What to Wear for Senior Photos: Tips from a Massachusetts Senior Photographer
Let’s be honest, most teens don’t love getting their photo taken. But with the right prep (and the right photographer 😉), your child’s senior photo session can actually feel fun, easy, and completely stress-free!
As a senior portrait photographer serving Northern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire, I work with parents every year who want photos that capture their senior’s personality and actually get them excited to be in front of the camera.
One of the most common questions I get is: What should they wear?
So let’s walk through a few easy tips that will help your senior feel confident, look great, and walk away with photos your whole family will love!
1. Bring Two Outfits to Show Off Their Personality
The goal is to capture who they are right now, in a way that feels authentic and natural, not stiff or overly posed. That’s why I always recommend bringing two outfits:
One dressy or polished look (a dress, button-down, blazer, or clean jeans and a blouse)
One casual outfit that really feels like them, whether it’s a favorite tee, a cozy hoodie, or well-worn sneakers
This gives us a chance to show both sides of their style and personality, while also adding variety to the final gallery.
Pro tip: We’ll talk through outfit choices ahead of time so they coordinate with the location. For example, if we’re in the fall foliage of Tewksbury or Dracut, rich, earthy tones work beautifully. If it’s a spring session with beautiful florals nearby, bold colors can really help them complement the scenery around them!
2. Be Cautious with Short Dresses
Some outfit choices (like very short dresses or skirts) can limit how we shoot certain poses, especially anything sitting or movement-based. If your senior isn’t sure, I always suggest doing a “can I sit comfortably in this?” check before the session. I’ll guide them through flattering poses that feel natural, but it helps to start with outfits they feel confident and comfortable in.
3. Match the Location to the Look
Every session includes a planning chat where we’ll choose the best location based on your senior’s personality and preferences. Whether it’s an open field in Southern NH, a grungy wall in downtown Lowell, or a special location that means a lot to your senior near the water, I’ll help guide the wardrobe choices so they work beautifully with the scenery!
4. Nerves Are Totally Normal
It’s completely normal for your teen to feel awkward in front of the camera at first, but don’t worry, that’s my job! I give tons of direction during the session so they’re never wondering what to do with their hands. Most of my clients leave saying, “That was actually fun!” and the photos speak for themselves.
Ready to Learn More?
Whether you’re in Dracut, Lowell, Tewksbury, or anywhere across Northern Massachusetts or Southern New Hampshire, I’m here to make senior portraits something your whole family can get excited about. From detailed planning to relaxed, expert posing, I make the process fun and easy, while delivering frame-worthy images you’ll treasure.
Click here to reach out to me and we’ll work together to make sure this is one of the most memorable parts of senior year!
