Usually when people hire me to create a headshot it is because they like my style or my eye or whatever you call it. They have seen my portfolio and decided that they want a headshot similar to what they see. That is one of the reasons I have the portfolio online, so folks can see what I deliver. Occasionally, I am booked by people that want me to do something else. I generally think this is a mistake and try to discourage them from doing so. I am way too expensive to work with unless you really like my stuff. If you don’t like it, that is cool. Ultimately it is a matter of esthetic opinion. I can talk your ear off about what I like about the style, but if you don’t like it, we are likely at an impasse.
If I do something that is not my stuff, it is probably because I REALLY like the client or it is a lucrative job.
Nevertheless, I think that it is a mistake to use me as a laborer with a camera. If you work with me, it should be because you like my work and my eye for expression and want to utilize those for the benefit of your personal brand. That is it. Let me show you an example.
There is an advertising firm that I adore. They do some work for a firm that has people I like. For reasons I do not understand, they required me to photograph their people on a background that only lacks one thing: redeeming qualities. The backgrounds that I use have a purpose. The white for example is still a contemporary look. I love the negative space it creates. It is like an homage to Richard Avedon. It is easy to cut the heads off of so some web design guy can slap them on a city skyline or something horrid like that. Most importantly, it is inconspicuous.
I think of what I do as taking a portrait of your personality. The expression on your face is the main thing I am concerned with. Yes, I want you to look good, but the expression is primary. There are a ton of pictures of attractive people with blank or vacant or miserable looks on their faces. My clients can’t have that. They care about the message their headshot sends, and “I’m feelin’ ennui” is a bad message for most folks to send. Anything that distracts the viewer from the expression worries me. That is one of the reasons why I recommend to women that we use light and natural make up and little to no jewelry. It is why I like plain backgrounds for headshots.
Here is a headshot of an attractive person on a less than ideal background, cropped too loosely:
It isn’t awful. She looks nice. But I feel like I am Olan Mills having a really good day. Judge for yourself. Here she is on the background I want, cropped the way I want:
I think this version has way more impact than the Sears Portrait Studio version, and by that I mean that it blows doors on it in the exact same way that Geddy Lee blows doors on that guy who played bass for Scorpions in the 80’s. Quod erat demonstrandum.
So let me do my stuff, and we will both be better off.
The author would like to thank Keyshawn Johnson whose autobiography Just Give Me the Damn Ball inspired this blog post.
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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.