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

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.

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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.