup application.
  3.  For men, please make sure that if you’re wearing a suit jacket, it fits!  Also, make sure that shirt and jacket are pressed and wrinkle-free.

Headshot Examples

Whether you’re a financial services company or the latest yoga-inspired granola producer, your customers need to see YOU!  You are the face of the business and brand.  Now, more than ever, meeting people virtually is an integral part of business.  A headshot on your website and social media accounts is the first introduction to your clients, customers, and consumers.  This first introduction says volumes about who you are, what you do, and what you stand for.  Let’s schedule a headshot session that reflects your business and conveys a message to customers.

headshot professional man

professional 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

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.

13 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?

48 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?

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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.