You've booked your senior photo session and your first question is...What do I wear? You want to make sure you look amazing for your senior photos and that starts with picking the right clothes to show off your personal style. With so many great options out there, from dresses to jeans and everything in between, how do you choose the right things?
What you wear can determine locations, what type of poses we do and more, so picking the right outfits for your style and personality is important. And coming prepped and ready to go with clothing, jewelry and accessories will ensure that you will have a great senior session and fall in love with your photos!
The following tips will help you when it comes to picking what to wear for your senior photos:
Tip #1 - Look for Inspiration.
Look for inspiration on Instagram, both at fashion bloggers and my Instagram to see what past clients have worn, as well as Pinterest. Having a visual for what you like and what looks good on camera is a great way to start the process of choosing the right outfits for your session.
Tip #2 - Think about what works for the season.
Each season has distinct clothing types. Summer is all about pretty sundresses and sandals and Fall is all about denim, sweaters and layers. Make sure you are choosing a season for your senior session that allows you to wear the types of clothing you LOVE and make sure you are choosing clothing that reflects the season in which you are having your photos taken. Check out that season's latest trends and colors and incorporate them in a real way into your session outfits. Make sure you don't overdo it on the trends...just pick one or two that fit your style best!
Tip #3 - Shop your closet first.
I know everyone loves to get new clothes...so do I!! But…you may have exactly what you need in your closet already so be sure to check there first!! What is your favorite item in your closet? What do you love to wear? What item makes you feel confident and beautiful? Start with those items and build your outfit around that!
Tip #4 - Choose a variety of outfits for your session.
For your senior photo session, be sure to bring a variety of outfits so that you don't look like you wore the same outfit in all your photos! I suggest that my clients bring three outfits which ensures that we get a good variety and different looks for the session. Ideally you will have one dressy outfit (usually a dress!), one casual outfit (such as jeans and a top) and one outfit that is somewhere in between or out of the box.
Be sure that the variety isn’t just in clothing types such as in jeans, shirts, dresses, etc. but also bring a variety in color and/or pattern. You do not want everything to be the same color and you do not want everything to be a pattern or everything to be a solid. Make sure to have at least one outfit that has a pattern for variety! Mackenzie did a great job for her session with these three different outfits :-)
Tip #5 - Don't be afraid of color.
Colors look great in photos and allow you to pop off the background. Wearing neutrals may make you blend in with the background instead of standing out. Think about your skin color and what color clothing compliments it. If you are pale, white may wash you out so be sure to choose colors that flatter you and not colors you see everyone else wearing. Do you have a favorite color? Wear it!! That will help show off your personality during the shoot. This tie-dye jacket Kayleen chose was an amazing layer to her outfit and really made everything about her photos POP!
Tip #6 - Show off your personality.
One of my favorite quotes from Rachel Zoe is,
"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak."
This really applies to photos because they need to represent who you are without words. Choosing outfits to wear in your photos that showcase your personality is a way to get across exactly who YOU are to the viewers of the photos!
Are you classic or preppy? Then choose clothing that reflects that. Are you a bit bohemian? Then a flowy dress and jewelry may be the best way to showcase that. Are you edgy? Then choose clothing that speaks to that side of your personality. Maybe you are a little of everything so choose a variety of outfits that fit all the different sides of your style and personality. Jess did a great job showcasing her love of Texas with her favorite boots!
Tip #7 - Consider the location of your session.
Besides the question, "what do I wear?," the second most popular question is, "where do we take the photos?" The location of your senior photos is important and also needs to reflect you and your style. So, when thinking of what to wear, consider the type of location you want.
If you really want to wear that long, flowy dress then an urban, downtown type backdrop may not work as well as a field would for that look. And on the flip side, if you want to rock your favorite converse high tops and vintage concert tee, then a field of wildflowers might not be the perfect spot for that type of outfit. Having said that, I do love showing contrasting vibes in photos so sometimes that flowy dress in an urban location can be really eye-catching!
Make sure you consider your dream location when choosing your outfits for your senior session. And if you need help pairing an outfit with the right location, that is what I am here for!
Tip #8 - Think about the entire look.
No matter what outfits you choose for your session, make sure you consider every detail so your outfit looks complete. That includes accessories, shoes and even your fingernails and toenails. You want to make sure you look at everything together to make sure it works, try it on and remember to pack everything you need for each outfit.
“Cinderella is proof that a new pair of shoes can change your life” ~Noortje de Bijl
It is a great idea to hang your outfits, put your accessories for each outfit in their own Ziploc bag and attach that to the hanger of the outfit. That way you keep everything for each outfit together and are organized for your shoot. Don't forget shoes! They are just as important as every other piece of the look! And when in doubt, wear nude shoes because they elongate your legs!
Want more tips about what to wear for your senior photo session or where to shop for the perfect looks? I would love to help you! You can book a wardrobe consultation with me before your senior session and I will go through your outfit options as well as give you the suggestions of outfits/ accessories to purchase to complete your look for your senior session.
Ready to book your Senior Session? Click here to start the process!!!
And just remember:
“Clothes aren’t going to change the world. The women who wear them will.” ~Anne Klein