What to Wear to Your Senior Portrait Session

Wardrobe is the question I get most often — and I get it, because it feels high-stakes. You've invested in this session. You want to look back at these photos in twenty years and feel great about what you were wearing. Let me make this as easy as possible.

Start With How You Want to Feel

Before you think about colors or styles, ask yourself one question: how do I want to feel in these portraits? Powerful? Elegant? Relaxed? Artistic? Every outfit decision should serve that answer, not fight against it.

The seniors whose portraits turn out the most striking are almost always the ones who dressed for a version of themselves they're proud of — not who they think they're supposed to be in a senior portrait. Wear the thing you feel like yourself in. I'll take care of the rest.

Bring Three Looks

Three outfits gives us enough variety without burning through your energy or your time. I think of them in tiers:

• One hero look — if you only get one outfit, this is it. The thing that feels most completely, authentically you.
• One contrast — if your hero is casual, go a little dressier. If your hero is formal, loosen up.
• One wildcard — the jacket you love, the dress that makes you feel like a completely different person in the best possible way, the band tee that tells your story better than anything else in your closet.

Colors That Work

Some colors just photograph better than others. These are the ones I reach for most:

• Deep neutrals — black, charcoal, camel, cream. They never date, and they let your face be the thing people look at.
• Earthy tones — rust, olive, burgundy, forest green. Rich and warm in a way that looks intentional.
• Jewel tones — deep navy, emerald, sapphire. Strong contrast against skin tones and natural backgrounds.

A few things to be careful with: neon shades can blow out in bright light, busy patterns compete with your face for attention, and logos or text date fast. None of these are hard rules — but if you're on the fence, I'd lean neutral.

Layers and Texture

Layering adds dimension. A blazer, an open cardigan, a kimono, a scarf — these give me something to work with as a director and give you something to do with your hands. Speaking of which: we'll talk about hands during your session. Specifically, I'll explain why you don't want to put both hands on your hips (you'll look like a little teapot, and not in a charming way). I've got a five-minute posing class built into every session for exactly this kind of thing.

Texture matters too. Lace, velvet, denim, linen — these all photograph with a tactile quality that makes images feel alive rather than flat.

Shoes and Accessories

Shoes show up more than you'd think, especially in full-length frames. Bring options. For accessories: either bold or delicate — not both at once. The right earrings or necklace can genuinely elevate a look. Don't underestimate it.

The Night Before

Steam or iron everything. Lay it out so you can look at it all together. If nails matter to you, get them done — hands are in a lot of frames. Sleep. Drink water. Show up feeling like yourself at your best.

And if you want to talk through your wardrobe choices before session day, we do that on our planning call. Bring your ideas, I'll tell you what I think, and we'll get it sorted before you ever step in front of my camera. Book a session and we'll start there.