If you want to look and feel your best in your senior portraits, what you wear matters. And you have surely already read a few tips on what you could potentially wear for your shoot. However, there are a few extra tips regarding your outfit that you need to hear.
Stick with what you know and love. You can purchase a new outfit for your senior session but make sure you spend some time in it first. You might like the look of an outfit on the rails but find that you’re completely uncomfortable once you walk around or sit down in it. It’s best to stick to outfits you know and love or one you’ve worn at least once before.
Think twice about that slogan tee. Have a t-shirt with a graphic or slogan that you can’t get enough of? Be sure to think twice before you add it to your shoot. If you know it won’t be relevant in a few years, rather leave it in your closet.
Move around. Once you have an outfit in mind, try posing in it. That dress might look one way while you’re standing up but another once you crouch down to pet your dog. Always make sure an outfit looks good in different poses.
Pair the right outfit with a natural backdrop. Really want to take a few photos outside in a beautiful garden or forest? Be wary of wearing red if you want to avoid looking like a Christmas scene.
Consider your underwear. Seniors often spend so much time planning their outfits that they forget about what their underwear might look like underneath. Make sure your underwear won’t show through your outfit and if possible, avoid wearing thicker bra straps with thin top straps.
It’s ok to mix things up. Just because you have chosen a specific location doesn’t mean you should only wear one specific outfit. It’s ok to mix things up by wearing a more casual and then a more formal or dressy outfit. Just make sure that you’re not wearing a ballgown to the local park where it would look very out of place. You can even add in a traditional outfit if it’s important to you.
While planning your senior portrait outfit is important, it doesn’t need to be overwhelming, especially now that you have a few extra tips on hand.
From the time it takes to find the right senior photographer to planning the details of the shoot, you might be wondering whether senior portraits are even worth the effort. Your phone can take similar shots, right?
Before you give up on the idea of a professional senior photo session, here are a few things to consider.
This is a Massive Milestone
You are never going to reach or celebrate this milestone ever again. Don’t you want to remember it in some way? If you think that you will find time to plan a professional photo session later on in life, think again – there will always be something else you need to do. Now is the perfect time to hire a professional senior photographer to commemorate this milestone.
Your Parents Will Thank You
Very often, parents encourage seniors to schedule a professional photo session because it gives them something to remember them by. If you are planning to spend a year in another country or you are off to college in another city, your parents will love looking back on these photos with you, especially the ones they are included in. This is a massive milestone for them too – one they want to look back on.
You Will Cherish the Memories
One day you’re going to want to look back on your senior year and will be thankful you have these photos. What’s more, many seniors choose to include family and friends in these shots, which makes them even more special. You are also never going to be this young again, so capture this wonderful time in your life in a way that represents who you are right now.
A senior photoshoot is never a waste of time and when you work with the right photographer, it’s a fun, positive experience you will always remember.
Perhaps you heard of someone who didn’t have a great experience with a professional senior photo or you’re just not sure these types of shots appeal to you. Whatever your reservations, know that senior photos are always a worthwhile investment.
Let’s elaborate.
One of the first things that tend to put some seniors off a professional session is the photos they have seen. Unfortunately, there are still many photos with a tired and outdated style that are floating around online. From terrible poses to boring backdrops, you might be thinking your senior photos won’t be all that memorable, but this isn’t true.
Professional, modern senior photographers aim to provide you with a positive experience by incorporating your unique style, personality, and preferences into your photos. This means if you would prefer a shoot in your garden at home with your dog, wearing your favorite summer dress, that is exactly what you should do. Want to shoot in your hiking gear at the side of a lake because that’s where you spend a lot of your spare time? Done!
Next is the cost of a senior photo session. The good news is these sessions don’t need to cost a fortune. If you don’t need a full, traditional photoshoot, you can always opt for a mini session. Not only are these sessions affordable, but they are quick and convenient too. Just keep in mind that you might not be able to customize it as much as a traditional session.
Lastly, there’s the necessity. Will you really look back on these photos? The answer is absolutely! Almost anyone you speak to has photos from their senior year. What’s more, it’s a great gift for your parents if you’re moving away for college.
In the end, you could always take some photos yourself, but the quality and creativity won’t be the same. Working with a professional senior photographer is always worth it.
