What to Wear for a Headshot Session

Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) based in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography’s specialty is a headshot session.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your individual headshot or corporate group headshots today!

What to Wear for a Headshot Session

Planning your wardrobe for any photo shoot is the hardest part of the entire process.  Planning what to wear for your headshot session is an important part of the success of the headshot session.  Think about your brand, the colors on your website, the industry that you’re in, and what you typically wear to the office.  This is a good starting place for deciding what to wear.  The classic black suit jacket is always right unless you prefer to be more casual.  Darker, solid colors are best instead of patterns.  Ladies should think about necklines and jewelry.  I like jewelry in a headshot but just be sure that it doesn’t distract from the face.  We want the focal point of the headshot to be the face.

Planning the location for your headshot session is another important consideration.  See the article on about How to Choose a Location for Your Headshot Session.

Headshots for Shannon

Shannon has changed careers and is now a real estate agent.  Before she can even begin with open houses or showings, she needs a headshot for her business cards.  We had a fantastic headshot session with a variety of backgrounds, lighting, and posing.  We even used my home as the backdrop for some images.  Realtors need multiple headshots for all of the different advertising they do in different publications.  These headshots will give her some variety and a great start to her marketing materials.

What to wear for a headshot sessionwhat to wear for realtor headshotswhat to wear for headshots

Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) based in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography’s specialty is a headshot session.  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your individual headshot or corporate group headshots today!

- INSTAGRAM -

@taraflanneryphotography

Come along with me as I set up for a headshot + branding session 👇🏻

When you’re just getting started, it’s easy to think you need all the gear before you can take on client work.

You don’t.

For in-office headshots, a solid setup really comes down to a few essentials:
✅ reliable lighting
✅ a strong lens
✅ a backdrop
✅ reflectors to help control light and keep skin tones consistent

That’s how I’m able to create clean, professional headshots—without being in a studio.

And for branding? That’s where I shift.

Instead of a backdrop, I’m using the client’s space—capturing environmental images that feel more natural, personal, and aligned with their business.

Same session, two different approaches—both intentional.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about having more gear…
it’s about knowing how to use what you have.

📥 If you’re a newer photographer, I’ve put together resources to help with gear, lighting, and posing—click the link in my bio to check them out!
If your brand hasn’t been updated this year… this might be your sign 👇🏻

Summer is one of the best times to refresh your branding imagery—and most people don’t take advantage of it.

Things tend to slow down just enough to step back and actually look at what your brand is communicating.

And for a lot of businesses, this is when it becomes clear:
→ the photos don’t match the level you’re operating at anymore

A mid-year refresh isn’t about starting over—it’s about making sure your visuals reflect where you are now, not where you were a year ago.

But before you even book new photos… you need clarity.

What do you want your brand to feel like?
How do you want to show up?

That’s exactly why I created my Brand Personality Workbook—to help you define that first, so your photos actually align.

📥 Grab it through the link in my bio, and then let’s plan your next session.
Shooting outdoors doesn’t always mean “perfect lighting.” 👇🏻

One of the biggest challenges with natural light is inconsistency—
skin tones can shift depending on shade, surroundings, and even reflections (hello green grass 👀).

That’s why I use off-camera flash, even outside.

It helps create:
✅ consistent skin tones
✅ balanced lighting
✅ a cleaner, more polished final image

So instead of guessing what the light is doing…
I’m controlling it.

📥 If you’re a photographer trying to figure out lighting + gear, I’ve put together a guide with the setups I actually use—link in bio.
What it looks like behind the camera… vs. what you get 👇🏻

Different sessions, different people, different goals—
but always the same focus: helping you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.

Headshots, branding, families, seniors, and more… it all comes back to capturing people in a way that actually feels like them.

✨ If you’re ready to start planning your session, you can click the link in my bio.
You don’t need the most expensive gear to be a good photographer.

When I first started, I thought I needed everything—top-tier camera, expensive lighting, all of it.

The reality?

A solid camera and a good lens will take you a long way.

If you’re just starting out, keep it simple:
✨ A versatile zoom lens (24–70mm or 70–200mm)
✨ Gear you can rely on and learn inside and out

And when it comes to lighting—especially outdoors—don’t overinvest too early.

Wind happens. Gear gets knocked over. Things break.

Light is light.

Focus on learning how to use what you have before worrying about upgrading everything.

📥 I’ve put together resources for new photographers covering gear, lighting, posing, and more—click 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.