How to Style for a Senior Session: Girls

When it comes to choosing outfits for a senior session, it can prove to be a difficult and even challenging task. That’s why we want to help you achieve your best look, so that your senior portraits will last throughout the years. This blog post will be all our tips and tricks to picking out the perfect outfits for your senior session. Deciding on your outfits is a big decision and it can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. So, hopefully this blog will guide you in the right direction and give you some inspiration for your upcoming sessions! 

Tip #1: Bring your personality!

Your personality is one of the most important things to consider when looking for outfits for your senior sessions. These photos should really capture the essence of who you are! What better way to do that than through the outfits that you wear! You will have these photos forever, so you should be wearing something that you feel amazing and confident in. As well as, something that really accents your personality. If you’re looking for an outfit and you just don’t know where to start, I suggest looking for one piece at a time. Find a piece that you love. Whether that be a cool pair of pants or an amazing jacket that really shows your style. Then, you can start to work around that one piece of clothing.

I would caution you, that if you are trying to find a complete outfit all in one place, or all at the same time, it can sometimes prove to be overwhelming and frustrating. First and foremost, remember picking out your outfits for your senior session should be fun! So, if you need to step away for a second, I suggest trying a new store, or going back out another day. Also, never underestimate the power of friends and family surrounding you during your shopping trip. Their positivity and encouragement can give you a confidence power boost to keep on shopping! When in doubt remember not to overthink! Finally, remember to wear something that you love and will make you happy that you wore it when looking back ten years from now.

Pro Tip: When shopping with your entourage, ask them to help you pick out pieces that are “so you,” and show your personal style!

Tip #2: Variety

A normal senior session includes anywhere from 3-5 outfits, which gives you tons of room for variety. If you have two dresses already picked out that you absolutely must wear in your photos, then try to stay away from dresses for your other 2-3 outfits. Look to add some denim jeans, colored pants, and maybe even a skirt or two. Variety is great because you don’t want every picture to look the same. I know firsthand that it is hard to capture your personality in just a few outfits, especially, when you have a very vibrant and multidimensional personality.

Pro Tip: If you’re more of a girly girl, a tomboy, or a combination of both, don’t feel like you can’t capture all sides of your style and personality in your photos. Bringing a variety of different outfits allows for all your different styles to shine!

Tip #3: Accessorize

Accessorizing is something that I feel many of us forget about daily, but it is also something that can take an outfit to the next level. You could be wearing a basic white dress, but by adding a pop of color in a necklace or earrings, you can completely change the look. Even adding something as small as rings or little bracelets can add so much to an outfit. These are the details that make your photos unique and memorable.

I suggest bringing more than enough accessories when you come in for your session. Accessorizing is something that can be difficult at times to decide what pairs best with an outfit. So, by bring in a variety, the Kent Smith team can help you decided what looks best! Another important note is to not just think of jewelry when it comes to accessorizing. Hats, scarves, hand bands, and more can also come in handy when you are accessorizing a look!

 Pro Tip: Something that is very trendy right now is layering lots of necklaces of all different sizes and lengths!

Tip #4: Layering

Like accessorizing, layering can bring your outfit to the next level. When you layer, it allows you to have more than just one outfit. Layering can include anything and everything from a jacket, coat, flannel, or cardigan. These options can all help to bring variety to an outfit. For example, if you only have three outfits for your session, try including a jacket. However, make sure what you’re wearing under that jacket is something you would also love to be photographed in because, the jacket will essentially add a forth outfit to your session! Even if you have two jackets that would look great with an outfit, bring both! Layering doesn’t just “add” another outfit to your session, it also gives a normal outfit some dimension. This helps make the photo stand out.

Pro Trend Tip: Big and fuzzy jackets/coats are very in right now! Especially, if they are animal print or faux leather! Also, blazers are another great trendy go-to. Finally, a quick seasonal tip to remember is that plaid is the print of the winter, so try adding a plaid blazer to one of your outfits.

Tip #5: Colors, Prints, and Textures

Colors, prints, and textures are all fundamentally important aspects of your outfit! These concepts have the power to change the way a photo turns out in the end. Having the ability to choose 3-5 outfits for a regular senior session, allows you plenty of room to include many different colors, prints, and textures. When choosing colors, it is important to first reflect on what colors are most complimentary for your complexion. If you are unsure about what color schemes are most flattering on, don’t hesitate to ask friends and family members for their advice. Another tool is to review some of your favorite pictures of yourself and see what has worked best in the past.

My go to rule of thumb is: the more color the better. Remember, it doesn’t mean that every outfit must be full of color.For some outfits it might be better to add a pop of color in your shoes or your jewelry. Accent pieces can add a fun pop of color to your photos and make them stand out. It also may help to visualize what your finished product will look like, for when you’re ready to purchase photos and memorabilia. Your photo book will have a better chance of standing out and showing off your personality best if every picture isn’t the same color scheme. Don’t be afraid to change it up! Besides just colors, adding pieces that have a pattern will give your photo something unique. Mixing prints and colors can be scary at first, but they make for an awesome photo in the end. Textures also add to the overall effect of the photo. Texture is really just about combining different materials to provide contrast and balance in the look. When different textures are added to an outfit, visual depth is then added to the photo.