Job Search 101: Polish Your Resume and Get 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.  Tara can help with Job Search 101: Polish Your Resume and Get a Headshot.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your professional headshot today!

Job Search 101: Polish Your Resume and Get a Headshot

“In recent studies, up to 90% of human resources people say they check out social media profiles, especially LinkedIn and Facebook, before inviting a candidate in for an interview. This means the wrong headshot can kill your chances of even talking on the phone stone-dead. Is your headshot killing your opportunities for job offers before you even get the opportunity to interview?” ~Martin Yate, CPC, author of Knock ’em Dead: Secrets & Strategies for Success in an Uncertain World

We live in a digital world full of pictures.  So the job search is one of the factors of life that has also been altered by the digital age.  If you are beginning a job search, you naturally think about updating the resume.  You’ll want to include all of the experience that you’ve had since your last job search.  You want it to be current.  The same is true for your headshot.  If recruiters are looking at your LinkedIn and Facebook profiles, they should see a professional representation of you.  Not the selfie from the weekend’s boating trip, as fun as that was.  LinkedIn is a professional network and your headshot should be professional.

Another article on the importance of not neglecting your headshot in the job search.  Job Hunting 101: Don’t Neglect Your Headshot

Headshots for Laurie

Laurie requested a headshot session for her job search.  She needed an updated headshot.  We had such a great session – we chatted and talked about kids and college in between shots!  We are all connected in some way and I love that my job allows me to find connections with people.  Everyone is on a journey and our experiences reflect the ups, downs, trials, and successes.  Laurie’s dark blue suit is a perfect match for the blue-grey background and natural light setup.  We took a number of shots with other backgrounds, lighting, and wardrobe options.  She ultimately chose these final images for her headshots.  I love that she is relaxed, professional, and friendly for her new job search headshots.  All my best, Laurie, in whatever comes next for you.

Job Search 101: Polish Your Resume and Get a HeadshotJob Search 101: Polish Your Resume and Get a HeadshotJob Search 101: Polish Your Resume and Get a 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

Capture One, if you’re looking for someone to sponsor… I’m your girl. 😉📸

But seriously—if you’re a headshot or portrait photographer and you haven’t tried shooting tethered yet, let me introduce you to one of my favorite workflow upgrades.

Tethering simply means connecting your camera to a computer so your images appear on a larger screen as you shoot. I use a wired connection straight into Capture One, which makes it easy to review images during the session, catch the little details I might miss on the back of my camera, and favorite the strongest shots as I go.

And when I’m finished? My selects are already organized, so I can transfer everything to my main computer at home and jump into editing without sorting through the entire session all over again.

I used to tether wirelessly, but switching to a wired setup has made the process much more reliable and seamless for me.

It’s one of those small workflow changes that makes a BIG difference—especially when you photograph a lot of headshots.

And if you’re just getting started in photography—or looking for ways to improve your setup, lighting, posing, and workflow—I have a whole collection of free resources for photographers waiting for you at the link in my bio. 📸

Photographers, are you shooting tethered yet? 👇🏻
Family photos with a 4-year-old? You just have to roll with it. 😂🤍

Little kids aren’t going to stand perfectly still, follow every direction, and smile on command—and I don’t expect them to!

I’d much rather meet them where they are. We’ll play, move around, be silly, take little breaks when we need them, and work toward those sweet moments in between.

That’s part of why I love family sessions so much. The goal isn’t perfectly behaved kids or a picture-perfect hour. It’s capturing your family as they are right now.

And yes, we’ll still get that beautiful everyone-looking-at-the-camera photo for the frame. 😉 But sometimes the personality-filled moments end up being the favorites.

🍂 I still have a few fall family portrait dates available! Head to the link in my bio to reserve your session.
Honestly… a little bit of everything. 📸

From professional headshots and personal branding to senior portraits and family sessions, I love creating photos that help people and businesses tell their story.

And there’s plenty more I can help with, too—large team group composites, in-office headshots for teams with different schedules, acting and modeling headshots, office branding, and more.

Basically, if you need photos for yourself, your family, or your business, let’s talk about what you have in mind. I’ll help you figure out the best way to make it happen.

📸 Not sure where to start? Book a consultation with me through the link in my bio.
Money may not buy happiness, but having photos of your family to look back on years from now? That’s pretty priceless. 🤍

Fall family portrait season is here, and I have a few weekend dates still available (spots are filling fast!) 👇🏻

September 20
October 3, 10, & 17
November 7 & 15

If you’ve been meaning to update the family photos, document this season, or get those holiday card photos checked off your list, this is your sign to get on the calendar.

And once you book, I’ll make sure you’re not left wondering what to wear, where we’re going, what to bring, or what to expect. My Family Session Welcome Guide walks you through everything you need to know to feel prepared for your session. (linked in my bio)

📸 Ready to make some memories worth keeping? Grab your date through the link in my bio.
I’m gonna let you in on my secret… 👀

These are the camera settings I use as my starting point when I’m shooting during golden hour:

☀️ APERTURE
For one person: f/2.8–f/3.2
For families or groups: f/5.6

A wider aperture gives you that beautiful separation and soft background when you’re photographing one person. With a group, I stop down to help keep everyone in focus.

☀️ SHUTTER SPEED
I start around 1/160 sec—but if I have kids running, a couple moving around, or anything else with more movement, I’ll increase my shutter speed to keep everything sharp.

☀️ ISO
ISO 400 is my starting point, and then I adjust up or down depending on how much light I have.

The biggest thing to remember? These aren’t magic numbers you have to use every time.

Golden hour changes quickly, and your settings should change with it. Use these as a starting point, watch your light, and adjust for the people and movement in front of your camera.

And if you’re building your photography kit and wondering what gear is actually worth investing in, I put together my Photographer’s Gear Guide with the cameras, lenses, lighting, and equipment I use in my own business.

Grab your free copy 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.