Designer Vivienne Tam at The River Oaks District | Event Photographer

Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) and River Oaks event photographer based in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX.  See more event photos!  Contact me to book your next event (gala, birthday party, corporate event, etc.)!

Why Hire an Event Photographer?

As a River Oaks Event Photographer, I know that you’ve planned and executed every exquisite detail of this upcoming event.  Everyone is coming and you want the event to be a huge success!  You also want to enjoy the party that you’ve worked so hard arrange.  Don’t trust your Aunt Betty or cousin Bob (no offense) with the “good camera” to capture the details, the emotions, and the events?  Hire a professional event photographer.

There’s NO substitute for experience.  When life’s biggest moments are unfolding, you’ve got one chance to capture that perfect memory. Don’t risk it to just anyone. Trust your photos to a Certified Professional Photographer.  When you choose a photographer who’s Certified, you’re starting with quality. You hire a trained professional who can consistently meet and surpass your expectations. Make your choice easier. Start with the best and See The Difference a Certified Professional Photographer makes.

Designer Vivienne Tam

Vivienne Tam, honored by Forbes Magazine as one of the “25 Top Chinese-Americans in Business”, is an international designer known for her culture-bridging, east-meets-west approach to design as well as pioneering global collaborations marrying fashion with technology and renowned brands.  Tam effortlessly blends her cultural roots with a modern design vocabulary recognized for its artistry.

She visited Houston and was so inspired by the city that she created a Houston line.  The Vivienne Tam Houston Line debuted at the River Oaks District shop Bannou on May 4.  I was honored to capture this special debut and luncheon followed by a fashion show.

Here is a little bit of the Houston Chronicle interview with Vivienne Tam.  Click for the entire Houston Chronicle article.  See the post on Vogue for the entire Houston line.

Why do a collection inspired by Houston?

A: I visited Houston and fell in love with the diversity of the people, the images I saw. It gave me so much inspiration that people in Houston come from all different parts of the world.

What do you want people to take away from your designs?

A: I feel like I’m a bridge between different cultures. I get so much joy when people say they love my designs and wear them. So much joy.

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Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) and River Oaks event photographer based in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX.  See more event photos!  Contact me to book your next event (gala, birthday party, corporate event, etc.)!

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@taraflanneryphotography

Shooting outdoors doesn’t always mean “perfect lighting.” 👇🏻

One of the biggest challenges with natural light is inconsistency—
skin tones can shift depending on shade, surroundings, and even reflections (hello green grass 👀).

That’s why I use off-camera flash, even outside.

It helps create:
✅ consistent skin tones
✅ balanced lighting
✅ a cleaner, more polished final image

So instead of guessing what the light is doing…
I’m controlling it.

📥 If you’re a photographer trying to figure out lighting + gear, I’ve put together a guide with the setups I actually use—link in bio.
What it looks like behind the camera… vs. what you get 👇🏻

Different sessions, different people, different goals—
but always the same focus: helping you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.

Headshots, branding, families, seniors, and more… it all comes back to capturing people in a way that actually feels like them.

✨ If you’re ready to start planning your session, you can click the link in my bio.
You don’t need the most expensive gear to be a good photographer.

When I first started, I thought I needed everything—top-tier camera, expensive lighting, all of it.

The reality?

A solid camera and a good lens will take you a long way.

If you’re just starting out, keep it simple:
✨ A versatile zoom lens (24–70mm or 70–200mm)
✨ Gear you can rely on and learn inside and out

And when it comes to lighting—especially outdoors—don’t overinvest too early.

Wind happens. Gear gets knocked over. Things break.

Light is light.

Focus on learning how to use what you have before worrying about upgrading everything.

📥 I’ve put together resources for new photographers covering gear, lighting, posing, and more—click the link in my bio!
Most men think they don’t know how to pose for a headshot…

but it’s not about knowing poses.

It’s about a few simple adjustments that make you look confident and natural on camera.

A couple go-to options (like the classic “GQ” stance, arms crossed, or a relaxed lean) can completely change how you show up.

And the rest? That’s what I guide you through.

📥 If you’re also not sure what to wear, I’ve got you covered—grab my Men’s Style Guide for Headshots through the link in my bio.

📩 Ready for updated headshots? You can book through the link as well.
If you’re just getting started in photography… don’t worry about finding your niche right away.

When I first started, I photographed everything—weddings, babies, families, headshots, corporate… if someone needed photos, I was there.

And that’s how you figure it out.

You don’t find your niche by waiting—you find it by doing the work, learning what you like, and getting better with every session.

Every type of shoot teaches you something different.
Every client builds your experience.

Over time, you start to see what actually fits you—and that’s where your expertise comes from.

📥 If you’re in that phase right now, I’ve put together resources to help—covering lighting, gear, posing, and more.

✨ Grab them 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.