Headshots Near Me: A Branding Session with The Idea Farm
Houston Headshots with Maureen O’Shay
If you’ve ever searched for headshots near me, you’ll know there’s a list of photographers that go on for pages. I want you to know that what I do goes far beyond taking a nice photo with a click of a button.
My recent branding session with The Idea Farm, a Houston-based advertising agency, focused on driving meaningful results through strategic storytelling, is a perfect example of how intentional, thoughtful photography can visually communicate who a company is and what they stand for.
I met Jose, the CEO of The Idea Farm, at a networking event, and we immediately hit it off. He originally reached out because he needed updated personal branding photos. As we kept talking, it became clear he needed more than just headshots. The Idea Farm was in the middle of a rebrand, and they wanted to showcase not only leadership, but their entire team, their culture, and their identity as a Houston-based agency with boots on the ground for their clients.
Branding Starts with a Creative Strategy
Soon both Jose and Karla, the Idea Farm’s COO, and I met and walked through the full creative process together. This is one of my favorite parts of what I do! Before we ever pick up a camera, we talk through goals, messaging, and how the images will actually be used.
We landed on three key pillars for their branding session:
Team headshots and active group photos showing collaboration
Leadership team portraits that felt confident and professional
Couple and family-style photos of Jose and Karla to show approachability, authenticity, and connection to the Houston community
This approach allowed them to visually communicate professionalism, competency, and warmth, while also showing that they live and work right here in Houston. Proud members of the 713.
Houston Headshots with Purpose and Versatility
The session began at their office with individual team headshots while others we in hair and makeup. We captured two distinct looks for each team member: one on a clean gray background for consistency, and one “in the office” to add personality and context. This gave them a versatile library of images while maintaining a cohesive brand look.
Next, we photographed the team interacting around a conference room table. These types of images are incredibly valuable. They show collaboration, energy, and how the team works together for the benefit of their clients.
From there, we headed into the city for executive team images at a local coffee shop. Instead of shooting with the Houston skyline, which you see all the time, we chose a more modern approach and photographed them in the city. It feels real, current, and connected.
Our final stop was The Heights, the neighborhood where Jose and Karla live. These “about us” style photos allow potential clients to see the people behind the brand. They communicate that this is a Houston agency, run by Houstonians, deeply connected to the community they serve.
Houston Headshots Are More Than Pretty Pictures
This session is a great example of how I approach branding photography. It’s never just about pretty images. Every photo is intentional. Just like a writer chooses words carefully to tell a story, I choose locations, expressions, lighting, and composition to communicate visually.
When clients search for headshots near me, they’re often really searching for someone who understands branding, messaging, and strategy. We start every session with the end goal in mind. From there, I create a detailed shoot list designed to meet those goals and ensure the images serve a purpose across websites, social media, presentations, proposals, and marketing materials.
The Idea Farm now has a library of images they can use consistently across platforms, reinforcing who they are and how they work.
Ready for Houston Headshots That Actually Tell Your Story?
If you’re back on Google searching for headshots near me that go beyond a single photo and truly support your brand, our team would love to help! Whether you’re rebranding, growing a team, or simply ready for images that better reflect who you are today, we’ll build a creative plan with intention behind every frame.
Let’s create visuals that work as hard as you do. Reach out!