A South Shore photographer’s guide to looking and feeling your best on camera
Figuring out what to wear for your senior pictures can feel like a whole thing. And I get it—it’s a big deal. These photos will be all over your parents’ walls, in the yearbook (forever!), and on graduation invites.
If you’re not sure where to start, or you’re stuck staring at your closet wondering if you have anything that looks good—keep reading. Here are my go-to tips for what to wear (and what not to) to help you feel confident, comfortable, and like yourself during your senior session!
First Things First: Be Yourself
The goal of your session is to capture who you are at this stage in your life—not to turn you into someone else.
So yes, dress up a little. But don’t force a look that’s not you.
If you never wear a dress, don’t feel like you have to for your photos. If you live in sneakers and jeans, we can totally work with that. If you love a preppy look or a laid-back coastal vibe—we’ll lean into that.
Don't do anything drastic to change your appearance before your session.
Bring your personality
One of my favorite parts of senior photography is helping you create a session that reflects your interests and personality.
Think about what makes you YOU.
You are welcome to bring:
- Sports equipment
- School jacket
- Musical instruments
- Dance attire
- Art supplies
- Books that made an impact on you
- Your car or truck
- Graduation cap and gown
- Pets
- Anything meaningful to your story
These personal touches help make your gallery unique and memorable.
Color Recommendations
When it comes to picking colors for your senior session outfits, I always recommend lighter tones and more muted, earthy shades. These softer colors photograph beautifully, flatter every skin tone, and—most importantly—keep the focus on you, not your clothes.
Why Softer Tones Work Best:
-A monochromatic or neutral palette gives a timeless, natural feel.
-The camera tends to exaggerate bright or too-dark colors, which can be distracting.
-Muted colors reflect light softly onto your skin and help create that warm, glowing look.
-Instead of bright or saturated colors (think neon pinks, bright reds, royal blues), opt for dusty, soft, or natural tones.
Owning your vibe
Of course if you have a specific color in mind that is special to you, and not on the recommended list, I totally get it!
*Give me a heads up so we can choose the best location for this color to make it work best.
What to Wear: Tips for Girls
1. Flowy dresses or skirts photograph beautifully.
They add movement and softness, especially in outdoor locations like the beach or a field.
2. Choose colors that flatter your skin tone.
Neutrals, pastels, soft earth tones, and jewel tones tend to photograph really well.
Avoid super neon colors—they can reflect weirdly onto your skin in photos.
3. Bring a second outfit.
I always recommend one dressy and one casual look. Think:
Outfit 1: Flowy dress
Outfit 2: Jeans + a cute top or a cozy sweater
4. Add subtle layers.
A light jacket, oversized cardigan, the hat you never take off. Layers photograph great.
5. Accessorize, but keep it simple.
Delicate jewelry, a hat, or even your favorite pair of boots can add personality—but we don’t want anything that will distract from you.
6. Don't forget Shoes
Unless we are at the beach on soft sand, you'll want clean, neutral well- coordinating shoes to wear with each outfit.
7. Get the wrinkles out!
Don't forget to iron/steam clothing beforehand. It will cost extra for the wrinkles to be removed in each photo.
8. Remove hair ties from wrists.
It will cost extra to remove these from every photo if you forget so make sure to do it ahead of time! I try to notice during the session but sometimes they get missed.
9. Try it on beforehand and Watch the low cut tops
It happens often- they try clothes on but don't wear them for long and don't always realize that the clothing shifts place or is more low cut than they thought.
What to Wear: Tips For the Guys
1. Start with a clean, well-fitted base.
A solid-colored tee, polo, or button-down shirt goes a long way. Make sure it’s clean, ironed, and fits well—too baggy or too tight can throw things off.
2. Layer it up.
A button-down over a tee, or a sweater over a collared shirt, adds depth and interest. Bonus: layers give you something to do with your hands.
3. Stick to timeless, solid colors.
Blues, grays, olive, white, tan, and burgundy all look great in photos. Avoid giant logos or crazy patterns.
4. Don’t forget shoes.
Clean, neutral sneakers or boots are great. Skip the flip flops, unless we’re on the beach—and even then, barefoot is usually better.
5. Bring a second look if you want variety.
Example-
Outfit 1: Button-down shirt + khakis
Outfit 2: Jeans + hoodie or jacket
6. Get the wrinkles out!
Don't forget to iron your shirts beforehand. It will cost extra if mom asks for the wrinkles to be removed in each photo.
Day of:
Empty your pockets of keys, wallet and phone!! I can always hold these items for you or have whoever you are bringing with you hold them.
Things to Include in Your Outfits
Accessories (if they’re your style):
Simple jewelry, hats, cardigans, vests, scarves, and hair accessories can add personality and dimension. Don’t want them in every photo? No problem—you can easily take them on and off during the session.
Patterns + Textures:
Adding in textured fabrics like lace, velvet, crochet, or corduroy can also bring warmth and interest to your look.
Don’t shy away from mixing patterns like florals with stripes or plaid with polka dots- but only if that's your usual style!
Colored Pants (especially for guys):
If you're going for a neutral or earth-toned look, blue denim can sometimes feel out of place. Try chinos or pants in olive, burgundy, khaki, rust, or soft gray to keep the color palette cohesive.
Outfits with Movement (especially for girls):
Flowy fabrics photograph beautifully. Think maxi skirts, dresses, or wide-leg pants that catch the breeze or move as you walk. Avoid stiff or clingy fabrics that restrict movement or feel uncomfortable.
Flattering Fit:
Pick clothing that highlights what you love about your body—without hiding it completely. A shapeless shift dress, for example, can sometimes create unflattering illusions on camera. Instead, go for a dress that gently flows around your waist or shows off your natural shape while still feeling easy and comfortable. I always recommend if you'd like to wear something loose-fitting, to make sure it's only one clothing item and have something more form fitting to coordinate with it.
Sports
If a sports team you are on is a big part of who you are, make sure you let me know and we can incorporate this into your session. This could be your uniform or equipment you use (basketball, volleyball, golf club, etc).
Things to Avoid
These are items that can be distracting, unflattering, or just don’t photograph well—especially in natural light outdoor sessions like mine.
Neon Colors:
Bright neons can reflect back onto your skin and throw off the natural tones in your photos. Stick with colors that complement your skin tone instead.
Athletic Sneakers:
Even the best outfit can be thrown off by a pair of neon running shoes. Instead, opt for casual footwear like boots, neutral-colored sneakers (like Vans or Sperrys), simple sandals, or clean loafers.
Large Logos or Graphics:
Anything with big brand logos or bold text can pull attention away from your face and create visual clutter in the images.
Babydoll Dresses:
Loose-fitting dresses with no shape tend to hide your figure and can unintentionally make you look bigger in photos. A better choice: dresses that skim your body and offer a more flattering silhouette.
Loud or Busy Patterns:
Some patterns are just too loud and become the main focus in the image—when the focus should be you. If you love prints, stick with subtle or classic versions.
Too Much Black or Navy:
These darker colors tend to attract every piece of lint, sand, or pet hair. If you wear them, just make sure they’re clean and lint-free—or consider other rich colors that don’t pick up every speck.
Need Help Choosing Outfits?
I’m always happy to take a look at outfit options and give you honest feedback. Most of my senior clients text me a few choices before their session—and I’m here for it. I want you to love how you look and feel in your photos.
Want Your Photos To Stand Out?
If you've been scrolling Pinterest or Instagram looking at senior photos, you've probably noticed a lot of blue.
A lot
While there's nothing wrong with it, I love helping seniors choose colors that feel a little more unexpected and personal. Soft neutrals, earthy tones, greens, rust colors, burgundy, creams, and textured pieces often create images that feel fresh, timeless, and uniquely yours.
When everyone wears the same color, photos can start to feel similar. Choosing colors that reflect your personality helps create a gallery that stands out and feels authentically you.
Random Things:
- Decide if you want to wear your watch. I don't recommend wearing your Apple Watch as they can date the photos more quickly.
- Bring a bag with your things in it: hairbrush/comb, hairspray, mirror, makeup for touch ups, etc.
- Bug spray can be a very good thing to bring with you! I usually have it but bring your own just in case.
- I want you to be as comfortable as possible. I’ll never make you do something you're not comfortable with- so don’t be afraid to speak up if something is not your style!
And finally...
RELAX AND ENJOY!
Just be yourself :)
The Day Of Your Session
A few simple tips will help your session run smoothly:
- Drink plenty of water
- Eat before your session
- Remove hair ties from your wrists
- Empty bulky items from pockets
- Steam or iron clothing beforehand
- Bring touch-up items and bug spray
- Bring comfortable shoes for walking between locations (if applicable)
- Trust the process
Most importantly, relax and enjoy the experience!
FAQ
Can my parents come?
Absolutely. Parents are always welcome. I usually do recommend one parent be present- sometimes it helps the nerves at the beginning of the session and gives you somebody to focus on. And it's a great milestone to experience together.
I also love to get a photo of the senior and parent at the end of the session.
How long until i receive my gallery?
It may take up to 4 weeks for me to process your images. I take loads of images during your session, choose the best, then spend time hand editing each and every one you receive. Trust me, it's worth the wait!
Can you recommend any good locations?
Some of my favorite photo locations on the South Shore are:
Duxbury Beach- using the Powder Point Bridge and ocean side
Shipyard Beach
Rexhame Beach, Marshfield- great variety here!
Brewster Garden, Plymouth
Bay Farm Field
Downtown Plymouth- for a more urban shoot
We can discuss more if you're thinking of something different.
What if the weather is bad on the day of an outdoor shoot?
We'll either adjust locations or reschedule if necessary. I always want the best possible experience and images for you. I don't reschedule for wind (unless it's absolutely crazy) or overcast skies.
Can I bring a friend?
Of course! It that makes you feel more comfortable , then yes. I recommend only one or two max. Keep in mind that too many people can become distracting during the session.
Can my friend or Twin and i take our senior photos together?
While senior sessions are primarily designed to celebrate one senior at a time, there are situations where it makes perfect sense to include another person, such as a twin.
If you'd like to share part or all of your session with someone else, we'll simply discuss your goals ahead of time so we can plan accordingly. Keep in mind- when multiple seniors are photographed together, the session time and images are naturally shared between them, which means less individual coverage for each person.
Because my senior sessions include a custom album and are designed as a complete senior experience, sessions involving multiple seniors are priced differently than an individual senior session. This ensures that each senior receives the time, attention, images, and products that make this milestone worth celebrating.
My goal is always to make sure every senior receives a personalized experience and a gallery that reflects who they are. If sharing the session feels meaningful to you, let's chat and create a plan that works for everyone.
A Final Note
Senior year is a milestone worth celebrating.
My goal is to create images that feel natural, genuine, and completely you.
Have fun, be yourself, and let’s make some memories.
I can't wait to work with you!
See more of Jessica's senior photos
Clicl below to see my high school senior portfolio!
Email me with any QUESTIONS/concerns!
hello@jessicarphotography.com
