Family Photo Ideas | Houston Family Photographer

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

Family Photo Ideas

When thinking about your family portrait session, it’s nice to have some ideas about what to wear, what props to bring, what to do, and what you’ll do with the portraits after everything is over!  Here are some helpful tips on each of these:

WHAT TO WEAR: Choose coordinating colors for each member of the family.  We don’t need everyone in the same color but the colors do need to coordinate so that they blend well together.  Also, consider the environment and background of your images.  Finally, be yourself!  Choose clothing that makes you feel and look your best!

WHAT PROPS TO BRING: If you have items that are special to your family, bring them to your portrait session!  If the whole family loves football, bring one to throw around and we’ll get some action shots.  If you are musicians, bring some instruments and we will make those an important part of the family photos.  Your personality as a family can shine…these are for you!

WHAT TO DO: You may feel like you don’t know what to do during the family photo session.  Don’t worry because your photographer will help you with this.  At Tara Flannery Photography, we like to get posed shots of everyone smiling and looking at the camera and we will help with all of the posing.  We also like to get those less-planned connection moments that are the beautiful in-between.  We will help guide those as well.

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR PORTRAITS: Before your family photo session, think about what you’d like to ultimately do with the family portraits.  Do you have a space on the wall where you and the kids can admire the portrait every day?  Or maybe you’d like an album that can sit on the coffee table and be shown to Grandma when she comes to visit.  A little pre-planning for these end goals goes a long way towards creating a beautiful end piece that shows off your gorgeous new portraits!

Family Portraits for The Hickman Family

The Hickman family was so excited about their family portrait session.  Mom and baby girl had matching purple tutus.  I love the color and how it beautifully coordinates with the natural greenery in our scene.  And Dad blends seamlessly with the family too.  Since she was turning two, we got some individual portraits of baby girl as well.  She will be able to look back on the family photos and see how very special she is.  You can see the love in Mom and Dad’s faces.  The little smirk in the second photo is just precious!

Family portrait in the woods with purple tutus Two year old girl portrait in the woods with purple tutuFamily fun photos in the woodsTwo year old girl portrait with purple tutuFun Family portraits in the woods

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

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! 📸
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.
Come spend a headshot + branding day with me! 📸

One of my favorite things about on-location sessions is getting to step into a client’s space and create images that actually feel connected to their business.

We can capture updated headshots, team photos, working shots, office details, and plenty of branding content—all without your team having to leave the office.

A lot goes into a shoot day, but this is the fun part: turning an ordinary workday into a whole new library of images for your brand.

Need updated photos for your business or team? Let’s plan your session! Click the link in my bio to get started! 🔗
If your kids are still living under your roof, take the photos. 🤍

You hear people say you only get 18 summers with your kids, and now that mine are grown, I understand just how quickly those years really go. Once college, work, relationships, and their own schedules enter the picture, getting everyone together at the same time gets a whole lot harder.

So don’t wait for the “perfect” year for family portraits. Document the family you have right now—the missing teeth, growth spurts, changing personalities, and even the little bit of chaos that comes with it.

Because one day, getting everyone in the same place for a family photo might be the hardest part.

🍂 Fall Family Portrait Weekend Availability:

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

If family portraits have been on your list, grab one of my remaining fall dates before they’re gone.

📸 Book your session 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.