What to Wear for Your Senior Portrait Session on the Seacoast | Mercy Street Studio

Let's talk outfits. Because after over a thousand senior sessions, we have seen it all. The good, the great, and the "we are not going to mention this again but please learn from it."

This is what we wish every senior read before their session. Not because fashion is the point (it's not), but because the right outfit is the difference between portraits you love and portraits you like. And you deserve portraits you love.

Start With Your Outfits First, Then Choose Your Location

Here is the thing most people get backwards: they pick a location first and then figure out what to wear. We actually recommend flipping that completely. Choose two to three outfits you love, then choose a location and season that makes them shine.

Think of it this way, the location is the backdrop, the subject is you. You are the most important thing in the picture. When you get your pictures, you are looking at you, not the background. We promise.

Golden hour senior portraits on the Seacoast. Location sets the mood, but you are always the focus.

How Many Outfits to Bring

For a Classic (1-hour)Session, plan for three complete looks. Think of it like this:

• Look one: Casual and relaxed. The version of you that your friends would recognize immediately.

• Look two: A little more polished. Not stiff or formal, just elevated.

• Look three: The wildcard. The outfit that is purely, unapologetically you.

Having variety gives your gallery range and makes it so much more fun to shop at the end.

What's Trending

Good news: 2026 fashion is great for portraits. If you aren't into fashion trends, skip this section and just be you. Here is what translates especially well this season:

• Wide-leg, barrel and flare jeans

• Lace tops, button downs and textured fabrics instead of solid flat fabrics

• An oversized blazer or cardigan layered over a simple top

• Soft, muted colors and earth tones work with the Seacoast light

• Accessories: a charm necklace, a layered bracelet stack, a great pair of earrings. Pick what speaks to you personally.

  
  

What to Think Twice About

Not every trend photographs the way it looks in real life, and after 15 years we have learned a few things the hard way.

• Logos and words pull focus directly away from your face.

• Neon and very bright colors cast onto your skin in photos. No bueno.

• Three white dresses. We know seniors love a white dress, but we truly believe you should bring a variety of colors and style options so that your gallery has range.

• Shorts that are too short or skirts that will not let you sit are going to create a problem during your session. We do a lot of sitting, crouching, walking, and moving. A mini skirt that looks great standing up can become a challenge the moment we ask you to sit on a rock or lean against a wall.

• Very trendy pieces can date a photo. Mix one statement trend piece with something more timeless and your portraits will look current now and classic later.

Class of 2027 senior portraits, Eliot, Maine. Variety in your wardrobe means variety in your gallery.

The Thing Nobody Talks About

Undergarments. We're going there.

Wear nude colored undergarments. Every time. The end.

We have seen what happens when a gorgeous white dress meets the wrong underwear (think neon leopard print), and we promise you do not want this problem at your session. Sort this out at home in good lighting before you pack your bag. Future you will be so grateful.

A few things to pack:

• The right bra for every top. A strapless top needs a strapless bra or no bra. A backless dress needs a backless solution. A sheer or light-colored top needs a nude bra that disappears. Try everything on in good lighting before session day.

• Bike shorts or Nike Pro style shorts under dresses and skirts. This is a game changer for two reasons: comfort during the session when we are sitting on rocks, walking through fields, and moving around, and ease when it comes to changing between outfits. You will thank yourself for this one.

• Seamless and nude whenever possible. Even under darker fabrics, lines and colors can show more than you expect in photos.

  

  Mercy Street Studio senior session, Seacoast NH. The details make the difference.

  
  

Dress for The Setting

This is where it gets fun. Your outfit should make sense for where you are. We photograph all over the Seacoast and the right outfit changes completely depending on where you are going. Your location and your outfits should tell the same story.

• Beach sessions: You don't need shoes. You definitely don't need heels. A flowy sundress, a linen top with wide-leg jeans, or even a casual romper all work beautifully at the water.

• Downtown Portsmouth or Dover: This is where the urban fashion girls get to shine. A structured blazer, your new jeans, a great pair of sneakers or boots. Something with attitude that matches the brick and architecture.

• A field at golden hour: This is the flowy dress moment. Boots, a sundress, something that moves in the breeze. Country girl energy meets the most beautiful light of the day.

• Woods or nature settings: Earthy tones, layers, texture. Think cozy and grounded rather than dressed up.

Details Matter

Shoes, jewelry, and accessories show up in your portraits. Bring a few options for each outfit. Freshly done nails are a nice touch. A hat, a scarf, a pair of boots can completely change the mood of an image.

Pack them all. We don't have to use everything, but we cannot add what you left at home.

One Last Thing

If you are reading this and feeling overwhelmed, take a breath. You do not need a perfectly curated wardrobe to have stunning portraits. We have made jeans and a t-shirt look like a magazine cover more times than we can count. Wear what makes you feel like yourself on a really good day, and let us take care of the rest.

Still not sure? Reach out. We love helping seniors figure this part out. It is what we do.

I bet you can't tell how long ago this was taken ;-) ...because it's TIMELESS!

Ready to book your Class of 2027 session? We would love to meet you. mercystreetstudio.com