Sarah here! I want you to have a blast during your high school senior portrait experience and I am here to help you every step of the way! Selecting outfits for your graduation portraits can feel a bit overwhelming, so I have collected some top tips to get your wardrobe planning started off right.
Neutral colors are classic and will always look great, but don't be afraid to wear color. A great starting point is to reflect on what colors and styles you have received compliments on in the past. For example, "that color brings out your eyes," "that top warms up your skin," or simply "that looks great on you!" Then incorporate that into your session wardrobe for an instant win and confidence boost.
Patterns are a great way to bring in some additional texture and attention-grabbing elements to your images. Typically you will want a mix of patterns and solid color outfits to align your portraits—a one-to-one balance is a great starting point.
Your location can also help guide your color palette decisions based on how strongly you want to stand out from your surroundings. For example, warm colors like maroon, burnt orange, or golden yellow will grab a viewer's attention faster in a heavily wooded area with lots of greenery than an olive green shirt would. The same is true for a white shirt against a dark wall, dense forest, or brightly colored and busy space.
Layers, like a flannel, hoodie, or jacket are a great way to add texture to your images and are also a fun way to play with mixing formal and casual styles. Many of my clients like to incorporate a blend of everyday styles with one or two formal looks. However, I highly recommend staying true to yourself. If you would never wear a button-down with a tie, for example, then you probably don't want to incorporate that into your senior portraits. Instead, you could try a short-sleeve button-down with a collar or a button-down with rolled sleeves and no tie for a more formal look that doesn't feel forced.
I do suggest avoiding shirts with large graphics or logos on them unless you have a specific reason for including them, such as your jersey or college selection gear. But make sure you pack any props or accessories you want showcase such as your guitar, paint brushes, basketball, pompoms, or Letter Jacket.
Wearing clothes you are comfortable in and that fit your personality will always come across better and more natural in your final portraits than trying to force something that doesn't feel like you. If you are comfortable, your session will be more fun too!