Updated September 2025

Senior Guys What to Wear Shopping Guide click here

Senior Girls What to Wear Shopping Guide click here

So you’ve booked your session with your senior photographer, but now you’re wondering what to wear? Well, look no further, we have a few tips and some inspo to get you started!

What to Wear for your Senior Photo Session

1. Start by choosing two or three outfits. For girls, this usually starts with a top or dress, and for guys, a shirt, that you can build around. If you’re needing some inspiration you can browse through our Senior Guys guide and Senior Girls guide with curated collections of shoppable links of items that will photograph well. Your outfit change could be as simple as bringing an extra shirt or jacket to pop on for a few images, or you could do an entirely different look from head to toe. If you’re working with us, we do offer full styling, or just a second opinion if you need some guidance. We’re happy to let you know how your garments will photograph and what you you might add or subtract. Text us a photo!

2. Most importantly, make sure everything is clean and WRINKLE-FREE the day before. Bring your items to the dry cleaner at least 3 days prior and don’t forget to retrieve them before your session. Wrinkles simply do not look good, there’s no way around it!

3. Don’t forget to pack any accessories you’ll want for each outfit like jewelry, scarves, hats, ties, etc. And remember to bring matching socks, shoes, and undergarments for each outfit if one pair won’t go with everything. It’s best to lay this all out the night before!

Hair, Makeup, and Skincare Tips for your Senior Photo Session

4. If you want to get your hair cut, do it about one or two weeks prior to your session – not the day before! This is not the time to drastically change your hair from your normal style –you may end up disappointed. Ask your hair stylist to show you some easy styles you can recreate yourself if you want to switch it up a bit and need some help.

5. If you wear makeup, practice application leading up to your session, so you can get it just right the day of. You can also consider booking an appointment with a professional makeup artist. If you’re interested in photo-ready hair & makeup tips with shoppable links to our favorite products you can find them here.

6. If you wake up with some acne the day of, don’t worry. And don’t pick at it, which will potentially make it worse. For the ladies, apply some makeup over the area (not too heavy) and leave it at that. For the guys, don’t worry, we do offer retouching, including blemish removal. We can take care of your skin in post-processing. No problem!

7. If you want to get a manicure, that you CAN do the day before your session. Don’t forget that the color should be more understated than not, and match all of your outfits. Bright neon nails are probably best saved for another day!

Props for your Senior Photo Session, and the one thing not to forget!

8. While you’re at it, if you plan on bringing any props – your favorite book, instrument, sports gear, or any items of sentimental value, etc., go ahead and lay those out the night before, too. (We’re no kidding about the night before part!)

9. If you’re not already a selfie-expert, maybe practice a bit in the mirror. We’ll guide you through absolutely everything you’ll need to do at your session, but it never hurts to know your best angles and have a few tricks up your sleeve.

10. Finally, and maybe most importantly, prepare to put your best smile forward and brush your teeth! You will be smiling, laughing, and chatting during your session, and your teeth WILL show. Those little food bits left over from lunch or your afternoon snack will be obvious, so take the extra step of scrubbing those pearly whites! Then, apply some type of lip balm or chapstick. Flaky, dry lips are not a great look for anyone, so a little moisture from a lip product will go a long way.

Work in these 10 tips and you’ll be well on your way to some amazing senior pictures!

You can view some examples from our Senior sessions HERE.

And please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions about your upcoming Senior session at hello@kidlettephoto.com

Kidlette is a full-service photographer specializing in high school senior, family, headshots & brand storytelling sessions, serving Metro Detroit – including Rochester Hills, Birmingham, Bloomfield, Grosse Pointe, Michigan & beyond.