If you’re a mom of a soon-to-be-grad, or you’re a graduate yourself, and you’re planning on celebrating this momentous occasion with some beautiful portraits (or, at least use them for invitations and announcements), but you’re not sure about the outfit situation then you’re in the right place. Outfit planning can feel overwhelming unless you have a plan, and I’m going to help you map out the best plan for your session so you can get photos you’ll love of this special season.

When you book your senior session, you get up to a full hour of shooting – that’s a lot of time to take photos of one person. For this reason, I typically recommend planning for 3 separate outfits so that you can maximize the variety and the value of your session. The three outfits I suggest you plan for are: the dressy option, the “grad” option, and the “feels-like-me” option.

Outfit #1: The Dressy Option

This option is the standard in my book. You can never look too fancy for portraits. The dressier you are, the more editorial your final images end up looking. The most important element of this look is that you feel comfortable and confident in whatever it is you choose to wear. Confidence comes across in your final images, and when you don’t feel comfortable or confident, you may wear those emotions during your session.

So, dress to the nines. Or, simply go one step above your everyday-wear. Whichever you choose, just make sure that you think you look great in this option.

Outfit #2: The “Graduate” Option

Oftentimes, my clients will bring along their cap and gown for some traditional “senior portraits.” These make for some really cute images that really help tell the story of this unique season. Sometimes, if they don’t have their cap and gown in hand, they’ll order something on Amazon just for the photos!

Other times, like in this senior session, my clients will simply opt for another outfit or prop they love, that also helps tell the story of this unique season of their life. For this particular session, my client, “T”, brought along the dog she is training to be a service dog. Since she will be studying in a closely related field, bringing her pup to the session made a lot of sense, and helped tell the story of this season of her life.

Outfit #3: The “Feels Like Me” Option

This option is usually my clients’ favorite. It’s their most comfortable, most flattering everyday outfit. This is the option and feels the most like themselves. It’s usually a little more casual than the rest but it’s the outfit that feels like home. This outfit may not feel like an important one to document, but it’s the one you’ll look back on and think “that looks like me.” For that reason, it’s an important outfit to pack for your senior session.

Senior sessions are such a fun, unique time to capture and celebrate all that you (or your senior) have accomplished in the years leading up to this season. If you’re ready to start planning your senior session, let me know by submitting the form below. I’d be happy to help you capture this special season.

All the love,

Jess