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3 Ideas for Taking More Natural Family Photos

Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) based in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography specializes in natural family photos.  See more family photos in the gallery.  Contact me to book your family session today!

How to Take More Natural Family Photos

Let’s face it, Grandma wants a nice family portrait with everyone smiling and looking at the camera.  And maybe Mom really wants one of those too!  So, with my family sessions we always have several options of posed family portraits with everyone smiling and looking at the camera.  But not all of the images have to be posed.  In fact, some of the best images are those that come in between the posed photos.  I’ll be there to capture those moments as well.  Here are a few ideas for taking more natural family photos at your next family session.

Let the Kids Be Kids

I know that you’ve just spent weeks planning the family outfits and everyone is pressed and brushed and polished.  But now is the time to let that go!  We will get the posed family photos early in the session.  Then we will let the kids be kids and run around, get in the dirt, and play.  When we let the kids go, their natural playfulness will take over and we’ll get genuine smiles and laughter.  And when you can relax, we’ll get your good smiles too.

Interact with Each Other

Just do what you would normally do with your kids on a Saturday afternoon.  Sweet kisses on baby toes, a tickle for the toddlers, or a tease for the older kids.  You know what makes your family giggle – so just forget that I’m there and play.  Some of the best interaction is when a family gets close and just has a good tickle fest.

Play A Game

I’m not talking board games here but anything from a family song to a duck, duck, goose, or red light/green light will work.  We just need something fun to get the kids moving and not thinking about the photos.  We’re after genuine interaction and that will come easily with a fun game.

 

Family Portraits with The Emilio Family

The Emilio family was an absolute delight to photograph.  We were able to get some amazing shots of the family smiling and looking at the camera.  In fact, Mom said that this image of them all sitting and the littlest one chewing on her necklace was absolutely her favorite.  It’s her favorite because it’s an accurate picture of them all.  I love that!  After we got the posed photos, the family just played together.  The photo with kids on mom and dad’s shoulders says it all.  They let go of all of the stress of preparations and worry about smiles and just had fun.  They let the kids play chicken (like you do in the pool) and they thought it was great fun.  I won’t show the very last image of the session, though, because sister had had enough.  That one is precious too!

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Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) based in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography specializes in family portraits.  See more family photos in the gallery.  Contact me to book your family session today!

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@taraflanneryphotography

Your business doesn’t need to be “more established” first.

You don’t need to lose the weight, finish the website, perfect your wardrobe, or wait until you feel 100% ready.

If your current photos no longer reflect the level of business you’re building, that’s reason enough to update them.

A branding session gives you more than a new headshot—it gives you a library of intentional, on-brand images you can actually use across your website, social media, marketing, speaking opportunities, and everything in between.

We’ll plan the looks, the location, the shots you need, and how you’ll use them.

You just have to finally put it on the calendar. 😉

📸 Ready for a refresh? Book your consultation with the link in my bio!

7 0
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18124473211701850
Your business doesn’t need to be “more established” first. You don’t need to lose the weight, finish the website, perfect your wardrobe, or wait until you feel 100% ready. If your current photos no longer reflect the level of business you’re building, that’s reason enough to update them. A branding session gives you more than a new headshot—it gives you a library of intentional, on-brand images you can actually use across your website, social media, marketing, speaking opportunities, and everything in between. We’ll plan the looks, the location, the shots you need, and how you’ll use them. You just have to finally put it on the calendar. 😉 📸 Ready for a refresh? Book your consultation with the link in my bio!

You’re not supposed to know what to do in front of the camera—that’s my job. 🙌🏼

I’ll tell you where to put your hands, how to angle your body, when to shift your weight, where to look, and yes… I’ll probably demonstrate it myself first. 😂

Good posing isn’t about memorizing a bunch of complicated positions. It’s about making small adjustments that help you look confident, approachable, and like yourself.

And if you want a little head start before your next headshot or branding session, I put together a free guide with 5 Power Poses Every Professional Should Know.

These are simple poses you can use for professional photos, speaking engagements, events, or anytime a camera gets pointed your way.

📸 Grab the free guide through the link in my bio—and save this reel as proof that you will never be left standing in front of my camera wondering what to do with your hands. 😂

34 1
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18352023592223405
You’re not supposed to know what to do in front of the camera—that’s my job. 🙌🏼 I’ll tell you where to put your hands, how to angle your body, when to shift your weight, where to look, and yes… I’ll probably demonstrate it myself first. 😂 Good posing isn’t about memorizing a bunch of complicated positions. It’s about making small adjustments that help you look confident, approachable, and like yourself. And if you want a little head start before your next headshot or branding session, I put together a free guide with 5 Power Poses Every Professional Should Know. These are simple poses you can use for professional photos, speaking engagements, events, or anytime a camera gets pointed your way. 📸 Grab the free guide through the link in my bio—and save this reel as proof that you will never be left standing in front of my camera wondering what to do with your hands. 😂

I’ve been a photographer for a long time, and somewhere along the way I realized the photos are only part of what I get to create. 🤍

I get to help someone who hates being photographed finally feel comfortable in front of the camera.

I get to help business owners show up confidently for the brands they’ve worked so hard to build.

Yes, I make photographs.

But I also get to create confidence, connection, and something worth holding onto.

And I think that’s a pretty great way to make a living. 📸

Ready to create something of your own? Whether you need updated headshots, fresh branding photos, senior portraits, or family photos, I’d love to have you in front of my camera.

📩 Book your session through the link in my bio.

17 0
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18048708641798880
I’ve been a photographer for a long time, and somewhere along the way I realized the photos are only part of what I get to create. 🤍 I get to help someone who hates being photographed finally feel comfortable in front of the camera. I get to help business owners show up confidently for the brands they’ve worked so hard to build. Yes, I make photographs. But I also get to create confidence, connection, and something worth holding onto. And I think that’s a pretty great way to make a living. 📸 Ready to create something of your own? Whether you need updated headshots, fresh branding photos, senior portraits, or family photos, I’d love to have you in front of my camera. 📩 Book your session through the link in my bio.

If your team is constantly changing… this is worth knowing. 👇🏼

Group photos can be one of the hardest things to keep updated—especially for businesses with high turnover, growing teams, or people who aren’t always in the same place at the same time.

That’s where a group composite comes in.

Instead of trying to coordinate everyone for one big photo, I photograph each person individually—so you get cohesive, professional headshots—and then build the group image from there.

The biggest benefit?

When someone joins or leaves your team, you don’t have to start over. We simply update the composite—no need to reschedule a full team session.

It’s a much more flexible (and realistic) way to keep your team looking consistent and up to date.

If your team photos have been on your to-do list, this might be the solution you’ve been looking for.

📩 You can book a consultation through the link in my bio.

19 1
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18147126937523026
If your team is constantly changing… this is worth knowing. 👇🏼 Group photos can be one of the hardest things to keep updated—especially for businesses with high turnover, growing teams, or people who aren’t always in the same place at the same time. That’s where a group composite comes in. Instead of trying to coordinate everyone for one big photo, I photograph each person individually—so you get cohesive, professional headshots—and then build the group image from there. The biggest benefit? When someone joins or leaves your team, you don’t have to start over. We simply update the composite—no need to reschedule a full team session. It’s a much more flexible (and realistic) way to keep your team looking consistent and up to date. If your team photos have been on your to-do list, this might be the solution you’ve been looking for. 📩 You can book a consultation through the link in my bio.

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Serving the Greater Houston, Texas Area

tara@taraflannery.com

713-412-5437

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Tara is a member of the Professional Photographers of America PPA.
Tara is a Certified Professional Photographer.
Tara is a member of TPPA Texas Professional Photographer's Association.
Tara has earned her Master of Photography degree.
Tara has earned her Photographic Craftsman certification.
Tara is a member of the Professional Photographers Guild of Houston PPGH.