Facebook logo
Instagram logo
Pinterest logo
Linked In logo
Tara Flannery Photography logo
Business Headshots
Actor/Model Headshots
Branding
Family Portraits
Senior Portraits
Book a free
consultation
HOMEtake me home
all the latestBLOG
get to know meABOUT
get in touchContact

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:

  1. 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!
  2. 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.
  3. 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?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

Not sure how formal your headshot should be? Start here. 👇

Your outfit plays a huge role in the story your headshot tells — and choosing the right look helps you show up with clarity and confidence.

Here are 5 levels of formality for men’s headshots and when to use each one:

1️⃣ Very Formal
Suit jacket + button-down shirt + tie
This look builds instant trust and authority.

2️⃣ Semi-formal (No Tie)
Suit jacket + button-down (no tie)
Polished, approachable, and confident.

3️⃣ Business Casual
Button-down shirt, no jacket
Comfortable and true to your everyday brand.

4️⃣ Branded Apparel
Button-down or polo with company logo
Keeps things clean, professional, and consistent — especially for team headshots.

5️⃣ Casual
Fitted t-shirt or polo (no branding)
Still professional — just more relaxed and innovative.

✨ BONUS TIPS:
– Stick to solid colors
– Make sure clothes are clean, pressed & well-fitted
– Avoid loud patterns or busy logos (unless branded)
– Bring a backup shirt or jacket to your session

🎯 The goal? Choose the level that fits your industry, role, and personality — and Tara will help you photograph it perfectly.

📆 DM to book TODAY!

1 0
Open
Not sure how formal your headshot should be? Start here. 👇 Your outfit plays a huge role in the story your headshot tells — and choosing the right look helps you show up with clarity and confidence. Here are 5 levels of formality for men’s headshots and when to use each one: 1️⃣ Very Formal Suit jacket + button-down shirt + tie This look builds instant trust and authority. 2️⃣ Semi-formal (No Tie) Suit jacket + button-down (no tie) Polished, approachable, and confident. 3️⃣ Business Casual Button-down shirt, no jacket Comfortable and true to your everyday brand. 4️⃣ Branded Apparel Button-down or polo with company logo Keeps things clean, professional, and consistent — especially for team headshots. 5️⃣ Casual Fitted t-shirt or polo (no branding) Still professional — just more relaxed and innovative. ✨ BONUS TIPS: – Stick to solid colors – Make sure clothes are clean, pressed & well-fitted – Avoid loud patterns or busy logos (unless branded) – Bring a backup shirt or jacket to your session 🎯 The goal? Choose the level that fits your industry, role, and personality — and Tara will help you photograph it perfectly. 📆 DM to book TODAY!

📸 Express Headshot Special — Just $150 (Reg. $190)

Dads are impossible to shop for… but this year, we’ve got you covered.

Instead of another gadget or grill tool, give him something that actually works for him — a professional headshot that looks sharp, confident, and completely him.

✅ 15-minute in-studio session
✅ 1 fully retouched image
✅ Fast, easy, and giftable

Offer ends June 15, so don’t wait!
📩 DM to schedule or email tara@taraflannery.com with CODE: DADSDAY150

This year, skip the stress and give Dad a gift he’ll actually use (and love). 🙌

#fathersdaygift #professionalheadshots #giftfordad

5 0
Open
📸 Express Headshot Special — Just $150 (Reg. $190) Dads are impossible to shop for… but this year, we’ve got you covered. Instead of another gadget or grill tool, give him something that actually works for him — a professional headshot that looks sharp, confident, and completely him. ✅ 15-minute in-studio session ✅ 1 fully retouched image ✅ Fast, easy, and giftable Offer ends June 15, so don’t wait! 📩 DM to schedule or email tara@taraflannery.com with CODE: DADSDAY150 This year, skip the stress and give Dad a gift he’ll actually use (and love). 🙌 #fathersdaygift #professionalheadshots #giftfordad

Let`s talk about it 👇🏻

Whether it’s your LinkedIn profile, website bio, or social media presence—your photo is often the first impression people get of you.

And if it’s outdated, poorly lit, overly casual, or just not aligned with who you are now… it’s doing more harm than good.

Here’s what a great headshot can do:
✅ Build instant trust with clients
✅ Attract job offers, press, or speaking gigs
✅ Help you show up confidently in a crowded market
✅ Make your personal brand feel polished and professional

It’s more than just a photo—it’s your reputation in pixels.

📸 I create relaxed, guided headshot sessions that reflect your style, your energy, and your goals. Let’s make sure your image is working for you, not against you.

Contact me to book your session or visit the link in my bio to schedule your free consultation.

Your future self will thank you. 👏

7 0
Open
Let's talk about it 👇🏻 Whether it’s your LinkedIn profile, website bio, or social media presence—your photo is often the first impression people get of you. And if it’s outdated, poorly lit, overly casual, or just not aligned with who you are now… it’s doing more harm than good. Here’s what a great headshot can do: ✅ Build instant trust with clients ✅ Attract job offers, press, or speaking gigs ✅ Help you show up confidently in a crowded market ✅ Make your personal brand feel polished and professional It’s more than just a photo—it’s your reputation in pixels. 📸 I create relaxed, guided headshot sessions that reflect your style, your energy, and your goals. Let’s make sure your image is working for you, not against you. Contact me to book your session or visit the link in my bio to schedule your free consultation. Your future self will thank you. 👏

Goldfish have longer attention spans than most people online. If your visuals don’t speak fast, they’re not being seen.

And more often than not, it’s your photos doing the talking before you ever say a word.

High-quality, professional visuals do more than “look good.” They ⤵️

✅ Build Trust Instantly

People want to feel like they know you before they work with you. Clear, polished images of you (not stock photography) help potential clients connect with the face behind the business.

✅ Showcase Professionalism

From your website to your Instagram grid, cohesive brand photography tells the world you’re serious, credible, and ready for business.

✅ Create Brand Clarity

What do you want people to feel when they land on your page? Confident? Warm? Innovative? Your visuals should reflect that vibe—because clarity creates confidence.

✅ Set You Apart

In a saturated market, people are buying you as much as your product or service. Brand photography gives you a chance to stand out with personality, story, and style.

If you’re still using a mix of selfies, old photos, or generic images, you might be confusing your audience—or worse, losing them.

Let’s fix that. Let’s create visuals that stop the scroll and start the connection.

📸 DM me to learn more about a brand session or click the link in bio for details.

8 0
Open
Goldfish have longer attention spans than most people online. If your visuals don’t speak fast, they’re not being seen. And more often than not, it’s your photos doing the talking before you ever say a word. High-quality, professional visuals do more than “look good.” They ⤵️ ✅ Build Trust Instantly People want to feel like they know you before they work with you. Clear, polished images of you (not stock photography) help potential clients connect with the face behind the business. ✅ Showcase Professionalism From your website to your Instagram grid, cohesive brand photography tells the world you’re serious, credible, and ready for business. ✅ Create Brand Clarity What do you want people to feel when they land on your page? Confident? Warm? Innovative? Your visuals should reflect that vibe—because clarity creates confidence. ✅ Set You Apart In a saturated market, people are buying you as much as your product or service. Brand photography gives you a chance to stand out with personality, story, and style. If you’re still using a mix of selfies, old photos, or generic images, you might be confusing your audience—or worse, losing them. Let’s fix that. Let’s create visuals that stop the scroll and start the connection. 📸 DM me to learn more about a brand session or click the link in bio for details.

- 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.