outfits guide: seniors

I’m so excited about your upcoming session!

I designed this guide to help you prepare for your session, so that you can feel comfortable and we can capture your most authentic, beautiful selves.

Please read through it carefully, since many of your preparation and outfit questions will likely be answered here!

As always, feel free to contact me for additional help and suggestions.

~Kate

Woman in bright pink dress sits elegantly on red metal staircase railing against brick building exterior.

WHAT TO EXPECT

On the day of your shoot we’ll meet at the determined location and spend a few minutes finalizing your detail choices (earring, necklaces, hats, etc), if needed!

Please try your best to arrive on time, if not a few minutes early. As a natural light photographer, I schedule your session around sunset times which means if you are late the time of your session will run short.

If you are not wearing your first outfit to the session, please hang or lay clothes flat for transport. Although photoshop is great, editing out extensive wrinkles will be an up-charge, if it’s possible.

If you arrive more than 30 minutes late to your session, we will need to reschedule.

A person in a floral dress stands in shallow water against a misty coastal backdrop creating a serene scene.

What to wear

Choosing outfits can be hard, I know! So here are some tried and true tips for you as you pick what you want to wear to your session.

Buying new clothes for your session can be fun, but is not necessary by any means. Choose pieces that you already feel confident and comfortable in. You don’t want to have to constantly be tugging a pulling clothes back into place or feeling unsure of how you look!

When you try your outfits on, move around. Sit down, walk around, lay down, so you know how your outfits feel for your session when we’re moving around! As a side note, if you plan to wear a short skirt or dress, I suggest wearing tight shorts underneath or stockings in case of wind.

Accessories are your friend and they can add texture to your photos! Layering pieces is a great way to incorporate some variety into your shoot.

Person in striped shirt and khaki pants sits casually against brick wall with brown boots and small green shrubs nearby.

When choosing colors, remember that solid white and solid black can make you appear washed out and flat on camera. Try to choose colors that POP while complimenting your skin tone and hair color. Primary colors and neutral / earthy tones work well.

Also keep in mind the location we chose for your session, you don't want to blend into the background!

I recommend having 3 to 4 outfits for your session. I like to call them the ‘I look good’, the ‘everyday me, but a bit nicer’, the ‘mom and grandma pleaser’, and the ‘this is what I do’.

High school senior photos in Superior Wisconsin with natural greenery

Golden hour senior session on the North Shore of Lake Superior
Senior portrait with soft light at Park Point Duluth Minnesota

I look good

This is my favorite. Sometimes it’s a dress with amazing shoes (also, these shoes don’t have to be heels.. I love rocking summer dresses with a pair of converse), sometimes it’s your favorite jeans with a great top, or maybe it’s that sweater in just the right color.

Whatever it is, this is the outfit that makes you feel confident and happy. The small details are what will set it off, some well placed jewelry, hair and makeup, or the perfect pair of shoes.

everyday me, but a bit nicer

This outfit is designed to capture you as you are! This one can be your favorite jeans and a concert t-shirt, or the hoodie you wear daily (just make sure its not stained). With some minor adjustments, these outfits can be top notch, too.

mom and grandma pleaser

This is generally the formal outfit. Try for something like a nice suit and tie or your Sunday dress. Guys, if you are coming to your session alone and planning to wear a tie: please please please have someone teach you how to tie it or have them tie it loosely, so we can slip it on and tighten it.

A series of five images showing a person practicing tennis serves against a chain link fence on a grassy field.

this is what I do

This can be generalized to sports and activities attire. You wont need to do your full uniform, unless you want to. A baseball or basket ball jersey looks great with a nice pair of jeans. Bring some equipment with you too like a basketball, bat, or pom poms. Please remember a cleaned up pair of none dress shoes for this look, I promise you your dress shoes that looked awesome for the ‘mom grandma pleaser’ wont work well for these!

If you need help curating your looks, feel free to reach out or send me photos! I’d love to help choose or find you a bit of inspiration.

I’m so excited for your session, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions and I’ll see you soon!