It’s back to school time and the time of year for new high school seniors to book senior portraits. Every senior wants to take a great senior portrait. After all, this picture marks an important time and milestone, your graduation. Teens often feel stressed out about what to wear for their portraits. Use these tips to help plan your portrait session.
Be prepared for your photo session by bringing 2-3 outfits to your sitting. Try to pick contrasting outfits that bring out a particular mood. For example, if you’re a soccer player, consider taking some of your photos in your team jersey. If you are in the debate club, you may want to select an outfit that exudes your intelligence. Contrast is key!
Wear Your “million dollar” outfit.
If you have a favorite outfit that makes you feel like a million bucks, wear it for your photo. Try to select outfits that make you feel good inside. If you feel like you look good, chances, you probably do. Pick outfits you feel confident wearing.
Opt for classics, not trends.
Trendy clothes are fun but may look funny in years to come. Trends come and go, don’t showcase a trend in your senior portrait. If you’d rather not look at your photo in the future and ask, “what was I thinking?” opt for a classic button down shirt or crew neck sweater.
Think simple, not busy.
Your pictures should highlight your face, not your clothing. Steer clear of busy patterns and say “no” to stripes. If you opt for a pattern, make sure it’s subtle. Bold colors can be distracting too. Stay away from bold and neon colors. Your face should be the focal point, not your clothes.
Choose a Variety of Colors.
Try to choose your favorite colors and the colors you look good in. Bringing outfits in a assortment of colors and hues will give your photos more variety. Keep in mind that some colors will only look good with certain backgrounds. Similarly, if you are taking photos outdoors wearing green may not be the best option. You don’t want to blend in with the landscape.
Enlist Props to Tell Your Story.
Props can help make your pictures unique. If you play the clarinet in the high school band, have some of your photos taken with your instrument. Be mindful of taking props too far. Too many props can be distracting. Use props only to enhance your portrait. Limit your props to one per photo. Otherwise your photo may look campy.
Wear Your Signature Look.
Do you have a unique look? If so, wear it for your pictures. Part of the fun of taking senior pictures is exchanging pictures with other seniors. Make sure you look like yourself. if you regularly don your letter jacket, wear it for your pictures.
Plan Ahead.
It’s stressful throwing together outfits at the last minute. Make sure that your clothes are clean and pressed and that you have the right accessories. Plan ahead so you don’t get to your photo session frazzled and stressed. Do a little fashion show ahead of time to make sure that you have all of the items necessary to pull off your look. A little prep work will help make your photo session fun and your senior pictures amazing!
Guest post contributed by Lisa Hirst Carnes, for Cilento Photography. For over twenty years, Cilento Photography has provided unique senior portraits graduation pictures, baby photos, family portraits, wedding photography and more.