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May 4, 2015

A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words | Houston Headshot Photographer

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

I agree. The most important and unique asset we all possess is a smile.

A smile welcomes a stranger.

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.

Professional Headshot

It opens or closes a conversation.

It sends a positive message.

It’s a sign of confidence and radiance.

The world always looks brighter from behind a smile.

In a lot of the mentoring I do, I often find women (and men) want to know more about how to develop a personal brand. Today’s social stage requires us all to build a presence. Before anything else, it’s about putting our best smile on for the camera. And that means taking a quality headshot.

THREE STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL HEADSHOT: Professional Headshot

1. No selfies. Hire a professional. I’ve seen awful photos on LinkedIn profiles ranging from vacation shots to soft porn. Yes, I love Disney World too, but there’s a place for those photos: Facebook. The best investment you can make in taking a quality shot is to hire a pro. It used to be that meant spending lots of money. That’s changed. Most photographers charge $150-250 for a session and if you can arrange a group session, you can save even more. So just put aside a month of lattes and the calories you’ll save, and make the investment.

2. Your clothing choice is important. The goal of taking a nice shot is to bring you to the forefront. You want to wear flattering clothing so avoid anything that’s distracting. Go for muted tones that are a bit subdued and bring colors that compliment your skin tone.

3. Have fun. Sometimes the best shots are the ones in between those formal posed shots. So don’t be afraid to let loose and be yourself – that’s what people want to see!

Written by Katie Mehnert

http://www.katiemehnert.com/

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@taraflanneryphotography

“But what if my kids don’t cooperate?” 😅

If that’s the first thing you think about when you imagine family photos, I promise—you’re not alone.

Your kids don’t need to sit perfectly still, smile on command, or be on their best behavior for us to create beautiful photos. They can move. They can be silly. They can need a snack break. They can take a few minutes to warm up.

That’s all part of photographing real families.

Swipe through for a few of my favorite ways to make family portraits with little ones feel easier (and a whole lot less stressful).

And if you want help preparing for everything else, grab my FREE Family Session Welcome Guide! I’ll walk you through what to wear, choosing a location, preparing for your session, what to expect from start to finish, posing, finished photo ideas, FAQs, and more.

🤍 Grab your free copy through the link in my bio—and then come to your session ready to love on your family. I’ll handle the rest.

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Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18098492174377247

“But what if my kids don’t cooperate?” 😅

If that’s the first thing you think about when you imagine family photos, I promise—you’re not alone.

Your kids don’t need to sit perfectly still, smile on command, or be on their best behavior for us to create beautiful photos. They can move. They can be silly. They can need a snack break. They can take a few minutes to warm up.

That’s all part of photographing real families.

Swipe through for a few of my favorite ways to make family portraits with little ones feel easier (and a whole lot less stressful).

And if you want help preparing for everything else, grab my FREE Family Session Welcome Guide! I’ll walk you through what to wear, choosing a location, preparing for your session, what to expect from start to finish, posing, finished photo ideas, FAQs, and more.

🤍 Grab your free copy through the link in my bio—and then come to your session ready to love on your family. I’ll handle the rest.

Family photos with a 4-year-old? You just have to roll with it. 😂🤍

Little kids aren’t going to stand perfectly still, follow every direction, and smile on command—and I don’t expect them to!

I’d much rather meet them where they are. We’ll play, move around, be silly, take little breaks when we need them, and work toward those sweet moments in between.

That’s part of why I love family sessions so much. The goal isn’t perfectly behaved kids or a picture-perfect hour. It’s capturing your family as they are right now.

And yes, we’ll still get that beautiful everyone-looking-at-the-camera photo for the frame. 😉 But sometimes the personality-filled moments end up being the favorites.

🍂 I still have a few fall family portrait dates available! Head to the link in my bio to reserve your session.

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Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18085228853701691

Family photos with a 4-year-old? You just have to roll with it. 😂🤍

Little kids aren’t going to stand perfectly still, follow every direction, and smile on command—and I don’t expect them to!

I’d much rather meet them where they are. We’ll play, move around, be silly, take little breaks when we need them, and work toward those sweet moments in between.

That’s part of why I love family sessions so much. The goal isn’t perfectly behaved kids or a picture-perfect hour. It’s capturing your family as they are right now.

And yes, we’ll still get that beautiful everyone-looking-at-the-camera photo for the frame. 😉 But sometimes the personality-filled moments end up being the favorites.

🍂 I still have a few fall family portrait dates available! Head to the link in my bio to reserve your session.

Honestly… a little bit of everything. 📸

From professional headshots and personal branding to senior portraits and family sessions, I love creating photos that help people and businesses tell their story.

And there’s plenty more I can help with, too—large team group composites, in-office headshots for teams with different schedules, acting and modeling headshots, office branding, and more.

Basically, if you need photos for yourself, your family, or your business, let’s talk about what you have in mind. I’ll help you figure out the best way to make it happen.

📸 Not sure where to start? Book a consultation with me through the link in my bio.

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Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18078523865357162

Honestly… a little bit of everything. 📸

From professional headshots and personal branding to senior portraits and family sessions, I love creating photos that help people and businesses tell their story.

And there’s plenty more I can help with, too—large team group composites, in-office headshots for teams with different schedules, acting and modeling headshots, office branding, and more.

Basically, if you need photos for yourself, your family, or your business, let’s talk about what you have in mind. I’ll help you figure out the best way to make it happen.

📸 Not sure where to start? Book a consultation with me through the link in my bio.

Money may not buy happiness, but having photos of your family to look back on years from now? That’s pretty priceless. 🤍

Fall family portrait season is here, and I have a few weekend dates still available (spots are filling fast!) 👇🏻

September 20
October 3, 10, & 17
November 7 & 15

If you’ve been meaning to update the family photos, document this season, or get those holiday card photos checked off your list, this is your sign to get on the calendar.

And once you book, I’ll make sure you’re not left wondering what to wear, where we’re going, what to bring, or what to expect. My Family Session Welcome Guide walks you through everything you need to know to feel prepared for your session. (linked in my bio)

📸 Ready to make some memories worth keeping? Grab your date through the link in my bio.

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Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 17898708867599007

Money may not buy happiness, but having photos of your family to look back on years from now? That’s pretty priceless. 🤍

Fall family portrait season is here, and I have a few weekend dates still available (spots are filling fast!) 👇🏻

September 20
October 3, 10, & 17
November 7 & 15

If you’ve been meaning to update the family photos, document this season, or get those holiday card photos checked off your list, this is your sign to get on the calendar.

And once you book, I’ll make sure you’re not left wondering what to wear, where we’re going, what to bring, or what to expect. My Family Session Welcome Guide walks you through everything you need to know to feel prepared for your session. (linked in my bio)

📸 Ready to make some memories worth keeping? Grab your date through the link in my bio.

I’m gonna let you in on my secret… 👀

These are the camera settings I use as my starting point when I’m shooting during golden hour:

☀️ APERTURE
For one person: f/2.8–f/3.2
For families or groups: f/5.6

A wider aperture gives you that beautiful separation and soft background when you’re photographing one person. With a group, I stop down to help keep everyone in focus.

☀️ SHUTTER SPEED
I start around 1/160 sec—but if I have kids running, a couple moving around, or anything else with more movement, I’ll increase my shutter speed to keep everything sharp.

☀️ ISO
ISO 400 is my starting point, and then I adjust up or down depending on how much light I have.

The biggest thing to remember? These aren’t magic numbers you have to use every time.

Golden hour changes quickly, and your settings should change with it. Use these as a starting point, watch your light, and adjust for the people and movement in front of your camera.

And if you’re building your photography kit and wondering what gear is actually worth investing in, I put together my Photographer’s Gear Guide with the cameras, lenses, lighting, and equipment I use in my own business.

Grab your free copy through the link in my bio! 📸

144 1

Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 17868705066644933

I’m gonna let you in on my secret… 👀

These are the camera settings I use as my starting point when I’m shooting during golden hour:

☀️ APERTURE
For one person: f/2.8–f/3.2
For families or groups: f/5.6

A wider aperture gives you that beautiful separation and soft background when you’re photographing one person. With a group, I stop down to help keep everyone in focus.

☀️ SHUTTER SPEED
I start around 1/160 sec—but if I have kids running, a couple moving around, or anything else with more movement, I’ll increase my shutter speed to keep everything sharp.

☀️ ISO
ISO 400 is my starting point, and then I adjust up or down depending on how much light I have.

The biggest thing to remember? These aren’t magic numbers you have to use every time.

Golden hour changes quickly, and your settings should change with it. Use these as a starting point, watch your light, and adjust for the people and movement in front of your camera.

And if you’re building your photography kit and wondering what gear is actually worth investing in, I put together my Photographer’s Gear Guide with the cameras, lenses, lighting, and equipment I use in my own business.

Grab your free copy through the link in my bio! 📸

“What are we all going to wear?” 😅

It’s usually one of the FIRST questions families have after booking their portrait session—and I get it. You’re not just choosing one outfit. You’re trying to make an entire family look coordinated without looking like you tried too hard.

The good news? You don’t need matching outfits or a brand-new wardrobe to photograph beautifully.

Swipe through for some of my favorite ways to plan outfits that feel cohesive, comfortable, and still look like YOUR family. And save this post for when it’s time to start digging through everyone’s closets!

Want help with everything else, too?

I created my Family Session Welcome Guide to take the guesswork out of preparing for your session. Inside, I cover styling, choosing a location, what to expect from start to finish, posing, session prep, ideas for your finished photos, FAQs, and more.

🍂 Fall family portrait season is here! Grab the guide through the link in my bio and start planning your session.

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Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 17952397197250239

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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.