A Portrait for the Family | Houston Family Photographer

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

A Portrait for the Family

The Fall, and specifically November and December, are popular times for family portraits.  Lots of people want a family portrait for Christmas cards.  It’s also a great time to update your wall portraits.  These Fall Family Sessions don’t usually center around the holidays.  I mean, we don’t wear Christmas colors and have Christmas lights in the background (although you can if that’s what you want!).  Rather, these sessions are a great time to create a lasting family memory.  Gather the children, parents, and grandparents for a family portrait.  Choose some coordinating colors that everyone can find to wear.  We will choose a location together and then let’s have fun being family!

The Heger Family

Have you ever had that moment when you know you’ve met someone before but you can’t quite place it?  That happened to me during our family session with the Hegers.  I knew Mom from a corporate headshot job where we met.  But when I saw the grandparents, I knew for certain that I had photographed them before.  My brain worked on that connection the entire time of the session, although it must have been working in the background because my utmost focus was on the two little ones in front of me!  By the time we were walking out of the park, it hit me!  I had photographed the grandfather’s retirement party.  I had actually met the whole family that night.  It’s such a small world and I love finding the connections with people, in and among and through.  All my best, Heger family!

Family portrait with parents, kids, and grandparents in the forestbig brother kissing little brother on the forehead

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 portrait today!

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@taraflanneryphotography

Mid-session. Camera in hand. Client in front of me…
and suddenly my camera starts throwing error codes.

I turn it off. Pull the battery. Take the card out.
Put everything back in and hope it works again.

And then it happens again.

Three memory cards failed on me during that shoot.

After that, I switched to Sony Tough cards—and haven’t had an issue since.

It’s one of those things you don’t think about… until you’re in a high-pressure moment and your gear has to perform.

📥 If you’re a photographer and want a breakdown of the gear I actually use and trust, I’ve put together a guide—link in bio.

👇🏼 But I'm curious, what cards have been working for you?
It’s never just pressing a button.

It’s reading the room.
Adjusting in real time.
Knowing how to bring out confidence—even when someone feels uncomfortable in front of the camera.

The technical side matters.
But the connection, the instinct, and the ability to see what others don’t… that’s what turns it into something more.

📩 If you’re ready for photos that feel like you, you can book through the link in my bio.
Come along with me as I set up for a headshot + branding session 👇🏻

When you’re just getting started, it’s easy to think you need all the gear before you can take on client work.

You don’t.

For in-office headshots, a solid setup really comes down to a few essentials:
✅ reliable lighting
✅ a strong lens
✅ a backdrop
✅ reflectors to help control light and keep skin tones consistent

That’s how I’m able to create clean, professional headshots—without being in a studio.

And for branding? That’s where I shift.

Instead of a backdrop, I’m using the client’s space—capturing environmental images that feel more natural, personal, and aligned with their business.

Same session, two different approaches—both intentional.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about having more gear…
it’s about knowing how to use what you have.

📥 If you’re a newer photographer, I’ve put together resources to help with gear, lighting, and posing—click the link in my bio to check them out!
If your brand hasn’t been updated this year… this might be your sign 👇🏻

Summer is one of the best times to refresh your branding imagery—and most people don’t take advantage of it.

Things tend to slow down just enough to step back and actually look at what your brand is communicating.

And for a lot of businesses, this is when it becomes clear:
→ the photos don’t match the level you’re operating at anymore

A mid-year refresh isn’t about starting over—it’s about making sure your visuals reflect where you are now, not where you were a year ago.

But before you even book new photos… you need clarity.

What do you want your brand to feel like?
How do you want to show up?

That’s exactly why I created my Brand Personality Workbook—to help you define that first, so your photos actually align.

📥 Grab it through the link in my bio, and then let’s plan your next session.

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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.