Hello There!

I have put together this ultimate style guide to help you plan for your senior session. It is to your advantage to be prepared and look your best that day. With so much to think about... I have prepared this guide to take the guess out of the getting ready part! In this guide, you will find information on what to wear and what not to wear.

Show Your Style

Perfect Outfit Ideas for Guys

As a senior portrait photographer who serves the Southern Indiana area, there is one question that I get asked more than any other: "What should my son wear for his senior session?"

Well, the simple answer is that I'd like them to wear clothing that allows them to move freely, be comfortable, and reflect who they are as an individual.

But if your guy truly wants to maximize his outfit selections, there are a number of other things to consider.

The Outfit Should Work with the Location

I work primarily throughout the Southern Indiana area, and I'm blessed with access to all types of locations. Except mountains. Or oceans. But other than that, we have a lot going on. New Albany, Salem, & Corydon downtown have a lots to offer for urban locations, and we have an easy commute to swaths of greenery, farmland and the river. In fact, we're able to shoot at both locations in one shoot, if desired. 

Each locale has its own atmosphere, colors and textures, as we need to make sure your senior's style of clothes work with -- and not against -- the scene.

Color is a Priority

Deciding on color is a huge decision. Not only should it work with the location of your senior photoshoot (i.e. a neon green color scheme wouldn't look great in a field) but guys should also consider their skin tone. 

A person's skin tone is made up of overtones and undertones.

When considering colors and outfit ideas for a senior portrait session, cool tones should wear cooler colors and warm tones should wear warmers ones. Neutrals are lucky and can wear either.

Bring Three to Four Outfit Options 

I typically recommend bringing along several combinations of shirts, jeans, and shoes so we can really customize it to the location. In general, I'll tell a senior guy to:

Have a Casual Outfit Option

• He can't go wrong with a simple jeans and T-shirt. I prefer solid colors and no athletic logos.
• Throw on some khaki shorts, a simple and soft three-button shirt, and a pair of sandals or TOMS.

Do Formal if it's His Thing (or Mom's)

• Wear dark denim jeans and pair it either a crew neck sweater or a classic overcoat.
• Sport a navy or black pair of pants with a button up shirt. The tie is always optional.

Make His Personality Stand Out

• Is your senior an athlete? In band? Or on the cheer squad? His extracurricular uniform is a super simple way to incorporate his interests into part of the senior photo session.
• Try a band T-shirt and cool jacket.

Don't Forget About the Accessories

• Accessories are for guys too! If he loves wearing a baseball cap, cool fedora, or a cowboy hat, bring it to his senior photoshoot. Hats infuse the photo session with your senior's personality, and that's what the portrait session is all about.
• Shoes are mega important. Every outfit has a shoe type that works best with it (i.e. the formal outfit looks best with polished dress shoes like oxfords or boots and the casual outfit looks best with boots, sandals, or tennis shoes), but I do love it when a senior can mix and match styles with ease. For example, a nice suit with a cool pair of tennis shoes would be a great way to showcase his personality. But make the shoes part of the plan -- not an afterthought.
• He also can wear jewelry, such as earrings, eyebrow rings, necklaces, rings, or bracelets.
• And if your senior chooses to have a portion of their session to include shots in their school uniform or extracurricular activity, bring the corresponding accessories (i.e. a football, a basketball, their instrument, etc).