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!

What Colors Should I Wear for My Senior Pictures?

One of the most common questions I get when it comes to prepping for a photo session is: what color clothing should I wear for my photo session?

While there are some general rules of thumb to use – no fluorescent colors, consider a piece of clothing with a color that “pops,” etc. – I have always been a bit stumped by this question. I’ve found that while some colors work great on some people, those same colors can wash other people out, making them look sickly and/or pale in photos.

Enter: color analysis!

If you’ve never heard of color analysis (also referred to as personal color analysis, or seasonal color analysis), it essentially is a tool for determining your best colors based on your own features (skin, hair, eyes, etc.). Each person generally falls into one of four larger categories (winter, spring, autumn, or summer), which are then further broken down into more specific palettes (i.e., deep winter, cool winter, bright winter, light summer, soft autumn, warm spring, etc.). With each of these seasons (and sub seasons) comes a specific array of colors that help a person “pop” (for lack of a better word!).

You can imagine that when it comes to photos, everyone wants to “pop!” We all want to look our best when we are having professional photos taken. And while I could recommend a few specific colors for people to dress in for their photos, I think there is a lot more value in steering people towards the concept of color analysis, and discovering what their best colors are that will make them pop!

I can’t claim to be a professional color analyst (or even a mediocre one at best!) so I’ve compiled some resources below for those who are interested in discovering what their best colors are! As well as a few simple tips to use if you don’t want to go through the whole color analysis process.

First, below is a link to a great comprehensive video for finding your “season” and your best colors!

If you’re looking for a quick way to determine your best colors, here’s what I would suggest:

Find a wide variety of different colors of clothing/fabrics (they don’t have to be yours - go through the closets of your family members, find blankets/scraps of fabric), and sit in front of a mirror (make sure you don’t have any makeup on and that your hair is down). Simply hold up those fabrics right beneath your face, covering your chest and collar bone area. Pay close attention to what colors enhance your features, and what colors wash you out. It may not be completely obvious to you at first, especially if you don’t have lots of different colors in different shades.

If you are struggling to find a wide variety of different colors of fabrics, you can also head to a store and simply hold different colors of fabric up in front of the mirror. Pay close attention to what colors lift your features, and what colors wash you out… then be sure to take note and buy clothing that corresponds!

Obviously, this isn’t a true test for determining your best “season” and true color analysis, but I do hope it is helpful in finding the best colors to suit YOU for your photo session! I’ve also included some photos below of some seniors who I think knocked it out of the park with their color choices!

(PS - there are also some pretty great filters on TikTok that will give you lots of color samples to help you find what suits you best!)

Luke B: Preston Park (Butler) Senior Photos

Meet Luke!

I have been loving the opportunity I've had over the past few months to photograph so many seniors in so many different locations! I took Luke's senior photos at Preston Park in Butler on a warm November afternoon... Preston Park is a great park that always has such beautiful light! Don't sleep on late fall sessions... they are always some of my favorites, and this one is no exception!

Luke is a senior at Butler High School who loves boxing. He was a total natural in front of the camera and made my job so easy!

I loved Luke’s approach to his outfit changes, too - he had three different flannels for his session, but kept his base layers the same (the sweatshirt/jeans). The flannel change was easy, quick, and allowed him to get a little variety without spending too much time changing during his session!

Congratulations on your senior year, Luke!

Hayden S: Zelienople Senior Photos

Meet Hayden!

I photographed Hayden in my favorite town... Zelienople! It truly had an endless amount of locations for urban style photos, which was exactly what Hayden was looking for. I loved getting to photograph someone in a location that I am so personally familiar with!

Hayden attends Canon-McMillan and plans to study something in the engineering or medical field post high school - he is a super smart one! He loves playing video games and is into Japanese culture.

We chased the evening light all around town... even behind the local BP gas station, much to the surprise of a few locals who were passing by You never know where the best light will end up being!

Congratulations on your senior year, Hayden!

Travis S: North Shore Pittsburgh Senior Photos

Meet Travis!

He's a senior at Butler High School who plays baseball, and who hopes to study engineering post high school! Because of his love for baseball, he chose the North Shore for his photos. It was so much fun to get PNC Park in the background of some of his photos, along with the beautiful cityscape!

Travis chose a morning time slot for his senior session, which I loved, because there were so few people around the places we wanted to use for photos. It was great!

Also, fun fact, Travis has never been to Chipotle.

Congratulations on your senior year, Travis!

Hannah B: Moraine State Park Senior Photos

Meet Hannah!

She's a senior at Slippery Rock High School who hopes to study criminology post graduation She dances, loves fall, and was a treat to photograph at Moraine State Park on a chilly late fall day!

Moraine was the perfect spot for Hannah's photos, because her family lives so close! And it's always just so beautiful there, especially in the fall. Even though a winter dusting had come through a few days before her session, we were still able to find some of the last remaining fall color!

Congratulations on your senior year, Hannah!

Sierra B: Seneca Valley High School Senior Photos

Meet Sierra!

She's a senior at Seneca Valley High School who plays soccer, loves fall, and writes her own music (which she performs regularly at a local restaurant!). She has lots of passions to follow post high school and is still in the process of deciding which one(s) she'll choose to pursue after graduation!

We had one of the best fall days for her photos.. the sun was shining, it wasn't too cold... and the leaves were so beautifully vibrant!

Sierra, a huge congratulations to you on your senior year!

Ava S: Sunrise Mellon Park Senior Photos

Meet Ava!

Ava is a senior at Avonworth who is hoping to study engineering post high school. She's in lots of different clubs at school and loves fall! We had the most beautiful morning at Mellon Park for her senior photos, and she brought some gorgeous outfits that complimented the changing fall scenery so well!

Congrats on your senior year, Ava!

Katherine D: Historic Harmony Senior Photos

Meet Katherine!

She's a senior at Mars who has already been accepted to a ton of awesome schools - go girl! She's a Chipotle & Chick-fil-A lover who chose to have her senior photos done in one of my favorite locations... Historic Harmony!

What I LOVE about this location is the amount of variety (and color!) you can get within a very short walking distance. It has that small town charm and I always get some of my favorite images here!

We had a blast walking around town with Katherine and her mom and getting to explore so many spots on such a beautiful fall day. Congratulations on your senior year, Katherine!

Avery C: Hartwood Acres Mansion Sunrise Senior Photos

Meet Avery!

There's something about that beautiful golden light... especially in the fall!

Avery is a fan of fall, and thankfully, we were able to find some beautifully colored trees for her session! She's a senior at Mt. Lebanon, and though she doesn't claim to be a morning person, she killed it for her sunrise senior session!

All of my senior sessions take place within the first two hours of sunrise, or the last two hours of the day before sunset. This allows me to have the best natural light of the day for all of my sessions!

Avery's mom, little brother, and Frenchie Stella joined us for her photos too, which made our time all the more fun!

Congratulations on your senior year, Avery!