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Tips for Family Photos | The Woodlands Family Photographer

Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP)  and Craftsman based in Houston, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography specializes in family portraits and can provide tips for family photos.  See more family photos in the gallery.  Contact me to book your family portrait today!

Tips for Family Photos

Planning the family photo session just takes a little bit of preparation.  Here are a few tips to help!

  1. WARDROBE: The general rule now with family wardrobe is to coordinate colors (as opposed to matching).  Pick a couple or three colors that coordinate well (think of the color wheel from Art 101).  Start with two people in the family.  Coordinate their outfits.  For my own family, this is usually my daughter and me.  Then we plan a polo or button-down shirt for my husband and son.  Boys are usually easier to dress.  Jeans and khaki pants are freebies (in terms of color scheme).  Don’t forget to plan ahead for shoes – you don’t want to panic as you’re running out the door!
  2. LOCATION:  Think about location.  Do you want a more natural, park-like setting, or do you want a more urban look?  Or maybe your own home or neighborhood would have more meaning?
  3. END GOALS: Think about what you’d like to do with the family portraits.  Do you have wall space in the living room, bedroom or hallway for a family portrait?  A staircase or game room for a canvas collage?  What about grandparents and office prints?

At Tara Flannery Photography, we aim to be a full-service photography studio providing photographic products that will last a lifetime.  Don’t let your family portraits end up as pixels on a computer.  Let’s put them on the walls so that your family can enjoy them for years to come!

The Abercrombie Family

I absolutely adore these family photos with the Abercrombie family.  Riley (the dog) was the star of the show and she did great!  I love the coordinating blue/green color that they chose for outfits.  And the natural, park-like setting was the perfect backdrop.  I can’t wait to see the images in their neighborhood magazine!

Tips for Family Photosfamily dog in photosCouple posing with dog for family photoscouple walking dog for family picturestips for family photos

Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP)  and Craftsman based in Houston, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography specializes in family portraits.  See more family photos in the gallery.  Contact me to book your family portrait today!

- INSTAGRAM -

@taraflanneryphotography

Mid-session. Camera in hand. Client in front of me…
and suddenly my camera starts throwing error codes.

I turn it off. Pull the battery. Take the card out.
Put everything back in and hope it works again.

And then it happens again.

Three memory cards failed on me during that shoot.

After that, I switched to Sony Tough cards—and haven’t had an issue since.

It’s one of those things you don’t think about… until you’re in a high-pressure moment and your gear has to perform.

📥 If you’re a photographer and want a breakdown of the gear I actually use and trust, I’ve put together a guide—link in bio.

👇🏼 But I`m curious, what cards have been working for you?

13 9
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18101239706170394
Mid-session. Camera in hand. Client in front of me… and suddenly my camera starts throwing error codes. I turn it off. Pull the battery. Take the card out. Put everything back in and hope it works again. And then it happens again. Three memory cards failed on me during that shoot. After that, I switched to Sony Tough cards—and haven’t had an issue since. It’s one of those things you don’t think about… until you’re in a high-pressure moment and your gear has to perform. 📥 If you’re a photographer and want a breakdown of the gear I actually use and trust, I’ve put together a guide—link in bio. 👇🏼 But I'm curious, what cards have been working for you?

It’s never just pressing a button.

It’s reading the room.
Adjusting in real time.
Knowing how to bring out confidence—even when someone feels uncomfortable in front of the camera.

The technical side matters.
But the connection, the instinct, and the ability to see what others don’t… that’s what turns it into something more.

📩 If you’re ready for photos that feel like you, you can book through the link in my bio.

24 0
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18597822523060953
It’s never just pressing a button. It’s reading the room. Adjusting in real time. Knowing how to bring out confidence—even when someone feels uncomfortable in front of the camera. The technical side matters. But the connection, the instinct, and the ability to see what others don’t… that’s what turns it into something more. 📩 If you’re ready for photos that feel like you, you can book through the link in my bio.

Come along with me as I set up for a headshot + branding session 👇🏻

When you’re just getting started, it’s easy to think you need all the gear before you can take on client work.

You don’t.

For in-office headshots, a solid setup really comes down to a few essentials:
✅ reliable lighting
✅ a strong lens
✅ a backdrop
✅ reflectors to help control light and keep skin tones consistent

That’s how I’m able to create clean, professional headshots—without being in a studio.

And for branding? That’s where I shift.

Instead of a backdrop, I’m using the client’s space—capturing environmental images that feel more natural, personal, and aligned with their business.

Same session, two different approaches—both intentional.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about having more gear…
it’s about knowing how to use what you have.

📥 If you’re a newer photographer, I’ve put together resources to help with gear, lighting, and posing—click the link in my bio to check them out!

306 15
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18065753045437081
Come along with me as I set up for a headshot + branding session 👇🏻 When you’re just getting started, it’s easy to think you need all the gear before you can take on client work. You don’t. For in-office headshots, a solid setup really comes down to a few essentials: ✅ reliable lighting ✅ a strong lens ✅ a backdrop ✅ reflectors to help control light and keep skin tones consistent That’s how I’m able to create clean, professional headshots—without being in a studio. And for branding? That’s where I shift. Instead of a backdrop, I’m using the client’s space—capturing environmental images that feel more natural, personal, and aligned with their business. Same session, two different approaches—both intentional. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about having more gear… it’s about knowing how to use what you have. 📥 If you’re a newer photographer, I’ve put together resources to help with gear, lighting, and posing—click the link in my bio to check them out!

If your brand hasn’t been updated this year… this might be your sign 👇🏻

Summer is one of the best times to refresh your branding imagery—and most people don’t take advantage of it.

Things tend to slow down just enough to step back and actually look at what your brand is communicating.

And for a lot of businesses, this is when it becomes clear:
→ the photos don’t match the level you’re operating at anymore

A mid-year refresh isn’t about starting over—it’s about making sure your visuals reflect where you are now, not where you were a year ago.

But before you even book new photos… you need clarity.

What do you want your brand to feel like?
How do you want to show up?

That’s exactly why I created my Brand Personality Workbook—to help you define that first, so your photos actually align.

📥 Grab it through the link in my bio, and then let’s plan your next session.

22 0
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18208684459338406
If your brand hasn’t been updated this year… this might be your sign 👇🏻 Summer is one of the best times to refresh your branding imagery—and most people don’t take advantage of it. Things tend to slow down just enough to step back and actually look at what your brand is communicating. And for a lot of businesses, this is when it becomes clear: → the photos don’t match the level you’re operating at anymore A mid-year refresh isn’t about starting over—it’s about making sure your visuals reflect where you are now, not where you were a year ago. But before you even book new photos… you need clarity. What do you want your brand to feel like? How do you want to show up? That’s exactly why I created my Brand Personality Workbook—to help you define that first, so your photos actually align. 📥 Grab it through the link in my bio, and then let’s plan your next session.

- STAY IN TOUCH -

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.