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!

- INSTAGRAM -

@taraflanneryphotography

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!
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.
Shooting outdoors doesn’t always mean “perfect lighting.” 👇🏻

One of the biggest challenges with natural light is inconsistency—
skin tones can shift depending on shade, surroundings, and even reflections (hello green grass 👀).

That’s why I use off-camera flash, even outside.

It helps create:
✅ consistent skin tones
✅ balanced lighting
✅ a cleaner, more polished final image

So instead of guessing what the light is doing…
I’m controlling it.

📥 If you’re a photographer trying to figure out lighting + gear, I’ve put together a guide with the setups I actually use—link in bio.
What it looks like behind the camera… vs. what you get 👇🏻

Different sessions, different people, different goals—
but always the same focus: helping you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.

Headshots, branding, families, seniors, and more… it all comes back to capturing people in a way that actually feels like them.

✨ If you’re ready to start planning your session, you can click the link in my bio.

- 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.