One of the most common questions I get asked as a high school senior photographer is: What should I wear??
The good news is that there isn’t just one right answer. Your senior session should feel like you.
Capturing your story in this phase of life is not a one size fits all! The goal is to choose outfits that photograph well, while still reflecting your own personality and style.
If you’re starting to plan your Northern Virginia senior photos, here are some helpful tips to make preparing for your session easy and fun!
The location of your session will definitely influence what you wear!
If you love nature and picture your senior session surrounded by trees, wooden fences, and wide open spaces, casual outfits fit this mood perfectly. Think jeans, cotton dresses, and boots. Relaxed and natural is the vibe.
On the other hand, if you’re planning senior photos somewhere like Old Town Alexandria, you can lean into a dressier look. The cute downtown charm, historic buildings, and waterfront views make the perfect setting to add a little “downtown” flair.
Senior sessions are about 90 minutes long, which gives us plenty of time to explore different spots and capture a variety of looks and poses. I recommend at least 2 outfit changes, but 3 options is even better!
We walk around a lot throughout the session, using up every minute of our session time together. Having outfits ready to swap quickly helps keep the session flowing smoothly and allows us to create lots of variety efficiently.
Outfits I suggest for seniors to bring include:
This combination creates a great variety of senior portraits!
Senior photos are all about celebrating who you are right now and your next chapter.
Think about including something meaningful or personal in your session. How about a tee shirt showing the college or university you plan to attend? Or a varsity jacket? Or a sports uniform?
Little details like these help tell your story and preserve these memories for years to come.
Jeans are classic and never out of style! They are one of my favorite outfit recommendations for senior sessions because they are so timeless and versatile.
Jeans allow for poses that may not work as well in dresses. Sitting on steps, leaning casually against walls, or relaxed walking photos usually feel more natural in jeans.
A great pair of jeans can be styled so many ways:
Depending on the season, you can substitute jean shorts for long jeans. Both photograph well and add a great foundation to your session’s outfit choices!
High school goes by so quickly and senior sessions are such a great way to celebrate this milestone. If you’re looking to take your senior photos in Northern Virginia or Washington D.C., I’d love to help you plan a session that tells your story and reflects your style and personality during this season of life.
Reach out to start planning your senior session!
