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How to Plan a Birthday Party | Houston Event Photographer

Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) based in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography specializes in event photography and can help with how to plan a birthday party.  See more event photography in the gallery.  Contact me to book your event today!

How to Plan a Birthday Party

Planning a party can be a lot of fun!  With a few prepared steps, you can breeze through the planning and enjoy the party.

  1. Select a date for the party and the venue.  This is the critical first step so that everyone can put a date on their calendars and join you for the fun.  Send out invitations to guests.
  2. Secure vendors like photographers, party rental and supplies, entertainment, etc.  You’ll want to book these in advance so that the vendors can also put the event on their calendars.
  3. Prepare for food and drinks.  Every party needs food and drinks, or at the very least, cake!!  You can make food yourself or have it catered.  Either way, plan ahead and adjust as RSVPs come in.
  4. Plan the details.  This step can be done in the weeks leading up to the party but it’s an important one.  All of those tiny details like party favors (if you’re having them), and water for guests, and where people will store purses, etc.

Aliza’s Second Birthday

I’m so honored to have been asked to capture Aliza’s second birthday party.  To date, I have photographed her baptism, first birthday party, family photos, and now her second birthday party.  I feel like part of the family!  And this family knows how to plan a birthday party!  Attention is paid to every tiny detail, from the personalized water bottles to the food and beverages to the cake and dessert.  Family and friends gathered to celebrate Aliza’s second birthday this past weekend.  As you walked into the home, you were greeted with a personalized book for Aliza that guests could sign and wish her a happy birthday.  She will love to look at this when she’s older!  Guests then mingled while the kids played in the bouncy house and with the bubbles.  Elmo made a special appearance and was a delight for the kids!  After lunch, Aliza dug into her very own cake.  Then it was time for the pinata and candy galore.  At the end of the party, there was time for a few more family photos.  Happy birthday, Aliza!  Your family loves you very much.

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

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@taraflanneryphotography

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.

6 0
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.

77 0
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.

14 0
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! 📸

140 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! 📸

Class of 2027, the clock is ticking! 🎓📸

Yearbook deadlines are getting closer, which means there’s not much time left to get those fall senior portraits on the calendar.

Senior photos are about so much more than checking a yearbook photo off the list. This is your chance to capture their personality, style, interests, and who they are during one of the biggest years of their life.

If senior portraits are still sitting on your fall to-do list, this is your sign to get them booked!

🎓 Now booking fall senior sessions. Head to the link in my bio to get started.

15 0
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18136071466547138
Class of 2027, the clock is ticking! 🎓📸 Yearbook deadlines are getting closer, which means there’s not much time left to get those fall senior portraits on the calendar. Senior photos are about so much more than checking a yearbook photo off the list. This is your chance to capture their personality, style, interests, and who they are during one of the biggest years of their life. If senior portraits are still sitting on your fall to-do list, this is your sign to get them booked! 🎓 Now booking fall senior sessions. Head to the link in my bio to get started.

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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.