Senior Session Styling Guide & Tips
You’ve come a long way from that small child entering the classroom for the very first time… and a big milestone is just around the corner.
A Senior Portrait Session is a great way to highlight your accomplishments and document you, just as you are today.
Below are some of my most trusted Styling and Preparation Tips which will help ensure your session is a success and your images are amazing.
#1 Visualize How You Want Your Photos to Look
How do you want to portray your personal style? What vibe do you want the photos to evoke: laidback, sophisticated, bold, artistic, etc. A Senior Session is a wonderful way to express your individuality and creativity. Pinterest is a great resource for inspiration and can also help you clarify your vision for the session.
#2 Select the Time of Year and Location
There’s never a bad time for a senior session in the Lowcountry and the Charleston area is home to many locations with beautiful backdrops that will bring your story to life.
Some of my favorite locations are the beaches at Isle of Palms, Historic Downtown Charleston (I especially love the Battery and the French Quarter), the scenic trails on Daniel Island, the comfort of a client’s home or school or even a special place they want to include. The location options are endless and varied.
#3 Highlight Your Unique Qualities and Individuality.
Incorporate something you love doing into your session- a skill, sport, hobby, or passion. You will get some great action and activity based photos which will add variety to your gallery. Bring items or props that represent who you are and what you like to do. This is where you can get creative and have some fun.
#4 Wardrobe DO’S
Curate a stunning wardrobe while keeping comfort, confidence, and coordination in mind.
ONE - Embrace Your Style with a Personal Touch:
Choose 2 or 3 outfits that showcase different facets of your personality, from casual and athletic to dressy or even inspired by school uniforms. Ensure you include at least one timeless outfit in your selection, characterized by its simple design and minimal patterns. This strategy allows you to reflect your unique identity across various photoshoot settings.
TWO - Balance Comfort, Confidence, and Appropriateness:
When selecting your outfits, aim for pieces that flatter your body shape and are comfortable for the photoshoot's demands, including movement and sitting poses. Opt for garments that fit well, highlighting your features without constriction, and avoid clothes that may become too short when sitting. Trying everything on well in advance will help you avoid last-minute wardrobe changes. Practical considerations, such as suitable footwear for walking and ensuring outfits are appropriately lengthy for sitting, are crucial.
Achieving a balance between personal style and comfort is essential for photographs that capture your confidence and essence beautifully.
THREE - Accessorize and Layer:
To easily change up your look without fully changing outfits, incorporate accessories and layers. These additions not only bring variety but also add texture, accent colors, and contrast to your photos. Experiment with hats, scarves, lightweight jackets, blazers, belts, statement jewelry, and hair accessories. Don't be afraid to playfully mix and match to add interest and showcase your personality in the portraits.
FOUR - Capture Movement and Grace:
Consider incorporating clothing with movement, such as full skirts or long flowing dresses. These pieces add an extra special feel to your images and provide opportunities for natural posing, like twirling or walking. With a touch of wind, your garments will come to life, giving your hands something to do and adding an elegant touch to your photos.
FIVE - Master Color to Highlight Your Best:
Select wardrobe colors that beautifully complement your complexion, guided by your skin's undertones—choose blues, purples, and greens for cool undertones, and oranges, reds, and earth tones for warm ones. Embrace experimenting with the depth and vibrancy of these colors through tints, tones, and shades, especially considering your eye, hair, and skin colors for a truly personalized palette. Remember, if a specific color consistently earns you compliments, it's a must-have in your photoshoot wardrobe. This approach ensures you shine in photos with colors that enhance your natural beauty.
SIX- Harmonize with the Location:
Ensure your clothing colors harmonize with the location while providing enough contrast to make you stand out. For instance, if your session takes place in a park, avoid excessive green in your attire. On the other hand, you can incorporate colors from the environment into your wardrobe, creating a cohesive and calming feel. Alternatively, incorporating colors from the location into your wardrobe will give the image a calming and cohesive feel. For example, wearing an ivory dress at the beach will allow you to become a part of the environment.
SEVEN - Undergarments Matter: Pay attention to the undergarments you'll be wearing with each outfit. Ensure that they are appropriate and won't be visible in the photographs. Check that bra straps are discreet and not distracting.
EIGHT - Don't Neglect Your Feet: While planning your outfits, don't forget to select footwear and socks that coordinate well with each ensemble. Your shoes and socks play an important role in completing the overall look. Consider the style, color, and comfort of your footwear to ensure they complement your outfits and add the finishing touch to your appearance.
NINE - Prepare for Weather and Unplanned Changes:
When choosing your outfits, consider the weather forecast, especially for outdoor shoots. Adapt your clothing selection to the expected conditions—layer up for cooler weather and choose breathable fabrics for warmth—to ensure you look and feel your best regardless of the climate. Additionally, packing a backup outfit is essential for addressing sudden weather changes, accidental spills, or last-minute decisions about your wardrobe. This preparation allows you to stay comfortable and focused on enjoying your photo session, confident that you're ready for any situation.
TEN - Lay Out and Tweak:
After picking your outfits, spread them out to take a good look at the big picture. Pause to check how well they go together and make any needed changes. Look at the colors, styles, and accessories to make sure they match the session's location. This is your chance to fine-tune and weave a unified visual narrative with your clothing choices. If you're up for it, sharing your outfit selection with your photographer could give you some expert insights into making your wardrobe pop.
and avoid these WARDROBE DONT’S
Uncomfortable Clothes:
Avoid anything that feels uncomfortable or makes you self-conscious. Clothing items with tight waistbands or uncomfortable shoes can impact your facial expressions and overall comfort, resulting in distractions and nuisances during the session. Choose outfits that prioritize your comfort and confidence, allowing you to radiate authenticity in your portraits.
Tan Lines:
Tan lines can draw attention away from your face and become noticeable distractions in your portraits. Opt for outfits that cover any tan lines to maintain a polished and cohesive look, ensuring that the focus remains on your radiant smile and captivating eyes.
Very Short Skirts and Shorts:
Opt for Modest Lengths: Steer clear of very short skirts and shorts as they may limit the number of poses that can be incorporated into your session.
Busy Patterns and Prints:
While patterns and prints can be eye-catching, it's best to avoid busy designs for at least one of your outfits. These intricate patterns can overpower the focus of your portraits and divert attention from you. Choose simple designs or solid colors to ensure that you remain the star of your portraits.
Fabrics that Wrinkle Easily:
To maintain a polished appearance, avoid fabrics that wrinkle easily, such as pure linen. Opt for fabrics that resist wrinkles, ensuring that your outfits look impeccable throughout the session.
Neon Colors:
Neon colors can be overpowering and steal attention away from your natural beauty. To create timeless and flattering portraits, avoid these vibrant hues. Instead, select more subdued color palettes that complement your skin tone and enhance your features.
Pale Pastels:
Very pale pastel shades may leave you looking washed-out in photographs. Instead, choose deeper pastel tones that add depth and vibrancy to your portraits.
Pure Black and Pure White:
Pure black and white can be challenging to photograph, as they tend to pull focus away from your face. Opt for creamy and warm whites, as well as various shades of gray, as stylish substitutes. If you still wish to incorporate black or white, consider wearing these colors at the waistline and below, allowing them to complement your overall look without overpowering your stunning features.
Professional Wardrobe Guidence:
For those who wish to add an extra layer of polish and sophistication to their session, working with Amy Quinn Hill Photography offers a unique advantage. She collaborates with a professional stylist, presenting a fantastic option for those looking to elevate their wardrobe selections. Should you opt for a touch more finesse, her professional styling service is a convenient and cost-effective upgrade that includes the luxury of personalized mood boards, exclusive shopping links, and expert wardrobe advice. This service is designed to enhance your session with an additional sprinkle of elegance and charm, ensuring your outfits perfectly capture your vision and style.
#5 Complete Your Look: Hair, Nails, and Makeup Tips for Flawless Portraits
Hair Styling Tips:
For a polished and glamorous look, consider getting a blowout the day of your session. If you plan on getting a haircut or trying a new style, do so at least two weeks before the session to allow your hair to settle. During the session, feel free to experiment with different hairstyles to achieve various looks. From wearing your hair down to putting it up or adding and removing hair accessories, versatility can add dimension and flair to your portraits.
Flawless Nails:
To ensure your hands and feet look their best, paint your nails or get a manicure and pedicure one to two days before the session. As many of your photos will have your hands close to your face, and your feet may be included in some shots, well-groomed nails are essential. Lighter polish colors tend to photograph best and can provide an elegant and timeless touch to your portraits.
Subtle Spray Tan Considerations:
If you're considering a spray tan, opt for a conservative approach and aim for a shade that is only one to two shades darker than your natural complexion. Avoid experimenting with spray tanning for the first time (or after a long break) right before your session. Instead, plan your tan in advance to allow for any adjustments or corrections if needed. Ideally, spend time outdoors to achieve a natural glow, but remember to wear sunscreen and be mindful of tan lines.
Enhancing Makeup:
Makeup should enhance your natural beauty rather than drastically change your appearance. Apply a slightly elevated amount compared to your everyday routine to highlight your eyes, lips, cheekbones, and even out your skin tone. Focus on accentuating your features while maintaining a fresh and natural look. If you're considering trying new colors or experimenting with a different makeup style, do so well before the session to ensure you feel comfortable and confident with your chosen look.
Pack Your Touch-up Kit:
To maintain your hair and makeup's pristine condition throughout the session, make sure to bring your essential makeup items and a hairbrush for on-the-spot adjustments. These essentials are perfect for smoothing out any stray hairs and keeping your look refined from start to finish. Moreover, consider bringing hair accessories to vary your hairstyle during the session, allowing you to shift your look to match your preferences, whether it's wearing your hair down, pulling it up, adding, or removing hair accessories for different styles.
And… just a few additional tips to ensure your senior session is just right.
Stay Hydrated:
In the days leading up to your session, make hydration a priority. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water each day. Staying hydrated will not only benefit your overall well-being but will also contribute to healthy-looking skin, giving you a radiant and refreshed appearance in your portraits.
Prioritize Rest:
Ensure you get plenty of rest, especially the night before your session. A good night's sleep will leave you feeling energized and ready to shine in front of the camera. By allowing yourself adequate rest, you'll be better equipped to enjoy the experience and showcase your natural beauty.
Mindful Sun Exposure:
Avoid excessive sun exposure before your session to prevent sunburn, redness, or peeling. Overexposure to the sun can lead to discomfort and affect the appearance of your skin in the photographs. Protect your skin by seeking shade, wearing appropriate sun protection, and being mindful of your sun exposure in the days leading up to your session.
Don't Stress Over Blemishes:
If you wake up with blemishes on the day of your session, don't worry. Minor imperfections can typically be removed during post-processing. Instead of stressing about them, focus on enjoying the experience and let the photographer take care of any touch-ups needed. Remember, your true beauty shines through, blemishes or not.
Spotless and Ironed Outfits with a Finishing Touch:
Ensure your outfits are both spotless and meticulously ironed. Use a lint brush to remove any unwanted particles, providing that extra level of detail to your attire. Invest time in preparing your outfits well in advance, guaranteeing they are in impeccable condition for your senior session.
Include a Loved One:
Consider inviting a family member or friend to accompany you during your session. Their presence can add to the overall experience, providing support and creating memorable moments that can be captured in a few photographs. Having someone you trust by your side can help you relax and enjoy the session even more.
Bring Your Favorite Music:
If the location permits, bring along your favorite music to add a lively and energetic atmosphere to the session. Music has the power to uplift and create a fun ambiance, allowing you to feel more comfortable and express your authentic self during the shoot.
Most Importantly:
Have fun and love yourself, reaching this milestone is something to celebrate.
With a passion for authenticity and a dedication to capturing genuine moments, I strive to create photographs that bring joy and leave a lasting impression. Provide you with an unforgettable experience and deliver images that resonate with your true self is my number one goal.
Amy Quinn Hill Photography specializes in Family Photography, both lifestyle and documentary, Senior Portrait Photography, Special Occasions and Personal Branding for creative entrepreneurs. Amy’s work has been published in newspapers, magazines and online. Amy serves the Charleston, SC area and beyond. Ready to book a session? Connect with Amy HERE!
