Clothes are one way to show off your personality as well as your style. But deciding what to wear for your senior session can be a little overwhelming, especially if you’re the kind of guy that doesn’t really care that much about fashion. Fortunately I have a lot of experience photographing seniors, so I can offer a few tips to help you look your best-even if you don’t want to go shopping for a whole new wardrobe.  

Before we get into what to wear for your senior photos, let’s talk briefly about some things to avoid:

• Logos: Avoid wearing T-shirts with a huge logo on it. The logo will be distracting, and it will make your photo feel like a snapshot that you took for Snapchat instead of a high quality portrait that you would want to hang on your wall.

• Bright Colors: Colors that look like a highlighter do not photograph well. When they are near your face, they can cast an unflattering color onto your skin that is really difficult to remove during editing. Neon colors also clash with a lot of backgrounds, especially if your session is in a natural area with trees or flowers. 

• Clothes that don’t fit: Make sure your entire outfit fits you properly. If your clothes are too big, you’ll look frumpy and if they’re too small it will be unflattering and uncomfortable. Try everything on before your session. You want to make sure the pants and shirts you wore 6 months ago aren’t too short if you’ve grown taller.

• Clothes you hate: Do not wear anything that you don’t like. I guarantee you will be uncomfortable, and you won’t feel confident during your session.

• Wrinkles: Please iron all of your clothes and hang them up right away. Wrinkles look sloppy, and your mom will not be happy, trust me!

So now that you know what to avoid, here are some suggestions to help you plan your senior session outfits:

• Bring two or three options I recommend at least one casual outfit and one that is a little (or a lot) dressier. A third option could be a uniform or jersey if you play a sport or a college t-shirt if you’ve made a commitment by the time you have your session. Planning several outfits will give you more variety in your final images and will show off different sides of your personality. Just keep in mind that the more time you spend changing your clothes, the less time we have to take photos.

• Earth tones/muted colors and neutrals These colors photograph really well and, unlike bright colors, they won’t detract from you or clash with the environment-especially if your session is in a nature setting. 

• Socks and shoes Please, please, please make sure your socks and shoes are in good condition and that they go with every outfit. Wearing white athletic socks with your tailored blue suit is NOT a good look! Feel free to bring several pairs of shoes and the right socks for each outfit. Trust me, it is totally worth the little extra effort.

• Props and accessories If you play an instrument, for example, bring it with you for a few shots. We can also incorporate your sunglasses, class ring or even your car if you want. This is a really easy way to change the look of your photos without a lot of effort, and it’s just another way to show off your personality, hobbies and interests.  

If you’re ready to start planning your senior session, feel free to contact me here to schedule a complimentary consultation to see if we’re a good fit. I’m excited to meet you!