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Professional Headshot Tips | 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 professional headshot tips.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your professional headshot today!

Professional Headshot Tips

You need a professional headshot in business today.  Period.  The headshot is the first introduction to your potential clients, customers, and business partners.  It needs to be current, clean, and professional!  We want to make a fantastic first impression.  Here are a few tips to make the most of your headshot session!

  1. Hire a professional for Hair and Makeup: this is controversial subject for many women.  And I’m not saying that you can’t do your own hair and make up and have a fabulous headshot, you certainly can.  But a professional hair and makeup artist will have the tools and products available to reduce shine, create that WOW factor with the eyes, and apply the right amount of makeup appropriate for the studio lighting.  The lighting requires a bit more than you might normally apply.
  2. Hire a professional headshot photographer: yes, this is me!  But it makes a huge difference when you work with a professional who is an expert in headshots.  Not just any photographer has the tools, equipment, posing, and lighting for a headshot.  Just a slight turn of the chin one direction or the other can make or break your headshot!
  3. Wardrobe: discuss your wardrobe with your photographer before the session.  Your role in the company and the product or service you provide will likely dictate the style and formality of your wardrobe.  Even the tone (light, medium, or dark) will have an affect on the type and style of your headshot.  Discuss this with your photographer so that you’re on the same page from the beginning.

Headshots for Michelle

Michelle needed a new headshot for business purposes.  She asked for professional hair and makeup which we did before the session.  She’s got a natural business look with no shine and gorgeous eyes!  The neutral lip color is perfect as well.  We started the headshot session immediately following hair and makeup.  Michelle had a couple of options for jackets and shirts.  She decided on the smart white crisp collar of the second shirt with the grey jacket.  It all blends beautifully and looks professional.  We had a great session and I love her brand new headshot!

HMUA: Roxana Phillips

Professional Headshot Tips

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

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.

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Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 17948665287227148
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.

12 0
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18220900369332453
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.

35 1
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 17962580388138281
“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.

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.

36 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?

34 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?

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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.