Style Tips For Seniors
So you have a closet full of clothes, but nothing to wear. Here are a few ideas that will help
you choose the BEST clothes to wear in your Senior Portraits.
Choose a VARIETY of outfits. It's a good idea to include both casual and more formal outfits in your
senior portraits. You choose a couple and let Mom choose one or two, that way everyone is happy.
Also use a variety of colors... for example, if you bring a black, gray and white outfits for a 3 outfit
session. You're previews will be really drab and boring. These are all good choices, but include some
items of color too!
Stay clear of stripes! (large bold ones of 5+" are tolerable. Small thin ones will not photograph well.
It's best to not use any stripes or solids with 1-2 stripes or lines.
Your face should be the focal point of your portraits. Long sleeve solids or very subtle prints are usually
the most flattering in portraits.
One of the most common problems is sunburn and tan lines from the tanning salons!
Everyone please keep out of the sun a week or two before your session. We often see uneven sunburn
from guys who wear ball caps, peeling skin on noses from recent burns, raccoon eyes from those who
were burned while wearing sunglasses. Or strap lines on the shoulders of gals who wish to be
photographed in a strapless formal dress or top. Sunburn, uneven tanning and tan lines can not be
retouched. Your session will need to be rescheduled.
Wrinkled clothes = Wrinkled pictures. Gals, don't bring your clothes rolled up in a ball in a
backpack. They'll be a winkled mess and they will photograph that way. Guys! we see over and over
that their shirt collar and sleeves do not fit. Often due to a bad fitting or borrowed suit items. It is
imperative that your shirt and tie are properly fitted and that your suit/sport coat is the proper size.
Medium to dark clothes look the best on dark backgrounds. So if you like these more dramatic
looks, use darker more subdued colors.
Medium to light colors look the best on lighter colored backgrounds. So if you like the lighter
sets and backgrounds, bring lighter clothes that will go good with the backgrounds you prefer.
For outdoor portraits. Be careful of bright greens as they often clash with the greens of the
leaves and grass. Black, Khaki, pink, orange, navy, tan, gold, burgundy, dark yellow are good
outdoors. We recommend staying away from white, light/pale yellow or other very light/pale colors
outdoors.
Traditional styles will stand the test of time and keep your portrait looking fresh for years to come.
So try and use styles and looks that will be in style "next year" as well as this summer. Otherwise you're
portrait will look dated and out of style in a year or two. Classic solid sweaters will always be in style.
Trendy summer tops will look out of place next summer.
Some poses will show your shoes so don't forget to bring shoes & socks for each outfit that you plan to
wear. Barefoot and sandals! No problem for your casual clothes. And though white socks are in, they
don't photograph well. So bring darker ones too. (just in case they show!) Guys don't forget those belts
and Gals, don't forget your jewelry,
Busy patterns and loud colors can be very distracting in your portraits. Avoid large & bold patterns that
might tend to draw attention away from your face.
Props can help to show your personality and record the types of activities you are involved in. Be sure
to bring some of your own props to your portrait session. Here are some ideas:
• Musical Instrument
• Vehicle (car/truck/bike/cart)
• Leather Jacket
• Uniform/ball/helmet/shoes/stick/bat the more the better!
• Hats
• Sports Equipment
• Sunglasses
• Poms/megaphone, cheerleaders don't forget your lollies.
• Pets, I require a handler/pet carrier to tend to your pet during the rest of your session
Here are some final tips:
Simplicity is the key to a successful portrait. That and all the little elements that come together to
create the end result. Each thing you do right will make a major difference in the end product.
Lenses should be removed from your glasses. Your optometrist may do this for free if you can't
do it yourself. Or... borrow a pair of empty frames from your optometrist that look similar to your own.
They'll often do this for free or for a small 5.00 deposit that they refund when you return them. Due to
our lighting and the way we concentrate our lighting to bring out your eyes we can not photograph you
with lenses in your glasses if you plan to wear them.
Contacts can be worn, but often your eyes will be less red and will have more sparkle if you can get by
with your contact lenses out.
Long sleeve dresses and shirts are MUCH better than short sleeves ESPECIALLY for your
head and shoulder/traditional poses.
Coordinate your outfit from head to toe.
Darker clothes minimize body size.
Keep the tonal range of clothing in the same group, don't mix lights & darks in the same outfit.
To assure a successful portrait, it is best to bring along several additional clothing choices and let the
photographer help you choose.
Don't forget to bring your jewelry, especially your class ring. If you're in sports don't forget,
helmet and ball, hockey stick, etc. You often need to contact your school/coach weeks in advance to
get jerseys and helmets during the summer. (don't delay in doing this)
You should wear your hair in your regular style. Guys should NOT have a fresh haircut, but
should have a fresh shave! 5 o'clock shadow will show and can't be touched up! If you need a trim,
have it done about a week before. Gals, don't go get a new style or go to a new stylist that you've never
used before.
A little Visene will "get the red out" if you have allergies!
Heavier thicker materials will photograph and lay better for example, a sweatshirt is much thicker and
will photograph ten times better than a t-shirt or button down cotton shirt. Guys, button down shirts are
fine if you put a sweater or suit or sport coat over them.
Having your clothes fit and ironed is very important!
Get a good night's rest, relax and be ready for a great portrait session!
you choose the BEST clothes to wear in your Senior Portraits.
Choose a VARIETY of outfits. It's a good idea to include both casual and more formal outfits in your
senior portraits. You choose a couple and let Mom choose one or two, that way everyone is happy.
Also use a variety of colors... for example, if you bring a black, gray and white outfits for a 3 outfit
session. You're previews will be really drab and boring. These are all good choices, but include some
items of color too!
Stay clear of stripes! (large bold ones of 5+" are tolerable. Small thin ones will not photograph well.
It's best to not use any stripes or solids with 1-2 stripes or lines.
Your face should be the focal point of your portraits. Long sleeve solids or very subtle prints are usually
the most flattering in portraits.
One of the most common problems is sunburn and tan lines from the tanning salons!
Everyone please keep out of the sun a week or two before your session. We often see uneven sunburn
from guys who wear ball caps, peeling skin on noses from recent burns, raccoon eyes from those who
were burned while wearing sunglasses. Or strap lines on the shoulders of gals who wish to be
photographed in a strapless formal dress or top. Sunburn, uneven tanning and tan lines can not be
retouched. Your session will need to be rescheduled.
Wrinkled clothes = Wrinkled pictures. Gals, don't bring your clothes rolled up in a ball in a
backpack. They'll be a winkled mess and they will photograph that way. Guys! we see over and over
that their shirt collar and sleeves do not fit. Often due to a bad fitting or borrowed suit items. It is
imperative that your shirt and tie are properly fitted and that your suit/sport coat is the proper size.
Medium to dark clothes look the best on dark backgrounds. So if you like these more dramatic
looks, use darker more subdued colors.
Medium to light colors look the best on lighter colored backgrounds. So if you like the lighter
sets and backgrounds, bring lighter clothes that will go good with the backgrounds you prefer.
For outdoor portraits. Be careful of bright greens as they often clash with the greens of the
leaves and grass. Black, Khaki, pink, orange, navy, tan, gold, burgundy, dark yellow are good
outdoors. We recommend staying away from white, light/pale yellow or other very light/pale colors
outdoors.
Traditional styles will stand the test of time and keep your portrait looking fresh for years to come.
So try and use styles and looks that will be in style "next year" as well as this summer. Otherwise you're
portrait will look dated and out of style in a year or two. Classic solid sweaters will always be in style.
Trendy summer tops will look out of place next summer.
Some poses will show your shoes so don't forget to bring shoes & socks for each outfit that you plan to
wear. Barefoot and sandals! No problem for your casual clothes. And though white socks are in, they
don't photograph well. So bring darker ones too. (just in case they show!) Guys don't forget those belts
and Gals, don't forget your jewelry,
Busy patterns and loud colors can be very distracting in your portraits. Avoid large & bold patterns that
might tend to draw attention away from your face.
Props can help to show your personality and record the types of activities you are involved in. Be sure
to bring some of your own props to your portrait session. Here are some ideas:
• Musical Instrument
• Vehicle (car/truck/bike/cart)
• Leather Jacket
• Uniform/ball/helmet/shoes/stick/bat the more the better!
• Hats
• Sports Equipment
• Sunglasses
• Poms/megaphone, cheerleaders don't forget your lollies.
• Pets, I require a handler/pet carrier to tend to your pet during the rest of your session
Here are some final tips:
Simplicity is the key to a successful portrait. That and all the little elements that come together to
create the end result. Each thing you do right will make a major difference in the end product.
Lenses should be removed from your glasses. Your optometrist may do this for free if you can't
do it yourself. Or... borrow a pair of empty frames from your optometrist that look similar to your own.
They'll often do this for free or for a small 5.00 deposit that they refund when you return them. Due to
our lighting and the way we concentrate our lighting to bring out your eyes we can not photograph you
with lenses in your glasses if you plan to wear them.
Contacts can be worn, but often your eyes will be less red and will have more sparkle if you can get by
with your contact lenses out.
Long sleeve dresses and shirts are MUCH better than short sleeves ESPECIALLY for your
head and shoulder/traditional poses.
Coordinate your outfit from head to toe.
Darker clothes minimize body size.
Keep the tonal range of clothing in the same group, don't mix lights & darks in the same outfit.
To assure a successful portrait, it is best to bring along several additional clothing choices and let the
photographer help you choose.
Don't forget to bring your jewelry, especially your class ring. If you're in sports don't forget,
helmet and ball, hockey stick, etc. You often need to contact your school/coach weeks in advance to
get jerseys and helmets during the summer. (don't delay in doing this)
You should wear your hair in your regular style. Guys should NOT have a fresh haircut, but
should have a fresh shave! 5 o'clock shadow will show and can't be touched up! If you need a trim,
have it done about a week before. Gals, don't go get a new style or go to a new stylist that you've never
used before.
A little Visene will "get the red out" if you have allergies!
Heavier thicker materials will photograph and lay better for example, a sweatshirt is much thicker and
will photograph ten times better than a t-shirt or button down cotton shirt. Guys, button down shirts are
fine if you put a sweater or suit or sport coat over them.
Having your clothes fit and ironed is very important!
Get a good night's rest, relax and be ready for a great portrait session!
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