The Breast Cancer Charities of America | Giving Back

Tara Flannery is a portrait and event photographer based in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX.  See more events in the gallery.  Contact me to schedule your portrait or event session.

Why it’s good to give back

Whether you donate money or time, giving back is beneficial–and not just for the recipients. Research has shown that the old adage, “it’s better to give than to receive” is true after all.  A Gallup survey on volunteering in the U.S.A. found that 52% of volunteers do it because they like doing something useful and helping others. Another 38% said they enjoy doing volunteer work and feeling good about themselves.  http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/wellness_articles.asp?id=1122

The biggest reward, however, is the realization that you’ve made a significant change in someone’s life. And if not “significant” then a positive change nevertheless.

I give back because my mother had breast cancer.  And many of my friends have had breast cancer.  It seems to be everywhere.  My mother is a survivor but I still remember the day she was diagnosed and I felt as though my life, my very heart was being ripped from my body.  I didn’t know what to expect.  I didn’t know if she would survive.  I was scared and she was too.  I was in college at the time and had to return for a new semester.  I asked if I could stay home and she said no.  So I went back that senior year with my heart many many miles away.  My mom had excellent care and by the time she had surgery (the end of the protocol), there was no tumor left to remove.  Hers is a success story.  My hope, through giving back, is that there are many more success stories for other women too.

The Breast Cancer Charities of America

We’re passionate about truly helping women, mind body and spirit. Our programs allow us to educate on prevention, financially assist those battling breast cancer, make women feel beautiful again, get necessary supplies to developing countries, and even make a difference in our own community.  Through education, a Help Now Fund, Feeling Beautiful Again campaign, medical missions, and support of the greater Houston area, BCCA is making a difference in the lives of women living with breast cancer.

One of BCCA’s founding principles is the belief that all people are our brothers and sisters.  Further, we believe we are called to help those who are in need.  Our Medical Mission Partners program brings this principle to life.  In partnership with companies who graciously donate medicines, medical equipment and medical supplies to BCCA, we in turn supply these gifts to select mission hospital partners and medical clinics in developing countries.  This gift-in-kind concept is similar to how food banks receive their supplies and serve their clients.  These medicines, equipment and supplies are often the ONLY supplies the mission hospitals receive.

In addition to the medicines, BCCA also provides translated educational materials on nutrition, cancer prevention and cancer survival.  We strive to help all people impacted by breast cancer.  It’s our mission.

iGoPink 5K

I love photographing this event!  It’s a 5K run/walk in The Woodlands and it’s such a great time!  The serious runners at the front are trying to beat their personal best.  Strollers and doggie runners are at the back just glad to be out in the sunshine for a stroll.  With a DJ and vendor booths, it’s a fun time for the entire family!

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Tara Flannery is a portrait and event photographer based in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX.  See more events in the gallery.  Contact me to schedule your portrait or event session.

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@taraflanneryphotography

Capture One, if you’re looking for someone to sponsor… I’m your girl. 😉📸

But seriously—if you’re a headshot or portrait photographer and you haven’t tried shooting tethered yet, let me introduce you to one of my favorite workflow upgrades.

Tethering simply means connecting your camera to a computer so your images appear on a larger screen as you shoot. I use a wired connection straight into Capture One, which makes it easy to review images during the session, catch the little details I might miss on the back of my camera, and favorite the strongest shots as I go.

And when I’m finished? My selects are already organized, so I can transfer everything to my main computer at home and jump into editing without sorting through the entire session all over again.

I used to tether wirelessly, but switching to a wired setup has made the process much more reliable and seamless for me.

It’s one of those small workflow changes that makes a BIG difference—especially when you photograph a lot of headshots.

And if you’re just getting started in photography—or looking for ways to improve your setup, lighting, posing, and workflow—I have a whole collection of free resources for photographers waiting for you at the link in my bio. 📸

Photographers, are you shooting tethered yet? 👇🏻
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.
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! 📸

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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.