One of the questions I get asked most often before a senior session is, "Which outfit should I wear first?"


If you've chosen Shelburne Farms for your senior photos, the answer depends less on your favorite outfit and more on how we'll move through the property. Every location offers a completely different look, and I plan our route intentionally so you end up with a gallery that feels diverse and tells a story.


This isn't your typical "wear neutral colors" blog. Instead, I'm walking you through exactly how I photograph senior sessions at Shelburne Farms so you know which outfits work best in each area and can plan accordingly.

Stop One: The Inn Gardens


We’ll begin at the brick wall, where we can warm up with natural standing and sitting poses and get you comfortable in front of the camera. From there, we'll move to the white columns and steps before finishing at the fountain in the center of the gardens. If time allows, we'll also capture a few portraits alongside the Inn for even more classic brick architecture.


Because there are several sitting poses throughout this portion of the session, I recommend wearing an outfit that allows you to sit comfortably and confidently.


Some great choices include:

  • A long dress
  • A flowy skirt
  • Jeans or dress pants
  • Any outfit that allows comfortable movement while sitting


Since this area has such a classic, elegant feel, it's a great place for your dressier outfit.

Stop Two: The Field


Next, we'll head to the open field beside the Inn.


This location feels completely different from the gardens. The open grass, rolling landscape, and beautiful light create dreamy, movement-filled images that are some of my favorites from every session.


If you've been debating whether to bring a long dress or skirt, this is the place to wear it.


Flowy fabrics photograph beautifully here because we can incorporate movement into your photos. Walking, twirling, and letting the breeze catch your outfit adds so much life and personality to your gallery. I also love incorporating a few cute sitting-down poses in this area, which adds a nice mix of variety and gives you a chance to relax into the session while still getting those effortless, natural shots.


Don't worry if dresses aren't your style—I photograph plenty of seniors in jeans, shorts, or casual outfits here, and they look incredible. A flowy outfit simply gives us another creative element to work with.

Stop Three: The Waterfront


Our next stop takes us down to the waterfront.


This area has a much more natural, relaxed feel with stone walls, shoreline views, and beautiful textures throughout.


We'll capture a mix of standing and walking portraits, often using the rocks along the shoreline for movement. We may also incorporate a few seated images on logs or stone walls depending on your outfit.


One thing to keep in mind is footwear.


We'll be walking across uneven stones, so make sure you're wearing shoes that feel secure and comfortable. If your favorite outfit includes heels, I recommend bringing a pair of comfortable shoes to walk between spots and changing into your heels only when you're ready.


Safety always comes first, and I'd much rather you feel confident navigating the shoreline than worry about balancing on slippery rocks.

Our Final Stop


Before wrapping up your session, we'll make one last stop at the bottom of the Inn's entrance.


This location offers a beautiful finishing backdrop with clean lines and gorgeous light. Most of our portraits here are standing, but if your outfit allows, we'll also take advantage of the grassy hill for a few relaxed sitting poses.


This is a wonderful place for one last outfit if you're planning multiple looks, or we can simply continue with what you're already wearing.

Planning Your Outfit Order

If you're bringing multiple outfits, here's the order I typically recommend based on how we move through the session:


Outfit One: Your dressier look for the gardens and Inn area. We start here with a mix of standing and sitting poses, so choose something you feel comfortable sitting in while still feeling polished and confident.


Outfit Two: Before changing, we’ll grab a few quick images in the field so you get a little variety in your first outfit. Then you’ll switch into your second look for the full field portion. This is the perfect place for a flowy dress or skirt if you have one, since movement and wind photograph beautifully here.


Outfit Three: Your final outfit is for the waterfront and the bottom of the Inn. This tends to be a more relaxed portion of the session with walking, sitting on rocks or logs, and a more natural feel overall. Just make sure your shoes are stable enough for walking on uneven stones so you can move comfortably and confidently.

My Biggest Advice


Don't stress about finding the "perfect" outfit.


The best senior galleries happen when you choose clothing that feels like you. I want your photos to reflect your personality, your style, and this exciting season of life.


If you're ever stuck deciding which outfit should go where, send me photos before your session! I'm always happy to help you decide what will photograph best at each stop so you can walk into your senior session feeling completely confident.