What to wear for family portraits | The Woodlands Family Photographer

Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) based in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography specializes in family portraits and can help with what to wear for family portraits.  See more family photos in the gallery.  Contact me to book your family portrait today!

What to wear for family portraits

Planning for the annual family portrait session can be stressful!  But it doesn’t have to be.  Here are some tips for coordinating what to wear for family portraits.

  1. Plan ahead.  Give yourself plenty of time to coordinate outfits – enough time to run to the store in case you are missing something.
  2. Start with the person with the fewest wardrobe options.  Or start with one piece that you absolutely love and coordinate everyone else.
  3. From the piece that you selected, build everyone else’s wardrobe.  Pick 2-3 coordinating colors and keep in mind that neutrals like khaki, white, black, and grey (and sometimes blue jeans) go with everything.  Use bold colors as accents.  Try not to put everyone in the same color (i.e. jeans and black shirts) but coordinate a couple of colors instead with the neutrals.
  4. Layers and texture are good.
  5. Lay everyone’s outfits out so that you can see what they look like together.  And don’t forget the socks and shoes…put those out too so everyone is completely ready.

These tips will help reduce the stress when it’s time for the actual session.  If everyone’s outfits are set aside and ready to go, there’s no stress about what to wear!  Win!

Here is a link to my Pinterest page for more ideas on WHAT TO WEAR FOR  FAMILY PORTRAITS.

Family Portraits for the Caldwells

The Caldwells had a beautiful family portrait session at their home in The Woodlands.  Their outfits are coordinated with the dark blue and a splash of red for color.  We started at the front steps which gave us a perfect spot to arrange the family, including grandma!  I love that she was included in the family portraits.  I love even more that we got some pictures of the kids with grandma.  Then we moved out to the beautiful green yard.  Again, it was a perfect backdrop for their family portraits.  Finally, we ended the session at the street in front of the garden.  The sun was shining through the trees and provided a gorgeous backlight to the images.  I’m so glad we captured these special family portraits!  All my best Caldwell family.

What to wear for family portraitsWhat to wear for family portraitsWhat to wear for family portraitsWhat to wear for family portraitsWhat to wear for family portraits

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

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@taraflanneryphotography

Money may not buy happiness, but having photos of your family to look back on years from now? That’s pretty priceless. 🤍

Fall family portrait season is here, and I have a few weekend dates still available (spots are filling fast!) 👇🏻

September 20
October 3, 10, & 17
November 7 & 15

If you’ve been meaning to update the family photos, document this season, or get those holiday card photos checked off your list, this is your sign to get on the calendar.

And once you book, I’ll make sure you’re not left wondering what to wear, where we’re going, what to bring, or what to expect. My Family Session Welcome Guide walks you through everything you need to know to feel prepared for your session. (linked in my bio)

📸 Ready to make some memories worth keeping? Grab your date through the link in my bio.
I’m gonna let you in on my secret… 👀

These are the camera settings I use as my starting point when I’m shooting during golden hour:

☀️ APERTURE
For one person: f/2.8–f/3.2
For families or groups: f/5.6

A wider aperture gives you that beautiful separation and soft background when you’re photographing one person. With a group, I stop down to help keep everyone in focus.

☀️ SHUTTER SPEED
I start around 1/160 sec—but if I have kids running, a couple moving around, or anything else with more movement, I’ll increase my shutter speed to keep everything sharp.

☀️ ISO
ISO 400 is my starting point, and then I adjust up or down depending on how much light I have.

The biggest thing to remember? These aren’t magic numbers you have to use every time.

Golden hour changes quickly, and your settings should change with it. Use these as a starting point, watch your light, and adjust for the people and movement in front of your camera.

And if you’re building your photography kit and wondering what gear is actually worth investing in, I put together my Photographer’s Gear Guide with the cameras, lenses, lighting, and equipment I use in my own business.

Grab your free copy through the link in my bio! 📸
Class of 2027, the clock is ticking! 🎓📸

Yearbook deadlines are getting closer, which means there’s not much time left to get those fall senior portraits on the calendar.

Senior photos are about so much more than checking a yearbook photo off the list. This is your chance to capture their personality, style, interests, and who they are during one of the biggest years of their life.

If senior portraits are still sitting on your fall to-do list, this is your sign to get them booked!

🎓 Now booking fall senior sessions. Head to the link in my bio to get started.
Come spend a headshot + branding day with me! 📸

One of my favorite things about on-location sessions is getting to step into a client’s space and create images that actually feel connected to their business.

We can capture updated headshots, team photos, working shots, office details, and plenty of branding content—all without your team having to leave the office.

A lot goes into a shoot day, but this is the fun part: turning an ordinary workday into a whole new library of images for your brand.

Need updated photos for your business or team? Let’s plan your session! Click the link in my bio to get started! 🔗
If your kids are still living under your roof, take the photos. 🤍

You hear people say you only get 18 summers with your kids, and now that mine are grown, I understand just how quickly those years really go. Once college, work, relationships, and their own schedules enter the picture, getting everyone together at the same time gets a whole lot harder.

So don’t wait for the “perfect” year for family portraits. Document the family you have right now—the missing teeth, growth spurts, changing personalities, and even the little bit of chaos that comes with it.

Because one day, getting everyone in the same place for a family photo might be the hardest part.

🍂 Fall Family Portrait Weekend Availability:

September 20
October 3, 10, & 17
November 7 & 15

If family portraits have been on your list, grab one of my remaining fall dates before they’re gone.

📸 Book your 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.