What to wear for headshots | Houston 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 what to wear for headshots!  See more headshots in the gallery.  Contact me to book your professional headshot today!

What to wear for headshots

Aside from scheduling a date with your headshot photographer, this may be the next hardest thing to do in preparation for your headshot session.  Choosing what to wear for headshots!  Wardrobe is so important, though, because it lends itself to certain backgrounds and the feel of the headshot.  Take some time to consider what you’ll wear for the headshot.

Here are a few tips to help!

  1. Consider your position, industry, and where you’re going!  They say that you should dress for your next promotion.  Dress like you want the person’s job who’s above you.  Your headshot wardrobe should reflect the type of work that you do.
  2. Decide on formal versus a casual look.  It’s probably a good idea to have both so that you can tailor your headshot to suit the marketing material.
  3. Choose solid colors.  Too much pattern can be distracting in a headshot.  Layers and texture are good but not pattern.
  4. Choose wardrobe pieces for their neckline (either a strong neckline or a soft neckline paired with a jacket).
  5. Jewelry is great in a headshot.  Just make sure it’s not too large or distracting.  The main focus should be on your face.
  6. Make sure nails are manicured in case they show in the image.

If you’re unsure about a piece of clothing or what to wear, bring options to your session and chat with your photographer.  She will be able to guide you when you both can discuss the clothing and session.

Recent Headshots

Here are a few recent headshot sessions.  And a few general rules that I use to coordinate wardrobe with background choices.  If you choose dark colors like black or navy, I like to use a neutral grey or darker grey background.  This makes the clothing and background blend well so that the focus lies on the face.  If you bring a top with bold color like red, royal blue, pink, or green, I like to photograph on a clean white background.  The pop of color on the white background looks really great!  If you have an off-white top, I also like the medium grey to set off that color.

what to wear for headshotsmodern environmental headshotcontemporary professional headshotwhat to wear for headshotsprofessional woman's headshot with black jacket and pink shirtwhat to wear for headshotswhat to wear for headshots

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!

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@taraflanneryphotography

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! 📸
Class of 2027, the clock is ticking! 🎓📸

Yearbook deadlines are getting closer, which means there’s not much time left to get those fall senior portraits on the calendar.

Senior photos are about so much more than checking a yearbook photo off the list. This is your chance to capture their personality, style, interests, and who they are during one of the biggest years of their life.

If senior portraits are still sitting on your fall to-do list, this is your sign to get them booked!

🎓 Now booking fall senior sessions. Head to the link in my bio to get started.
Come spend a headshot + branding day with me! 📸

One of my favorite things about on-location sessions is getting to step into a client’s space and create images that actually feel connected to their business.

We can capture updated headshots, team photos, working shots, office details, and plenty of branding content—all without your team having to leave the office.

A lot goes into a shoot day, but this is the fun part: turning an ordinary workday into a whole new library of images for your brand.

Need updated photos for your business or team? Let’s plan your session! Click the link in my bio to get started! 🔗
If your kids are still living under your roof, take the photos. 🤍

You hear people say you only get 18 summers with your kids, and now that mine are grown, I understand just how quickly those years really go. Once college, work, relationships, and their own schedules enter the picture, getting everyone together at the same time gets a whole lot harder.

So don’t wait for the “perfect” year for family portraits. Document the family you have right now—the missing teeth, growth spurts, changing personalities, and even the little bit of chaos that comes with it.

Because one day, getting everyone in the same place for a family photo might be the hardest part.

🍂 Fall Family Portrait Weekend Availability:

September 20
October 3, 10, & 17
November 7 & 15

If family portraits have been on your list, grab one of my remaining fall dates before they’re gone.

📸 Book your session through the link in my bio.

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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.