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Styling Tips: How to Choose the Perfect Outfit for Your Senior Photo Shoot
— 03/10/2023 by Monika Wertman —Senior photoshoots are an exciting adventure.
It’s the perfect opportunity to showcase your unique style and personality while capturing memories that will last a lifetime. But with so many outfit options available, it can be daunting to choose the perfect look. In this article, we’ll explore expert styling tips to help you choose the perfect outfit for your senior photo shoot.
Understanding the Theme and Setting
Before selecting your outfit, it’s essential to understand the theme and setting of your photoshoot. The theme may be formal or casual, and the setting may be outdoors or indoors. Understanding these factors will help you select an outfit that complements the overall vibe of your photoshoot. For example, if your senior session is outdoors in the fall, consider wearing layers and warm tones to complement the natural surroundings.
It’s also important to consider any props that you will use during your session. For example, if you’re taking photos with a vintage car, you may want to wear an outfit that complements the car’s style and era. By understanding the theme and setting, you can select an outfit that complements the overall aesthetic of your session.
Choosing the Right Colors and Fabrics
When selecting your outfit, consider the colors and fabrics that will complement your skin tone and body type. If you have a warm skin tone, consider wearing earthy tones like olive, rust, or mustard. If you have a cool skin tone, consider wearing jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, or ruby. When selecting fabrics, consider the texture and weight of the material. For example, lightweight fabrics like chiffon or cotton are perfect for a summer session, while heavier fabrics like wool or velvet are ideal for a fall or winter session.
Dressing for Your Body Type
Selecting an outfit that flatters your body type is crucial for feeling confident and comfortable during your senior session. If yours is an hourglass figure, consider wearing a fitted dress or high-waisted pants to accentuate your curves. If you have a pear-shaped figure, consider wearing an A-line dress or skirt to balance your silhouette. It’s important to select an outfit that makes you feel comfortable and confident, regardless of your body type.
Think about the neckline and length of the garment you are pondering. If you have a shorter torso, choose a V-neckline to elongate your frame and if you have longer legs, consider wearing a knee-length dress to balance your proportions.
Accessorizing with the Perfect Shoes and Jewelry
Accessories can enhance your outfit and add a personal touch to your senior photos. When selecting shoes, consider the terrain of the session location. If you’re taking photos in a park or on a beach, consider wearing comfortable flats or sandals. If you’re taking photos in a more formal setting, consider wearing heels or dress shoes. It’s important to select shoes that are comfortable and complement your outfit.
When selecting jewelry, consider the neckline of your outfit. If you’re wearing a high neckline, consider wearing statement earrings or a bracelet to draw attention to your face. If you’re wearing a low neckline, consider wearing a necklace that complements the neckline. Select jewelry that complements your outfit without overwhelming it.
Hair and Makeup Tips for Senior Photoshoots
Consider using a professional for hair and make-up, since both are important factors during your senior session. It’s important to select hairstyles and makeup that complement your outfit and personal style. Consider the weather conditions and the overall vibe of your session before deciding on your hairstyle. If you’re taking photos outdoors on a windy day, wearing your hair in a sleek ponytail or a low bun may be the best option. Loose curls and open hairstyles will suit just fine on a calm day or for indoor pictures.
Make-up should be a bit more accentuated for your session as you will be lit by a combination of artificial and natural light. Stay away from shiny finishing sprays as they will make you look greasy in your photos and instead choose a matte finishing spray and matte lip colors. Your make-up look should compliment your outfit choices as well.
Tips for Guys: What to Wear for Senior Photoshoots
When selecting an outfit for your senior session, consider your personal style and the overall vibe of your photo shoot. If you prefer a more casual look, consider wearing a fitted t-shirt or a button-down shirt with jeans or khakis. If you prefer a more formal look, consider wearing a suit or blazer with dress pants.
It’s important to select an outfit that complements your body type and personal style. If you have a lean build, consider wearing slim-fit clothing to accentuate your frame. If you have a stockier build, consider wearing looser-fitting clothing to balance your proportions.
Tips for Girls: What to Wear for Senior Photoshoots
Consider your personal style and the overall vibe of your photo shoot as you choose your outfits for the session. Love a casual look, consider wearing a fitted t-shirt or a flowy sundress. If you prefer a more formal look, consider wearing a cocktail dress or a maxi dress.
Creating Multiple Outfits for Different Looks
If you’re unsure of which outfit to wear for your senior session, consider creating multiple outfits for different looks. You can select outfits that range from casual to formal or outfits that showcase different aspects of your personality. By creating multiple outfits, you can add variety to your session and capture different aspects of your personal style.
When creating multiple outfits, consider selecting pieces that can be mixed and matched. For example, a statement jacket or a pair of shoes can be worn with multiple outfits to create different looks.
Conclusion: Final Thoughts and Recap of Tips
Your senior photoshoot is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase your unique style and personality. By following expert styling tips, you can select the perfect outfit that complements the theme and setting of your photoshoot. From selecting the right colors and fabrics to accessorizing with the perfect shoes and jewelry, there are many factors to consider when choosing the perfect outfit. By selecting an outfit that flatters your body type and makes you feel confident and comfortable, you can create memories that will last a lifetime.
Playing with Flour
— 10/19/2016 by Monika Wertman —
Playing with flour is something I have wanted to do for a while. Last summer I had a senior in the studio who was enrolled in the culinary program at the local high school and we played with flour a little, yielding some great shots. A few months later I saw an image that combined flour and dancers and I wanted to do something similar. I love dance being a dancer myself and the mother of a dancer, so combining dance with flour is natural.
The first order of business was to secure one of my favorite dancers I have worked with before, presenting me with a challenge as Nutcracker rehearsals have started. It left us with a 5 pm starting time on a Sunday afternoon. The second order of business was to find an empty, industrial space we could make a mess in. One of my business associates offered the use of such a space. At 5pm we had some natural light left that entered through a strip of windows to our left, but we were able to control the rest of the light and by the time we were almost done, the natural light was fading quickly.
This was so much fun! Maddie, my dancer, is a blast to work with. She is beautiful, graceful and follows instructions wonderfully. She had some of her own ideas that we incorporated as well. But the time we were done, Maddie had flour in places she probably never thought were possible. It was her dad’s birthday and they went to dinner after we finished the shoot. I am sure that her hair was still lightly grey at dinner 🙂
This shoot was one of those things I love to do. Work with a lovely young lady who is open to trying something unusual, resulting in imagery that we are proud to display. It also gives us a chance to play. A chance to figure out what it takes to get a certain shot, so we can repeat it if a senior or adult wants to have the same experience. Before we got into the flour, I tired some things with sheer fabric and the fan I have, to discover that the fan was not powerful enough for the effect I was after.
As an artist, you do not wait to try these things with your clients, but in sessions that are arranged to try out new things. As an artist, I draw inspiration from other artists. I see things and wonder how it was achieved. I know how to light things to get what I want, but some of the other effects, such as creating wind to achieve certain effects have to be explored on my own time table, not that of a client.
I believe that these sessions during which we play and explore to continually build our portfolio is what sets us apart from the competition we have around us. Wertman Photography has grown over the last few months, adding an additional photographer and a videographer to the team. We have added equipment that needs to be explored and personally I am working on my masters in fine art, continually growing as an artist.
When you hire us, you get a team of artists, not technicians. You will work with people who understand light, movement, emotion and relationships. This knowledge shows in our work. Whether we work with athletes, create fine art for fun, photograph families, babies or weddings, we bring our knowledge with us and apply it all to creating memories for you that you will be proud to share with your friends and families for years to come.
Call us today to book your unique session. Tell us what you have in mind and we will be sure to get it done for you. 301-693-3021
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Senior Photos should be a great experience
— 06/10/2016 by Monika Wertman —Now that summer is here and you are thinking about who to hire for your senior photos, let’s look at what you should consider when making your choice:
Whether you are a guy or a girl, you will want to showcase your interests, whether they are sports related, you have a favorite pet, or are into cars or other big toys. Are you into winter sports and would like to get action shots in the snow? Here at Wertman Photography we will be happy to meet you at your favorite location and incorporate that interest into your session.
Now we all know that you want your senior pictures to look different than last year’s school picture, right? How do you accomplish this, you ask? Here are a few tips on what you should do to insure that you will get some one of a kind images from your high school senior picture session:
Spend a couple of months researching the kind of imagery you would like to see. Look through sports magazines and browse the web for ideas and styles. Do you like the edgy, grungy look? Do you want to look like the latest gold medal winner in one of her endorsement commercials, or do you want to look like the girl or boy next door, clean and pristine in your gear?
Once you have determined what look you want, contact us and show us what you are looking for. We will then plan your session and recommend the appropriate length of time we will need to accomplish the look you are after. If you are a football player, chances are you have access to your school’s field, if you are a swimmer, access to a pool may be more difficult. As a skier or snow boarder, we will need to wait for the weather to be cold enough to work in snow. We need to understand exactly what you would like to accomplish in order to give you the session of your dreams.
Understand that special requests require prior planning and that you are asking your photographer for individualized services. She will invest time in your session and you and your family will invest money in return. This tradeoff will ensure a fantastic session for you and great images for your family and you to share and display. After all, your senior session should be an experience you will look back on remembering how much fun it was to create the images you wanted.
Ask about cost only after you have determined whether are the right fit for you. It is important to have report with your photographer to get what you want, when you have fun, the images show it. But do ask, you will want to know how much your family will need to invest in the service and what you will receive in return. Ask about products that are offered and be aware that a boutique studio and a boutique service such as you are looking for and we offer, will offer some great print collections for you to choose from.
Finally, after you book your session and have paid the retainer fee, enter the date in your calendar and arrive 5-10 minutes early at the predetermined meeting point. Your photographer will be there waiting for you and when you are on time all will go smoothly and you will have a wonderful experience which will in turn result in great photos to choose from.
We have worked with some great seniors over the past few years and some great athletes, and are looking forward to adding you to that group. Please feel free to browse our senior and sports gallery for additional images and call us to schedule your session.
RN Graduate Joshua
— 05/01/2015 by Monika Wertman —
Just recently I had the privilege to photograph a college RN Graduate from Hagerstown Community College. When we discussed what he wanted to get out of his session, he told me that he did not get senior pictures in High School and would love to capture similar photos now. I immediately thought of how much fun it would be if we could gain access to the nursing program classrooms and create some fun images there. I made the suggestion and Joshua liked the idea as he is passionate about his chosen field of study.
After a bit of a scheduling struggle we were allowed into the unit and were able to play with the life-size robots and reenact some things an RN does on a regular basis. 
We had a beautiful day the day of the session, and were also able to capture some shots around campus in some favorite spots.
Usually when my clients think of senior pictures, they think of the high school variety, but either repeating the experience at the end of college or creating it for the first time is a valid and fun option. Being allowed into the nursing unit at HCC offered some great opportunities to not only see the state of the art facility that has recently won some awards, but also get a glimpse at the rigorous program aspiring nurses such as Joshua undergo.
I was able to capture Joshua’s personality in a setting he loves which led to some wonderful shots outdoors in his suit as well. Please look over some of my favorites from that session and remember that Wertman Photography will go anywhere you want us to shoot. Different locations are fun and intriguing and one of our favorite things to explore.
Please explore our entire website for other fun locations we have taken our clients to for ideas and inspiration. They can be found in any of the galleries or other blog posts.
looking ahead
Senior Sports and Senior Pictures Tips
— 04/02/2015 by Monika Wertman —With spring and summer just around the corner, senior pictures are not far behind. No matter who you choose, what size session you commit to, whether you are a boy or a girl, if you play a sport you will want to showcase your sport.
Now we all know that you do not want another picture in your gear that looks like last year’s school picture, right? How do you avoid it, you ask? Here are a few tips on what you should do to insure that you will get some one of a kind images from your high school senior picture session:
- Spend a couple of months researching the kind of imagery you would like to see. Look through sports magazines and browse the web for ideas and styles. Do you like the edgy, grungy look? Do you want to look like the latest gold medal winner in one of her endorsement commercials, Or do you want to look like the girl or boy next door, clean and pristine in your gear?
- Once you have determined what look you want, search your local photographers and see if they have something similar in their portfolios.
- If you find someone whose style is close, but not quite what you envision, call and talk to them, find out if they are willing to bend their style a bit or if they can recommend someone who fits your vision better.
- Once you have found the photographer who seems to have the style you are looking for, set up a consultation to talk about how they work and determine if you click with that photographer. Most photographers will be willing to sit down with you and plan your session, if they are not, look for one who does.
- When you meet your chosen photographer for the first time during the consultation, bring your sample images with you, show them and ask if something like it can be done. If you are a football player, chances are you have access to your school’s field, if you are a swimmer, access to a pool may be more difficult. Your photographer needs to understand exactly what you would like to accomplish in order to give you a correct answer.
- Understand that special requests require prior planning and that you are asking your photographer for individualized services. She will invest time in your session and you and your family will invest money in return. This tradeoff will ensure a fantastic session for you and great images for your family and you to share and display.
- Ask about cost only after you have determined whether the photographer you are talking to is the right fit for you. But do ask, you will want to know how much your family will need to invest in the service and what you will receive in return. Ask about products that are offered and be aware that a boutique studio and a boutique service such as you are looking for will offer some great print collections for you to choose from.
- Finally, after you book your session and have paid the retainer fee, enter the date in your calendar and arrive 5-10 minutes early at the predetermined meeting point. Your photographer will be there waiting for you and when you are on time all will go smoothly and you will have wonderful experience which will in turn result in great photos to choose form.
Here are a couple of our favorite sports related senior photography portraits. Please visit our portfolio to view more.
