It’s almost my favorite season: Senior Season! If you are preparing to have your high school senior photos taken this summer, you might be wondering, “What should I wear for my senior pictures?” As a Colorado Photographer that loves senior photo sessions, here is some advice that I like to give my clients when they are deciding on their wardrobe:
Keep it Simple, So the Focus is on YOU
Aim for no logos or words on shirts. These can catch the eye and be distracting.
I prefer solid colors and simple patterns. While tie dye might be back in style, clashing colors or a lot going on won’t be as visually pleasing.
If you have a dress or shirt with a floral pattern, I recommend choosing one with a smaller print, rather than a larger print.
Do you like flannel? Great! Just make sure to pair it with something solid.
Check and make sure that your clothes are not see-through.
While I say to keep it simple, I love textures and layers, so long as they merge well together.
I tend to prefer how darker colors look in photographs, but that is totally up to you!
Things to Keep in Mind
The Weather
Make sure to look up the weather ahead of time. If it is going to be very hot, or you will be walking a lot, you probably won’t want to be wearing and sweating through a lot of layers. If it is going to be cold, you don’t want your teeth to be chattering while trying to smile 🙂
Yearbook Requirements
While some schools are not as strict as they once were, make sure you’ve checked on whether or not your school has specific requirements for the yearbook photo submission. Can you have thin straps or be strapless? Can you have logos or text on your shirt? Can you have props or be wearing a hat? Does your outfit have to fit the school dress code?
Accessories
Things like watches, jewelry, scarves, sunglasses and hats can be great in moderation, and help to vary up your photos, all while adding to your individuality and personal style. During your photoshoot, they can be added or removed as needed to fit the shot.
Comfort
Your face will likely show your discomfort if you are wearing an awkward, uncomfortable, or too tight of an outfit for your photoshoot. Choose outfits that you feel great it, that you think you look great in!
Also, if you decide to wear heals for any of your photos, make sure to bring a change of shoes as well!
Outfit Changes
If your photographer allows for multiple outfit changes, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT! While it might add a little more hassle to try and find a place to change, different outfits will add so much more diversity and uniqueness to your photoshoot. It will help prevent your photos from all looking the same and thus gives you more options to choose between when viewing your gallery. You might not realize until it’s too late that you don’t like the way that a certain outfit photographs on you, so it’ll be nice to have alternatives.
If you only feel like changing once, I recommend choosing a nice casual outfit, and one more dressy-casual.
If you and your parent or guardian disagree on what you should wear, I recommend that the senior should choose at least one outfit and the parent should choose at least one outfit. Seniors: Your parent is likely the one paying for your photos, and they have been looking forward to these pictures too. It’s good for them to have a say, since they will be hanging their favorites up on their walls and sending out announcements. Parents: the best part about senior photos is that it captures your senior, their uniqueness, as they are right now, at this amazing time of their lives. They are about to go off into the world and likely change. It’s great for them to have an outfit that they feel expresses themselves as who they are and as they like to be seen at this stage of their life.
Want to Capture Your Hobbies or Interests?
While not required, I think its wonderful to bring things to your photoshoot that help show who you are! Do you play any sports? Bring along your uniform, letter jacket, or some of your sports equipment. Do you LOVE to read? Bring a few of your favorite books! Play an instrument? I’d love to photograph you with it if possible. Have a dog you love more than anything? Bring them along!
I also love to offer the option of a fun or magical edit in my senior photo sessions, to help your photos truly stand out!
While I have my preferences, and am happy to offer suggestions or opinions to clients when they ask, remember that your style might not always match what I have in mind. While I believe that my advice will help create a beautiful gallery for you to choose from, these are suggestions and not requirements. Ultimately, the decision is yours and most importantly you should feel that your photos reflect you and your personality. Senior photoshoot are a blast! If you still need a Senior Photographer in Colorado, I’d love to help you plan the session you have in mind!
