What to Wear

When choosing attire for your senior photo session it is important to keep these 3 rules in mind.

  1. Weather comes first, always dress for the weather. I want you to be as relaxed and comfortable as possible. If you are super sweaty or freezing it's going to be hard to do that.
  2. Background. If you are in a nature setting, dress in natural + warm tones. If you are in an industrial area high contrast (black and white) + fun patterns/prints look great. In general, I recommend staying away from graphic + wordy shirts for your casual/dressy outfit.
  3. Depending on what session you book, you will likely want to prepare a few outfits. Casual, Dressy, and Uniquely You are the 3 categories I want you to keep in mind.

Casual

For her

Fitted jeans and a pretty top, a flowy dress, or a fitted shirt and trendy pants.


For him

Jeans and a solid colored T-shirt, a short sleeve button down and solid colored shorts, or a flannel.


Dressy

FOR HER

Colored pants and a blouse, a short or long dress with lace or sequence, heels.

FOR HIM

Dress pants and a button down, or khakis and a blazer.


Uniquely You


What makes you YOU? Do you have a sport or activity you participate in? How about a fandom, favorite books or band? Maybe an instrument, art supplies, fishing gear. I want you to include something that you've been passionate about during your high school career.

Examples for her

senior portrait - girl standing on stairs brushing hair out of her face. Wearing daisy shirt and jeans.

Casual - Printed top + Jeans

Smiling girl with long brown hair. holding her cheek and laughing at the camera

Dressy - colored dress pants + simple neutral blouse

Smiling blonde senior reading Harry Potter.

Uniquely You - share your passion in your portraits

Examples for Him

Senior Portrait. Boy standing in golden field wearing black shirt and grey sweater. Smiling with glasses and short hair

Casual - solid black t-shirt and jeans

Senior portrait- young man with brown hair wearing a white dress shirt in a green field of trees.

Dressy - white partial button down + grey dress pants

Male and female sitting on a metal bench looking away from each other. He is holding a guitar she is wearing a blue jump

Uniquely you - Share your passion in your portraits

A Timeline

Your session is not a one size fits all. You are a unique person/family so take what you like from this timeline/checklist and leave what doesn't work for you!

1 + month before

  • Book with your photographer as soon as possible.
  • Determine what type of location you'll want to shoot at.
  • Purchase clothing, make sure to try everything on!


1-2 weeks before

  • Schedule a hair appointment.
  • Practice your hair style.
  • Wear sunscreen to avoid peeling/burnt skin.
  • Work with your photographer to decide on a specific location.


1-2 days before

  • Hang all clothes + jewelry in a designated location. Wipe down your shoes.
  • Set aside any props you want to include in your photos.
  • Paint nails or take off any chipped polish.
  • Shower, shave, drink water, sleep well.

Day of your session

  • Eat something before your session.
  • Bring a water bottle
  • Listen to music you love on the way to your session.
  • I recommend 1-2 people come along with you. (too many will make it hard to get comfortable in front of the camera)

Check out these full galleries for more inspiration!

A candid portrait against a dark textured wall wearing a black top and pink bottoms.

LIZZIE - Bold pop of color when in an industrial setting

A woman in orange sits among tall wildflowers in a summer meadow.

HOPE - Warm tones when shooting in nature settings.

A person wearing a blue shirt with white dolphin prints poses by a lake.

JOHN - Share your passions with your attire or props.

A casual autumn portrait of someone sitting on rocks surrounded by golden fall foliage.

SAMUEL - Dress for the weather.