All set for your senior portrait session except that you are trying to figure out what to wear?  Well, don't sweat it!

With a little careful preparation, decisions about choosing your ideal outfits become easier to make.  However, it is important that the winning outfits are well thought out and help you rock that senior session.

These tips will help you tremendously in deciding what to bring to your photoshoot. 

RULE #1: BRING YOUR FAVORITE OUTFITS - Yay!

Let's plan on bringing about 3-5 FAVORITE outfits!

Shop your closet first before going out to get brand new ones that you are not sure will really work out.

Keep in mind the following tips:

• make sure to bring pieces that look good on you
• make sure you feel comfortable in those pieces
• make sure they fit well, neither too tight nor too lose
• select clothing & style that genuinely represents your true self
• Avoid too seasonal, trendy, or prints with text

Remember the BIG 3 Fs:

• choose FLATTERING styles
• choose clothing that FITS well
• choose FABRIC that is comfortable (non-itchy, scratchy, and so, and remove labels if they itch, etc.)

GOAL

Anything and everything you bring should complement your physical shape from all angles.

LAST. BUT NOT LEAST.

Inspect your clothing ahead of the photoshoot time to make sure it is clean, freshly pressed, and isn't spotted or faded. Keep your outfits on hangers until you arrive at the photo shoot, to prevent wrinkles.

RULE #2: CHOOSE VARIETY FROM CASUAL TO DRESSY 

Choose clothing pieces in each of these styles:

• athletic
• sporty
• casual
• semiformal
• formal/dressy. This will allow me to take a good variety of pictures and achieve a diverse portfolio of images.

REMEMBER...

The clothing style & selection also depends on the location and season of the year of your photoshoot. You wouldn’t want to wear a formal dress or a suit for an outdoor photoshoot or wear a Christmas dress in the middle of summer. Noted. Makes sense!

GOAL

Pick clothes for your senior portraits that both express yourself and properly go with the shoot location and season.  

RULE #3: CHOOSE FLATTERING COLORS

Having several differently colored outfits will also play a significant role in showing more variety in your portraits. Choose tones that you like, as well as hues that look great on you.

Solid colors work best for senior pictures, although a little pattern can look super cool as well.

YOUR MOM WILL KILL ME FOR SAYING THIS...

...because I know this exercise will make a mess out of your bedroom -- not to mention your closet:

Try different clothes, compare and contrast, in front of a mirror, before the photo shoot.  This will help you choose the best color for your complexion and for making your eyes pop! 

You will know which colors look best on you because either somebody or mom has told you so or because you know those colors make your eyes, smile, hair, and skin stand out.  

GOAL

You want your outfits to complement your facial features and not overshadow them in any way such as with bright or neon colors. You and I know that if you feel great in your outfits, you will look amazing in pictures! 

RULE #4: JEWELRY & ACCESSORIES

Although most boys don't wear heavy jewelry, if you do, stay away from heavy, attention-grabbing jewelry. 

Unless, of course, heavy jewelry is part of your personality, please wear them by all means.

Do try your outfits with the jewelry pieces that you normally wear. It will give you a great visual perspective if the piece fits your outfit or not. 

If you are a watch kind of pal, please wear it as well.

Hats and scarves can be a great accessory but can be tricky too. But, if you pair them well, it is a go!  So, always try on the outfit with the hat or another accessory, so you will be sure how this style combination looks on you. 

Don't wear very seasonal accessories like winter hats, gloves, or heavy scarves because they will make your photos very seasonal, as you can imagine unless that is the look you are going for!  

GOAL

Your best accessories should always be your smile, eyes, face, and personality! Everything and anything else should complement you.   Full attention goes to you, and not to distracting accessories. 

RULE #5:  BRING A PROP THAT REPRESENTS YOUR TRUE SELF - OPTIONAL

Bring along anything that represents you – this includes musical instruments, athletic gear, sports jerseys, dancing outfits & shoes. 

Whatever your hobbies may be, I can incorporate that into your photos, if you want.

GOAL

Images that portray special and meaningful items will be the ones that you will treasure the most. 

A GOOD IDEA:  RUN YOUR OUTFITS BY ME BEFORE THE SESSION

DON'T BE SHY! 

Text away if you are doubting your sense of styling your photoshoot outfits. 

Text or email me your outfit selections or snaps of a few pieces to see if you are on the right track.

I will give you my honest feedback.  Most likely you will do well with your selections, but sometimes simple adjustments can go a long way, and help get everything styled flawlessly.  

CHEAT SHEET FOR JUMP-STARTING YOUR SELECTION OF OUTFITS

I thought I would give this little cheat sheet to jumpstart your outfit selection  and inspire additional ideas:

• Jeans and shirt or t-shirt
• Two-piece outfit (short + shirt; long pants + shirt)
• Two pairs of shoes (clean and easily combinable -- color & style -- with various outfits)
• Walking shoes for changing locations (if applicable)
• Prom outfit, if applicable
• Jewelry
• Accessories: hats, scarfs, belts, 
• Prop: representative of who you are/love doing

Pay attention to:

• the way clothes fit you
• which colors look best on you
• which accessories and shoes complement your look
• that clothes are clean, steamed, or ironed

No matter what you wear to your senior portrait photo shoot, the most important thing is:

• you love your outfit
• it fits you well
• the look is complete

BIG TIP

Don't wait for the night before making your selections.  Proper and timely preparation will e ensure you enjoy the outfit selection process and give you ample time to play around, receive feedback, and most importantly, creates positive anticipation before the photoshoot.  And... no stress!