This can be a tricky topic. There are a lot of different ‘rules’ about how and when to accessorize. It can vary depending on what season it is, the cut of the shirt or dress, the way you style your hair, or the location. I know, seems like a lot to consider, but a lot of it can be generalized making it not so overwhelming. Hopefully these tips will help guide you through finding the perfect accessories to wear for your shoot. ​

There are so many different, unique necklines out there now. The a-line, scooped, square, halter, straight, turtleneck. It’s hard to keep up! You probably have your favorite neckline! I know I do. I love a square neckline as it can take away some of the attention of my shoulders (an area I don’t love). Or a good turtleneck with my hair pulled up in a high ponytail- an outfit that makes me feel super confident! What’s your go to neckline? 

All necklines will photograph beautifully. Though how you add accessories to each type of neckline will vary. Simple necklaces are the best choice for your images. If you decide to wear a v-neck shirt or dress, a more dangly necklace would be a good choice. You might have a meaningful necklace from a grandparent or parent that would be perfect! For a square neckline, a necklace that sits higher up on your chest, like a choker, would be a good pick. 

Now for earrings! A simple pair of studs would do just fine for all of your outfits. But, if you are someone that typically adds more fun earrings to outfits, let's be sure we capture that in your shoot as well. Studs are what you want to wear with a halter or turtleneck top. Too much around your face can take away from the beauty of the actual person in the image! We want you to be the center of attention of your images and your outfits to just compliment your beauty. Pick a  straight, scooped, or v-neck to wear those fun earrings!

Some accessories naturally take on a more formal or more casual look. Think about a pearl necklace. Much more formal, right? Then think about the bracelets you wear everyday. More casual, correct? In some cases an outfit can appear pieced together if certain pieces take on a formal feel while others more casual. We want your outfits to flow together! Therefore, it’s important to think about what feel your accessories take on. Then from there, pair them with an outfit. 

If there is a piece of jewelry that you really want to wear in your shoot, find an outfit that compliments the piece. Don’t worry we will always find a way to use/wear what's important to you! As an example, I had a pearl necklace that my grandpa had given me that I really wanted to wear. I also had a locket that my grandma used to wear that I felt it was important to wear during my shoot too. The dress I chose to wear was on the more casual side, but the pearl necklace was much more formal and the locket was less so. For a lot of my session, I wore the locket as it was more appropriate for the style of the dress. However, when I put my cap and gown on, the dress became more formal. This was when I got to wear the pearls. If you aren’t sure how the piece can be worn with the 4-5 outfits you have picked, there might be simple changes we can make to ensure it happens! Just like how the simple cap and gown made the difference.

Changing your hairstyle can change your whole look. Like how when you wear your hair pulled back it accentuates your neck and elongates your neck whereas if you wear your hair down it draws attention to your entire face. Both are beautiful options, and go with the one that makes you feel most confident. However, there are a couple tips for how to accessorize with certain hair styles. If you wear a scarf or a turtleneck, we recommend pulling your hair back. At least for that outfit. This will help lengthen your face, neck, and body and eliminate the boxy look that can happen when your hair is down. Big earrings can be super flattering with high necklines and pulled back hair as well! ​

Naturally, winter gives more room for accessorizing. On a typical winter day you might be wearing a hat or a scarf. Though in the summer, you might get some strange looks if you did that. It’s easier to add more accessories for a winter shoot than for a summer shoot. Think about the large selection you have for accessorizing in the winter compared to the summer! You could wear a beanie, mittens, or a scarf in your photos and it would fit the occasion. But in the summer your selection dwindles to more jewelry or layering! Both are fun and beautiful, but a consideration nonetheless. So, if you want to accessorize more- go for a winter shoot! To read more about the benefits of a winter shoot, click here. ​

Don’t know where to start for outfit ideas? We hear ya. Clothes are difficult! Here are some ideas that might just have you voted best dressed! Or at least give you some ideas on what you could wear. 

Before we start a few little you could say disclaimers… Please pick the clothes that match your style. We want to capture the authentic you and that includes what you wear. Pick the outfits that make you feel the best. Confidence reflects even more beauty in photos. And know if you don’t like anything on this list, that's great too. Stick to what you know/want and make the session your own.

Animal print is super trendy right now. I’m loving it, though I know it's kind of hit or miss. You either love it or you hate it. So if you love it, you could wear it! Might showcase your wild side. There are lots of cute leopard print dresses out in stores. You could throw a dress on with some tan booties or black heels and wala! 

Or if you're looking for something that's not a dress… You could go for an animal print shirt or animal shorts/pants! You could go with a snakeskin shirt. This would pair super cute with faux leather pants or your favorite jeans (black or blue). Or you could go for a white bodysuit with some snakeskin shorts, big hoop earrings, and white sneakers. It would be so cute! 

Little tip- if you decide to wear animal print, I would recommend minimal accessories and lighter makeup.

​Wearing a jumpsuit adds a lot of possibility to your shoot. In one outfit you have the option of being more formal or being casual. You can change the look with a change of shoes- heels/booties would make it more formal, sneakers would be more casual. Now what type of jumpsuit you might be wondering. Well corduroy is really trendy right now with outfits. You could do a corduroy knot belt jumpsuit.  Super cute with sneakers, boots, and heels! 

Another trendy look right now is denim. There’s lots of cute classic blue denim or colored denim jumpsuits. You could wear a sandy colored cardigan over the classic blue denim jumpsuit. Pair it with sneakers, heals, or boots and it's a complete outfit. You could go with simple booties or cowgirl boots! 

Or you could go more of a classic look with an all black jumpsuit. You could wear some fun heels to showcase your vibrant, fun personality! 

Layering in outfits adds to the beauty of your images. You can read more about the benefits of layers on this post here. But for now, moto jackets are a fun, trendy option! You could go for a black faux leather jacket over a cropped graphic tee with ripped jeans. You could wear some black vans or white booties to finish off the outfit. 

Another option could be a tan moto jacket. Throw it on over a basic white tee that's tucked a bit into your jeans and put on some sandals or dr.martens and that’s all you need. You’ll look so cute! 

If these trends don’t fit with what you are looking for, that’s okay! Whatever you choose to wear you will look amazing since you're in the photo. Sarah Lindsay Photography can’t wait to see what you decide to wear! ​

Senior pictures in the winter… Or even early spring in Colorado. Because well you know, you aren’t safe from a huge snowstorm until after mother’s day here. That doesn’t mean that we can’t do your senior photo shoot. It might just look a little different and have a different feel. That might be what you are looking for though.
 
If you are still unsure about a winter shoot, this past blog might persuade you. If you are sure about a winter photo shoot, maybe one of your reasons is your wardrobe. Maybe you feel more comfortable and confident in your cold weather clothes. If that’s the case then we are all for it. Here’s some outfit inspiration for colder weather. (And some links to some ideas that we would choose!)

Layering is an easy way to add beauty to images. The layers create movement, a built in place for your hands, and different looks. Adding a faux fur vest over a simple long sleeve photograph beautifully. Now, add in your favorite jeans (Kancans are my personal fav). Come on you know you have them. The ones that make your legs and booty look good and make you feel the best. The ones that when they rip or you pull the belt buckle loose, you’ll silently cry. When you wear those jeans for your shoot and feel real good about yourself, we’ll see it in the images.
 
Throw some booties on that compliment the color of colors of the faux fur vest, grab a beanie, and your good to go!

When you look in your closet, where does your eye go first? For me, they always goes to the clothes I wear on repeat. I have many sweaters, but only a handful that get worn multiple times during the season. You too?
 
Think about the ones you wear on repeat when picking the sweater you will wear to have your portraits done. It’s likely that the sweaters you wear more often you feel most confident in. Pick one of those sweaters to pair with your favorite jeans, throw on some tall boots and your good to go. Not only is this a cute outfit, the coziness and the familiarity can help ease some of your worries about being in front of the camera. It adds a level of comfort to your shoot and ensures that we are capturing the high school senior you.

​You might’ve noticed the trend of longer, puffy jackets this winter. This trend would be fun to capture on camera. You could wear a tighter white long sleeve shirt or a shirt of the college you are planning on attending underneath the puffer. Some leggings and fun sneakers would complete this outfit. This outfit is cute, comfy, captures your future college while also keeping you warm. To me, this sounds like the perfect outfit for a winter shoot if you want to keep it more casual!

The 70’s and 80’s trend of jean jackets made a comeback and I love it!! What do you think? If it fits your style, it’s a great option for your session. I’ve noticed a lot of girls have painted jean jackets that tell a little story about them. This can be a fun way to individualize your images and add to the meaning of them. If you have a painted jean jacket, great!! If not, no worries either.
 
If you are going to wear a jean jacket, throw a graphic t-shirt underneath. You could tie up the t-shirt in the front, tuck it into your jeans, or make it cropped. You just want it to have some dimension to how it lays on your body since the jean jacket naturally takes on a baggier look. Throw some jeans or leggings on, some classic Vans and your set.

We hope these gave you some outfit inspiration for your senior pictures. We can’t wait to see what you decide to wear for your shoot! You all will look beautiful! If you are interested in book with us, contact us here.