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February 18, 2019

What Makes a Good Headshot? | Houston Headshot Photographer

What Makes a Good 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!

A Good Headshot

A good headshot has several key components:

Professional dress – this doesn’t necessarily mean a coat and tie. Professional dress means that you are dressed appropriately for your profession. If you’re a lawyer, a suit and tie might be the best option. If you’re a therapist, a more casual yet professional look is more appropriate. A concrete drain pipe construction company will have another look that is appropriate for that business. So consider your profession and your role in the company. And always dress to the next level that you intend to acquire. Dress for the future!
Professional lighting and posing – a professional photographer knows the proper lighting ratio and angles for a headshot. As a professional photographer, I try to make my clients look the very best version of themselves possible. This means using lighting and posing for the most flattering photos.
Expression – most business professional headshots are smiling and friendly. Your expression greatly impacts the headshot. Sometimes you have to fake happiness and that’s okay! If you’re an actor, you might want both happy and serious expressions to show your range of emotion. Of if you’re a lawyer, you might want a more serious expression. Otherwise, it’s happy and friendly!

Headshots for Next Decade

I have photographed the leadership for Next Decade on a number of occasions. Now that they have moved to downtown Houston, I still photograph the leadership headshots. The most recent headshot session was great! We were able to get headshots for two of the company’s newest leaders. After setting up background and lighting in the conference room, each headshot took only about 5-10 minutes. A small fraction of the day for a professional headshot!

What Makes a Good 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!

- INSTAGRAM -

@taraflanneryphotography

If your brand feels a little “off”… it’s usually not your content 👇🏻

It’s the lack of consistency behind it.

You’re posting, updating your website, trying to stay visible—but if your visuals don’t feel aligned, it creates a disconnect.

And that’s what people pick up on.

Your photos are one of the first things people use to decide if they trust your business.
If they feel scattered, outdated, or inconsistent, it affects how your brand is perceived—no matter how good your work actually is.

That’s exactly why I invested in my own branding session!

Because if I’m asking my clients to show up professionally, I need to do the same.

And if you’re not even sure what your brand should look like yet—that’s where you start.

📥 I created a Brand Clarity Workbook to help you define your look, message, and direction before you invest in photos.

Link in my bio!

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Senior photos shouldn’t feel random… they should feel like you. 👇🏻

Before every session, we talk through a few key things to make sure your photos actually reflect this moment in your life:

✅ Location — what kind of vibe fits you? (nature, city, something more edgy?)
✅ Wardrobe — casual, polished, cap & gown, college tee… we plan it out
✅ Hobbies & interests — the things you love right now that you’ll want to remember later

Because the goal isn’t just to take photos…
it’s to capture who you are right now before everything changes. 🎓

📩 If you’re planning senior photos, let’s start with a consultation and build something intentional.
Click the link in my bio to get started!

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Senior photos shouldn’t feel random… they should feel like you. 👇🏻

Before every session, we talk through a few key things to make sure your photos actually reflect this moment in your life:

✅ Location — what kind of vibe fits you? (nature, city, something more edgy?)
✅ Wardrobe — casual, polished, cap & gown, college tee… we plan it out
✅ Hobbies & interests — the things you love right now that you’ll want to remember later

Because the goal isn’t just to take photos…
it’s to capture who you are right now before everything changes. 🎓

📩 If you’re planning senior photos, let’s start with a consultation and build something intentional.
Click the link in my bio to get started!

Let’s talk about men’s ties in headshots 👇🏻

It’s one of the most common questions I get before a headshot:
“Should I wear the red one… or the blue one?”

The truth is, your tie isn’t about preference—it’s about how it looks on camera.

What works best:
✅ Solid colors or subtle patterns
✅ Navy, burgundy, or charcoal tones
✅ A clean, standard width
✅ A slight texture (not too shiny, not too flat)

What to avoid:
❌ Loud prints
❌ Large patterns
❌ Anything that pulls attention away from your face

And one thing most people don’t think about…
👉🏻 your tie can also reflect your brand or company colors

The goal isn’t to stand out—it’s to look polished, confident, and professional.

🌟 CLIENT SPOTLIGHT:

These images are from a recent session with Oilfield Service Professionals—always a great example of how simple, intentional choices come together.

📥 If you want a full breakdown of what to wear (including more tips like this), grab my Men’s Style Guide for Headshots!

✨ Link in my bio!

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Cap and gown season is here 🎓

If you didn’t get senior photos done earlier, this is your moment—professional cap & gown photos and college tee shots are the perfect way to wrap up senior year.

And now that decisions are made, it’s the best time to capture where they’re headed next.

📩 Spots are limited—click the link in my bio or DM me to book a last-minute session.

And for Class of 2027 parents… it’s not too early to start thinking ahead 👀
Some yearbook deadlines come faster than you expect, and these photos make the perfect addition to senior pages.

Click the link in my bio to book a FREE consultation with me!

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Cap and gown season is here 🎓

If you didn’t get senior photos done earlier, this is your moment—professional cap & gown photos and college tee shots are the perfect way to wrap up senior year.

And now that decisions are made, it’s the best time to capture where they’re headed next.

📩 Spots are limited—click the link in my bio or DM me to book a last-minute session.

And for Class of 2027 parents… it’s not too early to start thinking ahead 👀
Some yearbook deadlines come faster than you expect, and these photos make the perfect addition to senior pages.

Click the link in my bio to book a FREE consultation with me!

🌟 CLIENT SPOTLIGHT 👇🏻

What started as “just headshots”… turned into a full library of content.

Natalie and her husband, Rich, came to me as they were launching their new practice, Comprehensive Medical Specialists of Texas. Initially, they were looking for updated headshots and a group photo.

But as we started planning, we expanded the vision—creating not only individual headshots, but multiple group images and photos of their office space.

Now, they don’t just have one or two images…
they have a full collection they can use across their website, advertising, social media, and more.

And hearing Natalie say it was the best headshot she’s ever had? That’s always the goal 🤍

This is what a thoughtful branding session can do—give you content that actually works for your business long after the shoot is over.

📩 If you’re building or growing your business, let’s create a library of images that works for you—DM me to start planning your session.

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One of the most meaningful parts of what I do… is getting to come back.

Seeing seniors step into their careers.
Watching families grow.
Photographing people through different seasons of their lives.

What starts as “just a session” often turns into years of memories—and that’s something I never take for granted.

It’s more than photos. It’s your story, over time 🤍

If you’re ready to have your story captured, weather it’s your professional or personal one... Shoot me a DM. 📩

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One of the most meaningful parts of what I do… is getting to come back.

Seeing seniors step into their careers.
Watching families grow.
Photographing people through different seasons of their lives.

What starts as “just a session” often turns into years of memories—and that’s something I never take for granted.

It’s more than photos. It’s your story, over time 🤍

If you’re ready to have your story captured, weather it’s your professional or personal one... Shoot me a DM. 📩

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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.