What should I wear for my senior portraits?

This is the most asked question I get from my seniors.

Senior Portraits are all about showing who you are at this point in your life. Don’t be afraid to show off your unique personality with your clothing, this is all about YOU! When selecting your outfits for the day, I have three rules of thumb to follow:

BE COMFY. BE BOLD. BE YOU.

Comfort is the most important aspect when it comes to picking out your outfits. We want you to feel absolutely comfortable with what your wearing, so pick outfits that you find yourself wearing a lot, and outfits that make you feel confident. It’s simple, the more comfortable you are the better your pictures will turn out.

Be sure to bring a variety of clothes including solid colors (a must have!), and clothing that varies in texture, design, and style. Solid colors are important because they put the focus on YOU. Avoid large or busy patterns, wide stripes, and large logos. Wear clothing with different textures.

For close-ups or yearbook poses, pay attention to the sleeve-style and neckline of your shirt. Long sleeves or three-quarter sleeves work best. A neckline that comes up to the base of the neck, like a collared shirt or a v-neck top will thin the neck and frame your face beautifully.

Choose clothes that are form fitting and not too loose or baggy. In other words you don’t want to wear clothes that just hang off of you. Clothing that has a structure and goes in at the waist generally looks best. I also recommend wearing layers no matter the season.

Jeans are always a favorite and may be easily combined with a favorite shirt or blouse. They can add a casual flair to pictures, and they look best when form fitted and in a darker shade.

For guys, don’t forget something dressy like a blazer or button-down shirt and tie. (These look great paired with jeans, btw.)

For girls, don’t be afraid to bring a dress! Dresses are a great way to add a unique touch to your portraits. Wearing a formal dress in an informal setting can make for an interesting photo. We recommend dresses that have a cinched in waist and flair outwards like a bell at the hips, this style of dress works beautifully for any body type.

You should always be you, but don’t be afraid to amp things up a bit. Jewelry, scarves, jackets, hats, props, guitars, a vintage camera, pets, your car…the sky is the limit! It’s a great idea to include accessories in your Senior Portraits to make a statement about your personality. It’s good not to go over the top with accessories, but one or two items can add a nice finishing touch to your pictures. And don’t forget the socks! The socks are often the most over-looking piece of clothing but don’t wear something that could be distracting.

When in doubt, bring extra outfits and accessories! We recommend that you bring 1 to 2 extra items and we will help you pick the best ones to use.

Last but not least, be sure to pay attention to the little details that can make or break your outfit. Dark colored bras under light colored shirts, white socks with dark pants, dust spots and wrinkles in clothing are a photographer’s worst nightmare! Carefully look over your clothing and make sure it’s camera ready!

Crystal Nance Photography | What to Wear for my Senior Portraits | Helena, Montana

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