Capturing the perfect senior photo is a milestone that celebrates the transition from high school to the next exciting chapter of life. One of the key elements to ensuring your senior photos are both memorable and stunning is choosing the right outfit to complement your chosen location. Whether you’re posing in the lush greenery of a park, the urban chic of a downtown setting, or the cozy charm of a favorite café, the right attire can enhance the overall vibe and highlight your unique personality. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through stylish outfit ideas tailored for various popular photo shoot locations, ensuring you look and feel your best for this once-in-a-lifetime session.
How Many Outfits Should I Plan to Wear?
We always recommend planning to wear at least two to three outfits during your senior pictures, sometimes more depending on which session you are going with! Most will wear one dressy outfit, one casual outfit, and one playful outfit or personalized outfit that may or maynot include props (sports equipment, instruments, flowers, hobbies, etc.). This gives a lot of variety in your pictures and we will want to match the outfit vibe to the location. Please feel free to send us pictures of your outfits, either flat lay or a selfie, ahead of time. We love helping you!
Wardrobe Tips:
- Be Yourself: Choose outfits that reflect your personal style and make you feel confident. Don’t feel pressured to follow trends if they don’t resonate with you.
- Variety is Key: Select outfits that showcase different aspects of your personality. Mix and match styles, colors, and textures to create visual interest.
- Consider the Location: Think about where your senior photoshoot will take place and choose outfits that complement the surroundings. For example, if we’re shooting in a natural setting, earthy or pastel tones and flowy fabrics might work well.
- Avoid Busy Patterns: While patterns can add personality to your outfit, avoid ones that are too busy or distracting. Simple patterns or solid colors tend to photograph better.
- Accessorize Wisely: Accessories can elevate your outfit, but don’t overdo it. Choose a few key pieces like statement jewelry, hats, headbands, or scarves to add flair without overwhelming the look.
I encourage you to bring more outfits than you actually plan to wear. Sometimes something just doesn’t feel right the day of when you try it on – and that’s okay!
Keep your Location in Mind!
During your senior session, we’ll likely be exploring 2-3 different locations to capture a variety of looks. We’ll aim for one city/urban setting, one in a park/field/garden, and one in-studio look. You can view our Summer Style Guide here. Each location offers its own unique backdrop, allowing us to showcase different aspects of your personality and style. Below are some outfit suggestions for each location. We kindly ask that you take these into consideration when rummaging through your closet or planning your shopping spree.
1.) White Summer Dresses
A white dress is a perfect choice for your outdoor senior photos in a field, park, or garden. Its clean, bright color really stands out against the green grass and colorful flowers, making your photos pop. Whether you’re in a beautiful garden or a wide-open field, the white dress will look amazing.
White dresses are super versatile and can match any style you like. You could go for a flowy, boho vibe with a maxi dress, keep it chic and stylish with a midi dress, or choose something delicate and pretty with lace. Whatever you pick, it will complement the natural surroundings perfectly and make you look stunning.
Plus, white dresses never go out of style. Your photos will look timeless and classic, so you can look back on them years from now and still love how you look. The simplicity of a white dress lets your personality shine through and highlights your natural beauty. In the soft light of a park, the open space of a field, or surrounded by flowers in a garden, you’ll be the center of attention, creating beautiful and memorable photos to celebrate this special moment in your life.
2.) A Fun & Casual Look
A casual look with jeans and a cute top is perfect for senior photos in an urban setting. This outfit combines comfort and style, making you feel confident and relaxed in front of the camera. The mix of casual denim with a stylish top creates a chic yet laid-back vibe that fits perfectly with the city’s vibrant and dynamic backdrop.
Jeans are versatile and can be paired with almost anything, from a trendy crop top to a classic blouse. This flexibility allows you to express your personal style while keeping the look effortless and modern. The city’s architecture, street art, and bustling atmosphere add an edgy and cool element to your photos, making the casual outfit stand out even more.
An urban setting offers unique textures and backgrounds, like brick walls, graffiti, and cityscapes, which contrast beautifully with a casual outfit. This creates visually interesting photos that capture the energy and excitement of the city. Plus, this look is timeless and versatile, ensuring that your senior photos will look stylish and relevant for years to come.
Overall, jeans and a cute top in an urban environment reflect a fun, carefree spirit while showcasing your personal style against the city’s dynamic backdrop. It’s a great way to celebrate this milestone in a setting that feels fresh and contemporary.
3.) Pop of Color!
A pop of color looks fantastic in our white and bright studio, creating a vibrant and eye-catching contrast that makes your photos truly stand out. Whether you choose a bold romper, a striking dress, a fun skirt, chic pants, or even a sporty outfit, the burst of color adds a lively and dynamic element to your photos.
The clean, neutral backdrop of the studio enhances the impact of your colorful outfit, ensuring that you are the focal point of every shot. This setting allows for endless creativity, making it easy to capture your unique style and personality. If you want to add even more flair, we can experiment with colored backdrops that complement or contrast with your outfit, creating a cohesive and visually stunning look.
Bringing along props that reflect your interests and hobbies is another great way to personalize your photos. Whether it’s a musical instrument, sports equipment, books, or anything else that showcases who you are, these props add depth and meaning to your images. They not only highlight your passions but also make your photos more engaging and memorable.
Overall, incorporating a pop of color in our white and bright studio provides a perfect canvas for capturing your vibrant personality and unique style. It offers endless possibilities for creative expression, ensuring that your senior photos are as distinctive and special as you are.
Other Things to Consider
Senior Photo Notes:
IT’S SUMMER, SO I SHOULD PROBABLY GET SOME SUN, RIGHT?
Well, not quite! While the sun is great for a healthy glow, it’s best to cut back on sun exposure two to three days before your session to avoid skin problems like peeling and redness. Remember, makeup and Photoshop can work wonders, but they’re not magic!
DON’T NEGLECT THE NAILS!
Oh, and one more thing! Among all the excitement of preparing for your senior session, don’t forget about your nails! Since many poses will have your hands near your face and in the frame, it’s essential to ensure your nails look just right!
Try to steer clear of chipped polish or bold patterns. French manicures, light/natural colors, or even bare nails photograph the best!
TRY ON EACH OUTFIT – HEAD TO TOE
Make sure to try on each outfit in advance! This step is crucial. Once you’ve planned your outfits, take a moment to try each one on from head to toe in front of the mirror. Look out for any potential issues such as visible bra straps, see-through material, or anything that doesn’t fit quite right.
BRING SOMETHING SPECIAL OR FUN!
Don’t forget to bring something special to your senior photos! Adding a meaningful item to your photos can make your shoot truly unique. Consider including:
- Your pet
- Musical instruments
- Sports gear or uniforms
- An item related to your favorite hobby
- College merchandise
- Flower bouquets or crowns
- Your favorite snack or food
- Your cap and gown
- Anything else that holds significance to you!
We hope this guide has been helpful for you! If there’s one thing we excel at here at MDP is making sure all of the details are locked down prior to your session. This allows you to trust that your images will be as perfect as possible!
Got questions? We’ve got answers. Get in touch HERE. We can’t wait to chat!
