Styling Guide for Senior Portraits

Thank you for choosing Britt Udy Photography for your portrait photo session! You may be wondering what to expect and how to prepare for your session so I’ve got a few tips and tricks for you! The most important thing is that you don’t stress during this process. My guide is to take the guesswork out of dressing yourself so you can arrive to your session fresh and stress-free!

I’ve got you!

Congrats on being a Senior! Your graduation is a momentous milestone and you will want to remember all the memories associated with it. One of the most important memories is your portrait session. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can have fun and memorable senior portraits that truly depict you and your personality. We'll talk about what you envision for your session, and some options on where to start in this style guide - locations, clothing, hair and make-up, and everything in between. I hope by the time you've read this you'll have an idea of what you'd like to do and feel excited for your session. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

What to expect

Location & Timing

There are a variety of locations in the Pocatello and surrounding areas that we can use for your session. If you have a certain place (like your college campus) or would like to use one that was seen in my portfolio just let me know! Otherwise, I am definitely open to shooting in a new spot too.

  • A couple options: Scout Mountain, Nordic Center, Cherry Springs, Gibson Jack Trails, Pebble Creek Ski Area (Summer and Fall), my pasture, ANYWHERE!

Time to Shoot! We’ll meet 1-2 hours before sunset depending on how many outfits you have chosen!

This is the fun part! The question I get the most is, "What should I wear?" I am more than happy to help you narrow down your decision, give you a direction to focus on and/or make sure your clothing coordinates well with the location(s) we have chosen for your session. Let's figure this out together! Make sure you only choose clothing that makes you feel good, comfortable and confident.

WHAT TO WEAR

& HOW TO PREPARE

Choosing Your Style & Palette

Choose 1-3 outfits that reflect your personality. Pick a color palette of 1-3 colors, and let this be your starting point. Think in terms of muted colors and tones. Muted tones with a pop of color in your outfit is my reccomendation! Start by selecting a base plus 1-2 colors from the neutral and nearly-neutral swatches below and build most of the outfits using those 2 to 3 colors.

A good base with muted tones look great in senior pictures. When picking patterns, choose smaller or minimal ones that won't pull attention away from you.

A solid-colored fabric with these colors that have a texture is always a winner. With texture, think lace, corduroy, denim, knits and velvet.

Places I recommend to shop!

  • Zara (great for all ages, genders, and sizes)

  • LettieBoutique (great for simple chic clothes for mom) PLUS they are local! They have incredible style and will help you find the perfect outfit for your photos.

  • Target (great for all ages, genders, and sizes)

  • Madewell (great for simple, chic clothes for mom)

  • Free People (great for simple, chic clothes for mom)

  • Old Navy (great for all ages, genders, and sizes)

Be yourself. Don’t stress.

whatever you choose, you’ll crush it! 

Make-up

If you are wanting to spend a little extra money to get your make-up professionally done, I would highly recommend it! Having your make-up done can make you feel even more confident going into your portrait session!

Nails + Spray Tans

For nails, I would recommend you either paint them, have them professionally done, or use press-on nails. OR, YOU CAN KEEP THEM CLEAR AND CLEANED OF ANY POLISH. I will not edit your nails in your photos.

This is the same with self-tanner or a professional spray-tan. If it is your first time using tanner or getting a spray tan, I would recommend doing a trial run. I will not edit your skin tones to try and fix any problems that may come up.

Session Day Check List

We will meet at the pre-determined time/location. You should arrive ready in your first outfit. Please bring someone with you, like your Mom or your bestie to help carry your things around.

Pack a bag with:

  • Your additional outfits

  • Any props you would like to use

  • Flats or flip-flops for walking between photo spots if you choose to wear heels

  • Touch-up makeup, lip balm, hair comb, and a towel to dab sweat (if shooting in the heat)

  • Water

One final note…

I created this guide to help you find the perfect outfit, prep yourself, and be prepared for your photos. I want you to look back on your photos for years to come and LOVE them! At the end of the day, I want you to relax and let me guide you through your shoot. Don’t worry about practicing any posing. I will capture the perfect photos for you. If you have certain looks in mind, please share them with me. I am excited for our time together!

Have fun! Smile! Relax! I will take care of the rest!