Dress Your Best for Senior Portraits | Clothing Ideas and Tips

What do I wear? 

This is the #1 question I get from my senior clients when we start planning their sessions.  Planning what to wear can be challenging, but I’ve put together some senior portrait clothing ideas to help.  And while I love to offer guidance, there really is no set rule for outfits (well, unless you have specific requirements for your high school).  So, how do you decide? 

How Many Outfits?

• mini session – 2 or 3 outfits

• full session – typically between 4 – 6

First, plan to have at least 2 outfits.  It’s a good way to break up our time together and get some variety in your photos. 

While 2 outfits are a must, I tend to like 3 outfits because you can have 1 formal, 1 casual, and 1 wild card.  And wild card can be whatever you like.  Your letterman jacket.  Your favorite pjs and stuffie.  Your prom or homecoming gown.  The wild card outfit can be fun.  

 

I liked working with this senior guy to choose outfits that fit with his locations.  The suit is perfect for downtown, professional vibes.  His casual loose shirt and jeans fit well with the area around PNC Park and below the Clemente Bridge.  Finally, he wanted photos at his high school stadium.  His white track pants and green letterman jacket were a great choice.

This senior gal chose a great mix for her summer session.  Each outfit was cool and comfortable.  A cute top with her favorite jeans.  Simple white dress and sandals.  And then her light blue top that really brought out her eyes, with a short, flowy skirt.

This senior gal wanted to wear her prom dress for her session, and it was a perfect addition at Phipps Conservatory. 

Did you know that we can rent a gown for your session?  If you want something different from homecoming or prom, for a small fee, you can choose a gorgeous gown to add some more fun to your senior portrait session.

Check out this Strip District session to see how we choose outfits for the different locations and how this senior used accessories to add variety.

Now that we know how many outfits we get to choose and you hopefully have some of your own senior portrait clothing ideas already, I have some more tips to help with planning.

Comfort and Fit are Key

My goal with portraits is to always capture the best, most natural expressions for my clients.  Step one for achieving that goal is having my clients feel comfortable, and clothes are the first step there.

Now this doesn’t mean wearing sweats or pajamas and Crocs to your session (hmm, but that could be a fun wild card…) See, this is why there aren’t really rules about clothes, because just about anything can be styled in a way that is creative and fun and looks good.

But back to Comfort and Fit.
In order to feel the most relaxed and comfortable with yourself, it helps to choose outfits that you feel comfortable in and that fit you well.  These can be any clothing- jeans, dresses, skirts, or shorts.  If you’ve picked a new outfit, wear it for a bit just to make sure that you know how it’ll move with you.

Also, think about your outfit choices in relation to the weather.  If we happen to have an 85° day in late October (it’s happened), maybe reconsider the sweater and letterman’s jacket.  
 
A change in weather doesn’t mean that you have to completely abandon your planned outfits. I just recommend having some options and being aware of how much you can tolerate.

Go for Color or Keep it Neutral?

Deciding on color is probably one of my favorite parts of session planning.  This is where we can create something really dynamic, just by a little bit of creative planning.  

I like to encourage my clients to choose outfit colors that connect with their personalities.  
Outfits and locations work together, so they should be considered together.  If you have your location set, I recommend visiting it before your session to get an idea of the colors that you’ll find and keep that in mind as you choose your outfits.  For example, having a black suit in front of a black wall can create a dramatic look.  Choosing a hot pink dress can help you to stand out, whether you’re in a grassy field or on a downtown street.

 

Neutral colors can also have more of a classic, timeless look.  I love neutrals in the fall when everything has that beautiful golden glow to it.  Pastels are great for spring and summer.  

But again, it’s all about what you like.

What About Shoes?

Shoes are another way to be intentional with the style of your session.  Choosing a colorful shoe can stand out and show some personality, whether you’re wearing a simple white dress or a nice suit.  And take some time to think about your shoes and your location.  Beware that bright white sneakers might not be the best option if we’re in the woods and it’s been raining.  Don’t forget to think about socks when choosing your shoes.  White socks with a dark suit is not a great look, so remember to bring dark socks to match.

Finally, for the ladies, if choosing that amazing pair of high heels, be sure to bring some slip-on sneakers or flats for walking in.   You can keep them in a tote as we walk around your location and switch them out as needed. Trust me, you and your feet will thank me.  

Ready for Your Session

Once you have your outfits selected, please send me a quick photo of them.  It helps me start visualizing your session.

• For the day of your session, be sure to have everything ready to go.  It’s a good idea to put everything in a bag, and garment bags work great if you have one.  
• Press or steam outfits to remove as many wrinkles as you can. 
• Don’t forget accessories- socks, shoes, belts, hats, jackets, jewelry.
• Guys, if you’re planning to wear a tie, have it pre-tied for the session, or be sure you have someone with you who knows how.  (My skills are just not there, yet.)  
• Gals, it’s a good idea to bring what you need to touch up your hair and makeup.  During summer, the humidity can be quite a challenge for hairstyles.

When deciding which outfit to start with, there are a few options.  If you tend to be nervous in front of the camera, start with your favorite.  That will help you get comfortable with the camera and working with me.  If you’re not dreading the camera and feel pretty comfortable with the session, then I suggest starting with your dressiest outfit first.  These aren’t rules, but just suggestions for how to decide.  We’ll talk over these options when we do the final planning.

Hopefully, this has helped give you some clothing ideas for your senior portrait, and now you should be all set to look your absolute best!