A few weeks ago, I shot these amazing campaign photos, and today is inauguration day in Texas, when we formally swear into office Governor-elect Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor-elect Dan Patrick. The BBQ alone is expected to draw 17,000 Texans.
Why Photography Matters in Political Campaigns
After the November elections, I recall an article on Breitbart that stated Texas Lieutenant Governor-elect Dan Patrick attributed his large margin of victory in part to social media. That article quoted political consultant John LaRosa, who noted that word of mouth has long been considered one of the most effective forms of advertising, and that social media, done well, amplifies that effect dramatically.
Patrick’s own consultant, Allen Blakemore, pointed out that Patrick favored social media over traditional media throughout the campaign. Photographs can be a big part of social media campaigns. I enjoy photographing politicians, but it’s especially rewarding to work with one who appreciates the power an image can have. Some politicians surprisingly seem to treat photographs as a perfunctory part of a campaign, and the results often reflect that attitude.
Behind the Scenes: Photographing Dan and Jan Patrick
I recently photographed Patrick and his wife, Jan, in Houston for his upcoming inauguration, and they were very kind people. I strive to capture genuine expressions in headshots and portraits, and to make my subjects look confident but approachable. The Patricks made that pretty easy on me. I worked with a great team, including makeup artist Heather Nixon, who also made my job easy. My hope was to capture the warmth I saw between Dan and Jan, as well as their pride heading into the inauguration.
About Dan Patrick
Patrick is an author, radio station owner and broadcaster, and the former Texas Senator from District 7, and, perhaps by the time you read this, the Lieutenant Governor of Texas.
NB: Enthusiasts will note that I am now two for two with Texas Lieutenant Governors.
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.