Your senior portraits will last a lifetime so choosing the right outfit is important. Your senior session should be an expression of your personality, interests, and hobbies. If you’re having trouble figuring out what to wear, this guide will help you pick clothes you feel comfortable in and that show off your personality.
SELECT THE RIGHT COLORS.
When selecting colors, natural solid colors will photograph the best—think blues, greens, grays, whites, etc. Solid colors will draw focus to you rather than your outfit and are perfect for that close up yearbook shot. Try to pick colors that match the season, so if its fall wear colors that coordinate such as maroon, navy blue, gold, or muted shades of green.
Try to avoid bright neon colors, graphic t-shirts, and clothing with busy patterns. If you do decide to wear a pattern, make sure it’s not distracting and that the print is larger than a dime. Also stay away from spaghetti straps and strapless outfits. These can make your shoulders look wider than they actually are, which isn’t flattering.
Wear clothes you already own and love.
Your senior portraits should reflect your style and personality, so you probably already have what you need in your closet. If you are having trouble deciding, start with a pair of dark wash jeans. They can work for both casual and dressy and go with almost any top. Next grab your favorite tops and start mixing and matching. Layering clothing is a good way to add variety without having to do a full outfit change. If you have to buy an outfit make sure it’s something you are comfortable in and that matches your style!
If you have a favorite item of clothing that you love to wear, like a bowtie, favorite pair of sneakers or hat, definitely bring that along too!
Fit.
Make sure your outfit is something you feel comfortable in whether you are sitting, standing, or kneeling. If your dress only fits right if you are standing up, it’s probably not the right outfit to wear. The best outfits will give you room to switch from sitting to standing to kneeling without them having to be adjusted. Also keep in mind that baggy outfits can add the appearance of more weight and tight clothes can show off unwanted curves.
Accessorizing.
Accessories add some interest to your images, and they are a great way to turn one outfit into two by adding or removing items. Bring accessories for each outfit such as jewelry, scarves, cardigans, jackets, shoes, socks, and hair accessories. Your feet will probably be showing so make sure your shoes are clean and your socks match. If you wear your glasses everyday, I recommend wearing them for your senior pictures.
Undergarments.
Choosing the right underwear is important too.
Ladies- Make sure bra straps aren’t sticking out and the bra color isn’t showing through your clothing. If you are wearing a white shirt, the best color bra to wear is nude.
Guys- Make sure your boxers aren’t peeking out from your pants when you sit down or bunching up under your clothes.
Multiple Outfits.
I recommend bringing 3 outfits along to your session. When picking outfits, make sure to include a variety of styles such as casual, work-casual, dressy, or outdoors. This gives your senior portraits a more diverse look, and all your images won’t look the same. Any sports uniforms are a great addition to your session, make sure to have all components of your uniform!
Hair.
Guys- If you are planning on getting a haircut before your photos, make sure to do so 1-2 weeks before your session. This gives the hair a little time to grow out and it will look more natural. A clean shave before your portrait session is recommend, and mustaches or beards should be neatly trimmed.
Ladies- We suggest wearing your hair in the style you wear everyday. Hair should be styled so your eyes are visible. Make sure to bring hairspray (for fly-aways), bobby pins, comb, etc. just incase hair needs to be adjusted.
Makeup.
If planning to wear makeup, apply it as you normally would wear it. Make sure you apply mascara to really make your eyes stand out. If you are going to wear eye shadow, medium and dark, rich tones (neutrals like browns and golds) photograph better. Stay away from heavy black eyeliner as this can make your eyes look smaller in the photos. If you want to wear eyeliner, wear gray or brown.
You might also want to apply lipstick to give your lips some color. Avoid anything with glitter or sparkles. Stay away from tanning before your photo session, as it can look unnatural.
Nails.
Natural nails look great in portraits, but make sure they are trimmed and clean. If you would like to add polish, go with a light, neutral color that will work with all your outfits. Wait until the night before your session to polish your nails, that way they won’t be chipped. You might want to do your toenails too if you are planning on wearing sandals or going barefoot.
For more outfit inspiration, check out my pinterest board.
If you still need help on deciding what to wear, please let me know! Feel free to send me any outfit ideas you may have. I would be happy to help you put together some outfits for your session!
