Senior Session Outfit Tips
Who else struggles with outfit planning, be honest and raise your hand. Ha! But seriously picking what to wear is SO hard. As a semi-recent grad (does 2019 count as recent, I don’t know) I can relate to how hard it was to pick outfits for my own senior session! And now with the knowledge and experience I have gained as a senior portrait photographer, I now know what photographs well and what doesn’t. So in this blog post I have compiled a list of 10 tips for picking your senior session outfits.
Tip Number 1
My biggest tip or piece of advice for seniors picking their outfits is to pick what makes you feel CONFIDENT. Something I struggled with during my own senior was being comfortable and confident in what I was wearing. I am not a dress person, and during my pictures I not only wore a dress, I wore a dress without sleeves, so the whole time I was in that outfit I was worried it was falling too low, or if it look flattering while I was posing. That worry and constant adjustment made me feel and look awkward in my images. So the biggest thing I can tell you is to try your outfits on beforehand and make sure you feel good in them. And that you won’t worry if it looks okay, or if it’s falling down, or bothered because it's too itchy. If you feel good, you look good. I promise.
Tip Number 2
Tip number 2 is to stick to more neutral colors. Neutrals and earth tones really photograph well in any location in any lighting. Bright colors can wash someone out, or they can place not very flattering reflections in someone’s skin tones. But those neutral greens, blues, browns, whites, blacks, etc. tend to really photograph well on everyone and are a great option for senior pictures. However, that does not mean bright colors can’t ever be worn, if you love wearing bright colors, a statement outfit(s) is always amazing, and it’s more important to wear what represents you!
Tip Number 3
Number 3! Wearing shirts with large logos, words, or other graphics I would avoid for your senior pictures. Shirts with big prints or words on them can get folded, wrinkled, or cut off during posing and don’t always look the best. They can look awkward or leave the viewer of your image confused as to what the heck your shirt says. And that takes away from the point of a senior session, which is to highlight you, the senior.
Tip Number 4
My next tip is to avoid busy prints and patterns. Similar to large words and graphics, busy prints and patterns can take away from the subject of the image, which is you, the senior. They can also clash with backgrounds or other things in the image.
Tip Number 5
For tip number 5 we are going to start pivoting in the styles of outfits to wear. For this tip, I suggest that you at least pick two outfits. One causal outfit and one more “dressy” formal outfit. These two options give you a great variety of images in your session without having to haul around a huge bag of your entire closet.
Tip Number 6
Number 6! Think of the weather… please? I know you probably want to wear that stunning sundress you bought in July for senior pictures now in September. But we live in Minnesota. And Minnesota weather is unpredictable. If you have a fall senior session, there is a chance it will be warm and sunny enough for that dress. But it also could be cold and windy. And that pretty sundress is going to look out of place. And if you feel cold, you are probably going to look cold. The same goes for if you have a 90-degree July senior session and you want to wear the adorable chunky sweater that’s your favorite sweater ever. You are going to look hot and sweaty. And the summer lighting will make that sweater look a little out of place. So when picking outfits, keep in mind the season you are taking senior pictures in. And if you prefer to wear chunky sweaters, book a later senior session, if you loveeee tank tops and sundresses, maybe think about a summer senior session.
Tip Number 7
Tip number 7 is to think about your location. If you picked a more urban/cityscape as your location, have your outfits reflect that location more. If you are walking down the sidewalk with tall buildings behind you, consider wearing outfits like a statement top and jeans. If your location is in nature, for example, a tall grass field, long flowy dresses photograph really well in this setting, but probably skip the heels or you’ll twist your ankle. So when choosing outfits think about where you will be and what would be appropriate in that setting.
Tip Number 8
Number 8! Play with layers! In the late summer/fall months adding flannels, or jackets can look soooo good in senior pictures! Even in the warmer months, you can add a sheer cardigan over a tank top, or throw in a denim jacket. It can really make your outfits stand out from everyone else’s! Adding layers can create more variety in your images in how we can pose and play with these items during your session!
Tip Number 9
Don’t be afraid to add accessories! Senior pictures are an amazing opportunity to wear things you wouldn’t wear every day, so have fun with them! If you have always wanted to wear the cool hat that’s been in your closet forever, go for it! The cute heels that have been hidden at the bottom of the shoe basket? Drag them out! Your senior session again is a great way to express yourself, and represent yourself through your outfits! So have fun with them and be unique with your outfits!
Tip Number 10
My last tip is to remember to just be yourself. If you love wearing jeans and a baggier shirt. Go for it. If you have always wanted to run through a field in a long dress. Perfect! I love getting to photograph seniors who are comfortable in their outfits and chose things that truly represented them. Your senior pictures will turn out so much better if you feel good in what you are wearing.
Don’t forget that even when you are picking your outfits, if you need some inspiration Pinterest and Instagram are great resources for outfit ideas! And you can always ask your senior photographer for help before your session!
Here is a link to my Pinterest where you can view some of my senior session inspiration boards!
