What to Wear & How to Plan Your Senior Photo Session 

(Outfit Guide + Planning Tips)

Senior photos are more than just portraits — they’re a celebration of a milestone year, a chance to capture your personality, style, and confidence at this exciting moment in life. Whether you’re finishing high school or finishing college, the right planning and outfit choices can make your session look amazing and feel natural.

Below is a complete guide to help you plan your senior photo session and choose outfits you’ll love for years to come.

Interested in booking a session in Seattle, WA? Send me a message to start planning now!

Plan Your Session

1. Book Early

Senior photo sessions are in high demand, especially during spring and fall when the light is beautiful and weather is comfortable. Peak times to book in the PNW are late March/early April (cherry blossoms and spring blooms) and September-October (fall colors). Booking several weeks or months in advance gives you time to plan outfits, pick locations, and schedule around the best light and weather.

2. Discuss Your Vision

Before your session, chat with me about:

• Locations you love – a specific location or just a general idea (beach, woods, flowers, tall grass, etc)

• The vibe you want (natural, urban, formal, casual)

• Props or personal items you want included

• How many outfits/locations you’d like

Communicating ahead of time helps me create a session that feels truly you.

3. Time of Day Matters

Depending on the date and location, I’ll be sure to make suggestions on an ideal time to shoot. Golden hour, the hour before sunset or just after sunrise, is a great time for warm, soft lighting on a sunny day. During a classic Pacific Northwest cloudy day, midday might be better to make sure we have plenty of light. Either way, I’ll be sure to work with your schedule and vision to plan the perfect photo session for you!

Outfit Planning: What to Wear

1. Bring Multiple Outfit Options

I usually recommend at least two outfits to showcase different sides of your personality:

• Casual (jeans + favorite top or a casual dress)

• Dressy (a flowy dress, button-down shirt, or blazer)

• Personal style (sports uniform, band tee, vintage jacket, etc.)

This gives you variety in your final photos.

2. Choose Color & Texture Wisely

• Solid colors and muted tones photograph beautifully and keep the focus on your face

• Earth tones, soft pastels, and jewel tones work especially well outdoors

• Avoid neon colors and busy patterns — they can distract the eye and sometimes cast color onto your skin

Textures like knits, denim, or layered fabrics add visual depth without overwhelming the look.

3. Add Layers & Accessories

Layers (like jackets, scarves, cardigans) make outfits more dynamic and give you quick styling options without a full change of clothes. They also provide opportunities for some different poses! Accessories such as hats, simple jewelry, and watches add personal flair while still letting you be the focus.

4. Comfort and Movement

Make sure your outfits are comfortable and allow for movement (walking, sitting, twirling, jumping) since we’ll often include movement shots in their session. If you’re wearing heels or white shoes I recommend bringing a second pair of comfortable shoes to walk to the location in, then change into your photo shoes once we’re there.

5. Tips for Guys

For guys, clean, well-fitted basics work best. Think solid tees, Henleys, button-downs, chinos, or jeans. Add a blazer or jacket for a slightly dressier look. Avoid loud patterns or oversized logos so the focus stays on you.

Hairstyle, Makeup & Grooming

• Girls: Natural or slightly enhanced makeup helps reduce shine and keeps features soft. Bring a small touch-up kit (powder, lip gloss) for in-session freshening.

• Guys: A clean haircut/facial trim and moisturizer can help with complexion and appearance in photos.

• Hair & nails: Try on outfits ahead of time with planned hairstyles and nail color to ensure everything feels cohesive.

• Want to hire a professional hair/makeup artist? Let me know and I’m happy to suggest some local options!

Props & Personal Meaning

Including props can add personal significance to your senior portraits:

• Sports gear or letter jackets – common options are a football or basketball, hockey stick

• Musical instruments – guitars, string instruments, drumsticks (you can bring the whole drumset too if you want lol)

• College swag or acceptance letters

• Favorite books or hobby items

• Want to shoot with a larger prop? Maybe you really love your car or your horse or something we probably can’t shoot at the typical park in Washington State. Just send me a message and let’s find a location that works best for you!

Props should feel authentic to who you are, not just accessories for show.

Location & Vibe

Where you take your photos can influence your outfit choices:

• Nature settings (fields, parks) → soft textures, earthy tones

• Urban locations (downtown walls, murals) → bold pops of color with clean lines

• Beach or waterfront → light fabrics and flowing outfits

Let me know what locations you’re into and we’ll plan the perfect session together!

Final Session Tips

• Try on all outfits before the session and test them with movement.

• Practice some poses in the mirror beforehand! I’ll always help you get natural looking photos, but any practice ahead of time will only increase your confidence.

• Steam or iron clothing to avoid wrinkles.

• Bring backup accessories and shoes.

• Most importantly, be yourself and have fun! Confidence always shows in photos.