Senior outfit guide

In this guide, we will go over what will make or break your session: your outfit! Your outfit is arguably the most important part of your session, so let me show you what works vs. what doesn't. To help you prepare for your senior photo session, I put together this guide packed with tips and ideas to ensure you look your best.

Teen boy in red zip-up hoodie leaning against brick wall, smiling with arms crossed.

 

I’m parker waters

 

Hey! Welcome to my blog. Im a self-taught professional sports & portrait photographer here in the Atlanta, GA area. I've captured tons of seniors, groups, and families and have gained tons of photography experience over the last few years. I hope this guide is helpful and to work with you soon.

Smiling young woman in floral dress peeking around rustic wooden barn door with colorful hair highlights.
Young woman in denim dress smiling over shoulder in golden hour sunlight with green field background.
Young Asian woman smiling outdoors, leaning on mossy brick wall surrounded by lush green trees.
Young woman in white floral dress standing in golden wheat field during sunset.

1. Be comfortable!


Make sure your clothing choices work with you. If you don't like clothing that is tightly fitted or provides limited mobility, leave it at home! The most important part is to make sure you are comfortable and confident with what you're wearing. During your session, you will be doing lots of laying down, sitting, kneeling, walking, and even running, so make sure your outfit works with these actions. If there are items in your closet that you don't feel confident in, they probably aren't the best for your senior session.

2. PICK THE RIGHT LOCATION


The location you pick matters. If you want your outfit to have floral patterns or bright pastel colors, then maybe pick a flower field! If you want to wear jeans and boots, maybe pick a farm-like setting! Make sure your location complements your outfit with colors, texture, and style.  Also, make sure to pick the right shoes! You probably don't want to wear heels if we are going to be shooting in a field, so make sure to wear shoes that are suitable to the area around you.

Young woman in white dress holding pink flowers, sitting by rustic wooden fence on green grass in countryside setting.
Smiling young woman with long hair sitting cross-legged on hardwood floor in bright living room wearing white tee and jeans.
Young woman in white Wildcats sweatshirt and denim shorts leaning against a red brick wall outdoors.

3. Choose the right colors


Referencing #2, make sure your colors match your location. If you want to shoot in a green grassy field, don't wear a green dress. Instead, maybe try a white dress to provide good contrast. Try to avoid colors that may make you appear washed out, like all black outfits. Also, some neon colors may reflect against your face/body, so be mindful of harsh, poorly contrasting colors.

COLORS TO WEAR FOR OPTIMAL PHOTOS:


White

Navy - this typically looks better than black in photos!

Light blue

Pink (pastel pink, mauve, magenta)

Light (pastel) yellow

Greens

COLORS TO AVOID:


Oranges & red - these make your skin look too harshly red/orange

Tan or beige - these blend too much with skin tones

Anything neon - cause your skin to reflect the color


4. Plan for SEVERAL outfits


Depending on your session length, I suggest a different number of outfits. For a 1-hour session I suggest 2 outfits, but no more than that. You want to make sure we have enough time to cover photos in both outfits, accounting for outfit changes and makeup touch-ups. For a 2-hour session I suggest 4 outfits. In my mind, this is the best session length and number of outfits as you will get a ton of photos in each, along with being able to capture a large variety of  colors and styles.

Young woman with long dark hair smiling on a wooden park bench near a pond with a fountain.
Young woman in white dress holding pink roses bouquet, smiling on wooden bridge surrounded by green trees.
Smiling young woman in white dress holding graduation cap aloft outdoors, celebrating academic achievement.
Smiling young woman with long blonde hair in red floral dress sitting outdoors among yellow wildflowers.

5. Switch it up!


You ideally want to wear a variety of styles. If you have a 4-outfit session, try to do 2 casual (jeans, college t-shirt, college sweatshirt) and 2 dressy (dress shirts, flowy dresses, nice tops). Don't bring all sleeveless tops or all dresses, have a variety of styles so you get versatile photos! Also, think about the seasons. If you are taking photos in the fall, maybe switch a t-shirt for a nice sweater or long sleeve shirt! Make sure your photos work year round.

6. Incorperate props


Accessories or props can be a fun way to switch things up and help with posing. It doesn’t have to be cheesy or complicated. Something as simple as a hat or jacket can provide some fun and unique posing opportunities. We can incorporate props into a couple of photos to make your photos work with you.

PROPS/ACCESSORIES I LOVE:


Hats

Jackets

Sporting equipment

Books

Musical instruments

Jerseys/uniforms

Thanks for reading!

 

Thank you for reading this guide. If you still have any questions or concerns about outfits for your session, don't be afraid to reach out. Let me know if this guide helped you! This is my first blog post so I sure hope so lol. I can't wait to work with you!

 

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