Senior Photos Outfit Guide: What to Wear for Your Portrait Session

Senior-Photos-Outfit-Guide-What-to-Wear-for-Your-Portrait-Session-Pinterest.png

Senior photo outfits play a huge part in how your pictures will turn out. If you’re a self-proclaimed fashionista, I’m sure you’ll have no problem choosing what to wear. If you’ve never had your photos professionally taken before, this resource was made just for you. This guide is complete with outfit tips and recommendations, so you feel confident and comfortable on the day of your shoot.

I promise you don’t need to have a professional stylist help you. Read through the guide, so you can find the outfits that will be best for your shoot!

Senior Photos Outfit Guide

Opt for solid colors over small patterns or prints.

My recommendation is you stick with solid colors over patterns and prints. If you go with a pattern, choose a larger-scale print over a smaller pattern so it’s not distracting for the camera.

Similar to makeup for your pictures, choose clothing that helps you feel confident. Love a specific color? Wear it! Just remember the focus is on you and not your clothes, so if you love a specific color, consider how bright or flattering the colors are against your skin, so you’re not taking away from your face or features.

You don’t have to wear your school colors. Pick colors you feel best in. If you need guidance you can also match, coordinate, or go bold with your stole color.

Make sure it fits well.

If you take anything away from this resource, make sure the outfits you choose fit properly. If your outfit is meant to fit oversize, go for it. If your outfit is supposed to fit-to-size, make sure it actually does that and doesn’t fit too tightly or loosely, especially when it comes to your straps, bust area, mid-section area, and hemlines.

On that note, wear something you feel comfortable sitting, standing, and kneeling down in. If you find yourself dancing in it, bring it with you!

Consider A CASUAL AND DRESSY OPTION.

I direct most seniors I work with to bring a few options in an hour+ photo session. A casual outfit can be jeans and a nice top. It can also be a jersey with jean shorts and cowboy boots. A dressy option can be a flowy dress or cocktail dress. Just make sure it’s not too short, so you can sit down or grab any props with ease.

Keep the location, season, and weather in mind.

As you’re preparing for your senior session, be sure to keep the weather and the season in mind. Summer dresses in the middle of winter might not be the best call unless you’re going for a specific creative look.

The rule of thumb is to dress for the season and weather in mind. If it’s warm out, grab your favorite spring/summer dresses or outfits. If it’s cold outside, pull out those sweaters and layering pieces.

Wear the right undergarments.

Alright, let’s chat about underwear. Whether you’re wearing a casual or dressy outfit, make sure you have the right undergarments to go with your clothing. For example, if you know your pants will fit tightly against your body and you feel uncomfortable with panty lines, find a no-show option. If your dress or top might show bra straps, choose an alternative like a strapless bra or chicken cutlets. Tighter dress? Consider shapewear if it helps you feel more confident.

Senior Photos Outfit Tips

Stick to your style.

While it may be fun to get experimental with your clothes for creative photoshoots, I recommend staying true to your style for your senior session. You’ll want to feel comfortable and confident in what you’re wearing so wear what feels good to you and stick with it!

Avoid strapless options.

My suggestion is you steer clear of any outfits that are extra fussy like strapless options, so you feel comfortable during your session.

Avoid glasses with glare.

If you rock glasses every day and you feel most comfortable wearing them, I suggest you reach out and ask your photographer if you should bring them to your session. Your senior photographer will either help you pose to avoid the glare or recommend you keep them off for your photos.

If you need specific guidance on what to wear for outfits, your photographer will work with you directly to pick the best options! Bottom line: make sure you stay true to what makes you feel comfortable, confident, and true to your style!