Facebook logo
Instagram logo
Pinterest logo
Linked In logo
Tara Flannery Photography logo
Business Headshots
Actor/Model Headshots
Branding
Family Portraits
Senior Portraits
Book a free
consultation
HOMEtake me home
all the latestBLOG
get to know meABOUT
get in touchContact
1:1 MentoringPHOTOGRAPHERS

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

If headshot lighting feels confusing, I put together a guide with 3 simple setups that will get you consistent results—link in bio.

If your headshots feel a little “off”… it’s usually not your camera—it’s your lighting.

Here are 5 mistakes I see all the time:

1️⃣ Lighting from below
Creates unflattering shadows. Keep your light slightly above eye level.

2️⃣ Too much (or too harsh) light
Softer, controlled light will always look more professional.

3️⃣ No direction to your light
Flat lighting = flat images. You need some angle to create depth.

4️⃣ Mixing multiple light sources
This is how you end up with weird color and inconsistent tones.

5️⃣ Ignoring catchlights
Small detail, big impact—this is what brings life to your subject’s eyes.

Lighting doesn’t need to be complicated… it just needs to be intentional.

Curious—what’s been the hardest part about lighting for you?

30 0
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 17870461365628869
If headshot lighting feels confusing, I put together a guide with 3 simple setups that will get you consistent results—link in bio. If your headshots feel a little “off”… it’s usually not your camera—it’s your lighting. Here are 5 mistakes I see all the time: 1️⃣ Lighting from below Creates unflattering shadows. Keep your light slightly above eye level. 2️⃣ Too much (or too harsh) light Softer, controlled light will always look more professional. 3️⃣ No direction to your light Flat lighting = flat images. You need some angle to create depth. 4️⃣ Mixing multiple light sources This is how you end up with weird color and inconsistent tones. 5️⃣ Ignoring catchlights Small detail, big impact—this is what brings life to your subject’s eyes. Lighting doesn’t need to be complicated… it just needs to be intentional. Curious—what’s been the hardest part about lighting for you?

I put together a Guide to Photography Gear for those of you who need some help deciding what is actually worth investing in (and what`s not). The link is in my bio!

Lighting is one of those things that feels complicated when you’re starting out… but it doesn’t have to be.

At the end of the day—light is light.

You don’t need the most expensive setup to get good results. What matters more is having something reliable that you understand how to use.

Especially if you’re shooting outside… the last thing you want is a $2,000 light going down in the wind.

Start simple.
Focus on gear you can trust.
And build from there.

Curious—what lighting setup are you using right now?

43 1
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 18124927108663241
I put together a Guide to Photography Gear for those of you who need some help deciding what is actually worth investing in (and what's not). The link is in my bio! Lighting is one of those things that feels complicated when you’re starting out… but it doesn’t have to be. At the end of the day—light is light. You don’t need the most expensive setup to get good results. What matters more is having something reliable that you understand how to use. Especially if you’re shooting outside… the last thing you want is a $2,000 light going down in the wind. Start simple. Focus on gear you can trust. And build from there. Curious—what lighting setup are you using right now?

My Photographer Gear Guide is linked in my bio if you’re trying to figure out what’s actually worth investing in when you’re first starting out.

Because the truth is—you don’t need everything right away.

When you’re new, it’s easy to feel like you need all the gear… but really, it comes down to a few key pieces.

A solid camera body and a really good lens will take you further than a full bag of equipment you don’t know how to use yet.

If you’re deciding where to spend your money, start there.

A 24–70mm or 70–200mm lens will cover more than you think—and give you the flexibility to shoot a wide range of sessions without overcomplicating things.

Curious—what was the first piece of gear you invested in?

48 3
Open post by taraflanneryphotography with ID 17980146186029923
My Photographer Gear Guide is linked in my bio if you’re trying to figure out what’s actually worth investing in when you’re first starting out. Because the truth is—you don’t need everything right away. When you’re new, it’s easy to feel like you need all the gear… but really, it comes down to a few key pieces. A solid camera body and a really good lens will take you further than a full bag of equipment you don’t know how to use yet. If you’re deciding where to spend your money, start there. A 24–70mm or 70–200mm lens will cover more than you think—and give you the flexibility to shoot a wide range of sessions without overcomplicating things. Curious—what was the first piece of gear you invested in?

- STAY IN TOUCH -

Serving the Greater Houston, Texas Area

tara@taraflannery.com

713-412-5437

Facebook logo
Instagram logo
Pinterest logo
Linked In logo

FloDesk FREE STYLE GUIDE

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.