Life Through The Eyes Of My Camera Lens

So you’ve booked your Photo Session and now the fun part of planning what to wear starts.  You open up your closet . . . and go completely blank.  You call your bestie for advice,  but you’re still not sure what will look best in your photos.  Are these photos even going to turn out good if you can’t even figure out what you are going to wear??

Relax . . . this is something that I can help with!!   If you chose me as your Senior Portrait Photographer, we already talked a little bit about what to wear, so you can refer to your Welcome Packet!  If, however, you are reading this and you haven’t gotten your Welcome Packet from me yet (or you chose a different photographer) . . . I’ll let you in on a few tips that will help you knock your Senior Portrait Session out of the park!

Let’s start with the basics:  Colors!  There are 3 colors that will look good on anyone, no matter your hair, eye, or skin color.  They are Navy, Teal, and Purple.  Seriously . . . these colors look good on EVERYONE! In my color guide, there are different colors that will look best on you based on your hair & eye color . . . but anyone can rock these colors!!!  

Now here are come colors to avoid and limit:  

Don’t get me wrong . . . I love bright colors.  They just don’t look good on camera because they are SO bright that the color tends to reflex onto your skin . . . which does not look good in your final photos.  In the same respect, if you choose to wear Black or White, just be sure to wear another pop of color as an accent.

Now that you have an idea on what colors to wear . . . let’s talk more about fashion! Whatever you choose to wear in the end, make sure it’s YOUR style, which speaks to who YOU are!

For my lovely ladies:  

Dresses and skirts look the most stunning because they really flatter every female body.  I recommend mixing it up!  Pants, shorts, rompers, and saying yes to a dress or two for your session.  Long, full-length, flowy dresses and skirts look amazing on camera because they bring extra movement to the photos.  Especially when combined with nature, like fields & forests.  Consider softer fabrics like chiffon or tulle which allow for beautiful movement in the images.

High Heels or Pumps elongate ladies legs, making them look fabulous. Closed-toed heels in particular look great on camera because they carry out the line of your leg all the way down to your toe.  If your toes are showing in a peep-toe heel, you might want to schedule a pedicure before your session so you don’t regret letting your feet show.

In my experience, every woman, regardless of her shape has an area of her body that she’s self-conscious about, so recognizing what area that is in advance is key.  Choosing flattering silhouettes and colors that complement your natural features is the best way to ensure you’ll love the way you look in your photos.

Three-quarter length sleeves create an awesome slimming effect on all arms, so be on the lookout for an option with a longer length sleeve.  You could also bring a cute jacket, blazer or cardigan along too.  Skinny straps or strapless dresses have the opposite effect on arms on camera, so I recommend avoiding those whenever possible if your goal is a set of slimmer-looking arms.

With that in mind, here are the TOP TRENDS right now:

Monochromatic

Floral or Floral-ish

Pattern (plaid or stripes)

Themed or Extra Stylized

Dress or Romper

These little tricks make all the difference!  If you are still looking for some ideas, you can check out my Pinterest Board for Senior Girls Outfit Ideas!

For my handsome gentlemen:

Long, fitted pants and closed-toed shoes are the most sophisticated and masculine looks for men. They draw attention away from your legs and feet and place it where you want it: on your handsome face.  So, for your session, it’s best to leave the shorts, sandals and jeans at home ~ as well as any pants that are loose or baggy. Fitted dress pants, fitted colored pants, or jeans work best on camera.  I recommend staying away from graphics and logos on your t-shirts, unless you have them as an “under layer”.

Layers on men look great on camera, so even when it’s hot outside, trust me when I say that it’s worth a little bit of discomfort for photos that will last you a lifetime.  Adding another layer will bring extra dimension and visual interest to your photos.  Jackets, vests, coats, and even zip up hoodies can increase the level of any look.  If the temperature permits, he could even consider adding a v-neck sweater with a pop of color from a long-sleeved collared shirt and tie underneath. Don’t be afraid to get a little creative with layers!  Guys, when it comes to the full dress suit . . . GO FOR IT!  Not only will you look amazing, but what a great shot to use for your college ID photo that you will soon need!

Whatever you choose to wear, make sure you are dressing head to toe!  Those little details really do matter . . . so please don’t wear athletic socks with your dress shoes!  If you’re looking for some ideas on how to put an outfit together or what colors will look good together, you can check out my Senior Guy Outfit Guide!

As a reminder, don’t forget to get schedule for your haircut (for guys I recommend 2 weeks prior to your photo session).  Ladies, don’t forget about your nails, brows, and make-up!  A lot of make-up artist book up fast with weddings, so get scheduled as soon as you know your photo session date.  If you are still struggling with what to wear, please feel free to Contact me!

xoxo,

Mindy 🙂