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

When you show up like a pro, doors start opening.

We wrapped this session with a simple truth: “Kyle’s going to go off and do great things.”

And he will—because he’s putting his best foot forward, starting with how he presents himself. A high-quality headshot might seem like a small thing, but it can make a powerful first impression that opens doors to new jobs, clients, or collaborations.

When you look the part, you feel the part—and the world responds accordingly.

📸 Need to refresh your headshot? Send me a message and let's make it happen!

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Ever wondered why your headshots look flat instead of flattering? 👀

It all comes down to lighting. In the studio, I use one main light source and strategically placed reflectors to bounce light and fill in shadows. This creates that soft, even glow that makes you look approachable and polished—while still keeping a touch of shadow to add shape and dimension to your face.

Flat lighting can make your features disappear. The right lighting makes you stand out. ✨

Ready to finally love your headshots?

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Here’s why 👇🏻

Most people wait for the “perfect” moment—when they’ve lost a few pounds, changed their hair, or finally feel more confident. But here’s the truth: there will always be something you’re waiting on.

Your headshot isn’t about some future version of you—it’s about showing up confidently in the season you’re in today. Because this version of you? The one leading your team, meeting clients, building your business—that’s the version people want to connect with.

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🚫 Let’s talk wardrobe no-nos for headshots.

I want you to look polished, confident, and distraction-free in your photos—and sometimes that means skipping certain outfit choices.

For men:

❌ No undershirts peeking through

❌ If you’re wearing a tie, make sure your shirt buttons all the way up

❌ If it doesn’t, we’re ditching the tie

For women:

❌ Skip the sleeveless tops—your arms will compete with your face for attention

✅ A sleeve (even short) helps keep the focus where it belongs—on YOU

The goal? A clean, intentional look that draws people in and keeps their attention right where it should be—your face.

📸 Save this before your session so you can show up ready and confident.

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Let's talk... ⬇️

If your headshot isn’t working on your website, LinkedIn, or social media...

👉🏻 it’s probably not the image.

👉🏻 it’s the crop.

Yep, even the most beautiful photo can fall flat if it’s not framed for the platform it’s on.

Here are 3 common cropping mistakes I see all the time (and how to fix them):

1️⃣ Too Close – When there’s no breathing room, the image feels cramped and overly intense.

2️⃣ Too Far – If we can’t clearly see your face, we lose the connection instantly.

3️⃣ Wrong Shape for the Platform – That rectangle you uploaded to LinkedIn? It just became a circle... and cut off half your head.

✨ The fix? Intentional cropping before you upload—so your headshot looks polished, professional, and approachable everywhere.

Want a headshot that works across all platforms? Let’s create one that does just that.

📩 DM me to plan your session or visit the link in bio to learn more.

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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.