What to Wear For Summer Senior Portraits: An Outfit Guide

Summer in Charlottesville Is Pure Magic

Summer in Charlottesville is my favorite season for photographing high school senior portraits. Seniors have more free time while so many of their regular commitments on pause, and, on top of that, we have so much more natural light to play with!

Wardrobe plays a huge role in elevating the final look of your senior pictures. The right outfits feel like you, while also complementing the backdrop, enhancing the setting, and giving your images that timeless, stylized feel you will still love years from now. 

While some seniors might already know what they want to wear going into a family portrait session, many feel stumped.  After photographing summer senior portraits in Charlottesville for over 20 years, I have developed some tips that aim to make the process a little easier. 

When we photograph senior portraits in Charlottesville, I always recommend choosing outfits that feel natural in the setting, and to you, while also photographing beautifully, and allowing you to move comfortably. My goal is never to make you feel stiff or overly styled. Coordinated and timeless always wins over matchy and trendy.

If You Only Have Two Minutes, Read This

Here are the most important styling tips I share with every senior:

Patterns
We know people love their patterns in the summer, so here’s the lowdown. Yes, you can absolutely wear a pattern. If including friends or family in your session, my rule of thumb is one patterned outfit for every three people. This allows you to include outfits with patterns, but helps avoid too many patterns that may clash. Also, larger patterns photograph better. Avoid tiny, busy prints that can become distracting in photos.

How to add visual interest without layers
Let’s be honest, summers in Charlottesville can get uncomfortably hot. Layers give you flexibility and add visual interest, but they just aren’t practical in the summer heat. Instead, if you’re looking for something outside of your tried and true classics, try to play around with silhouette, color, and texture to still add personality without compromising comfort.

What to Avoid
Clothing items like tops that are entirely sleeveless, ones that have high necklines, and turtlenecks rarely photograph in a timeless way, and may make you self conscious about your neck or arms. Avoid logos or writing on clothing. Solid color shoes, a summer sandal, or classic boots are always a safe choice. Lastly, for our girls, the little black dress is often popular for hiding attributes, but it can also hide you in the picture, so be careful with any all black outfit. Also, be aware that all white outfits may not appear as you intend. White tends to reflect the colors around it and can look different than expected in pictures.

A Few Versatile Classics

If you’re not worried about sticking to a particular, curated look, there are a few staples that work well in any situation.  For our girls, a good recommendation I always come back to is a flowy dress for a look that is a little more elevated. We all know summer is the season of the sundress, so use that to your advantage! For our boys, button downs come in a good variety of casual to dressy, and short sleeve or long sleeve and can match well with any look. And for either, a nicer top paired with jeans can still look nice while providing a more casual option.

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1. Garden Party

Perfect for flower fields, orchards and open fields

The Look

Soft, flowing, and refined. This palette pairs beautifully with florals and natural backdrops. Or, if you’re photographing later in the spring, think about recreating the pops of color that the blossoms would have provided. Think light fabrics, movement, and bright colors. 

Color Palette

• Blush
• Dusty blue
• Sage green
• Cream
• Soft lavender
• Light chambray
• Muted coral

Build from three to four complementary tones rather than putting everyone in the same exact shade.

Outfit Suggestions

For the girls

Dresses with a subtle floral print can be lovely, but solid colors are just as timeless. Babydoll dresses seem to be especially popular in recent years, and can look quite nice in this color scheme, if you’re searching for something outside the typical sundress. In the summer, it is almost always too hot for layers, so having accessories that show off more personality can always add a nice touch. A pair of boots or dressy sandals keep everything polished without feeling too formal. Some seniors even like to pair their dresses with a pair of sneakers to feel a little more casual.

For the boys

I like to keep it simple and comfortable. A good short sleeve polo or henley shirt provides a nice alternative to the standard button down. Style this with a pair of khakis, or lighter colored pants, and you should be good to go. If you want to add a little more personality, try an interesting belt, or a fun pair of shoes that won’t be overly distracting, but can still tell a little more about you.

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2. Hanging Poolside

Ideal for UVA Lawn sessions and country clubs.

The Look

Polished, structured, and timeless. Think a day at the beach, or summer storm clouds. ..

‍Color Palette

• Navy
• White or cream
• Soft gray
• Sky blue
• French blue
• Blush
• Khaki

Build from three to four complementary tones rather than putting everyone in the same exact shade.

‍Outfit Suggestions

For the girls

Slightly more structured silhouettes tend to work better in this style. Silhouttes like mod dresses, or a line would work well in this style. Think a little more Audrey Hepburn. Babydoll dresses can still work, if you’re looking for a slightly more flowy silhouette. Again, using accessories to show off more personality can always add a nice touch. A pair of flats or dressy sandals keep everything polished without feeling too formal.

For the boys

I like to keep it simple and comfortable. A good short sleeve button down or polo shirt is a great option for this particular look. Style this with a pair of khakis, or lighter colored pants, and you should be good to go. If you want to add a little more personality, try an interesting belt, or a fun pair of shoes that won’t be overly distracting, but can still tell a little more about you.

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3. Summer Sunset

Perfect for sunflower fields, vineyards, and early morning or late evening photo sessions

The Look

Bright, colorful, playful. This palette pairs beautifully with florals and natural backdrops. Or, if you’re photographing closer to dusk or dawn, think about emulating the colors in the sunset and sunrise. Think light fabrics, movement, and bright colors. 

‍Color Palette

• Blush
• Periwinkle
• Kelly green
• Cream
• Amber

Build from three to four complementary tones rather than putting everyone in the same exact shade.

‍Outfit Suggestions

For the girls

Dresses with a subtle floral print can be lovely, but solid colors are just as timeless. Sundresses and wrap dresses tend to be especially popular within this aesthetic. Neutral heels, boots, or simple dressy sandals keep everything polished without feeling too formal. This aesthetic is all about color, so have fun with it!

For the boys 

I recommend keeping things classic and light. A button down in pale blue, cream, or even a muted pink photographs really well. Pair that with khaki, light gray, or navy chinos for a nice, but still casual look. Brown loafers or dress shoes usually tie everything together in a way that feels elevated but still natural.

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4. Summer Breeze

Perfect for orchards, and overlooks

The Look

Effortless and relaxed, but still thoughtfully styled. This is ideal for seniors who want natural interaction, movement, and something a little more grounded in their portraits. Think more earthy and boho styles.

‍Color Palette

• Cream
• Sage
• Denim
• Burnt orange
• Warm neutrals

Build from three to four complementary tones rather than putting everyone in the same exact shade.

Outfit Suggestions

For the girls

I still love the idea of a flowing midi or maxi dress for this look, but this is where you can lean into a little more personality. Tiered skirts, soft ruffles, or an interesting sleeve detail photograph beautifully and add movement. If you prefer a simpler dress, that is where accessories really get to shine. A great belt, layered jewelry, or even a fun hat can elevate the entire outfit. Boots or simple sandals tend to pair especially well with this relaxed, whimsical style.

For the boys

I recommend leaning into earth tones. A button down in a soft, natural shade with the sleeves casually rolled feels effortless and approachable. If you want something even more relaxed, a well fitted henley or textured polo can look great in this setting. Khakis or neutral slacks keep everything grounded and cohesive. Brown dress shoes usually complement the warm, earthy palette and tie the look together without feeling too formal.

The goal is relaxed, natural, and comfortable while still feeling intentional.

FAQ: Summer Senior Portraits in Charlottesville

‍When is peak sunflower season in Charlottesville?
Sunflowers typically peak between mid-late July and early August. Exact timing varies slightly each year depending on weather, so it is always good to reach out early to schedule and receive updates on expected peak bloom.

How far in advance should we book?
I recommend reaching out at least one to two months in advance. Sunflower dates fill quickly because the window is short.

What if the weather is unpredictable?
Summer weather can shift quickly. I always build flexibility into the schedule for rain makeup days.

Should we bring a change of clothes?
For most senior sessions, one to two thoughtfully coordinated outfit works perfectly. If you are unsure of which option you like best, you might want to have multiple options on hand. 

Let’s Get Started Planning!

If you are planning summer senior portraits in Charlottesville, I would love to help you create beautiful portraits for your home and as gifts! Reach out early to reserve your date, before the time runs out!

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