Top Senior Photography Fads that Won't Make You Cringe in 20 Years

Like the rest of the photography industry, high school senior photography trends ebb and flow in popularity. For seniors graduating in 2025, most of the trends revolve around nature, with seniors opting for organic fabrics, outdoor locations with wild landscapes, and authentic poses that showcase individuality.

Unlike most trends that don’t age well, these nine fads won't date your senior pictures. 

It's Time to Get Candid

The era of overly posed, polished, and staged is over. According to 6 Need-to-Know Senior Portrait Photography Trends, written by Jenna Berman, today's seniors embrace their authenticity and want their photographers to capture true emotions, genuine smiles, spontaneous laughter, and even moments of thoughtful contemplation. Seniors are looking for unfiltered, storytelling images that highlight moments of their everyday lives.

Embrace Movement

I can't overstate the importance of movement in senior photos.

Capturing motion creates energy and intensity. Even if it's just a little motion blur, we want the viewers to feel in the moment with us, whether as an active participant or a voyeur. Don't be afraid to make big, pronounced movements. Skip, jump, and leap if you can, especially at the beginning of your session. Use your body to throw energy in every direction possible. The end result will be worth in. 

Encourage Environmental Awareness

Teen-centered sustainable fashion has gained momentum as awareness of its environmental impact grows. Seniors choose eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, hemp, and other recycled fabrics and thrift outfits specifically to get unique pieces that reduce their carbon footprint.

If a previously owned outfit isn't the ideal color, consider a simple fabric dye. Not a perfect fit? Get a tailor to make simple adjustments. 

Fight Against Gender & Beauty Norms

Some seniors are breaking with traditional gender norms and embracing gender-fluid clothing styles for their portraits — AND I AM HERE FOR IT! Tailored suits, oversized blazers, and other fluid outfits blend traditionally masculine and feminine aesthetics, emphasizing self-expression and authenticity and enabling high school seniors to showcase their identities confidently. Mix a tie with a ruffled floral. Pair a skirt with combat boots and a vest. Be an original!

Gender fluidity and self-acceptance go hand-in-hand with seniors embracing non-traditional beauty and raw vulnerability. With companies like Dove and Calvin Klein embracing curvy frames and atypical gender identities, seniors can flaunt self-acceptance in their portraits,  

Bring on the Nostalgia

Vintage and retro aesthetics shape current fashion trends, and seniors will integrate retro elements into their senior portrait outfits. Expect to see 'updated versions of 90s-inspired streetwear, '70s boho-chic, and '80s power suits. Combine vintage pieces with modern accessories to create a dynamic blend of nostalgia with contemporary visions, producing images that are both timeless and fresh.

The nostalgia doesn't end with fashion, however. There's also been a resurgence of retro and vintage aesthetics among photographers who implement older techniques and styles in their work, such as film photography and vintage color palettes. As this trend gains popularity, expect photos to have grainy textures, faded colors, and intentional imperfections.

Don't Forget the Accessories

According to Capturing Style: Clothing Trends for 2024 Senior High School Portraits written by Dos Kiwis Studio, accessories are essential to transform a senior portrait into something unique. Items like oversized sunglasses, statement hats, chunky jewelry, and bold footwear add personality and flair to an ensemble. For example, pair a mini-dress with vintage Nikes. Play with an oversized '80s hair bow for extra whimsy. Seniors are encouraged to experiment with accessories that reflect their style and enhance their chosen wardrobe.

Personalize the Entire Session

In 2024, people can get anything personalized, from coffee mugs to socks. So why not senior photos? Seniors can infuse their portrait sessions with meaningful touches that reflect their interests, hobbies, and aspirations. From wearing varsity jackets adorned with varsity letters to incorporating accessories like a stethoscope to hint at future career goals, personalized elements add depth and authenticity to their portraits.

Locations with Natural Beauty

In Upcoming Senior Photography Trends of 2024 by Frontier Photography, we can see that seniors are opting for natural and organic backgrounds instead of studio backdrops. Timeless and visually appealing, natural settings have a texture that adds depth to images. In the Midwest, seniors often select ponds, rivers, and fields of wildflowers as preferred locations because of the differing landscapes available and the variety in color palette. 

Incorporate Vibrant Colors

In addition to natural and organic backgrounds, 25 Exciting Photography Trends for Inspiration in 2024 writes that there is an expected rise in the use of bright, bold, colors and high contrast, dramatic lighting. While there's a growing appreciation for natural hues, the appeal of strong, vibrant colors is a powerful way to make images jump out online – a place where most teens spend a ton of time. It's all about stopping someone's scroll, and bright colors grab attention.

The high school senior photography trends speak to today's teens' connection to their natural environment and desire for individuality and authenticity, as well as their attachment to social media and desire to grow an online presence.