As a high school senior, you’re probably starting to think about planning your senior photos. And specifically what to wear for senior pictures.
This blog provides plenty of senior picture outfit ideas with photo examples for all genders.
I'm covering what to wear to showcase your personality, casual photos, formal photos, highlighting your heritage, and how to include school and sports uniforms.
But that’s not all. I'm covering tips for layers, colors, patterns, accessories, shoes, undergarments, hair, makeup, and nails. We’re covering it all!
By the end of the post, you’ll be well on your way to planning amazing senior photos!
Ready for some inspo? Read on!
How to Infuse Personality and Style In Your Senior Photos
Your senior photos are not the time to have a cookie-cutter experience. They’re a time for you to celebrate a huge milestone while showcasing your personality and style!
So how is that achieved? Great question!
You can make your senior photos really stand out by including favorite clothing items and props that showcase your hobbies. Don’t be afraid to show some personality - embrace it!
Graphic t-shirts can add personality to a casual look!
Can you tell Sadie is a HUGE David Bowie fan? And Madison chose to wear her future college shirt, Capital University!
The graphic t-shirts aren't the focal point of the photos, but it highlights their personalities. While the words "Senior Photos" and "T-Shirts" don't seem to go together, trust me: adding a few photos in your favorite t-shirt can be meaningful and fun!
CJ is such an adventure-seeking guy that we knew his senior session needed something special to match! These snowboarding photos captured him in action doing an activity he loves!
Other Ideas to Show Your Personality in Senior Photos:
Props to show your hobbies (musical instruments, books, art supplies, camera, or dance uniform)
School or sports uniforms (mentioned further down in detail)
Colorful wardrobe pieces (colorful shoes, ties, or shirts)
Graphic T-Shirts (Yes, it’s worth mentioning again)
Include a family pet
Go to your favorite outdoor location for props (like the rainbow bench below!)
Whatever makes you YOU - plan to include that into your senior pictures!
What to Wear for Casual Senior Pictures
The first thing that comes to mind when I think about casual senior pictures is a favorite pair of jeans and your best top. You can’t go wrong with wearing your favorites!
Kayla has had multiple photo sessions with me over the years. For two sessions, she wore her same favorite pair of jeans. When you love something this much, wear it - especially if you feel comfortable in it!
Casual wardrobe examples:
Sundress and sandals
Halter top with shorts and sandals
Maxi dress and sandals
Rompers with fun sneakers
Jumpsuits with strappy sandals
Jeans and a graphic t-shirt
Jeans and a solid-colored t-shirt
Jeans paired with an unbuttoned shirt
Khakis or shorts with a polo shirt
What to Wear for Formal Senior Pictures
The word “formal” feels a bit stuffy, doesn’t it? So when most high school seniors hear the words “formal senior portraits,” they tend to think of boring headshots. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Think about formal senior photos as a fancy, modernized headshot. These photos are perfect for high school yearbooks, college applications, grandparents, and even young adults starting their professional careers to use on a LinkedIn profile! (You'll look professional before everyone else is even thinking about it.)
While they’re a little more modern, they’re far from boring. Some wardrobe suggestions are listed below.
Formal wardrobe examples:
Off the shoulders shirts create an elegant look
Fitted business pants with a nice blouse
Blazers are IN! Pair it with a nice shirt or blouse
Suit jackets with a nice button-up shirt
Formal dress - prom or homecoming dress
Graduation cap and gown
A pattern I’ve been seeing is that some clients love an outfit but almost don’t bring it.
Brenna had this stunning lavender prom dress. She said she almost didn’t bring it but was glad she did because she loved the final results.
Are these examples of senior photos formal? Technically, yes.
But are these photos boring? Not at all.
The takeaway: Wear something a little fancier than you’d typically wear in your day-to-day life. You may love the results!
Embrace Your Heritage with Symbolic Wardrobe Pieces
If you come for a particular heritage with traditional clothing, you may want to embrace it in your photos.
Sasha wore this woman’s barong from the Philippines. It’s gorgeous, unique, and has significant sentimental value to her and her family.
If you have something sentimental, maybe a watch or piece of jewelry, I suggest wearing it for a couple of photos. The sentimental item paired with a portrait will mean a lot to you one day.
School and Sports Uniforms
I usually get mixed feedback from clients when I mention wearing school or sports uniforms. Most seniors think, “What’s the use? I’m almost done with this activity or sport anyway.”
But consider wearing them for one last hurrah!
Even though it’s your last year of high school, it’s also an opportunity to recognize your passion for an activity or sport. The photos will be great to look back on in a few years' time, and the sentimental value will only grow more each year.
I say, "Go for it!" Wear the uniforms, especially if they played a huge role in your high school career.
Layers, Colors, and Patterns
Layers
While layering can add bulk, if done well, it can also add visual interest - so try it out!
Great layering options:
Denim jacket
School jacket
Cardigan
Blazer
Open button-down shirt
Flannel over a t-shirt
Hoodie
Colors
You can’t go wrong with the basics - black, white, and tan. But on the flip side, if you’re a bright and colorful person, don’t be afraid to wear bright colors in your senior photos!
Grace wore a bright yellow shirt for some of her senior photos, which contrasted beautifully with her dark skin!
Patterns
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to add some fun patterned clothes, go for it!
Make sure the patterns aren’t too distracting, or it can take away how nice everything else looks.
These fun patterned shirts show some personality!
Accessories, Shoes, and Undergarments
Accessories
Accessories are a great way to dress up or dress down an outfit to make it go from basic to stunning!
Some accessories to consider:
Oversized hats
Jewelry (to match each outfit)
Scarfs
Sunglasses
Ties
Jackets
Shoes and Socks
Coordinating shoes and socks are important! Don’t skip this part when planning what to wear.
Plan every outfit as if your shoes and socks will show. They won’t always be in the photos, but when they are, they need to coordinate with your outfit.
Want your shoes to be part of a statement piece to a photo - wear them! It’ll help highlight your personality and style!
Undergarments
While I am not a natural expert in this category, I did reach out to a few female senior photographers for their advice. They totally agreed with me that while it might seem like the last thing to worry about, a mismatched bra can be just distracting enough that you'll later say, "I wish I hadn't worn that one."
If you look up and down this post, you'll see such variety in the tops. And so many of them work well because the seniors had undergarments that worked. I want to make sure that you have the same!
Here's the advice my photographer friends had for my seniors:
There are two things to consider with undergarment planning: color and fabrics.
Color:
Wear nude or skin-toned undergarments. Or coordinate to match the color of your clothing.
Fabric:
Consider wearing a seamless bra and underwear to avoid bulk and underwire bulges showing through tighter clothing.
Strapless Bras:
Wear strapless or backless bras for sleeveless or backless shirts and dresses. Again, since this isn’t my area of expertise, I had some help creating the list below. It’s a compilation of everyone's favorites, and they’ve received great client feedback!
Pasties (For when a bra isn’t needed, but you want more coverage for your comfort.)
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Hair, Makeup, and Nails
In addition to planning your wardrobe choices, it’s also a good idea to schedule appointments you may need leading up to your big day! For girls, this might be a professional hair and makeup appointment.
Hair
If you have professional hair and makeup, I suggest a trial run (similar to what brides do before their wedding day.)
For girls that want two different hairstyles, like Brenna, plan that into your session ahead of time.
This could look like doing indoor photos with one hairstyle, taking a break for lunch (and next hairstyle), then meeting back up for outdoor photos.
Makeup & Oil Control
Makeup can be applied a little darker for photos. It won’t look overly done in pictures.
To avoid oil and shine, grab some oil-absorbing sheets to swipe over your face from time to time during your session. This goes for people of all genders! You can find them at any local drugstore.
Nails
For nails, I suggest bare nails or light natural color that will match most of your wardrobe choices. If you want painted nails, make sure they’re freshly painted. There’s nothing more distracting than a close-up portrait with messy nails.
If you work with anything that causes you to have dirty nails regularly, try to get your nails as clean as possible (and give them a trim) before your photos. The small details make a big difference in the final images.
Final Tips on What to Wear for Senior Pictures
Planning ahead is my biggest piece of advice when choosing what to wear for senior pictures.
Once you have everything ready, style each outfit from head to toe, including accessories and shoes. Pay close attention to the shoes, socks, and undergarments needed for each wardrobe set. And steam or iron clothes before picture day. Wrinkles can distract in an otherwise perfect photo!
Finally, my biggest piece of advice: be yourself and have fun with your senior pictures. Don’t wear anything you feel uncomfortable in, because it will show. A forced outfit will result in forced photos. Wear your favorites, show your style, and get ready to have fun!
If you’re in Ohio and looking for a senior photographer, I’d love to help create senior portraits that are uniquely you!
The perks of working with me:
We can do indoor and outdoor photos - no extra charge
Include a friend or pet - no extra charge
Bring your family for a family photo - no extra charge
Unlimited outfit changes. Bring extra clothes; it could give you your favorite shot!
Want two hair looks? No problem. We can plan the day accordingly, so you get both!
No time limit. We photograph until we’ve created all the looks you want!
Want more tips on what to wear for senior photos? Check out this blog of Madison’s senior session.