“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.”
Rachel Zoe
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First and foremost, I want to tell you how excited I am to start planning your senior portrait session! Other than your amazing personality, your wardrobe is one of the key factors to having a successful session that reflects your true self. Please use this guide to begin to prepare for your senior session wardrobe options.
Here is my BIGGEST thing: I want you to choose clothing that reflects who you are as a person and makes you feel beautiful and confident. The most important thing is for you to feel comfortable and happy with yourself and your photos. So while you look for inspiration for your session please keep in mind how you will feel in the outfits you choose.
One of the most important things you can do right now is to write down on a piece of paper three to five things that you want your senior picture wardrobe to say about you. A few that may come to mind are “bright,” “happy,” “smart,” “confident,” “fierce,” “deep,” “chill,” “fun loving,” “adventurous,” etc. Believe it or not, but you can actually present yourself through the clothing you choose to wear for your senior portraits! Once you decide what you want your clothes to say about you, read this guide and find out how to make that happen!
The Ultimate Senior Session Wardrobe
Change Up Your Colors
Wearing the same color throughout your session can make your entire session look repetitive. Make sure your wardrobe showcases several different colors, hues and tones to provide as much variety as possible. The skin tone section of this guide can help you select the best hues for you!
Change Up Your Textures
A great way to mix up your outfits is to consider their textures. While leather and suede are creamy smooth, cable knits and faux furs can be cozy and heavy in texture. Choosing your wardrobe options around different textures can make for a beautiful aesthetic that changes from one look to the next.
Change Up Your Looks
Think about each wardrobe you bring as a categorized collection. For your first outfit, consider a formal or sophisticated look. Then follow that up with a casual outfit that is true to you. Afterward, wear something a bit more urban or retro, then maybe something bohemian. If you think of your outfits in this manner, you’ll be sure to have a beautiful variation in your session wardrobe.
Change Up Your Accessories
One of the best ways to change up the look of your outfits is to change the accessories that you are wearing. 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!
Change Up Your Style
Your probabaly have your favorite ripped jeans that you always wear, but make sure that they’re only showcased in one of your session outfits. If one of your outfits features your fave ripped jeans, make sure your next one features a mini skirt or maxi dress. Maybe a printed romper or blazer paired with shorts? Whatever you do, keep transitioning for maximum variety.
Change Up Your Seasonal Trends
A great way to infuse variety into your session wardrobe is to cross over 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 interest to your session as a whole!
Skin Tone Guide
What colors coordinate best with your skin tone?
Shades For Everyone:
These beautiful shades look great on almost every skin tone. These shades are considered “universal” in that they flatter most tones paired with eye and hair colors.
Warm Skin Tones:
The colors that look best with your skin tones are rich, earthy tones in shades of red, orange, yellow, greens, and browns. If you’re in the mood for neutral colors, check out warm grays like mushroom or taupe and off-whites.
Cool Skin Tones
The colors that look best with your skin tones are considered sea shades (teal, blues, greens) as well as frosty shades (berries, blue grays, icy tones). If you’re in the mood for neutral colors, check out crisp whites.
Neutral Skin Tones
The colors that look best with your skin tones are blush toned pinks, pastel yet rich berries. If you are in the mood for neutral colors, check out off-whites and grays.
What To Wear
-Colors that accentuate your specific skin tone
-Complimentary layers
-Functional clothing: if you want to get the most out of your poses, you need to be able to sit, squat, stand, etc comfortably in ALL of your outfits
-Classic and thin chained jewelry paired with simple earrings
-A variety of outfits that show off your true personality: at least one classic outfit + jeans, shorts, dresses, skirts, etc… mix it up!
-NUDE under garments
-Tailored clothing that accentuates your best assets
-A variety in style: casual, prep, edgy, glam, boho, etc
What Not To Wear
-Wrinkled & dull clothes or neon colors busy patterns: camo, plaid, etc.
-Short length skirts, dresses and/or shorts that expose too much when sitting, squatting or bending over
-Trendy and chunky jewelry that can draw attention away from your face
-The same outfit pieces over and over again: wearing four dresses over the course of your portraits may not show variety
-Cleavage-baring tops & blouses
-Tight fitting clothing that can accentuate problem areas
-The same style over and over again: wearing all edgy outfits or all casual outfits