Your outfit is one of the most important parts of your senior session. The right outfit can completely elevate your photos and take them from meh to wow. What you wear has a huge impact on the overall look and feel of your gallery, so don't just throw something on at the last minute. Taking the time to plan your outfits will make a noticeable difference in your final images. Over the years, we've photographed hundreds of seniors and refined a styling formula that consistently creates beautiful, timeless photos. We highly recommend following it when planning your session.

The key to gorgeous senior photos is making sure everything works together to create a cohesive vibe. While it's important that your outfits reflect your personality, professional styling is what truly makes photos stand out. Think of your senior session wardrobe as an elevated version of your style—natural, chic, and polished—not necessarily what you would wear every day.

Believe it or not, certain outfits photograph better at certain locations. Different colors, fabrics, and styles complement different backgrounds, lighting conditions, and scenery. To make outfit planning easy, we've put together a guide showing exactly which outfit styles and color palettes pair best with each location. We already know which colors photograph best and complement each setting, so following these recommendations will help ensure your gallery looks cohesive, flattering, and professionally styled.

Outfit Guide

STEP 1.

The 2-Outfit Formula. To create the most variety in your gallery, we highly recommend bringing two outfits to your senior session if you booked the Essential Collection or any collection that includes an outfit change. If you booked the Basic Collection, you'll need to stick to one outfit, and our top recommendation is a flowy white dress.

Outfit #1: The Dress

A dress is by far the most popular senior session outfit and photographs beautifully in every season. We recommend a flowy mini or maxi dress that creates movement and complements outdoor locations.

Best Colors:

  • White (our #1 recommendation)

  • Baby Pink

  • Light Lavender

  • Light Blue

Stick with soft, pastel colors for the most timeless and flattering look.

Styling Tips:

  • Bring a complimentary denim jacket for added variety.

  • Pair with cowboy boots, white sandals, boho-style sandals, or go barefoot for beach sessions.

  • Choose flowy fabrics that move naturally in the wind and photograph beautifully.

Outfit #2: A Two-Piece

For your second outfit, choose something that feels elevated but relaxed.

Option A: Denim + Top

  • Light wash (or white) denim skirt or jeans

  • White top

  • Pastel top (baby pink, lavender, or light blue)

This outfit adds variety to your gallery while still maintaining a cohesive, stylish look.

Option B: Coordinated Set

  • White or neutral-colored matching set

  • Boho-inspired two-piece outfit

  • Flowy maxi skirt and coordinating top

"What If I Only Like Dresses?"

You're absolutely welcome to bring two dresses, and many seniors do. However, keep in mind that you'll lose some of the variety that comes from having two completely different outfit styles.

Different outfits naturally create different posing opportunities and moods. A dress allows for movement, twirling, and flowy poses, while a denim or casual outfit creates a more relaxed, editorial look. Having both gives your gallery greater variety and helps you get the most out of your session.

SHOP DRESSES
SHOP TWO-PIECE OUTFITS

  • WHITE DRESS

  • TWO-PIECE OUTFIT

STEP 2.

Color palette. Please stick closely to the recommended color palette for your outfits. These tones are intentionally chosen because they photograph best with natural light, outdoor backgrounds, and our editing style. They help create soft, timeless, and cohesive images that look polished in every location. Some colors simply don’t translate well on camera or can clash with the environment and editing style. Dark tones like black or overly bold shades like green can feel harsh against natural scenery and may not give the same flattering, airy look in your final gallery. We know it can be tempting to wear your favorite colors, but following this guide ensures your photos turn out exactly as intended—clean, elevated, and beautifully consistent from start to finish.

  • WHITE

  • BABY PINK

  • BABY LAVENDER

  • BABY BLUE

  • LIGHT FLORAL PATTERN ON WHITE

  • HOT PINK

  • HOT RED

  • DARK FUCHSIA

  • LIGHT GOLD SATIN

STEP 3.

Choose Your Outfit by Location. Pick outfits that match your session location. When your clothing complements the scenery, your photos look more cohesive, natural, and elevated. The right outfit and location pairing makes a huge difference in creating a polished, intentional final gallery.

Area 1

Lake Union
This location pairs beautifully with bold and clean tones. A red dress or red top styled with denim (skirt or jeans) creates a strong, elevated look. White dresses are also a perfect match, along with white tops paired with denim or soft pastel tops styled with white jeans.

Fields
Think soft, airy, and romantic. White mini or maxi dresses work best here, especially when paired with a denim jacket for added texture. Cowboy boots photograph beautifully in this setting, and a bouquet is highly recommended. Satin mini dresses can also work well for a more styled, elevated look.

Ocean
Keep things light and cohesive with flowy, natural tones. White co-ord sets with a maxi skirt, white or pastel maxi dresses (soft pink or blue), and white tops paired with denim all work beautifully. Crochet textures or tops also fit the coastal aesthetic perfectly.

Area 2

Flower Farm
This location shines with soft or vibrant feminine tones. White mini or maxi dresses are always a safe choice, along with yellow, baby pink, hot pink or even light gold satin dresses that reflect light beautifully. White tops with denim skirts also work well, as does a baby pink mini dress.

River
Soft blues and romantic tones work best here. A baby blue maxi dress is ideal, along with white tops styled with denim skirts and cowboy boots. Adding ribbon details to boots brings a charming, styled finish.

Area 3

Lavender Farm
Stick to soft neutrals and romantic tones. White mini or maxi dresses pair beautifully here, especially with a lavender bouquet as a prop.

Carnation Downtown
This location works well with a mix of casual and styled looks. White tops with denim skirts and boots are a great choice, as well as pastel tops (pink or lavender) paired with white jeans or a white denim skirt.

River (alternate styling)
Baby blue maxi dresses, white tops with denim skirts and cowboy boots with ribbons, or bold fuchsia maxi dresses all photograph beautifully in this setting.

Carnation Flower Farm
White co-ord sets styled with boots, white maxi dresses, or statement tops like hot pink paired with denim skirts all work well. Crochet tops also fit perfectly with the floral environment.

Area 4

Mountains
Think soft whites, creams, pastels, and natural textures that complement the landscape rather than compete with it.

Area 5

Garden
White mini or maxi dresses with sandals are a perfect fit, along with pastel tops paired with white denim for a soft, romantic feel.

Marina
This location allows for slightly bolder tones. Hot pink, white dresses or tops, and baby blue dresses or tops paired with white denim all photograph beautifully.

Willow Trees
Flowy maxi dresses in white or soft tones work best, along with white denim for a more casual, light aesthetic.

Area 6

Fall Locations
Stick to warm, seasonal tones like denim, red, and white. A white dress paired with a denim jacket is a classic fall combination that always works beautifully.

Area 7

Urban City (Edgy Look)
This is the only location where darker, more dramatic styling works well. Black tops, white tops, jeans, khaki pants, and more urban, edgy outfits are all appropriate here for a completely different vibe.

STEP 4.

Pick the Right Accessories. Accessories are the finishing touch that pull your entire outfit together. Keep jewelry simple, classic, and minimal—pieces that enhance your look without stealing attention. Earrings, a delicate bracelet, and a subtle necklace can beautifully complement your outfit and help draw focus to your face and expression. If you want to elevate your look, timeless luxury pieces like a Van Cleef Alhambra necklace or bracelet, a Cartier bracelet, or a Tiffany & Co. heart necklace are perfect choices (OR DUPES ON AMAZON). These add a refined touch while still keeping everything elegant and understated.The goal is balance—accessories should highlight you, not overpower you. Avoid bold or distracting statement pieces, as they can take attention away from your overall look and expression. Lastly, don’t forget the practical details. Wear a strapless bra when needed, especially with dresses or tops where straps may show. This helps keep your images clean and distraction-free, since undergarments are very difficult to remove in editing.

SHOP ACCESSORIES

STEP 5.

Shoes. You can style your white dress with white sandals, and colored dresses with neutral or white sandals for a soft, cohesive look. Depending on your vibe and location, cowboy boots or clean sneakers can also work beautifully and add a bit more personality to your outfits. Adding a small detail like ribbons on your boots is an amazing touch that brings extra charm and uniqueness to your session. Make sure all shoes look brand new and are super clean, since they are often more visible in photos than expected and can easily distract if they look worn. We also recommend bringing a pair of flip flops so you can comfortably move from one location to the next without worrying about your main shoes.

SHOP SHOES

STEP 6.

What to Avoid. Avoid patterns, dark denim, high-waisted jeans, black clothing, turtlenecks, and overly tight outfits, as they can look harsh and less timeless in photos. Choose outfits that flatter your body, feel comfortable, and allow you to move freely. Make sure they don’t wrinkle easily, ride up when sitting, or look worn—your camera picks up every small detail. Always wear clean, fresh, well-fitting clothing, and think about how your outfit looks both standing and sitting. Some styles (like mom jeans or stiff fabrics) can become unflattering in seated poses. Coats should not be used as main outfits, since they can add bulk. Instead, bring them as an accessory for a few styled shots. Lastly, make sure bra straps stay hidden unless intentionally styled. A strapless or seamless option is best to keep your silhouette clean and distraction-free.

STEP 7.

Get Help and Get Inspired. If you feel completely unsure what to wear, start by browsing our pinned Pinterest board. Every outfit there is curated specifically for senior sessions and will work beautifully for your shoot. You can also draw inspiration from photographers like Claire K, whose feed is a great example of soft, elevated, senior-style posing and outfits. For shopping inspiration, look into brands like Love & Lemons, LoveShackFancy, Free People, Selfie Leslie and Aritzia. These brands consistently offer soft, feminine, and timeless pieces that photograph really well. If you ever see an outfit you love but don’t know where to find it, use the “screenshot trick.” Simply take a screenshot, go to Google Images, click the camera icon in the search bar, upload your image, and search. It will usually show you the exact item or very similar alternatives so you can easily recreate the look.

SHOP OUR PINS
CLAIRE K INSTA
STORES