What to Wear for your Senior Pictures

How to dress for your senior pictures

A few styling tips to help you choose your outfits

You’ve put in the work, done the time, and have spent most of your life dreaming of this moment. Your senior year of high school is finally here, and while this time in your life may feel bittersweet, it’s no doubt an incredibly exciting experience. Senior pictures are an important part of your final year in high school and allow you to express your individuality, making a statement to the world.
This means you need to get ready for your senior pictures. So you do the research, call around, and finally, you settle on a photographer that you deem a perfect match. Now what? Well, now you get to decide what to wear!
But does choosing your outfits seem like a daunting task? You likely would not be surprised to know you are not alone. A friend of mine told me she literally decided what she was going to wear five minutes on her way out the door for her senior pictures, and years later she still wishes she had put more thought into it. There’s no need to stress, though. As a photographer, I’ve gradually gathered several tips and ideas that will help you to comb your closet through to find the perfect outfit.

Be Yourself
I certainly encourage everyone to first and foremost be themselves. You may have sifted through social media and the internet to gather outfit ideas, and while other people’s pictures can be a great tool for getting inspiration I don’t recommend straying too far from something you would choose to wear for yourself on average. Just because something is cute or attractive on someone else (and may look great on you, too) doesn’t necessarily mean it will be an accurate representation of you. Staying true to your personality will give your senior photos a timeless quality that will preserve your individuality for years to come. 

Casual Versus Formal
What if you can’t decide between a more casual, everyday style or a more formal look? Both types of outfits can bring great elements to your pictures. Dressy outfits photograph beautifully, giving movement and dimension to photos and bringing overall professionalism to the final product. Wearing formal clothes can be a real confidence booster, and it’s always a fun excuse to dress up more than you usually would. I always recommend that guys consider styling a well-fitted suit for their senior pictures. I know that it sounds formal, but a good suit can look incredibly sharp and bring senior pictures from good to great. 
Casual outfits can bring an element of normality to a shoot. We spend most of our lives in casual attire, so it’s how people know us. Casual options also give an overall feeling of comfort and relaxation to senior pictures and in contrast to dressier options, they are easier to move around in and won’t be restricting. However, casual photos don’t give much movement in photos and I have found it to be a challenge to find a perfect casual outfit. 
All things considered, I always recommend my clients choose more than one outfit for their photos, so feel free to bring both casual and formal outfit options. I don’t impose a limit on my clients, so don’t stress if you can’t decide what to wear. Bring along as many outfits as you would like! 

A casual summer outfit vs. a prom dress for your senior pictures

Best Colors for the Camera
When it comes to colors, I instantly think of soft pinks and blues mixed with grays and creams. These colors flatter most complexions and look great on camera. That being said, wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and confident. If you do decide to wear patterns, I recommend that you don’t mix patterns. For example, if you plan on wearing a solid shirt, add a punchy, patterned tie for the guys or an adorable patterned skirt for the girls.

Soft colors photograph well and pair wonderfully with natural accents such as leather and natural stone.

My Favorite Outfits for Guys and Girls
For girls, I love the look of sundresses and flowing skirts. They give great movement in photos and can be particularly adorable during the summer months. I always recommend keeping the length in mind—remember, we will be kneeling, sitting, and moving from one location to the next. 
Layers bring visual interest to photos and add dimension. Think of a puffy vest over a plaid shirt with skinny jeans, boots, and a scarf and maybe a hat. Or for warmer months, a jean jacket for draping over your shoulders or a button-up camp shirt tied around your waist can add some depth.
For guys, a nice pair of dark wash denim jeans always look sharp when paired with a classy button-down or casual tee. Aviators and leather jackets paired with denim always look carefree and old school, while a nice sweater over a button-down shirt with dark jeans can look preppy and studious. And like I mentioned above, never underestimate the power of a tux!
For both guys and girls, don’t neglect the accessories! A fun hat, sunglasses, a scarf, your favorite sneakers, or a sassy pair of heels can really tie an outfit together. 

Casual or Dressy works for both guys and gals!

Bring multiple outfits for a wide array of photos.

The Power Of Props
Now that you’ve got your outfits planned, it’s important to consider whether or not you want to incorporate props into your session. I highly recommend them and cannot stress this enough: props tell the story of you and your story more than any outfit possibly could. If your passion is horses, let’s incorporate them into some of your pictures. Do you have other furry friends in your life, like a dog or a cat? Let’s include them, too! Are you proud of your truck or car? I want to get some pictures with them, too! What about your hobbies—are you a fisher, hunter, reader, writer, crafter, or sports player? Whatever your interests are, I guarantee there will be items we can include in the photos that will look natural and attractive all while telling the story of you. 
Even if you don’t have a hobby, you may have a particular era or aesthetic that appeals to you. For example, what if you love the nostalgia of the 50s or the laid back grunge of the 90s? We can design the photo session around your vision, whatever that may be. 

Make your “props” meaningful!

Choosing Your Location
Okay, so you know what to wear and what to bring for your session. But that still leaves one very important factor—where will this session take place? I always encourage clients to choose a place that has special meaning. Do you have a family farm? What about the equestrian center where you board your horse? Is there a favorite park you used to go to with your friends? Choose a location that means something to you.
You also need to decide what kind of vibe you’re going for. Do you love the excitement and edge of an urban backdrop, or would you rather spend your days in rural meadows or blanketed forests? Can’t decide? That’s not a problem—I don’t want my clients to feel limited to one location. I am more than happy to accommodate multiple locations. 

The Bottom Line
While we’ve covered a lot of information in this article, I want to stress one thing—the best thing you can be for your pictures is simply yourself, so don’t become stressed in the planning process. Preparing for your senior pictures should be fun and exciting, not unsettling.
Besides, part of my job as your photographer is to help you feel confident and ready for your session. So when in doubt, please reach out! I offer wardrobe assistance to all of my clients in addition to an exclusive client wardrobe made up of both casual and formal pieces. During your pre-session consultation, we will thoroughly discuss the topic of outfits so that I understand the look that you are going for. 
I am thrilled to be able to join you on your senior picture journey and want you to feel excited and assured every step of the way. This is a time of your life you’ll never want to forget—and thanks to your senior pictures, you’ll never have to! 

Be yourself!