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Meet Tonya Dailey

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Tonya Dailey.

Tonya, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started off shooting about 14 years ago, I was shooting everything; weddings, parties, children, and families. After about four years in business, I strictly started shooting just children and families lifestyle photography. From there, I was contacted by magazines and clothing designers to shoot because they like how I captured children just being children. As I got older, I wanted to change the pace of my work and focus on just headshots. After doing extensive research, I noticed that the market for headshots wasn’t that huge and I started studying the art of creating amazing headshots and being able to give clients what they needed to sell themselves.

Once I mastered the art I opened Tonya Dailey Headshots, and I have been in business going on four years. Some of my clients have included Joe’s Crab Shack, Centerpoint Energy, Bank of Texas, and several other big name businesses. I also work with a lot of realtors, lawyers, doctors, and my biggest clients seem to be those that work in the oil & gas industry. I still get a lot of clients that are also models, actors, and pageant contestants being that I started doing those type of headshot sessions first before I branched out into corporate America.

I still get hired to shoot lifestyle photography, but I only do it for magazines and clothing companies.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Honestly my journey was not very difficult for me, I was actually booking headshots when I was stilling doing families. The only thing that was really hindering my business was not having a studio. At the time, I was shooting only natural light and a lot of my clients needed indoor sessions. So I stepped out on faith and got a studio and once I did that is when my business completely took off.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Tonya Dailey Headshots – what should we know?
Tonya Dailey Headshots offers clients modern headshots, I am known for my clean white background that focuses on the client and what they have to offer. I’m happy that I can show my clients images that they would appreciate and love. Most of my clients hate taking pictures, so when they see their finally images, most of them are shocked that I was able to capture their good side.

My goal when my clients come to see me is to make sure they are comfortable and not uptight, being that this will not make for good images. I also take my time to make sure their clothes are together and hair is on point. This is what a lot of my clients love about me, the fact that I take the time to make sure they look amazing. My business is also very diverse when it comes to clients, when you look at my images you will see clients from all walks of life and ethnic groups. Working as a headshot photographer in Houston has blessed me to work with some really amazing people, I honestly get to know each person that walks through my door and treat them as if I been knowing them for years, conversation is what breaks the ice and allows each person to open up.

I specialize in corporate/business, modeling & acting, beauty headshots.

I also still offer on location headshots to my clients who still want a modern lifestyle headshot, so I do travel to businesses in Houston and also throughout Texas.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My father who is also a business owner has been my biggest cheerleader, he has offered nothing but amazing support through this entire journey. Also, my best friends have been the best and they still continue to push me daily.

Pricing:

  • Studio ~ $130.00 +tax | BOOK SESSION ONLINE This session is great for those individuals that just need a headshot for their business cards, website, LinkedIn, etc. ( Ages 10+ yrs ) Note: The session only covers head and half body shots. *Up to 45min session *1-2 Looks (Outfit) *2 digital Retouched images (color & blk/wht)
  • On-Location Headshot Session ~ $195.00 + tax | ages: 10yrs+ This session is great for those individuals (10yrs+ only) that just need a quick headshot for their business cards, website, casting call, etc.. Travel fee is included in this session. PROFESSIONAL RETOUCHING INCLUDED!!!! *Up to 45min on-location session **NO STUDIO** *1-2 Looks (Outfit) & One Outdoor Location *2 digital Retouched images (color & blk/wht) *Must be hair & makeup ready
  • Beauty Headshots ~ $450.00 + tax This specialty session is offered to individuals who are looking to add something different to their portfolios . Clients who book this are usually agency models, but this session is open to everyone. Professional hair and makeup will be provided, just come with clean hair & face. The client will be provided with an online password protected gallery a week after their session. Clients will be able to view between 30-40 images from their session. *1hr – 2hr. studio Session *Up to 2 looks *4 digital images + High End Retouching *Professional Hair + Makeup is Provided **ages 16+ years only**
  • Model & Actor Headshots ~ $250.00 + tax This session is offered to models and actors needing professional retouching, and A headshot layout with a white border and name on their images. The client can pick between studio or on-location session. All clients are required to have their hair and makeup professional done. The client will be provided with an online password protected gallery a week after their session. Clients will be able to view between 30-40 images from their session. *45 min. on-location session or studio *Up to 2 looks (outfits) *5 digital images + High End Retouching *Headshot Layout on Images *Professional Hair + Makeup is Recommended but not required **ages under 7yr old $150 ADDITIONAL fee**

Contact Info:

Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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