What to Wear for Senior Portraits: Style Tips to Feel Confident and Look Your Best!

Jordan Zeller
Jul 30
4 min read

Hi there, I'm Jordan, a portrait photographer specializing in families, newborns and seniors! I lived most of my life in Colorado, but now call Bowling Green, Kentucky my home! While I grew up in the mountains and snow, I am not sure I can leave the beautiful hills of the south! I travel constantly back home to Littleton, Colorado to capture families and seniors alike!

Your senior photos should feel like you—natural, comfortable, and stylish in a way that reflects your personality. But choosing the right outfits can feel like a lot. What colors look best on camera? How many outfits should you bring? Should you go casual or dressy?

Don’t worry—I've got you covered. After photographing dozens of senior sessions in Colorado and Kentucky, I’ve pulled together my favorite senior style tips to help you feel confident and ready to shine in front of the camera!

Highlands Ranch Mansion in Colorado makes for a beautiful backdrop for a classy and Princess feel to your portraits.

1. Choose Outfits That Feel Like You

This is the #1 tip. If you wouldn’t wear it to hang out with friends or go to an event you care about, skip it. Your senior photos aren’t about trends or trying to look like someone else—they’re about celebrating you at this exciting moment in your life.

Think about what outfits make you feel confident, put-together, and most like yourself.

Additional thought; bring items (or people or your fur baby) that define your personality with you to your session! These "props" should show what means the most to you during this time! This could mean your beloved Bible, your car (make sure to give a good car wash before the session), your senior jacket, a football or soccer, or your uniform! There is no limit to what you can bring with you! Fisher, from Bowling Green Kentucky, picture below, brought his senior jacket and his four-legged friend with him to his senior session. I quickly became obsessed with that cute fur ball!

Hayla, on a flower farm near Bowling Green, Kentucky, brought her beloved Bible with me that she reads every night. It is blesses my heart to hear about your faith journey!

2. Bring Variety: One Casual, One Dressy

I always recommend bringing 2-3 outfits:

One casual: think jeans, a flowy top, or your favorite band tee with sneakers.
One dressy: a beautiful dress, button-down shirt with slacks, or something a little more polished.
Optional third: an outfit that represents a passion—sports jersey, letterman jacket, dance costume, or even something faith-based like your favorite cross necklace or Bible.

3. Stick With Solid Colors and Simple Patterns

Neutral tones and rich colors (like emerald green, burnt orange, navy, or cream) photograph beautifully—especially in natural light and mountain backdrops. Loud prints or neon colors can distract from your face.

Pro tip: Earthy tones always pop against Colorado’s golden fall light or mountain greens.

Ava, in Colorado, chose the most beautiful emerald dress for her fall senior session.

4. Layers and Textures Add Interest

A denim jacket, cardigan, or hat can elevate your outfit without trying too hard. Textures like lace, knit, or corduroy add visual depth, especially in fall sessions. Layers are great if the weather shifts mid-session, and they give you flexibility without a full outfit change.

Ava planned out the perfect out that showed her personality well, combined with with soft and solid colors and layers with her cardigan.

5. Don’t Forget Shoes and Accessories

Your shoes will show in some photos—so choose something clean and comfortable. Avoid anything too bold unless it’s part of your vibe.

Jewelry, hair accessories, and props (like a Bible, books, or sports gear) are great ways to personalize your photos.

6. Iron or Steam Ahead of Time

This is super important! Wrinkled clothes can’t be fixed in editing—so give everything a quick iron or steam the night before. Hang your outfits up and keep them neat when bringing them to your session.

In the foothills of Colorado at Mt. Falcon, a beautiful white dress popped against the colors of the mountains and wild flowers.

7. Hair + Makeup: Natural is Best

You don’t have to go glam unless that’s your style! Most seniors go for a natural makeup look that just enhances what’s already there. For hair, loose curls, straightened strands, or natural texture all look amazing. Just avoid trying something brand new the day of your shoot.

Final Thoughts

The best photos come when you feel comfortable, confident, and at ease. Choose outfits that reflect your personality, and trust me to guide you through the session with natural poses and movement that feel true to you.

We’ll laugh, we’ll explore a beautiful location, and you’ll walk away with images that look and feel like you.