What to Wear for Senior Portraits: A Complete Guide for Seniors

By Inland Empire Senior Photographer John-Paul Wolf

Choosing what to wear for your senior portraits can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Your senior photos should feel like you: confident, expressive, and timeless. I’ll walk you through exactly what to wear for senior pictures so you look (and feel) amazing the entire session.

Start With This: Wear What Feels Like You

Your senior portraits should reflect your real personality and not what you think you’re “supposed” to wear.

When you’re comfortable, you move naturally. When you move naturally, I get real emotion. That’s how we create bold and fun senior photos that actually feel like you.

Ask yourself:

• Do I love how I look in this?

• Can I move in it?

• Does this feel like my real style — just elevated?

If the answer isn’t yes, skip it.

When Thinking About What To Wear for Senior Portraits, Choose 3–5 Outfits (No More)

You can bring more if you want, but you don’t want to spend your whole session changing outfits instead of getting great images.

Here’s a perfect outfit lineup:

1. A solid-color dress or button-up and slacks

White is the classic senior photo look, but bold colors are incredible too like navy, emerald, burgundy, soft pinks, even black. Movement creates emotion and makes your portraits more dynamic.

2. Your most “you” outfit, just elevated

Think: your best everyday look + accessories, layers, and nicer clean shoes.

3. Jeans + a solid top

This combo never misses. Jeans (shorts or pants) plus a simple blouse or top works at nearly every Inland Empire senior portrait location.

4. Optional: A statement outfit

Bring one bold, fun, personality-exploding look. Fashion-forward dress, vibrant color, unique texture this can be the star piece of your gallery.

Outfits Pieces That Always Photograph Beautifully

These are the pieces that work every single time:

• Solid color dresses (not shiny, not clingy)

• Neutral tops with jeans

• Simple, clean shoes that match the outfit

• Letterman jackets

• School shirts or sweatshirts for a few memorable images

• Dance outfits, sports uniforms, or performance clothing if they show your passion

Outfit Mistakes to Avoid

These are the things that seem small but can limit your posing and drop the quality of your portraits:

1. Outfits that are too short, tight, or low-cut

If you can’t sit, walk, or move freely, it limits your posing and leads to stress. You should feel confident and not worried about adjusting clothing between shots.

2. Dirty or mismatched shoes

Trust me: your shoes will be in photos. Bring clean, cohesive footwear for each look.

3. Distracting patterns or shiny fabrics

Shiny polyester reflects light badly. Loud patterns steal the attention away from you. Stick to cotton, textures, or solid colors for clean, timeless images.

Hair & Makeup That Works

My go-to recommendation:

• Natural makeup that enhances your features you can go with a touch of glam is you like but just a touch

• Hair down and styled photographs softer and more flattering than pulled back

Keep it simple. Keep it polished. Keep it you.

Match Your Outfits to Your Locations

I photograph senior portraits all over the Inland Empire — nature preserves, downtown Riverside, parks, the desert, the beach and outfits that fit the setting always elevate the entire gallery.

A few quick examples:

• Nature/greenery: soft neutrals, denim, earthy tones

• Urban: blacks, deep colors, layers, jackets

• Beach: flowing dresses, soft colors, barefoot options

• Desert: bold colors for contrast

You don’t have to match your location — sometimes a bold contrast is the point — but you should be intentional.

What About Cap & Gown?

I recommend keeping cap & gown photos separate from your main senior portrait session.

When seniors tie outfits to graduation timing, they end up waiting until the last minute — which limits good lighting, weather, and availability.

If you do bring a cap & gown:

• Wear a top that complements the gown color

• Or wear a college shirt underneath for a clean, meaningful look

Case Study: How Delany Nailed Her Senior Outfits

Delany brought a perfect mix:

• A deep blue dress that paired beautifully with fall colors

• A dance outfit with ballet shoes to highlight her passion

• Jeans + a white top (with her letterman jacket)

• Jeans + a black long-sleeve top for casual portraits

Her gallery felt complete — personality, passion, timelessness, and variety.

This is exactly why choosing the right outfits matters.

Prep Like a Pro

Before your session, do this:

• Steam or iron every outfit because wrinkles are distracting

• Try on each outfit and make sure you can move

• Make sure shoes are clean

• Send me photos or a Pinterest board — I always give feedback

• Pack accessories in a small tote so nothing gets forgotten

Confident prep leads to confident portraits.

Final Tip: Choose Confidence

The best senior portrait outfits aren’t about labels or trends, they’re about confidence.

If you feel good in what you’re wearing, it shows. If you can move, we can create better poses. If the outfit feels you, your senior portraits will feel authentic.

That’s how we create bold, timeless, emotional images you’ll love for years.

If you are ready to start planning your own session contact me