Styling Tips
For Her
Your senior photos should feel like you—stylish, confident, and effortlessly beautiful. In this guide, you’ll get quick, experience-backed tips on planning outfits you’ll love, prepping your hair and skin for the camera, and showing up totally ready to shine. A little planning = a lot of photo magic.
Plan Your Outfits Like a Pro
Your senior session is all about showcasing you—your personality, your style, and this moment in time. Thoughtful outfit planning not only makes your shoot run smoothly but also ensures that each look feels intentional and flattering.
Start with two to four outfits that reflect different sides of your personal style—and choose them intentionally, since each outfit change takes time. Think through the looks you love most, but also ask yourself: Can I sit, stand, and move freely in this? Comfort is your top priority—whether you’re lounging on a city bench or twirling in a field, you want to feel at ease and confident. Start by picking a go-to casual look (think jeans and your favorite top) that lets you walk and sit without fuss. Consider a dressy outfit (like a flattering jumpsuit or skirt-and-blouse combo) that still feels soft against your skin, and perhaps a fun third look—a flowy maxi dress or patterned romper that sways in the breeze. If you do choose a fourth, let it be a meaningful piece (your team jersey, a cozy sweater, or a bold statement jacket) that tells your story.
When selecting your pieces, think beyond style to color. Earthy tones like olive, mustard, and rust pop beautifully against fall foliage, while soft pastels such as blush, mint, and lavender pair perfectly with spring blooms. Timeless neutrals—white, cream, navy, gray—work in any setting, and solid or subtly patterned garments keep the focus on you. Avoid overly bright colors or large logos that can distract the eye and cast unflattering color casts.
Once your core look and colors are set, layering and accessories become your secret weapons for getting fresh outfits without hauling a huge wardrobe. Throw a cozy flannel over your favorite jeans-and-tee combo for a relaxed, effortless vibe—then ditch the flannel and add a cute cropped sweater or knit vest for a totally different mood. Swap simple sneakers for a pair of chunky platform shoes or ankle boots to instantly elevate a casual look. You can even mix elements across outfits: wear the top from your dressy look with a pair of high-waisted shorts from your casual set, then switch the accessories (think layered necklaces, statement earrings, or a favorite hat) to make it feel brand new. By thinking in terms of layers, accessories, and mix-and-match moments—rather than full outfit swaps—you’ll keep your session dynamic and on-the-go, with each frame showing a different side of your style.
QUICK TIP:
Plan to arrive early to your session.
The golden hour glow won't wait!
Polished, Not Perfect:
Beauty Prep Tips
Your senior session is a celebration of who you are—so the goal isn’t to look different, it’s to feel like the best version of yourself. A little prep before your shoot can go a long way in helping you feel confident, relaxed, and ready to shine in front of the camera. These simple beauty and grooming tips are based on years of experience and will help your session run smoothly while keeping the focus where it should be—on you.
Start with Skin that Feels as Good as it Looks
Skin prep starts a few days before your session. Glowing, healthy skin photographs beautifully—and you don’t need fancy products to get there. Start drinking extra water a week before your session; it really does make a visible difference in your skin's tone and texture. Stick to your usual skincare routine, and avoid trying new masks, peels, or products right before your session (they could cause irritation or breakouts). Instead, gently exfoliate your face 1–2 days before your shoot to smooth texture and help makeup go on more evenly. Moisturize based on your skin type and bring along blotting papers or a bit of powder if you’re prone to shine—especially in warm weather.
Makeup, Hair and the Details That Pull It All Together
Professional makeup is optional. Some seniors love getting their makeup done professionally, and it can help you feel a little extra polished (plus, no stress about doing it yourself). If you go this route, let your artist know you're doing a natural light photo session—ask for a look that enhances, not overpowers. If you’re more comfortable doing your own makeup, aim for a slightly more elevated version of your everyday look. Natural light softens features, so a little extra blush, brow definition, and mascara helps your face stand out in the best way. Avoid foundations with SPF, which can reflect light oddly, and choose matte or satin finishes that reduce shine and flashback.
Nails may seem small—but they show up in close-ups. Whether you do them yourself, or get a salon manicure, make sure nails are clean, fresh, and not chipped. Soft neutrals like pinks, whites, or French tips are timeless and won’t clash with your outfits. If bold nails are your thing, own it—just keep them clean and coordinated.
Hair should look like you—just a little more polished. If you wear it straight, add a slight wave for bounce. If you wear curls, smooth them out or add shape. No need to go full glam unless that’s your style. Just be sure your style can handle outdoor conditions like wind or humidity. If you’re planning a cut or color touch-up, do it at least a week before so it looks natural and settled.
Don’t forget the small stuff: shave, tweeze, and moisturize arms, hands, knees, and elbows if you want smoother skin in up-close shots. And unless you’re super confident in your self-tanner, skip it the week of your shoot—even a small streak or orange tint will show in natural light. Hydrate your lips with balm in the days leading up to your session for soft, smooth smiles.
Your Confidence Is the Real Glow
These tips are here to help you feel your best, not to change who you are. Whether you go for glam or keep things totally natural, confidence is your best accessory. Prepping ahead of time helps reduce stress, so that on the day of your shoot, all you have to do is show up, have fun, and let your personality shine.
QUICK TIP:
If you wear glasses, consider anti-glare lenses or bringing a lens-less pair to reduce reflections in photos.
The Secret to a Stress-Free Senior Session
Showing up to your senior session relaxed, prepared, and ready to go makes all the difference—not just for how your photos turn out, but for how fun and stress-free the experience feels. A little bit of preparation the night before can go a long way, especially when you're juggling multiple outfits, locations, and maybe a little bit of nervous energy.
Start by packing everything you need the night before. Lay out your full outfits, including shoes and accessories, and make sure everything is steamed or ironed if needed. Pack your clothes in the order you plan to wear them, so changes are quick and easy. A small bag with touch-up items—like lip balm, powder, bobby pins, a comb, deodorant, and safety pins—is a lifesaver. And don’t forget a water bottle and a light snack to keep your energy up, especially if we’ll be walking between locations or out in the sun for a while.
Plan to leave early. Like, earlier than you think. Even if you’re the most punctual person in your group chat, aim to leave at least 10–15 minutes ahead of schedule. Why? Because we’re working with natural light, and the sun doesn’t wait. If your session starts at 6:00 p.m. and you show up at 6:10, that’s 10 fewer minutes of the dreamy golden hour light we can use to capture the magic. We don’t get to "add time back in" later—so arriving early gives us the best chance to hit all your planned locations and outfits while the light is still beautiful. Trust me: the extra few minutes of buffer time are always worth it. If you're not wearing your first outfit to the session, arrive in something comfortable that you can easily change out of. We’ll start as soon as you're ready, and I’ll guide you through everything from there—posing, where to look, what to do with your hands—so you never have to guess. And if you’re feeling a little nervous, that’s completely normal! Most seniors start off unsure of what to expect, but I promise the first few minutes are just warm-up time. Once we’re chatting, moving, and shooting, you’ll ease right into it.
You don’t need to know how to pose. You just need to show up ready to have fun. Real smiles, movement, and candid in-between moments always photograph better than stiff, over-posed shots. Your only job is to relax and be yourself—I'll take care of the rest.
Finally, don’t stress if the wind picks up or a cloud rolls in. I shoot entirely with natural light, which means we’re working with whatever the day gives us—and that’s part of what makes your photos unique. If we need to pause or shift to a different background, I’ll guide the way. What’s most important is that you’re present, feeling confident, and ready to celebrate this amazing milestone with photos that reflect you.
And if you’re still feeling a little nervous, here’s a tip I absolutely love—bring your best friend along. You’ve spent so many moments laughing together, and that comfort shows instantly in your photos. Just having them there to hype you up, crack a few inside jokes, and make you laugh between shots can melt away any lingering nerves.
QUICK TIP:
Bring a pair of flats for when you move between locations.
You feet will thank you later!
