If you’ve been scrolling through senior photo inspiration lately, you’ve probably noticed that pennant flags are having a moment. And for good reason!
I’ve been incorporating pennants into senior sessions for years, but recently, they’ve become one of my favorite props to work with. They’re cute, customizable, and make for some really fun senior photo poses.
But what I love most about pennant flag senior photos is that they can celebrate two different things. On the one hand, they can help you celebrate your college choice. On the other hand, they can help you celebrate the milestone that is being a senior in general!
And regardless of what your next chapter looks like — whether you plan to head off to a 4-year university, community college, travel abroad, take a gap year, or jump straight into your career of choice — senior year is a final chapter in the book that is ‘growing up’ at home that deserves a proper celebration!
Why I Love Pennant Flags for Senior Photos
First and foremost, pennant flags are great because they fall into the prop category. And props are really helpful because they give us something to do with our hands!
Posing can feel a little unnatural and awkward at times, which is why it’s so important to have a photographer who tells you how to pose. But it becomes even less of a concern when you have something to hold while the photo is being taken.
Pennants also happen to be really aesthetic. Whether you’re holding one down by your cowgirl boots or showing off your future college, they add personality to your photos without taking attention away from you.
And unlike larger flags, pennants are easy to pose and read, regardless of whether it’s windy outside. That’s especially helpful when we’re photographing at the beach here in Southern California!
My 3 Favorite Pennant Flag Senior Photo Poses
One of the best things about pennants is how versatile they are. Here are three of my favorite ways to photograph them:
1. Holding Your Pennant in Front
This is usually the first shot we take because it showcases your outfit from the front while making the school name or word on your flag really clear.
I tell my seniors to hold the long side of the pennant in the middle and then grab the very, very tip of the pointed end.
From there, bring the flag just below or right at your belly button, keeping your elbows tucked into your sides to avoid that sort of chicken-wing look.
It’s simple, but it’s a great way to show off your outfit and pennant together.
2. Holding Your Pennant Down by Your Side
This might be one of my favorite pennant poses, especially when there’s a cute pair of shoes involved!
I’ll have you turn slightly to the side, either over your left or right shoulder, depending on the lighting.
Then, drop the pennant down by your side, holding it along the long edge with your arm almost completely straight or with just a little bend.
I love this angle because your hair naturally falls back over your shoulder, and it’s such a cute way to show off your shoe choice. Cowgirl boots are especially effective here, but heels and sneakers work really well, too!
3. The Walking-Away Shot
This one is especially meaningful when we pair a pennant with your cap and gown.
Think about it: you’re combining the high school graduation element of your cap and gown with the future plans element of your college choice. And you don’t even have to look at the camera!
I’ll have you walk away while holding the pennant down by your side, twisting your hand slightly so the words face back toward the camera.
Your hair falls behind you, the pennant is still visible, and your cap and gown add another dimension to the image.
What to Wear for Pennant Flag Senior Photos
The good news is that pennants are SO versatile.
I’ve seen them done beautifully with denim, short dresses, long dresses, and everything in between.
If you’re hoping to show off a pair of boots or heels, a short dress can be especially cute with that pennant-down-by-your-side pose.
You can even pair a pennant with a long dress. My clients typically wear their longer dresses toward the end of their sessions, almost like the grand finale of the shoot, often at sunset. All that fabric creates a cohesive canvas behind the flag.
The one thing I recommend paying attention to is color.
If your pennant is blue and yellow or red and white, for example, try to choose an outfit that’s either neutral or has one of those colors represented in it.
The same goes for patterns. A pennant already has colors and letters on it, so pairing it with a busy, multicolored pattern can sometimes feel distracting.
When in doubt, a solid-colored outfit that complements your flag is always a great choice.
Where to Take Pennant Flag Senior Photos
Pennants are one of the few props that really make sense in almost any location.
They photograph beautifully in woodsy outdoor locations with trees, leaves, and grass. They also work at the beach, by a lake, or even in a studio!
I’ve photographed seniors with pennants in all kinds of settings, including an indoor studio session with my client Audrey.
So whether you’re dreaming of classic Southern California beach photos or something completely different, there’s a good chance we can incorporate a pennant into your session.
Where to Buy Pennant Flags for Senior Pictures
If you’re planning to bring a college pennant, I’d start with your school’s campus store. That’s probably where you’ll find the most authentic and high-quality options.
Amazon is another option, but if you want something a little more customized, I highly recommend checking out Rally and Ruffles!
One thing to pay attention to when ordering is size. It can be easy to accidentally order pennants that are smaller than you expect — product photos can be deceiving — so be sure to double-check the measurements to ensure you’re getting the look you want!
Ideally, you want a pennant that’s large enough to cover at least your torso when you’re holding it from end to end.
I also recommend choosing a thicker material when possible. Thin pennants can allow sunlight to shine through the fabric, sometimes creating shadows of your silhouette on the flag.
And if you’re feeling creative, have some fun with it! Add pearls, bedazzle it, or incorporate a ruffle or lace lining along the top edge. I’ve been seeing more and more customized pennants lately, and I think they’re SO cute.
What If You Haven’t Chosen Your College Yet?
The good news is you don’t need to have your college choice figured out to incorporate a pennant into your senior photos.
This is especially important for seniors who schedule their sessions during the summer or fall.
At that point, many students haven’t committed to a college yet. And some seniors don’t necessarily want their college choice to be the focus of their photoshoot.
That’s completely fine!
Not everybody is thinking about college after high school, and that’s not a prerequisite for taking senior photos or having a successful senior photoshoot.
What it boils down to is that you’re celebrating being a senior.
That’s actually what inspired me to have a custom JenRenPro senior pennant made!
Earlier this year, I noticed how popular one particular pennant-and-boots photo had become. Then, in the spring, I saw a group of girls taking photos together with pennants they had customized with pearls and embellishments.
I remember looking at them and thinking, “Oh, I’ve never seen that before.” It was so cute, and I couldn’t get it out of my head.
I have a wooden script senior sign that I used to bring out during sessions, but seeing those customized pennants gave me another idea.
Why not create a pennant that celebrates senior year itself?
That way, whether you’re headed to college, still deciding on your next steps, or simply want your photos to focus on this season of life, you can still have those cute pennant flag senior photos!
At the end of the day, pennant flags are one of my favorite senior photo props because they’re simple, versatile, and meaningful.
They give you something to do with your hands, work with almost any outfit or location, and can represent whatever part of senior year you want to celebrate.
Whether that’s your college choice, your graduation, or simply the fact that you’ve made it to senior year, there’s no wrong way to make these photos your own.
And don’t worry about figuring out all the poses beforehand. That’s my job!
