How to Style Black Senior Photo Outfits | What to Wear
I have been a senior photographer for over half a decade and without fail, the #1 question I get asked is about what to wear for senior photos! These days, color analysts will tell you to avoid wearing black to best flatter your hair, skin, eye color, etc. And technically…they’re not wrong. Neutrals and colors look really, really good, especially on camera.
But you? You love the city, you love fashion. You’re thinking you might want to do something a little more edgy and sophisticated for your senior pictures. And as you put your Pinterest board together for inspiration, you keep coming back to black senior photo outfits.
I totally get it. My husband and I wore black outfits for some of our engagement photos, and they’re still some of my absolute favorites. Black gives drama. It gives depth. It gives cool! And when it’s styled intentionally, it makes for some powerful senior portraits, for both guy seniors and girl seniors alike.
So if you’re someone who tends to gravitate toward darker tones, this one is for you. These tips will help you style black senior photo outfits with intention so that you wear the outfit instead of the outfit wearing you.
Location, Location, Location
If you go into your photoshoot knowing you want to wear something black, you’ll want to keep that in mind when selecting your locations. Black can be a bold choice in certain environments, which is also why it can work so well. Think: indoor studios and downtown locations with brick and concrete. With an edgy outfit, you want a location with a degree of edge to it as well.
That doesn’t mean you have to go to either a photo studio or some type of outdoor downtown location, of course. Even softer locations like the beach have spaces that black will photograph really well at. The ruggedness of rocks work well with the depth of a black outfit.
The only type of location I would really steer clear of for black senior photo outfits would be a very bright and colorful flower field or a super saturated painted mural. This isn’t a hard rule, as all rules have exceptions, but these kinds of settings would usually compete with black instead of complementing it.
Don’t Forget to Accessorize
A key part of styling black senior photo outfits is picking the right accessories. From different textures and jewelry to statement shoes and a pop of color, these additions give dimension to your darker toned outfit.
And yes, accessories for your pup totally count!
One Part of Your 3 Outfit Combo
The winning formula when it comes to black senior photo outfits is definitely keeping in mind my classic 3-outfit framework.
This includes (in any order): your black senior photo outfit, a neutral outfit, and a pop of color. Both Sadie’s and Janessa’s senior sessions are great examples of this.
You can definitely mix and match a little when it comes to black, too. Black and white work really well together, and any lighter color added in will lift the palette overall.
With that in mind, when it comes to cap and gown photos when the cap and gown are black, make sure you’re wearing something lighter underneath. This way, you won’t get lost in it.
