Your senior portrait session is a success when you bring your creativity, confidence, and style to your session. What makes you great is the unique way you were created and the things you love in this amazing season of life. With my posing and subtle coaching, it’s my job to enhance your style and beauty so you shine, look, and feel your best during your session and in your final images.
This isn’t as daunting as you may think. With some easy tips, you can transform your outfits and find a few props and elements to have an amazing session and incredible images without stress and be photo-ready! I connect with all kinds of seniors and young adults, so this article is to share some of our favorite guidelines and tips with a wide variety of styles and locations.
Before your senior portrait session, I love brainstorming with you and even seeing photos of outfits, so you feel confident and have options going into the session. To help inspire you, this blog features some great outfits, locations, and style ideas to get you dreaming and planning for your senior portrait session with Leigh G Photography.
Do I dress up or go casual?
Both! In your sessions, I always recommend booking enough time for 2 outfits and 2 locations for as much variety as possible.
Who could ever choose just one outfit? I know… me neither so, that is why it’s always best to have a variety of full outfits or changing accessories and create different looks easily. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming and we have a few “tips” to have dynamic looks without full outfit changes too. There is no perfect outfit to wear, the most important thing is to be comfortable and be yourself. We encourage everyone to have a dressy and casual look for variety!
Dressy
If your wedding is more of a high-end fancy affair, it’s always nice to have dressier and more composed outfits, especially if you are sending save the dates with a feature image. Having engagement portraits that align with your wedding style help to communicate the vibe of your day. It’s not a requirement, and a dressy outfit can have casual elements too, but there are some key items that make a couples outfit feel more polished.
Casual
If you don’t like to be fancy, but you want to have polished photos no worries! Often for the ladies, this comes down to wearing a dress or pants, skirt or shorts, heels or flats (you get my drift). So like we said before there aren’t any rules, but we are sharing some couples that blended comfort and beautiful looks.
Looking your best during the session
Shoes are important
We are not believers in the phrase, “pain is beauty” because there is NO POINT. OK, now I shall get off my soapbox. I love the look of high heels, but the functionality of a flat or flip flop. So, bring both. Wear flats or sandals walking between locations and then slip your fab heels on before we start capturing your love story.
Favorite Accessories
- Scarves
- Wraps or large shawls – especially in a cooler month, they are so cozy
- Vests – guys, add a vest and have a whole new look over a sweater
- Fun shoes – ladies, a fun POP of a bright or patterned shoe add to an outfit
- Jewelry – changing a necklace or earrings can bring great variety to your look
Layer up
Taking a few accessories and creating layers can take a simple outfit and make it special and pop. Also if your session is in a cooler month, you will be comfortable. Remember, being comfortable allows you to relax even more and be natural for your session.
Be prepared with a few “must-have” touch-up kit
Between looks or event locations, a few seconds of freshening up helps you feel and look your best. We love natural and fun sessions, so don’t overthink it but come prepared.
- Lint Roller – Bringing one helps to catch any stray hairs or random “fuzzies” you may pick up along the way.
- Extra hair and makeup touch-ups – To make sure that you can maintain your hair and makeup look, bring a small touch-up kit if needed between outfit changes.
- Bobby Pins (you never know if we have a little wind how these come in handy)
- Chapstick or lipstick – you know… love requires kissing so, you may need to touch up on lip products.
- Powder – To keep shine at bay (especially in the warm summer months) bring a compact or loose powder.
No matter what you wear, it’s truly all about capturing you in your most authentic self and celebrating this beautiful season of your life! Please contact Leigh before the session to brainstorm or share outfit ideas, we love helping you look and feel your best!
