3 Tips for Amazing Senior Photos | The Woodlands Senior Photographer

Tara Flannery is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) based in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX.  Tara Flannery Photography specializes in senior portraits and can give you 3 tips for amazing senior photos.  See more senior photos in the gallery.  Contact me to book your family portrait today!

3 Tips for Amazing Senior Photos

I love senior portrait sessions!  They are so much fun!  With Tara Flannery Photography, you’ll go into your session knowing me and knowing the plan for our portrait session.  No surprises!  That’s because we will meet for a consultation before the session to discuss things like location, wardrobe, and styling.  We’ll soon be on the same page so that we can hit the session running.  Here are 3 tips for amazing senior photos:

  1. Consultation: meet me for a consultation before the session so we can discuss things you like and don’t like.  We’ll talk about what location best fits your style and the wardrobe that you’ll wear and bring.  It’s best to have a plan so that we can tailor the session to you!
  2. Prepare: before the session, make a few preparations.  Make sure all of your clothes are clean and ready to go (down to the socks and shoes, boys).  For girls, plan your hair and makeup and practice it before the big day.  I have an amazing hair and makeup artist if you’d like to use her.  Make sure nails are how you’d like them to appear in the pictures.  Set aside any props that you’d like to include in the photos.
  3. Relax: on the day of the session, relax!  And let’s have fun!  These are photos that should represent you and who you are.  They mark an important milestone in your life.  If you’re relaxed, it will show in the images and we’ll get genuine expressions.  So put away the stress and let’s do this!

Senior Portraits for Lauryn

Lauryn was completely prepared for her senior portraits and I’m absolutely in love with them!  Her hair, makeup, and nails were perfectly polished.  And she had a couple of wardrobe changes that we incorporated into the session.  Since it was a new venue for me, we explored together and found some great spots for photos.  During the session, Lauryn was fully relaxed and confident and it shows in her photos.  A little bit of preparation and relaxation go a long way towards amazing final images for your senior portraits.  Let’s create together!

For more senior picture ideas, check out this article from Pixpa, 25+ Senior Picture Ideas.

3 Tips for Amazing Senior Photos3 Tips for Amazing Senior Photos3 Tips for Amazing Senior Photos3 Tips for Amazing Senior Photos3 Tips for Amazing Senior Photos3 Tips for Amazing Senior Photos3 Tips for Amazing Senior Photos3 Tips for Amazing Senior Photos

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

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@taraflanneryphotography

Some of my favorite senior photos always include something personal.

Instruments, sports gear, pets, cars—these are the details that make your photos feel like you.

Senior sessions aren’t just about getting a few good pictures—they’re about capturing this season in a way that feels real and meaningful.

And with senior year right around the corner, now is the time to start thinking about it.

Spots tend to fill up quickly once the school year gets going, so planning ahead makes all the difference.

If you’re ready to start planning your senior session, you can book a consultation through the link in my bio.
“Pick something you’d do for free…” It sounds simple—but building a career around it is anything but.

There’s a lot that goes into turning photography into something sustainable—learning your craft, understanding lighting, figuring out your gear, working with clients, and continuing to grow.

But if you’re willing to put in the time, it’s one of the most rewarding things you can do.

If you’re just getting started, I have a few free resources to help you figure out what actually matters (and what doesn’t).

🔗 You can grab them with the link in my bio.
At the end of the day, it’s not about the title—it’s about what the photos actually do for you.

For most teams, the hardest part isn’t getting the photos taken… it’s coordinating everything around it.

Schedules, availability, keeping the look consistent across everyone—it adds up quickly, and it’s usually why it gets pushed off.

That’s exactly why I created a Corporate Team Headshot Planner—to make the process simple, organized, and easy to execute from start to finish.

📥 If updating your team’s photos has been sitting on your to-do list, this will help you finally get it done—link in bio.
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?

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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.