What to Wear for Your Senior Portrait Session
It’s quite a common question for both parents (or guardians!) and their Seniors: ‘What does my student wear for their portrait session?’ And, the answer is both really simple, and very complicated!
First things first: what style do you like to wear? Are you normally a jeans and t-shirts kind of person? Do you gravitate toward more Bohemian-type dresses and flowy skirts? Are you more of a clean lines and classic suits wearer? Whatever it is, you should plan your outfits in whatever style it is that you like best. This is NOT the time to completely change the way you dress.
Now that we’ve got that sorted, you need to pick out two outfits: one is more everyday casual (something you’d wear to school or to hang out with friends), and one is more formal (something you’d wear to Church, or for an interview). Here’s what to look for:
First and foremost, your clothes need to properly fit. They shouldn’t be so big you look like you’re wearing a bag, nor should they be so tight you look like you’re poured into them. You want to find that sweet spot in between where things fit comfortably, because the camera is only going to exaggerate how baggy or tight your clothes are otherwise.
Colors should complement each other, and please don’t be afraid of wearing them! We all know the color combinations that look good together (red and green, blue and orange, purple and red, etc..) Pick one or two and a neutral color (brown, grey, black, white, silver, gold, and denim) and no more. Otherwise, your outfit will become too distracting.
Accessories are awesome! Bring a fun hat or scarf (so long as it ‘goes’ with your outfit), wear jewelry, and certainly wear complimentary shoes! Accessories are the best and quickest way to change up your outfit for a completely different look during your session!
Makeup should be as natural-looking as possible. I know the current fashion is to have heavy eye makeup and fake eyelashes, but like clothes that don’t fit well, these things get exaggerated by the camera. Besides, a more natural look will cause your photos to be more ‘timeless’!
Hair goes one of two ways, depending on if you identify as male, or female. Males should get a haircut a week or two before their session, so they have the freshest look possible. Females should style their hair in a more natural day-to-day style, because it transitions easier between outfits.
That’s about it! I know it’s a lot to take in and try to put together, but once it comes down to it, it’s really no more than you think about while getting dressed on a daily basis. It often feels more stressful because you want to look your absolute best, rather than your everyday appearance. I’m always available to my clients for help and advice, too!