What to Wear for Your Summer Senior Portrait Session

Summer in New England is nothing short of magical—from the sun-drenched, weeping willows of the Boston Public Garden to the salty, ocean breeze sweeping across the coast. But when it’s finally time for your senior portrait session, the age-old question always pops up: What on earth do I wear? Choosing your outfits should be as fun and effortless as a weekend getaway. Whether we are shooting downtown or barefoot in the sand, you want to look polished, stylish, and—most importantly—unapologetically you.

Here is my tried-and-true style guide to planning your summer senior portrait wardrobe, complete with my favorite shoppable pieces to make getting ready a breeze. 

The Rule of Thumb: 2-3 Outfits

Keep it simple and chic. I always recommend planning for two to three outfits. The perfect formula? One dress + one jeans-and-a-cute-top combo. Want to squeeze in a third look without wasting time in a dressing room? Use your jeans as a base! Start with a fun, flowy top for look number two, and then simply swap the top or throw a chic summer sweater over your shoulders for a quick, effortless third outfit.

Location, Location, Location!

Your background sets the stage, so your wardrobe should complement the scenery, not fight with it.

• The Beach: Think movement and romance. Flowy dresses with a bit of a breeze look incredible on camera. Soft patterns, fun florals, or a bright, crisp white dress are always stunning against the ocean. Pro-tip: Avoid neutrals like oat, tan, or taupe at the beach—they blend right into the sand and will wash you out! For footwear, skip the heels. Barefoot is best, or pack a simple leather flip-flop or flat sandal.

• The City / Boston Public Garden: Urban settings call for a little more structure. You can absolutely still rock a flowy dress, but a chic, tailored dress or stylish denim look plays beautifully against historic brick and wrought iron. Flats or heels both work perfectly here.

• The Field or Park: Sunlit fields are perfect for light washes of denim and bright tops. Pro-tip: Avoid wearing green in a park or field, as you will camouflage right into the trees and grass. Stick to flatter-heeled sandals or clean white sneakers so you can walk through the grass comfortably.

No matter the location, you can never go wrong with crisp, bright white. It pops beautifully against every single backdrop!

Comfort is Confidence

Make sure your outfits fit well and comfortably. We want you twirling, laughing, and walking with confidence—not constantly adjusting straps, pulling at hemlines, or re-tying bows. When you feel comfortable, that beautiful, genuine confidence shines straight through the camera.

Don’t forget your yearbook! Think about which outfit you want immortalized in the yearbook, and let me know at the beginning of our session so we can make sure we nail that classic shot.

For the Guys

We keep it handsome, timeless, and incredibly easy. Boys can easily get two distinct looks without doing a full wardrobe change.

Start with a great pair of chino shorts, chino pants, or well-fitting jeans. For the first look, wear a crisp polo or a high-quality tee for a relaxed, casual vibe. For the second look, simply add a light sweater or layer an open button-down shirt over the tee.

Shoe check: Please make sure shoes are clean! A fresh white or navy leather sneaker looks amazing in the city or a park, and a nice leather flip-flop is perfect for the beach.

(Moms, take note: High school boys absolutely love performance chinos and tops from brands like Vuori or Lululemon. They look polished for the camera, and it’s a bonus because they will actually wear them over and over again!)

The Ultimate Session Packing List

Treat your session like a mini-adventure. Pack a tote bag with everything you might need so we can shoot seamlessly:

• All of your outfits (on hangers if they wrinkle!)
• Lip gloss for quick touch-ups
• A small handheld mirror
• A hairbrush and travel-size hairspray to tame flyaways
• Water and your favorite small snacks to keep your energy up

Ready to Shop?

I’ve taken the guesswork out of styling! I’ve curated a collection of camera-ready, stylish pieces that look amazing in all of our favorite Boston locations.

✨ Shop these pieces and more in my curated portrait looks for young women here! 

✨Shop these pieces and more in my curated portrait looks for young men here!

Grab your outfits, pack your bag, and let’s go make some magic! Click here to book your senior session.