3 Tips for Fantastic Senior Portraits | Senior Photographer The Woodlands

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

3 Tips for Fantastic Senior Portraits

It’s your senior year of high school!  You’re almost finished with high school and looking forward to a bright future ahead.  The senior portrait session is your opportunity to express who you are and have fun!  I love to photograph high school seniors because I always have fun too.  Planning ahead for session day is key.  Here are 3 tips for fantastic senior portraits.

  1. Be Prepared (like the boy scouts): plan your outfits ahead of time down to the shoes that you’ll wear.  Bring several options from formal to casual so that you have a variety of looks in your portfolio.  You know what looks best on you so don’t be afraid to go with your own style.  Texture and layers are always good too – you can add or remove hats, accessories, etc. easily during the shoot.
  2. Be Creative: let’s do a session in a location that means something to you.  Where do you like to hang out?  What do you like to do?  Talk to your photographer about a photo shoot in a fun location.  Or bring props to your session that show a little bit about you.
  3. Be Real: we want these photographs to truly represent you.  It’s important to me that you are comfortable and free to move around and have fun with this session.  The real you will show through in these images and I love that.  Be free and be real and be you…

With Tara Flannery Photography, you will always be guided through the process from start to finish.  We start with a consultation so that I can get to know you better and you get to know me.  That way, when we meet for our session, we are already on the same page and can immediately start creating fantastic images.  When we meet to review the images together, I’ll help you through the decision process and guide you toward the best images and products for you.

Senior Session with Addison

Addison is super sweet and fun and we had a great senior portrait session!  I recently photographed her good friend at this same location.  We got some shots that were similar but many shots were totally unique and absolutely gorgeous!  First, Addison was prepared with her outfits and was able to easily change up her look with a different top.  At the end, she put on a cute dress with her boots to change up the look one last time.  The end result is a great mix of looks.  She was also prepared with hair and makeup that were very well done!  And she was real…soft smiles and serious looks gave us authentic and real photographs that she and her family will treasure for a long time.  It’s this moment in time…a moment that you will never see again.  Let’s get this moment so it lives on forever.

3 Tips for Fantastic Senior Portraits3 Tips for Fantastic Senior Portraits3 Tips for Fantastic Senior Portraits3 Tips for Fantastic Senior PortraitsThe Woodlands Senior PhotographerHouston Senior Photographer3 Tips for Fantastic Senior Portraits3 Tips for Fantastic Senior Portraits3 Tips for Fantastic Senior Portraits

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

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.