Figuring out what to wear for ANY photoshoot is a lot of work. There’s decisions involved – colors, textures… the whole nine yards. And when they’re your senior pictures, and they’re going to follow you around for the rest of your life… it’s an even BIGGER decision! I mean, they’re probably going in the yearbook, they might be on your graduation announcements. And who knows how many slideshows you’ll be subjected to that include them when you go to reunions down the line.

Basically, what I’m saying is it’s a big decision, and I understand that. But it doesn’t have to be a HARD decision, and there are a few things you can think about that might help you weed down your clothing options, at least a little bit!

Think about COMFORT

First and foremost when it comes to your senior picture attire, you want to think about comfort. You want to think about comfort no matter WHAT session type you’ve booked, but being a teenager is rough. Even though you’re about to graduate, it’s totally fair for you to not 100% feel comfy in your own skin yet. You’re becoming an adult, and that’s a LOT.

Which makes it even more important that the clothing you pick for your senior pictures makes you feel super comfy! Now, when I say comfy, I don’t mean show up in sweat pants. Or DO show up in sweat pants, if that’s what you want to be photographed in! I won’t judge, I promise. But when I say “comfy,” I mean things you can wear that will make you feel like yourself. Things that bring out the best parts of you. Everyone has that one shirt that just makes them feel SO GOOD when they wear it, and those are the kinds of clothing items you should be pulling out to wear during your session.

If you find yourself not really feeling like that in any of the clothes in your current wardrobe… it might be time to go take a trip to Kohls, because mental comfort is your PRIORITY for senior picture attire!!

Think about School Dress Code

As much as it sucks (and I know it DOES indeed suck) you have to think about your school dress code when you’re picking clothes for your senior pictures. Now, this won’t apply to ALL of the photos you have taken that day, just enough of them that you’ll have an image that works well for the yearbook!

Most of the time, your school will use the dress code guidelines for determining what is and is not appropriate for a submitted yearbook photo, and that’s going to mean a few things. (And as we ALL know, it’s going to mean a lot more for young women than it will for young men… but we’re not going to open that can of worms right now.)

If your favorite top has spaghetti straps, maybe grab an alternative and bring something with more full sleeves to wear for part of your session. The same goes for shorter dresses, or shorts. If your school allows full-body images for senior yearbook photos, and you want to be able to choose from options that include those, then you’ll want something that covers your legs in a way that the school will deem “appropriate”. Like I said, we’re not going to get into the nitty gritty of those policies… but unfortunately, we have to think about them.

All of that being said, if your school doesn’t accept externally submitted senior pictures for the yearbook, or you’re not planning on submitting one, then you don’t have to worry about those guidelines at all! You can just choose things you love to wear, and they don’t get to say a THING.

Think about Your Hobbies

Another factor to consider when you’re choosing what you’ll wear for your senior pictures, is your hobbies and passions! You can absolutely have some photos taken in a uniform for an activity, in a sports jersey – anything that you love can be included in these sessions.

I also want you to know, you don’t have to share all of your senior pictures if you don’t want to. If you’re not super into the idea of your friends knowing you took pictures in your band uniform, they don’t have to know. You can keep them for YOU. Because at the end of the day, your senior photos are about you anyway! They’re no one else’s business (I mean maybe your parents, since they’re probably making sure the session happens!) but outside of that? Whether you’re loud and proud about your hobbies or you keep your passions closer to your chest, they can STILL be a part of your senior picture session.

Be YOU.

I know I already said that the most important thing to think about is comfort… but equally important is thinking about being YOU. These sessions are designed to focus on who YOU are. What YOU love. The things YOU’VE accomplished. You’re the center of attention the whole time – and that can be nerve wrecking, but it’s also kind of the point.

You’ve done an amazing thing, and accomplished SO much. So it’s time to celebrate all of the things that happened along the way! You get to be you for your senior session because you DESERVE it. So being your authentic self is what you should think about when you’re picking clothes!

Keep it cool, but don’t worry about being “timeless”

Every single style that’s in now was in at some time in the past. And you need to be more focused on being YOURSELF than on picking wardrobe items that’ll feel timeless in ten years when you’re looking back. It’s okay if the things you choose to wear are totally out of style by your ten-year reunion. It’s okay if you look back at the images and you cringe. Especially if you’re considering wearing your prom dress for your senior picture session!

It’s way, way more important that you use your Senior Picture session to express yourself fully, as you are NOW. Not as you think you’ll want to look back and see yourself. So… be YOU. The REAL you.

And if you’ve got questions? I’m here to help!

I always suggest putting together a pinterest board with clothing inspo, but if you’re looking for more help, reach out! We can talk about the things you can wear for your session, and what might not be the best choice. I can also help you work with the wardrobe restrictions from your school, if there are any!