February 18, 2023

Choosing the Perfect Outfit for Senior Photos

1. BE COMFORTABLE

When choosing the perfect outfit for your senior photos, the most important thing to remember is to be comfortable!

Let’s be honest… we all have those outfits in our closets that we hang on to and try to wear occasionally, but something about it just isn’t quite right. Maybe it’s just a little too big, or a little too small. Or maybe it’s a style we want to like, but at the end of the day, it just isn’t us. It will be difficult to relax and enjoy your photo session if what you are wearing makes you feel self-conscious. I want you to have fun and not be worrying about how you look. 

If it isn’t comfortable to wear in real life, it isn’t going to make you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera! 

One other thought – I also recommend trying to steer clear of anything that you constantly have to adjust – straps that fall down, undergarments that show, shirts that need to be pulled up or down – anything that is too revealing. 

It’s a lot easier to get a different variety of poses if you’re free to move without fear of indecent exposure! 

2. BE YOURSELF

Next to being comfortable – this is so important! 

Don’t try and be something you aren’t.

 Senior Photos are about celebrating who you are right now! Don’t feel pressured to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe just because you’re getting your pictures done. Be true to who you are & celebrate your unique style! Choosing the perfect outfit for Senior Photos means picking something that you feel gorgeous in and that also represents your personality! Many years from now, when you look back at these pictures, I want you to smile because they perfectly captured who you were during your Senior Year of High School!

3. BE BOLD + CONSIDER USING COLOR 

Solid black or white can appear harsh and make skin tones seem washed out. 

I invite you to have some fun with colors! I know it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start with choosing colors so here’s what I suggest:

What season is it?

Generally, we associate spring with pastels, soft pinks, blues, and maybe lavender! Winter – deep reds, greens, or royal blue. Summer – bright orange, neon pink, yellow, or vibrant jewel tones! And Fall, (my favorite) any warm tones like reds, rusts, rich dark brown, or even a mauve pink. 

What colors go well with your skin tone?

Did you know you can tell your skin tone based on the color of the veins in your wrist?

– Cool Skin Tones (blue/purple veins) = look great in blues, purples, pastels, rose

– Warm Skin Tones (green/olive veins) = reds, oranges, dark greens

– Neutral Skin Tones (blue/green veins) = can choose either warm or cool colors

Use the Color Wheel:

This can get intense lol! They teach entire art classes on color theory. But one of my favorite things to do is to match up complementary colors. Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel. So red and green, or yellow and purple, or one of my favorites, blue and orange. These don’t always have to be at their most vibrant, saturated value. Think of a picture of lavender and lemons (pastel purple + yellow). Or strawberries on a light blue plate. What you wear doesn’t have to have the two complementary colors. Are we shooting somewhere with a particular colored backdrop? What is that backdrop’s complementary color?

4. ADD Layers & Texture

When I hear layers, I automatically think of winter – I may or may not have a coat addiction…ahem.. 

Fall & Winter, and even early spring, can be perfect for this! Grab your cute coats, blanket scarves, flannels, vests, boot socks, mittens, and chunky cable knit sweaters… I love Fall! 

But fear not, you can definitely add layers in the summer too! Jean jackets, a sheer kimono, or a cardigan can help add dimension too!

Texture is king! Chunky knit sweaters, velvet blazers, faux fur, feathers, a bouquet of flowers, and rhinestones – the texture will bring your photos to life! Textures make your Senior Pictures look 3-D – like you could climb inside and live there! 

The same goes for clothing with movement. Dresses that twirl, sway, or float in the breeze are always welcome and encouraged!

5. Accessories 

Lastly, don’t forget the accessories! While you may only have time for 1-2 outfits, accessories are a quick and easy way to add so much more variety to your pictures. 

Hats, jackets, shoes, purses, necklaces, earrings, and scarves, can all be mix-and-matched to create different looks throughout your shoot. 

Accessories also give you something to interact with in your photos. It’s a law of the universe that when the camera shutter starts clicking, suddenly we feel like we have extra hands, arms, and legs and we have no idea where they go or what to do with them. 

Having a hat to hold, flowers to play with, or a jacket to sling over your shoulder – these accessories can take your mind off of the camera and give you a natural way to move. 

Not only do accessories add variety but they allow your photos to be uniquely yours! 

The theme of your High School Senior Photos is you! 

So I challenge you to think about all the things you love – how can we incorporate them into your photos? 

Do you play sports? Bring your equipment. 

Do you have a car you absolutely love? Let’s take pictures with it! 

How about a pet?

 Do you paint? Are you a musician, a photographer, or a writer?

Whatever it is you, love, let’s capture it! 

There are 5 Tips For Choosing the Perfect Outfit For Senior Photos!

I hope you found these 5 Tips helpful! Comment below and let me know if you did! Were these things you already knew? Or were there some things in here that you hadn’t thought of yet? I’d love to hear any other thoughts or questions you have about choosing the perfect outfit for your Senior Photography Session! If you want to see what some of my other Seniors have chosen to wear to their sessions click here.

Thanks for reading! 

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