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

If you’re planning family photos around Houston or The Woodlands, I've got 8 beautiful locations to consider 👇🏻 

📍 W.G. Jones State Forest — Woodsy, natural, and perfect for that classic outdoor family portrait look.

📍 Alden Bridge Park — Relaxed, timeless, and a great option for families who want plenty of greenery.

📍 Rob Fleming Park at Creekside — Scenic, family-friendly, and especially beautiful for those warm, natural portraits.

📍 The Woodlands Waterway — A great mix of greenery, architecture, and a slightly more urban feel.

📍 Hughes Landing — Modern and polished with plenty of variety for your gallery.

📍 Mercer Botanic Gardens — Lush, colorful, and perfect if you love a garden-inspired backdrop.

📍 Downtown Conroe — Lots of character and architecture for something a little different from the traditional park setting.

📍 Downtown Tomball — Charming, casual, and full of personality.

🔖 SAVE this list for when it’s time to plan your family photos!

Still need to get your fall family photos on the calendar? I have just a few weekend dates remaining this season:

October 10 & 17
November 8 & 15

If one of those dates works for your family, don’t wait too long to grab it! Head to the link in my bio to reserve your family session. 📸
A little bit of flash can go a LONG way outdoors. 📸

When I’m photographing families or seniors outside, I’m not trying to overpower the natural light or make the photo look like it was taken with flash.

I just want a little extra light to soften those shadows, even out skin tones, and give me a more polished final image.

The key? Keep it subtle.

Your flash should work with the natural light—not fight against it. When you get that balance right, you still get the beautiful look of an outdoor session, just with a little more control over your subject’s lighting.

If you’re a newer photographer, start experimenting with adding a small amount of off-camera flash to your outdoor sessions. You might be surprised by how much of a difference it makes!

📸 And if you’re building your photography skills, I have free resources on lighting, gear, posing, and more available through the link in my bio.
The goal is to coordinate—not match. 👏🏻

Planning outfits for the whole family can easily become the most stressful part of family photos, so here’s my favorite way to simplify it:

Start with one person’s outfit (Mom, I’m looking at you 😉) and build everyone else around it.

Choose a color palette that works well with your location. For an outdoor session, earthy greens, browns, blues, creams, and other natural tones photograph beautifully.

Then add some variety! Mix different shades of denim, layer jackets or sweaters, and incorporate different fabrics and textures. Everyone should look like they belong together without looking like you bought the same outfit in five different sizes. 😂

And most importantly, choose clothes that actually feel like your family. You’ll be much more comfortable in front of the camera—and it’ll show in your photos.

And don't forget, my weekend family session dates are filling up fast! 👇🏻

October 10th & 17th
November 8th & 15th

📸 Need a little more help planning your session? My free Family Session Welcome Guide covers wardrobe, locations, preparing for your session, and more. Grab it through the link in my bio!
Photographers: the secret to family sessions with little kids? Stop expecting them to follow the plan. 😂📸

Young kids are going to move. They’re going to get distracted. They may decide halfway through that they’re completely DONE with your ideas—and that’s okay.

Instead of fighting it, work with it.

Keep them moving and engaged. Give them something to do instead of constantly asking them to smile. And don’t forget to coach Mom and Dad, too! Encourage them to interact with their kids, keep looking at you when you need the classic family shot, and trust you to get the moment.

Because some of the best images happen in between the poses—the laughs, cuddles, movement, and little expressions you couldn’t have planned if you tried.

You don’t need perfectly behaved kids to create beautiful family portraits. You need patience, flexibility, and a few tricks ready when your original plan goes out the window. 😉

📸 If you’re growing your photography business, I have free resources covering everything from gear and lighting to posing and more. Check them out through the link in my bio!
Standing out professionally matters more than ever—especially when you’re competing for someone’s attention before you ever get the chance to meet them.

Your LinkedIn profile, company bio, website, or online portfolio may be someone’s very first introduction to you. And while your experience and qualifications are what really matter, the way you present yourself can help shape that first impression.

That’s where a great professional headshot comes in. 📸

A current, polished photo helps you look confident, approachable, and intentional about how you show up professionally. And in a tough job market, those little details matter.

If your current headshot is several years old, doesn’t really look like you anymore, or is still a cropped photo from your camera roll…it might be time. 😉

Let’s create a headshot that actually represents the professional you are today.

📸 Book your headshot 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.