If you’ve ever wondered what my favorite thing for seniors to wear is…
The answer is easy. A maxi dress.
Don’t get me wrong. I love a great pair of jeans, a cute romper, or an oversized sweater. But if you ask me to choose just one outfit that photographs beautifully every single time, it’s a flowy maxi dress. There is just something magical about them.
Movement Makes Photos Come Alive
One of the biggest differences between a good photo and a breathtaking one is movement.
A flowy maxi dress catches the wind, swirls when you spin, floats as you walk, and trails behind you as you run. Instead of standing still, your photos suddenly feel alive. You don’t have to know how to pose; the dress does half the work for you.
It naturally creates soft lines, beautiful shapes, and effortless elegance that simply can’t be recreated with stiff fabrics.
My Favorite Place? The Beach.
If you’ve been following me for a minute, you probably know I have a slight obsession with beach sessions.
Now…picture this…
The sun is hanging low on the horizon over the ocean. The water is warm enough to dip your toes in. You’re laughing, running through the waves, maybe splashing a little more than you planned. I’m definitely making bad jokes to make you laugh and possibly falling from walking backwards in the sand. (True story) Your dress catches the ocean breeze behind you as you spin.
Those are the moments I live for.
Some of my absolute favorite images I’ve ever photographed happened because a senior trusted me enough to get her dress a little wet. That fun, goofing off and hopping through the sand gives photos that feel carefree, joyful, and completely unforgettable.
They’re Beautiful Everywhere
The beach might be my favorite place for a maxi dress, but honestly, they photograph beautifully almost anywhere. Walking through tall grass in a field, wandering along the Cliff Walk in Newport, twirling through a flower field, strolling down a quiet Cape Cod road made with crushed up seashells.
Even the slightest breeze gives these dresses movement, and movement creates images that feel natural instead of posed.
They Look Great On Everyone
Here’s another reason I recommend them so often.
They genuinely look amazing on everyone. Whether you’re tall, petite, curvy, athletic, or somewhere in between, there’s a maxi dress that will make you feel incredible. They elongate your silhouette, create beautiful shape, and are comfortable enough that you can actually enjoy your session.
And confidence always photographs beautifully.
Styling Tips
When you’re shopping, look for dresses with:
- Lightweight fabrics like linen, chiffon, rayon, cotton voile, or gauze
- Tiered skirts or lots of fabric that can move with the wind
- Soft florals, subtle patterns, or solid colors
- Smocked or fitted bodices with flowing skirts
- Side slits for extra movement while walking
One little tip…
Hold onto the sides of your dress while you’re walking or spinning. It creates gorgeous movement and gives your hands something natural to do.
A Few Favorites Right Now
If you’re looking for inspiration, here are a few places I always recommend:
• Always shop local first. Local boutiques often carry unique, beautiful dresses that not everyone else will be wearing. One of my favorites is Kenzie & Hope in Wellesley – you can check them out on Instagram at @kenzieandhope.
• Free People Maxi Dresses, especially favorites like the Marsai Maxi Dress, Aura Maxi Dress, Dixie Maxi Dress, and Forever Free Maxi Dress. They have that effortless, boho-meets-editorial look that photographs beautifully. (Free People)
• Anthropologie Dresses. Anthropologie always has gorgeous romantic dresses with beautiful textures, soft prints, and elegant silhouettes that work perfectly for senior portraits. (Anthropologie)
• If you’re kind of at the end of your budget and need a good deal, this Amazon dress hits every time: https://a.co/d/01LcdOji
My Final Advice
If you’re only bringing one dress to your senior session, make it a maxi. It moves and photographs beautifully. It makes posing easier and creates those dreamy, windswept images everyone loves.
Years from now, when you look back through your senior album, those flowing, joyful, sun-soaked photographs will still feel just as magical as the day we created them.
Trust me. Every time I meet with a senior and they show me what they are thinking of wearing for their senior session, and there is a beautiful maxi dress in that outfit lineup, I’m jumping for joy on the inside, (and sometimes on the outside!) because I know we’re about to create some GORGEOUS unforgettable images!
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If you’ve spent any time exploring my senior portrait experiences, you’ve probably noticed one thing they now all have in common. Every experience includes a Luxe Senior Album. That wasn’t always the case though. Albums have pretty much always been an option to add after the session. Then something interesting started happening. Almost every family […]
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