“Chris Gillett’s studio is the best location in Houston for Headshot of any kind” Thats what my marketing people want me to say, but the reality is…
You’re Probably Asking the Wrong Question.
One of the first questions people ask me is, “Gillett, Where should we shoot?”
Should we take the photos outside? In the office? At your tudio?
It’s a reasonable question, but it’s usually the wrong one.
In fact, many people ask about the location before they’ve even thought about why they’re having professional headshots taken in the first place. Until you answer that question, it’s almost impossible to know where the photos should be made.
The important part isn’t if you’re getting your headshots in Katy, Texas in a beautiful park or if they are on a blank back drop.
The important part is the why.
Start With the Purpose
What job is this headshot supposed to do?
For most of my clients, the answer is simple. Their headshot is going to make a first impression.
It might appear on LinkedIn, your company website, a law firm bio page, a conference program, or a proposal. People will decide how competent, trustworthy, and approachable you seem from that first impression made by your headshot.
That’s a lot to ask from a single photograph.
The goal isn’t simply to take a flattering picture. The goal is to create a first impression that increases your perceived level of expertise.
Depending on your profession, that might mean looking confident, approachable, authentic, intelligent, or authoritative. Most of the time, it’s some combination of all four.
Once you understand that objective, the decision about location becomes much easier.
Why I Prefer Studio Headshots
The reason I photograph most professional headshots in the studio is simple.
I don’t want anything competing with your face.
Your face is where the communication happens. It’s what tells people whether you seem confident, trustworthy, warm, or capable. Every other element in the image is secondary.
A simple background removes distractions and keeps the viewer’s attention exactly where it belongs.
The cleaner the image, the more mental energy the viewer spends looking at your expression instead of wondering what’s happening behind you.
That’s one reason you see so many successful executives, attorneys, physicians, and business leaders photographed against clean, uncluttered backgrounds. The photograph isn’t trying to tell a story about the environment. It’s telling a story about the person.
What About Office Headshots?
Office portraits can work, if showing the workplace is important to your brand.
Maybe you’re an architect standing in front of one of your projects. Maybe you’re a chef in your restaurant or a physician in your practice.
Those images can provide useful context.
The problem is that backgrounds also communicate things you may not intend.
Busy hallways, fluorescent lighting, cluttered desks, awkward furniture, exit signs, and distracting colors all pull attention away from your expression. Instead of noticing that you look confident and approachable, viewers attention is pulled away to irrelevant details.
Sometimes less really is more.
Should You Take Headshots Outside?
Outdoor headshots have become popular over the past several years, and they can have their place.
Natural light can look beautiful, and parks or urban settings can create a relaxed, casual feel.
But if we’re being honest, photographing outside in Houston isn’t always as glamorous as the finished images suggest.
This is Harris County, Texas.
That means heat, humidity, wind, mosquitoes, unpredictable weather, and clients who are trying not to sweat through their shirts before we’ve even started shooting.
Hair gets blown around. Jackets wrinkle. Makeup starts working overtime. People become uncomfortable, and uncomfortable people rarely look confident.
Could we shoot outside?
Absolutely.
Will we get great images?
Probably.
Will we work harder for them than we would in a climate-controlled studio?
Definitely.
The Background Isn’t What Makes a Great Headshot
One of the biggest misconceptions about professional headshots is that an interesting location automatically creates a better photograph.
It doesn’t.
The background is rarely what people remember.
They remember the person.
A great headshot works because the expression is believable. The confidence feels genuine. The smile doesn’t look forced. The posture communicates authority without arrogance.
Those qualities have very little to do with whether you’re standing in a park, an office lobby, or in front of a gray backdrop.
So Where Should You Shoot?
If your primary goal is making the strongest possible first impression, I believe a studio with a clean, simple background is usually the best choice.
It removes distractions.
It puts all the attention on your face.
It gives us complete control over the lighting.
Most importantly, it allows the photograph to communicate exactly what matters most: who you are.
If your brand truly benefits from showing your workplace or an outdoor environment, then by all means, let’s do that. There are plenty of situations where those choices make sense.
But don’t choose a location simply because it looks interesting.
Choose it because it helps your photograph accomplish its purpose.
At the end of the day, your headshot isn’t about the office, the skyline, or the park behind you.
It’s about making someone look at your face and think, “That’s someone I want to work with.”
That’s the job of a great professional headshot, no matter where it’s taken.
Ready for a Professional Headshot?
If you’re looking for professional headshots in Houston that help you make a stronger first impression, I’d love to help. Every session at Chris Gillett Photography is designed around one goal: creating a headshot that makes you look confident, authentic, and approachable while reflecting the level of expertise you’ve worked hard to earn.
Whether you need a LinkedIn headshot, executive portrait, attorney headshot, or personal branding images, let’s create a photograph that works as hard as you do.
Schedule your Houston headshot session today and let’s create a first impression you’ll be proud of.
Need to know more?
Frequently asked questions
Chris Gillett Photography is based in Houston, Texas. Individual headshot sessions take place at my private studio near Sawyer Yards in Houston’s 77007 area.
Corporate headshots and team photography can also be conducted on-site at your office or event location throughout the Houston area.
As a photographer who works primarily with attorneys, executives, physicians, lawyers, and corporate teams, I schedule all sessions by appointment to ensure every client receives individualized attention.
Headshot pricing and booking information can be found on the pricing page.
My clients range from individual professionals updating LinkedIn profiles to law firms and corporations photographing entire teams. Because needs vary significantly, I offer both standard individual sessions and custom corporate quotes.
Payment can be made by credit card, cash, check, Venmo, or other common payment methods.
Preparation is one of the most important factors in creating a successful professional headshot.
Your clothing, grooming, posture, expression, and overall presentation all influence how people perceive you. During the past decade, I have photographed thousands of professionals, and small adjustments often make a significant difference in the final result.
Every client receives preparation guidance before their session, and I am happy to discuss wardrobe, grooming, and personal branding considerations during a booked complimentary consultation.
In most cases, no.
Professional lighting, camera technique, and retouching can address common concerns such as shine, temporary blemishes, redness, and minor skin inconsistencies.
My goal is not to make clients look overly polished or artificial. Instead, I want them to look like the best version of themselves while maintaining authenticity and credibility.
Professional makeup is available for clients who would like it.
The makeup appointment begins at the scheduled session time and typically takes up to one hour. Before photography begins, we review the finished look together to ensure everyone is comfortable with the result.
The makeup artist is paid separately, and the current fee is $290. More information can be found on my make up page. Clients should arrive with their hair prepared for the session.
Yes.
I regularly photograph law firms, executive teams, medical practices, and businesses throughout Houston.
Corporate headshot sessions can be conducted at your office or another agreed-upon location. Special group pricing is available for organizations with five or more people.
If you need consistent headshots across an entire team, I can help create a uniform look that aligns with your company’s brand and professional image.
Every image you purchase is personally selected by your with my guidance. During the image review process, I help clients choose photographs that best communicate confidence, credibility, approachability, and professionalism.
Each selected image is then professionally retouched by me. My retouching process removes temporary distractions such as blemishes, redness, flyaway hairs, and under-eye shadows while preserving natural skin texture and authentic appearance.
Final images are typically delivered within 10 business days in high-resolution digital format suitable for LinkedIn, company websites, marketing materials, speaking engagements, and other professional uses.
Arrive with your hair styled the way you normally want to be seen professionally.
For most clients, this means coming with clean, dry hair that has already been cut, colored, or styled before the session. If you are planning a haircut, I generally recommend scheduling it a few days before your session rather than immediately beforehand.
If you are working with my professional makeup artist, she can help refine your look and address minor issues such as flat hair, flyaways, or volume concerns. However, clients should still arrive camera-ready rather than expecting hair styling to begin from scratch.
Do not show up with wet hair.
Yes.
I generally recommend scheduling your haircut several days to a week before your session. This allows your haircut to settle into its natural appearance while still looking fresh and well-maintained.
The ideal timing varies by individual, so consider when your hair typically looks its best after a cut.
Because each session reserves dedicated studio time, a minimum of 48 hours’ notice is required for cancellations or rescheduling requests.
With proper notice, your reservation fee can be refunded or applied to a future session. This policy helps ensure that appointment times remain available for other clients while allowing flexibility when unexpected circumstances arise.
I accept most common forms of payment, including credit cards, cash, checks, and Venmo.
Payment details will be provided during the booking process. If you have specific payment requirements for corporate invoicing or business reimbursement, please let me know in advance.
A professional headshot session is much more than standing in front of a camera and smiling.
Before we begin, we’ll discuss how you want to be perceived and where your images will be used. Whether you’re an attorney, executive, physician, entrepreneur, actor, or job seeker, the goals of the session influence everything from wardrobe choices to expression coaching.
During the session, I will guide you through posture, body language, head position, expression, and eye contact. Most of my clients are not professional models, so direction is a normal part of the process.
Throughout the session, we’ll review images together and make adjustments as needed. My goal is to create photographs that communicate confidence, competence, credibility, and approachability while still looking authentically like you.
Most clients tell me they arrive nervous and leave surprised by how easy and enjoyable the experience was.