About Chris Gillett Photography
My name is Chris Gillett, and I’m a former trial lawyer, adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center, and professional headshot photographer. I’ve spent more than a decade photographing accomplished professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, and attorneys who understand that a headshot isn’t just a picture. It’s often someone’s first impression of you.
Most of my work is with individuals who need a polished, high-trust headshot that helps them look confident, approachable, and credible. I also photograph select corporate teams when a company wants a consistent, high-end look across an entire organization.
I Don’t Really Follow Other Photographers
I’m going to be honest with you.
My marketing people asked me to write this page.
I don’t go to photographer meetups. I don’t spend my weekends watching YouTube videos about the latest posing trends. While I absolutely love photography, I’m much more likely to spend my time studying painters, sculptors, human psychology, anatomy, facial expression, and nonverbal communication than I am studying what the person giving away free headshots in the lobby of your office building is doing.
That probably sounds strange for someone whose job is taking pictures.
But I don’t think my job is taking pictures.
My job is helping people communicate confidence, intelligence, warmth, authority, and trust with a single image.
Photography is just the tool I use to do it.
The Things That Actually Influence My Work
I have tremendous respect for great artists.
One photographer whose work I genuinely admire is Slim Aarons. He was basically Instagram before Instagram existed. He photographed beautiful people in beautiful places using nothing more than a camera, good light, and incredible instincts. I own several of his coffee table books. I even gave one to my oldest son years ago.
I still regret giving it away.
Beyond photography, I draw inspiration from classical painting, sculpture, psychology, body language research, and the science of facial expression. Those subjects have had a much greater influence on how I photograph people than following whatever happens to be trending on social media this month.
Why Clients Hire Me
Most people assume a photographer’s job is about cameras and lighting.
Those things matter.
But they aren’t why people look good in my photographs.
The biggest difference is that I coach expression.
A camera records what is already there. It doesn’t create confidence or authenticity. During a session, I’m constantly watching tiny changes in posture, muscle tension, eye engagement, and facial expression. We review images together throughout the session, making adjustments until we create a headshot that actually communicates what you want it to communicate.
That’s why attorneys, executives, physicians, business owners, and other accomplished professionals trust me with their image.
They’re not looking for filters.
They’re looking for credibility.
There Are Plenty of Good Houston Headshot Photographers
I’m sure there are plenty of talented photographers in Houston.
In fact, my friend Danny Nguyen does excellent work.
If they’re creating honest photographs of real people, we’re on the same team.
That matters more today than ever.
Please stop making fake AI portraits of yourself on your phone.
Real people deserve real photographs.
Your clients, your colleagues, and the people deciding whether to trust you are remarkably good at spotting authenticity, even if they can’t explain exactly why.
A great headshot isn’t about looking perfect.
It’s about looking like the best, most believable version of yourself.
That’s the kind of work I enjoy creating every day.
The photos turned out amazing! It was a pleasure working with you!
These are freaking amazing! My executive team now wants to have their headshots done…
Besides producing an exceptional end product that stands out in the crowded digital sea of head shots, Chris has an innate talent for making the experience a lot of fun and getting his subject engaged in his process. If you’re looking for a great guy that will work with you to bring out your best and capture it in an image, go see Chris.
NEVER THOUGHT GETTING A HEAD SHOT DONE WOULD FIGURE INTO A TOP TEN LIST OF MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES.
These shots are insanely good! You crushed it!
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.