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March 7, 2014

How to take great PARTY PICS! | Houston Photographer

Blow out the Candles!

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Whether it’s baby’s first, grandmother’s seventieth, or juniors tenth, these tips are sure to make your birthday photos extra special!

Capture the emotion: Keep your camera handy and turned on so you’ll be ready for those spontaneous expressions… you’ll want to capture all those grins, tears, surprises, and hugs that make for memorable pictures!

Show the candles aglow: To really capture the light from burning candles, turn OFF your flash. You’ll have to hold the camera extra steady for this, so use a wall or table for support if needed!

Get close: Fill the camera’s viewfinder with your subject! Step in close or use your camera’s zoom to emphasize what is important and exclude the rest!

Avoid red eye: Red eye is easy to remove these days with picture-editing software. But why not prevent red eye in the first place? Ask your subject to look at your shoulder rather than directly at the camera. Or, if your camera has a “red-eye reduction” feature, use it!

Stay within the flash range: The typical digital camera flash range is 6 to 10 feet, up to 15 feet for film cameras. Subjects that are outside the flash range will be either too dark or too light.

Give the gift of pictures: You’ll find many uses for pictures around birthdays! They make the perfect thank you cards, so send Aunt Mary Jane a photo card of Junior hugging the teddy bear she sent! Or, better yet, with a digital camera and an inkjet printer, you can send guests home with a souvenir picture of the day!

Get your camera ready and have a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

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@taraflanneryphotography

Just a little reminder that if your professional headshot has been sitting on your to-do list for the last six months (or six years 😅), I`m here when you`re ready!

Whether you`re updating your LinkedIn, stepping into a new role, refreshing your website, or just realizing that your current headshot doesn`t quite look like you anymore, having a professional photo you`re confident sharing makes a difference.

And if the thought of getting in front of the camera makes you a little nervous, don`t worry. You don`t need to know how to pose, what to do with your hands, or how to find your best angle.

That`s what I`m here for! I`ll guide you through the whole process so you walk away with photos that feel natural, professional, and most importantly, like you.

📸 Ready to finally check those headshots off your list? Head to the link in my bio to book your session!

3 0

Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 17925644259432449

One of the sweetest parts of being a photographer? Getting to watch families grow right in front of my camera. 🤍

I’ve had the privilege of photographing this beautiful family several times over the years, and now their family has grown to include three sweet kiddos!

It’s so special to look back at previous sessions and see just how much has changed. New little faces, growing personalities, and so many memories made along the way.

And honestly, this is one of my favorite things about what I do.

I have families who come back year after year for updated portraits. I’ve photographed kids as they grow up, celebrated their senior year with them, and even welcomed some of those same familiar faces back for professional headshots as they begin their careers.

Getting to be a small part of all those different chapters in someone’s life is something I’ll never take for granted.

Because these aren’t just photos. They’re little pieces of your family’s story that you get to hold onto forever. 🤍

And to every family who continues to trust me with those memories, thank you. It truly means so much!

🍂 Still hoping to capture your family this fall? It’s not too late! I still have a few weekend family session openings available before the season wraps up.

Head to the link in my bio to reserve your session. I’d love to capture this chapter of your family’s story, too! 📸

10 1

Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 17876590551650459

One of the sweetest parts of being a photographer? Getting to watch families grow right in front of my camera. 🤍

I’ve had the privilege of photographing this beautiful family several times over the years, and now their family has grown to include three sweet kiddos!

It’s so special to look back at previous sessions and see just how much has changed. New little faces, growing personalities, and so many memories made along the way.

And honestly, this is one of my favorite things about what I do.

I have families who come back year after year for updated portraits. I’ve photographed kids as they grow up, celebrated their senior year with them, and even welcomed some of those same familiar faces back for professional headshots as they begin their careers.

Getting to be a small part of all those different chapters in someone’s life is something I’ll never take for granted.

Because these aren’t just photos. They’re little pieces of your family’s story that you get to hold onto forever. 🤍

And to every family who continues to trust me with those memories, thank you. It truly means so much!

🍂 Still hoping to capture your family this fall? It’s not too late! I still have a few weekend family session openings available before the season wraps up.

Head to the link in my bio to reserve your session. I’d love to capture this chapter of your family’s story, too! 📸

Well, since I`m already here… we might as well get those family photos on the calendar! 😂📸

I know how it goes. You keep saying you need to update your family portraits, but between school, work, sports, and everything else on your calendar, another year somehow slips by.

And suddenly, the kids are a little taller, everyone`s a little older, and you`re still looking at the same family photo from three years ago.

Here`s your reminder that family photos don`t have to be complicated or perfectly planned.

I`ll help you choose a location, coordinate outfits, and guide you through the session. And yes, we`ll get those classic everyone-looking-at-the-camera photos, but we`ll also capture the laughs, the cuddles, the silly moments, and all the little things that make your family YOUR family. 🤍

🍂 Still hoping to get family photos done this fall? I have a few weekend openings left, and I`d love to get your family in front of my camera before the season wraps up!

Head to the link in my bio to reserve your session. Let`s make those family photos you`ve been talking about actually happen! 😉

10 3

Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18236706883318613

Well, since I'm already here… we might as well get those family photos on the calendar! 😂📸

I know how it goes. You keep saying you need to update your family portraits, but between school, work, sports, and everything else on your calendar, another year somehow slips by.

And suddenly, the kids are a little taller, everyone's a little older, and you're still looking at the same family photo from three years ago.

Here's your reminder that family photos don't have to be complicated or perfectly planned.

I'll help you choose a location, coordinate outfits, and guide you through the session. And yes, we'll get those classic everyone-looking-at-the-camera photos, but we'll also capture the laughs, the cuddles, the silly moments, and all the little things that make your family YOUR family. 🤍

🍂 Still hoping to get family photos done this fall? I have a few weekend openings left, and I'd love to get your family in front of my camera before the season wraps up!

Head to the link in my bio to reserve your session. Let's make those family photos you've been talking about actually happen! 😉

Sometimes I have to stop and remind myself just how lucky I am to do what I do. 🤍

This beautiful client recently found me through Instagram, loved my work, and decided to make the drive all the way from College Station to have her professional headshots taken with me!

And honestly? That means more to me than she probably realizes.

Whether you`re a new client who found me through social media, someone who was referred by a friend, or a familiar face who`s trusted me to photograph different chapters of your life over the years... I am SO grateful for every single one of you.

I`ve had clients come to me for their senior portraits, return years later for family photos, and then come back again when it`s time for professional headshots or branding photos.

Getting to be a small part of so many different milestones in your lives is something I`ll never take for granted.

And to everyone who supports my business in ways you might not even realize... thank you.

Every like, comment, share, recommendation, and kind word helps my work reach someone new. Sometimes that person is right down the road, and sometimes they`re willing to drive all the way from College Station. 🥹

So whether you`ve been in front of my camera, shared one of my posts, or simply cheered me on from the sidelines, please know how much I appreciate you.

Thank you for continuing to choose me, trust me, and support this little business of mine. It truly means the world. 🤍

12 1

Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18108489560220964

Sometimes I have to stop and remind myself just how lucky I am to do what I do. 🤍

This beautiful client recently found me through Instagram, loved my work, and decided to make the drive all the way from College Station to have her professional headshots taken with me!

And honestly? That means more to me than she probably realizes.

Whether you're a new client who found me through social media, someone who was referred by a friend, or a familiar face who's trusted me to photograph different chapters of your life over the years... I am SO grateful for every single one of you.

I've had clients come to me for their senior portraits, return years later for family photos, and then come back again when it's time for professional headshots or branding photos.

Getting to be a small part of so many different milestones in your lives is something I'll never take for granted.

And to everyone who supports my business in ways you might not even realize... thank you.

Every like, comment, share, recommendation, and kind word helps my work reach someone new. Sometimes that person is right down the road, and sometimes they're willing to drive all the way from College Station. 🥹

So whether you've been in front of my camera, shared one of my posts, or simply cheered me on from the sidelines, please know how much I appreciate you.

Thank you for continuing to choose me, trust me, and support this little business of mine. It truly means the world. 🤍

Meet Noah... 👇🏻

Noah recently came in for a personal branding session, but not because he`s launching a business or promoting a service.

He`s written a memoir! 📖

He wanted a collection of professional images he could use on his website to promote his book, with the possibility of using a few for his author portrait inside the book or on the back cover.

And this is such a great example of why personal branding photography isn`t just for business owners!

Authors, speakers, artists, coaches, and creatives can all benefit from having a professional collection of images that represents who they are and what they`re working toward.

Think about it... one branding session can give you photos for your website, social media, promotional materials, press features, professional bios, and so much more.

It`s about having a variety of images that tell your story, help people connect with you, and give you the flexibility to show up professionally wherever your work takes you.

And that`s exactly what we wanted to create for Noah!

Whether you`re writing a book, launching a new project, or building a business, I`d love to help you create images that support your next chapter.

📸 Ready to plan your own branding session? Head to the link in my bio to book a consultation!

3 0

Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18101893490076831

Meet Noah... 👇🏻

Noah recently came in for a personal branding session, but not because he's launching a business or promoting a service.

He's written a memoir! 📖

He wanted a collection of professional images he could use on his website to promote his book, with the possibility of using a few for his author portrait inside the book or on the back cover.

And this is such a great example of why personal branding photography isn't just for business owners!

Authors, speakers, artists, coaches, and creatives can all benefit from having a professional collection of images that represents who they are and what they're working toward.

Think about it... one branding session can give you photos for your website, social media, promotional materials, press features, professional bios, and so much more.

It's about having a variety of images that tell your story, help people connect with you, and give you the flexibility to show up professionally wherever your work takes you.

And that's exactly what we wanted to create for Noah!

Whether you're writing a book, launching a new project, or building a business, I'd love to help you create images that support your next chapter.

📸 Ready to plan your own branding session? Head to the link in my bio to book a consultation!

Oh, just a few… 😉📸

Senior portraits are easily one of my favorite things to photograph! There`s something so fun about working with seniors at such an exciting time in their lives.

And one thing I always want my seniors to know? Your senior portraits should look and feel like YOU.

Whether that means dressing up, keeping things casual, incorporating your favorite hobby or sport, bringing along your car or even your pet, I`m all for making your session personal.

We`ll choose locations, plan outfits, and create a variety of images that show off your personality. And don`t worry if you have absolutely no idea how to pose. That`s my job!

From the classic portraits your parents will want hanging on the wall to the fun, personality-filled shots you`ll want to share with all your friends, we`ll make sure you get a little bit of everything.

🎓 Class of 2027, it`s your turn! Senior year is already flying by, and now is the time to get your session on the calendar.

Head to the link in my bio to book your senior portrait consultation! 🤍

25 0

Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18041122922841247

Oh, just a few… 😉📸

Senior portraits are easily one of my favorite things to photograph! There's something so fun about working with seniors at such an exciting time in their lives.

And one thing I always want my seniors to know? Your senior portraits should look and feel like YOU.

Whether that means dressing up, keeping things casual, incorporating your favorite hobby or sport, bringing along your car or even your pet, I'm all for making your session personal.

We'll choose locations, plan outfits, and create a variety of images that show off your personality. And don't worry if you have absolutely no idea how to pose. That's my job!

From the classic portraits your parents will want hanging on the wall to the fun, personality-filled shots you'll want to share with all your friends, we'll make sure you get a little bit of everything.

🎓 Class of 2027, it's your turn! Senior year is already flying by, and now is the time to get your session on the calendar.

Head to the link in my bio to book your senior portrait consultation! 🤍

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Serving the Greater Houston, Texas Area

tara@taraflannery.com

713-412-5437

PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE

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.