Professional headshot photographer Chris Gillett is marking a major milestone: 10 years of creating standout portraits for lawyers, executives, and leaders across Texas and beyond. Once a top-rated trial attorney himself, Gillett now spends his days helping his clients present their best selves through expertly crafted headshots that project confidence, professionalism, and humanity.
“The strongest headshots express authenticity, and although AI can imitate, it can’t feel. And art without feeling isn’t art, it’s decoration. People still want to see the real you. That’s never going out of style,” Gillett said.
Gillett has worked with the elite of Houston's professional community including the past two Presidents of Shell North America Bruce Culpepper and Gretchen Watkins and the incoming president Colette Hirstius.
He specializes in a unique blend of expression and confidence coaching during photoshoots, capturing leadership, warmth, and credibility in a single frame. His work is sought after by attorneys and business professionals who understand the impact of a powerful headshot in today’s digital-first world.
“I want my clients to look strong, capable, and real. Your headshot is a visual handshake. If it doesn’t make people want to work with you, it’s not doing its job,” Gillett said.
His journey into photography began after a disastrous personal experience with a generic corporate headshot.
“I looked like a deranged night stalker. That photo launched me on a mission to figure out how to do it right and to help others avoid the same fate,” he said
Now widely recognized as one of Houston’s best legal headshot photographers, Gillett has worked with thousands of professionals across law, business, and medicine, using state-of-the-art equipment and deep knowledge of facial expression coaching to help each client shine.
As AI-generated portraits become more common, many photographers fear being replaced. But Gillett doesn’t see it that way.
"I've had clients tear up because they couldn't believe they could really look that good. AI can never do that. Plus, I'm not a fan of professional catfishing,” he said.
There’s another reason Gillett feels confident entering his second decade of professional photography.
“AI needs real content to function. It feeds off what humans create. But more importantly, it can’t read the room. It doesn’t know when a client is nervous, or when to crack a joke to get a genuine smile. It can’t coach confidence. Only a human can do that,” Gillett said.
He believes the growing presence of AI in photography will actually increase the demand for authentic, human-made headshots, especially in industries that rely on trust and personal connection, like law and business.
