One of the biggest factors contributing to the overall look of your senior photo session is the outfits you choose to wear! Clothing can completely change the vibe or alter the mood of your session and there are sooooo many options. Personally, I love when girls bring a dress as one of their outfits, especially one that moves nicely. Dresses bring a free flowing and dreamy feeling to photos so they’re a great option for senior sessions.

Molly wore a classic short white dress for her first outfit and then changed into a dress from Free People for the second half of her session in Seabrook, Washington. This was the perfect decision because the white dress complimented the locations we used in town and the longer Free People dress looked amazing on the beach where there was more room to move around.

How to choose a dress

– The most important thing is to wear something that you’re comfortable and confident in. This includes how well you’re able to move. The best way to get natural looking photos is to do movement based poses which means your clothing should fit properly and not restrict your movement. Dresses that are too short or too low cut really limit the types of poses you can do. If you want to wear a dress that’s more restricting I recommend bringing a second one that is easier to move in so we can get more variety into your gallery.

– Think about the look (or aesthetic) you’re going for. Dresses with fringe, ruffles, and frills are great if you want a dreamy free flowing look. Formal dresses can be a fun incorporation if you want a more whimsical look. More casual dresses are great if you pair them with cute accessories that bring a little extra detail to your outfit.

– Bring the right accessories. Dresses with less detail look amazing with some accessories to accent them but if your dress already has enough going on, maybe keep the accessories more low-key. Balance is important and your shoes, jewelry, layers, and hair can completely change your look. Senior photos document a big moment in your life so think about how you’ll feel when you look back on them and choose your accessories wisely.

Some dresses to inspire you

Soft Beach Sunset Vibes

Santa Luz Maxi – Free People: This is the dress Molly changed into for the second half of her session. It moves beautifully and looks amazing on the beach!

Reading in a Flower Garden Aesthetic

Maribella Tulle Floral Maxi Dress – Oh Hello Clothing: This dress is perfect for a session among colorful flowers. The material looks dreamy and soft and the shoulder ties and an extra cute detail. Wear this dress and bring a book as a prop for your garden session!

Dancing Barefoot on the River Bank

Last Dance Printed Maxi Dress – Free People: This one would also look amazing with the movement! The brighter colors feel like a Spring day and would look amazing in a river setting with natural greens and blues.

Sunset Session in a Field

Corset Tie Back Floral Print Tulle Prom Dress with Removable Puff Sleeves – Miss Jophile: Since this one is a little more formal it would look great in a wide open field where you can move around. The dress has so much beautiful detail that I would keep the location and accessories simple!

Dreamy Forest Vibes

Fairy Tales Aesthetic Romantic Floral Print Slip Dress – QueenFunky: The neutral colors and print on this dress are perfect for a session in a lush green forest. It could also be dressed up or down depending on the shoes and accessories you choose!

Bright Studio Session

Alora Tulle Tiered Maxi Dress – Baltic Born: Studios are a great option for sessions when the weather isn’t great. A dramatic dress like this would look amazing on it’s own or with some more urban accessories like a leather jacket and platform converse.

Fall Colors in the Mountains

Reclaimed Vintage Maxi Dress – ASOS: Dresses aren’t just for Spring and summer! The longer sleeves and texture on this one would be amazing outside on a fall day with some fall colors along a mountain vista!

If you’re not planning to wear a dress but want to senior session outfit tips check out this blog post and my Pinterest Board!