The Easiest Outfit Choice for Senior Pictures: The Little White Dress!

Deciding what to wear for senior pictures is no easy task, and sometimes it can be even tougher when us photographers recommend all kinds of different tips & tricks - try a pattern, but make sure it’s not too small! Wear a bright color, but make sure it’s not too fluorescent. Wear something you feel comfortable in, but make sure it’s also flattering!

While I do think all of those tips are important, I also think that sometimes it’s important to just have a few solid recommendations that anyone can follow. Enter: the white dress!

The “little white dress” (short white dress with short sleeves) has been trending in senior photos in recent years, and for good reason! There are so many reasons why a little white dress is a great choice for senior pictures.

IT PHOTOGRAPHS SO WELL

A white dress photographs beautifully, and white dresses come in all different styles, making them a flattering choice that helps the subject stand out from the background without being too in your face! The little white dress works with a variety of different backdrops (natural, urban, floral, historic, etc.) making it a great choice regardless of the location or background you choose for your photos!

IT’S CLASSIC & TIMELESS

White dresses are also classic & timeless. They may decrease or increase in popularity, but for the most part, they are a staple in many women’s wardrobes across generations.

…YET ALSO TRENDY

Right now, white dresses are so in for senior photos! So you have the added bonus of choosing a trendy piece for your senior session, while at the same time, having something that is so classic. It’s a win-win!

ALTERNATIVE IDEAS

Though the short white dress is what’s currently in, if you’re unsure if you want to go too trendy, try adding a twist to your white dress choice by:

• Choosing a longer length instead of a shorter one

• Choosing a dress with sleeves over something short sleeve

• Adding a different color shoe (other than neutral or white)

• Adding a different type of accessory

Below are a few of my seniors who have chosen the white dress option in recent years! Many of them purchased their dresses from Altar’d State or Francesca’s.

INTERESTED IN MORE SENIOR PHOTO CONTENT?

Check out the blog posts below!

Spring & Summer Senior Outfit Ideas & Inspiration (Girl Edition)

Spring is right around the corner, which means lots of beautiful, colorful, spring senior sessions! But, let’s be honest, here - one of the best and toughest parts of any senior session is figuring out what to wear. Am I right?? While an upcoming senior session may be a good excuse to head to your favorite local boutique, it can be frustrating not knowing what to wear with so many different options!

Today, I want to share some styling tips specific to spring and summer sessions for senior girls. Below, you’ll find a few ideas to say “yes” to, and a few you might want to consider passing on. Below these two categories, you’ll find a link to my senior spring & summer inspiration board for senior girls (which I update on the regular!), as well as some inspiration from past JHP seniors. But above any of these ideas, make sure you feel comfortable in whatever you choose to wear for your senior session. Confidence in front of the camera can be hampered whenever you’re not fully sold on (or comfortable in) what you’re wearing!

Also, if you’ve never worn the outfit before that you’re thinking about wearing for your senior session, be sure to take it out for a test spin! I’ve had many a senior not realize until after they were 45 minutes away from home that their outfit had a major problem… like a shirt that was a bit too low, or pants that wouldn’t stay up, because they had never worn that particular dress/shirt/jacket before!

And without further ado, here are my top styling tips for senior girls!

SAY YES TO…

• Bright colors - I LOVE bright colors for spring senior sessions! Whether you choose a bright top or colorful sundress, your brightly colored outfit will most likely compliment the new spring blooms beautifully! 🌷

• Neutrals - As much as I love bright colors, there’s something sophisticated about some well coordinated neutrals. For example - white dresses are classic and pretty much never go out of style!

• Floral or Other Patterns - Floral patterns for the spring are always a hit! Whether you go with a top, sundress, or maxi dress (my personal fave!), floral patterns (and even other patterns) work well to make someone “pop” off of the background of an image with a simple background.

• Maxi Dresses/Skirts - Maxi dresses and skirts are oh-so beautiful in the spring and summer! They’re light and breezy and do a wonderful job of naturally elongating the body in photos! Plus… they’re fun to twirl! 💃

• White Jeans - White jeans are a great compliment to a brightly colored or patterned top. They’re sleek and give a bit of an upscale look!

• Summer Accessories - Sunglasses, kimonos, hats, oh my! Throwing in a weather-appropriate accessory or two for a few shots is always fun and adds some more variety!

• Bare Feet - Not sure what kind of shoes to wear? Bare feet give an earthy, natural feel to your session - so if you’re feeling brave, skip the shoes!

CONSIDER PASSING ON…

• Fluorescent Colors - Neon colors don’t tend to photograph quite so well, so pass on any colors that are a bit too fluorescent (not to be confused with the aforementioned bright colors - examples below!).

• Super Short Shorts and Dresses - Shorts and dresses are totally fine (and encouraged!), but sometimes when they get way too short, they’re tough to move around in and aren’t super flattering in photos!

• Too Many Heavy Layers - There are few things more uncomfortable then being bundled up in 90 degree weather for an hour and a half while getting your photo taken! Wearing too many layers in the summer particularly can result in lots of sweaty portraits - so be careful how many layers you add particularly for really hot days!

A FEW MORE RESOURCES:

If you’re looking for some more help preparing for your senior session, check out the posts below!

• When to Have Your Senior Photos Taken

• 4 Tips for Preparing for Your Senior Photo Session

• 4 Ways to Add More “Umph” to Your Senior Photo Outfits!