As a high school senior photographer for over 10 years, the #1 question I get from my clients is usually, “What do I wear for my senior pictures?” Everyone wants to make sure they choose outfits that not only best represent their personality but make them look amazing too!
That’s where I come in! I am here to help all of my clients decide on those outfits that are perfect for them! I help advise them with detailed resources like our What to Wear guide and even offer fashion consults! A few of the tips and tricks I give about putting together session outfits isn’t always what to wear, but rather what NOT to wear! These avoidable mistakes could date your outfit, make you look washed out, overpower your face, and even make you look like a different size than you actually are.
Let’s dive into 7 senior session wardrobe mistakes to avoid!
Wearing the same colors throughout your entire session
Even if blush pink is your number one fave color, try not to wear it for all of your session outfits. Wearing the same color throughout your session can make your entire session look repetitive. I’m all for a good monotone color palette, but your senior session is a time for purposeful variety that showcases your personality. Make sure your wardrobe showcases several different colors, hues and tones to provide as much variety as possible. Opt for a beautiful range of colors that look good with your skin tone for the ultimate variety. Find out if you are a warm, cool, or neutral skin tone and wear colors that make your skin vibrant and fresh looking! If you absolutely must stick with one or two colors, at least vary the shades to mix it up.
Not wearing accessories
The easiest way to take an outfit from blah to Pinterest-worthy is to throw on a few accessories that can really elevate your look. Wear that necklace you’ve loved for the past two years and those earrings your grandma gave you for your 16th birthday. Try throwing on a felt hat for a more fall feel, or a boaters hat to keep it tropical. If you want to push it to the limit, go with a complementary beret or military style hat for the ultimate contrast. Don’t forget that sunglasses, jackets, and scarves can be added to any outfit for a fun look!
Wearing all the trends all the time
Yes, staying trendy is fun and fashionable, but unless that’s part of who you are as a person (aka a total fashionista), opt for wardrobe pieces that are more true to you. And don’t forget – you can always throw on a trendy piece as a secondary element or accessory to modernize your look. And feel free to play with certain elements to lean into seasonal trends. Don’t be scared to wear a scarf and hat for a fall styled outfit, then throw on a floral mini for a more springtime look! This will make your images look like they were taken in different seasons and can add a ton of interested to your session as a whole!
Wearing the same style over and over again
I know that you may love your ripped jeans that you always wear, but make sure that they’re only showcased in one of your session outfits. So, if one of your outfits features your fave ripped jeans, make sure your next one features a mini skirt or maxi dress. Don’t show up to your senior session with the same kind of clothing piece (for example, maxi dresses) or the same vibe (for example, sophisticated) for every single outfit. Get some variety in there! Bring different kinds of pieces like denim for one outfit then a formal gown, then a skirt or some shorts and make sure they range from casual to sophisticated and everything in between!
Wearing colors that make you look dull and sallow
Wearing the wrong colors for your skin tones can make you look washed out and very drab. To stay looking fresh and your best, go with colors that are known to fit your seasonal shades, like warm, cool, or neutrals. Your best colors to wear are actually based on what undertones you have in your skin! The colors you wear can actually bring life to your skin and make it glow, which will make your senior pictures look amazing!
Wearing outfits that aren’t authentic to you
Don’t wear something you’d never normally wear. The last thing you want to do is look back on your senior pictures years later and wonder what the heck you were thinking. Stay true to you when it comes to your outfit selection! Now, yes, capturing your prom dress or your homecoming look is a bit different because it’s attached to a special memory. But if you never wear maxi dresses in your everyday life, now is not the time to start.
Not changing up your makeup & hair during your session
Between each look, update your lip color and change your hair style. Consider adding a subtle braid for a feminine update or a high pony for a more sophisticated look. We take our makeup artist and hairstylist on location to ensure our clients get a ton of different looks throughout their session! Make sure to plan out your looks on Pinterest or with screenshots on your phone to help you stay organized during your senior session!
DID YOU KNOW?!
Each of our clients receive an extensive What to Wear Guide with their session prep resources?!?
We’ll help you figure out what styles to wear, what colors to wear, and so much more!
I’m a senior photographer serving the North Shore, & Boston and I believe that the senior experience is just as important as the photos themselves. I hope you found this guide useful as you plan your senior session wardrobe and I look forward to the possibility of working with you!
