Senior Photography Tips | Houston 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 help with senior photography tips.  See more senior photos in the gallery.  Contact me to book your senior portrait today!

Senior Photography Tips

Want to make your senior photography session great?  Here are a few tips to keep in mind when planning for your session:

  1. Plan outfits with your photographer.  I like to suggest starting with the most formal that you can go.  For ladies, it might be a cute dress and for men, a suit if you can stand it.  Don’t worry, we won’t be in it for long!  Then, go for something fun that you absolutely love.  Finally, I suggest ending the session with the most casual outfit – jeans and a t-shirt or college shirt.
  2. Think about locations.  What locations have meaning for you?  Imagine you’re a track runner and love it, let’s get some images on the track.  Or you love nature and everything green, then let’s utilize the myriad of choices for greenery in The Woodlands!  If you prefer a more urban look, we can do that too.
  3. For session day, make sure everything is clean, pressed, and manicured.  Nails to shoes…everything matters so make sure it all looks good!
  4. Bring mom or a friend or both!  I love to have someone at the session who can help with wardrobe changes and to check for hair and outfits during the session.
  5. Bring props if that’s your thing!  If you play and instrument, have your cap and gown, play baseball, or football, or cross-stitch, bring them along.  These little things are reminders of who you are right now.  They don’t have to define your life but they are an important part of you.

Session with Lauren

We had a great time tromping around Old Town Spring for Lauren’s session.  It was really hot but so much fun with so many options for photos!  Lauren had planned her outfits and had suggested the location.  Lauren is a planner and was ready to go!  I love that.  She knew exactly what she wanted.  She started the session in an adorable romper and then changed into her black pants and red crop top.  I absolutely love the images with her red top and the red building.  Color speaks loudly in images and directs your attention.  Those images say just the right thing!

HMU: Linna Rowell

high school senior girl in pink romperhigh school senior poseshigh school senior girl in pink on side of white buildingsenior photography tipssenior photography tipshigh school senior posing

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 senior portrait today!

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@taraflanneryphotography

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.
You don’t need the most expensive gear to be a good photographer.

When I first started, I thought I needed everything—top-tier camera, expensive lighting, all of it.

The reality?

A solid camera and a good lens will take you a long way.

If you’re just starting out, keep it simple:
✨ A versatile zoom lens (24–70mm or 70–200mm)
✨ Gear you can rely on and learn inside and out

And when it comes to lighting—especially outdoors—don’t overinvest too early.

Wind happens. Gear gets knocked over. Things break.

Light is light.

Focus on learning how to use what you have before worrying about upgrading everything.

📥 I’ve put together resources for new photographers covering gear, lighting, posing, and more—click the link in my bio!
Most men think they don’t know how to pose for a headshot…

but it’s not about knowing poses.

It’s about a few simple adjustments that make you look confident and natural on camera.

A couple go-to options (like the classic “GQ” stance, arms crossed, or a relaxed lean) can completely change how you show up.

And the rest? That’s what I guide you through.

📥 If you’re also not sure what to wear, I’ve got you covered—grab my Men’s Style Guide for Headshots through the link in my bio.

📩 Ready for updated headshots? You can book through the link as well.
If you’re just getting started in photography… don’t worry about finding your niche right away.

When I first started, I photographed everything—weddings, babies, families, headshots, corporate… if someone needed photos, I was there.

And that’s how you figure it out.

You don’t find your niche by waiting—you find it by doing the work, learning what you like, and getting better with every session.

Every type of shoot teaches you something different.
Every client builds your experience.

Over time, you start to see what actually fits you—and that’s where your expertise comes from.

📥 If you’re in that phase right now, I’ve put together resources to help—covering lighting, gear, posing, and more.

✨ Grab them 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.