What to wear for your senior photos in alaska? for girls
Your senior photos are about YOU — your personality, your style, your interests, and who you are during this exciting season of your life.
One of the biggest questions I get before a senior session is, “What should I wear?”
The short answer? Wear something that makes you feel confident and feels like you.
You don't need to completely change your style just because you're having professional photos taken. Your senior gallery should have variety, but when you look back at these photos years from now, I still want you to recognize the person in them.
Here are some of my favorite tips for planning your senior session wardrobe in Alaska.
How many outfits should i bring?
This will depend on the senior collection you choose and how much time we have together.
When choosing your outfits, think about creating variety rather than simply bringing several versions of the same look.
A great combination might include:
casual
Your everyday style. Jeans, a favorite top, sweater, flannel, sneakers — whatever feels most like you.
elevated
A dress, skirt, jumpsuit, button-down, slacks, nice jacket, boots or another outfit that feels a little more elevated.
Statement
Have something amazing that you don't get many opportunities to wear? Bring it! A prom dress, dramatic dress, suit, favorite jacket or another outfit with a little extra personality can create some incredible senior portraits.
personal
This is where we show off what makes you YOU. Your letterman jacket, sports uniform, instrument, dance attire, favorite band shirt, cultural clothing, college gear or something connected to a hobby or interest.
You don't need an outfit from every category. These are simply ideas to help you create variety.
dress
for
your
location
Alaska gives us some pretty incredible backdrops, and your session location should play a part in choosing your wardrobe.
A flowy dress can look beautiful surrounded by mountains and tall grass. Denim, sweaters, boots and earthy colors work wonderfully in natural locations. A structured jacket, dressier outfit or more fashion-forward look can be perfect for an urban setting.
And remember — this is Alaska.
Even a beautiful summer evening can get chilly, windy or change quickly. Bring a jacket or warm layer that you can throw on between photos, even if we aren't planning to photograph you in it.
If we're doing any walking or exploring, bring comfortable shoes for getting to our location. You can always change into your photo shoes once we're there.
Choosing colors!
There really isn't one perfect color everyone should wear.
I want you to choose colors that you love wearing and feel good in.
Neutrals, earth tones and deeper colors photograph beautifully against Alaska's scenery. Think cream, camel, brown, olive, rust, burgundy, navy, forest green, denim and rich jewel tones.
Lighter colors can be beautiful too, especially during spring and summer.
One thing to be cautious with is neon. Extremely bright colors can compete for attention and sometimes reflect color onto your skin. That doesn't mean we can never use them — if neon is part of your personality or the look you're going for, let's plan around it!
patterns are okay!
You don't have to wear solid colors for your entire session.
Plaid, florals, stripes and other patterns can photograph beautifully. The trick is creating balance.
If you're wearing something with a bold pattern, consider keeping the rest of the outfit simpler so the pattern doesn't compete with you.
Most importantly, if you absolutely LOVE something when you put it on, don't automatically rule it out because it has a pattern.
adding some texture!
Texture is one of the easiest ways to make a simple outfit photograph beautifully.
Think:
Knits • Denim • Corduroy • Linen • Crochet • Lace • Ruffles • Leather • Wool • Faux Fur
This is especially great for Alaska fall and winter senior sessions. A simple outfit can become much more interesting just by adding a textured sweater, jacket or layer.
layers = more!
Layers are your friend!
A jacket, cardigan, flannel, overshirt, sweater or vest can completely change the look of an outfit without using valuable session time for another full wardrobe change.
We can photograph an outfit one way, add a layer for another look, and remove it again.
don't forget your shoes!
Yes — your shoes will probably make it into your photos!
Choose shoes that complement each outfit and make sure they're clean and photo-ready.
If your favorite shoes aren't exactly made for walking through an Alaska field, trail or rocky area, that's completely fine. Bring comfortable walking shoes and we'll change when we get where we're going.
Also think about the little things that might show — including your socks!
accessories can change everything
Jewelry, watches, belts, hats, scarves and sunglasses can add personality and finish an outfit.
You don't necessarily have to wear every accessory for your entire session. Sometimes we'll add something for just a few photographs and then take it away.
Bring options!
bring what makes you, you
Your senior session doesn't have to be only about clothing.
Think about the things that represent this chapter of your life.
Sports equipment.
Letterman jacket.
Instrument.
Books.
Art.
Dance.
Cowboy boots.
Your vehicle.
College gear.
A hobby.
Your pet.
If something is important to you, tell me about it!
We can talk about whether and how we can incorporate it into your session.
make sure you can move
Here's one of the easiest ways to test an outfit before your session:
Put it on and move around.
Sit down. Walk. Bend. Raise your arms. Turn around. Look at yourself from the front, back and sides.
Your senior session isn't going to consist of standing perfectly still in one pose. We'll walk, sit, lean, laugh and move.
If you're constantly pulling something up, pulling it down or adjusting it at home, you'll probably be doing the same thing during your session.
Choose clothing that makes you feel confident from every angle.
hair, makeup & grooming
Whether you love full glam or barely wear makeup, the goal is still the same:
Look like yourself.
If you're having your hair or makeup professionally done, I recommend choosing a look that enhances your features rather than something completely different from how you normally see yourself.
And because we're photographing outdoors in Alaska, remember that wind happens! If you know flyaways or windblown hair will bother you, plan your hairstyle accordingly and bring whatever products you normally use for touch-ups.
A few other details to remember:
• Clean, neat nails — your hands WILL show in photos.
• Moisturize your skin and lips.
• Bring your favorite lip product for touch-ups.
• Avoid trying brand-new skincare products immediately before your session.
• Remove temporary hair ties from your wrist before we start.
the little details matter
Before leaving for your session:
✓ Steam or iron your clothes.
✓ Remove tags and stickers.
✓ Clean your shoes.
✓ Check your nails.
✓ Make sure you have the right undergarments for each outfit.
✓ Empty your pockets — phones, keys and wallets create noticeable bulges.
✓ Bring accessories organized with the outfits they belong to.
✓ Put outfits on hangers whenever possible instead of folding them into a bag.
can't decide? bring it!
If you're stuck between two tops, can't decide which shoes look better, or aren't sure whether something will photograph well...
Bring it with you!
I'd much rather have a few extra options available than have you leave something you love at home.
We can look through your choices together and decide what works best with your location, the weather, the light and the overall look we're creating.
Most importantly, don't stress about creating the “perfect” wardrobe.
Your clothes are only one part of your senior photos.
You are the most important part.
Come ready to have fun, laugh, explore a little and celebrate everything that makes this senior year yours.
— Elayne
Elayner's Photography