How a Senior What to Wear Guide Can Solve your Clients’ #1 Session Concern

Let’s be real — when it comes to senior portrait sessions, one of the most common challenges I hear from photographers is literally what to wear. No matter if you’re shooting newborns, families, headshots, or seniors — the wardrobe is almost always at the top of your clients’ list of concerns. I bet you’ve seen it: your senior clients show up, eyes wide with confusion, holding a duffle bag full of mismatched outfits, and asking, “What should I wear?”

And honestly? That question can sometimes be the biggest time-suck in your entire session. The good news? There’s a simple, powerful way to solve this problem, boost your professionalism, and make your clients feel confident and beautiful in front of your camera — all while saving a ton of stress and time.

That’s why I’m such a huge fan of having a senior what to wear guide — it’s a total game-changer in your senior photography marketing ideas and client experience. Stick around, because I’ll tell you everything you need to know about crafting the perfect senior style guide and introduce you to the senior what to wear magazine template that makes creating this guide easy and beautiful.

---

Why Every Photographer Needs a Senior What to Wear Guide

Think about it: if you’ve ever gone shopping for an outfit or tried to put together a wardrobe for a special event, you know how overwhelming it can be. Now, imagine your senior clients, who want to look stunning but are bombarded with options from Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok. They’re Googling “what to wear for senior pictures,” scrolling through thousands of ideas, and still feeling uncertain.

Here’s the real deal: when you offer a senior style magazine that guides them through wardrobe choices, you do more than just give helpful tips — you position yourself as the confident expert who genuinely cares about their experience. It tells your clients that you’re invested in making their session not only beautiful but also effortless and fun.

Plus, a well-designed senior what to wear guide makes your brand stand out from the competition. Many photographers overlook this simple step, but those who do incorporate it often see better client satisfaction, more consistent results, and higher referral rates.

---

What Should be Included in Your Senior What to Wear Guide?

So, what should your senior style guide include? Well, it’s not just about tossing a few random tips in a PDF — it’s a carefully curated set of information that educates and inspires your clients, making the wardrobe planning process seamless and enjoyable.

Here are the key components every professional senior what to wear guide should have, and why they matter:

1. Do’s & Don’ts:

Start with the basics — what not to wear to look their best on camera. Think neon colors that wash them out, overly short or tight outfits, or loud patterns that distract from their beautiful face. Then, show your clients what to wear — classic pieces that accentuate their best features and match the vibe of their session. Include tips on accessories, shoes, textures, and seasonal trends.

Highlighting do’s and don’ts together ensures they understand exactly how to build a wardrobe that works on-camera and fits their personality. When you use a senior style magazine with these sections, it looks polished, professional, and easy to read.

2. Picking the Right Colors for Skin Tones:

Most clients think they should wear their favorite color or the trendiest hue, but wardrobe choices aren’t always that simple. Include a section on testing skin tones — cool, warm, and neutral — and recommend colors that will make their skin glow. For instance, cool skin tones tend to look great in jewel tones and icy shades, while warm skin tones shine in earthy hues and warm reds.

This part of your guide not only educates but also reduces those “what colors should I wear?” questions, empowering your clients to make better choices and feel confident in their session.

3. Style Showcase:

This is your chance to inspire! Include a gallery of styled outfits in a variety of categories — casual, formal, boho, vintage, prep, urban, floral, lace, and more. Show real images of your past clients (which you can include in your senior style magazine) so they can see actual looks that work well on camera.

Seeing different styles helps clients visualize their own wardrobe options and encourages them to shop and mix & match for a more dynamic session.

4. The “Variety Rule of 3” — Mix It Up for a Stunning Session

One of the easiest ways to make your client’s session pop is to guide them in selecting outfits with enough variety. I call it the “variety rule of 3,” and it’s a total game-changer for wardrobe planning.

Here’s how it works:

• Color: Encourage them to choose outfits with different shades and hues that of course, highlight their skin tone. Maybe a classic white shirt, a bold red dress, and a soft pastel top — variety in color keeps the gallery interesting. If they want to incorporate a favorite color, advise them to vary the shades (think: navy, sky blue, blush pink). 
• Style: Suggest they mix different styling vibes — casual, dressy, edgy, vintage, or boho. For example, they could start with denim and a tee, then move to a flowy maxi dress, and finish with a sleek blazer and slacks for more formal looks. 
• Clothing Type: Make sure they include options like dresses, tops, pants, skirts, and accessories. No need to wear the same dress or the same style in every shot. A good mixture of clothing increases the visual interest and versatility of their images.

By guiding your clients with this “rule,” you help them create a session wardrobe that’s dynamic, stylish, and truly representative of their personality.

5. Where to Shop — The Best Places to Build Your Wardrobe

Sometimes, clients just don’t know where to look for the perfect pieces. This is a perfect time to guide them with a curated list of online shops. From boho-chic stores like Free People to sophisticated brands like J.Crew, having a go-to shopping list makes their wardrobe shopping less stressful and more fun.

Include suggestions for different styles and budgets, so they can mix and match effortlessly. This not only helps in creating a diverse wardrobe but also positions you as a thoughtful, helpful photographer who genuinely cares about their experience.

---

The Power of a Senior Style Magazine

Now, you might be wondering — how do I actually create this fabulous senior style guide? Well, I have good news: you don’t have to start from scratch!

The senior style magazine template from the A-List Shop is the dedicated resource that makes crafting this guide a breeze. It’s professionally designed, customizable, and comes with all the sections I just mentioned — plus stunning imagery, easy-to-edit PSD files, and step-by-step tutorials.

Why Invest in a Senior What to Wear Magazine Template?

• Save Time: Instead of designing your guide from scratch, use a plug-and-play template that looks polished and professional. 
• Increase Client Confidence: When your clients receive a beautifully designed, helpful guide, they’re more likely to show up prepared, excited, and ready to shine. 
• Boost Your Brand: Offering a senior style magazine elevates your studio’s professionalism and makes your brand memorable. 
• Upsell & Repeat: A detailed wardrobe guide helps future clients see you as the go-to expert, which boosts your chances of repeat bookings and referrals.

---

Why Your Clients Will Love It—and You Will Too!

Imagine never again dealing with a client who shows up in neon-colored leggings that wash them out or a date-night dress that doesn’t photograph well. Instead, your clients will arrive confident, prepared, and eager to show off their favorite looks.

Here’s what wraps it all up: your senior what to wear guide isn’t just a helpful resource — it’s a powerful marketing tool, a client education piece, and a session enhancer rolled into one.

Plus, with the senior style magazine template, you can effortlessly load your own portfolio, customize colors and fonts, and deliver a professional guide that’s worthy of your brand — all in minutes.

---

Ready to Elevate Your Senior Photography Business?

Don’t leave wardrobe worries to chance — invest in the senior what to wear magazine template today! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this all-in-one guide will help you deliver consistent, high-end results that your clients will rave about.

Make wardrobe planning easy, visual, and stylish. Stand out from the crowd, increase your bookings, and delight your clients with a seamless, professional experience they’ll never forget.

Click here to grab your senior style magazine template now — and watch your client satisfaction and session quality skyrocket!

---

P.S. Looking for a what to wear guide magazine template for senior guys? We have exactly that! Click here for the Guy’s Edition Style Guide!