Tips for a Polished Headshot | The Woodlands Headshot Photographer

Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP)  and Craftsman based in Houston, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography specializes in corporate headshots and can help with tips for a polished headshot.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your professional headshot today!

Tips for a Polished Headshot

If it’s been more than two years since your last headshot, it’s probably time for an update.  Or if you have lost weight or changed your hair substantially, it’s also time for a new headshot.  Before your next headshot session, consider a few of these tips for a polished headshot!

  1. Hair and makeup services for women and men: the hair and makeup service ensures that makeup is appropriate for the studio lighting which can take away some of your color.  For men, it helps with any shine on the skin.  My HMU artists know how to give you a business professional look!
  2. Wardrobe: be sure that wardrobe fits properly.  It will be evident in your headshot if your shirt or jacket is too big or too small.  If you need to purchase new pieces before your headshot, please do so.  Also, be sure that your wardrobe is clean and pressed – yes, I will see all of the white dog hairs on your black jacket (I have a lint roller with me at all times too)!
  3. Hire a Professional Photographer: that selfie looks like a selfie!  A professional headshot, even when taken outdoors, has proper lighting, posing, and expression to make you stand out from the selfie crowd.  Don’t risk your career to the selfie.

Just a little preparation goes a long way towards a successful and fantastic new headshot!  Talk to your photographer before your session so that you’ve hit all of the check-points for a polished headshot.

Headshot Examples

Here are a few recent headshot sessions at Tara Flannery Photography.  Studio sessions with the grey background are a popular choice!  Outdoor sessions also offer a professional look but with a little more casual vibe.  Depending on your role and industry, we can provide a headshot that suits your brand and style.

3 tips for a polished headshotbusiness professional headshotman's headshot with tan jacketoutdoor environmental headshot businesswoman's professional headshot businesswoman's headshotmedical professional headshotstips for a polished headshottips for a polished headshot

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

 

 

- INSTAGRAM -

@taraflanneryphotography

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! 📸

- 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.