50 Best Senior Picture Ideas for 2023 Graduates

Best Senior Pictures to Try

If you are planning some senior pictures for your 2023 grad, look no further! We’ve gathered all the best ideas from around the internet into one convenient place for your browsing pleasure. Check out our pose and location ideas, outfit inspo, the best season tips to set up your session, and even some bonus tips from an actual photographer to make your session spectacular.

What are you waiting for? Let’s get to it!

This list has everything you need for senior portrait inspiration for 2023 graduates. | The Dating Divas
All our favorite senior portrait ideas in one easy list.

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Table of Contents
  1. Best Senior Pictures to Try
  2. Pose Ideas for Senior Photos
  3. Best Season to Take Senior Pictures
  4. The Perfect Senior Picture Locations
  5. Best Senior Picture Outfits
  6. Celebrating School Activities in Senior Pictures
  7. Showcase Your Personality in Senior Photos
  8. Bonus Tips To Make Your Photo Shoot Rock

Pose Ideas for Senior Photos

Although your photographer should be prepared with plenty of pose ideas for you, it never hurts to bring along a little inspiration of something you love. That way, you get photos your photographer might not usually do and ones that you really want as well! So keep scrolling to see if any of these strike your fancy.

Consider a serious expression for great senior picture ideas for guys. | The Dating Divas
Man poses for senior portraits.

1. Serious Face (Amy Gray Photography)– Senior picture ideas for guys can be difficult to find. Do not underestimate the power of the stone-cold stare in a photoshoot. We’re not suggesting that you never smile- but give the serious face photo a shot! (And if you love his look, grab yourself some suspenders.)

For some great senior picture ideas, try posing with family. | The Dating Divas
Mother and daughter pose together during daughter’s senior portraits.

2. With Family (Amy Gray Photography)– A great way to get some grad images in is during a family session. Take some with parents or siblings, and be sure to get some on your own as well. For example, this adorable photo is a mother and daughter. If your parent helped get you to graduation, it only makes sense to include them in some photos!

Combining your senior photo session with your friends can make for some really fun grad images. | The Dating Divas
Three girls pose together for their senior pictures.

3. With Friends (Amy Gray Photography)– Book your senior session with friends for some memorable photos you will always treasure! And, of course, do some classic graduation poses. Some photographers even offer a special session package just for groups of friends. You can even get yourself some matching dresses!

Don't forget to get some up close portraits during your senior pictures. | The Dating Divas
Close-up senior portrait of girl with flowers.

4. Little Details (Kasia Soszka Photography)– Be sure to ask your photographer for a close up portrait. It may sound silly, but newborn photographers are always sure to capture all the little details of their subject, and this session shouldn’t be much different.

Look for colorful locations for your senior pictures. | The Dating Divas
Girl poses next to flowers during her senior pictures.

5. Sweet Pose (Jenna Hidinger Photography)– A head tilt, hand on the face or hair, and sitting down always make for a very sweet, simple pose. This is a classic you shouldn’t skip!

Capture some life and movement in your senior portrait session. | The Dating Divas
Girl twirls in the water during her senior pictures.

6. Wild and Free (Amy Gray Photography)– Show some movement in your photos. Jump, dance, spin, run– whatever helps you loosen up and shows a different side of you than a sitting pose. A flowy dress helps, too!

Girl smiles for camera during her senior pictures.

7. Genuine Smile– Bring along a friend or family member who can help you feel relaxed and bring out your genuine smile.

You can take great senior pictures in any location. | The Dating Divas
Boy poses at old house for a moodier take on senior pictures.

8. Moody (Jenna Hidinger Photography)– Don’t forget the more serious pose, sitting and contemplating your future. Or, thinking about what you’re going to eat for lunch. Either way.

Best Season to Take Senior Pictures

You are probably wondering when the best season is to schedule senior pictures. The truth is, photos can be gorgeous in any season! So check out these four examples and choose your favorite.

Spring is always a great time to take your senior pictures.| The Dating Divas
Girl poses with blooming apricot tree for her springtime senior pictures.

9. Spring (Crimson & Cloud Photography)– Spring is easily the most common time for senior pictures, as it comes right before graduation. You also get the gorgeous blooms, pretty weather, and a little extra lighting in the evening for perfect photos.

Senior portraits during fall are always pretty. | The Dating Divas
Girl takes her senior pictures in the fall.

10. Autumn (Jess Lynn Photography)– Although it may be early in the year, you can never go wrong with photos in the Fall! Capture the changing leaves, your first day of school outfit, or just the beginning of your senior year.

Senior portraits in the winter can look great. | The Dating Divas
Man walks across snowy street for his winter senior pictures.

11. Winter (Jenna Hidinger Photography)– Don’t discount a winter photoshoot just yet! Although it may be cold and wet, a winter session can be just as beautiful as any other season. Look for some great backdrops, use Christmas lights for a bokeh effect, or bundle up with a blanket and hot chocolate on a sledding hill.

Summer senior portraits can be beautiful. | The Dating Divas
Boy poses at the lake for his senior pictures in the summer.

12. Summer (Crimson & Cloud Photography)– Whether you want to shoot these photos the summer before your senior year or right after graduation as more of an announcement, summertime is definitely not out of the running for great senior photos. Take advantage of all the extra light, blooming flower gardens, and outfit options that summer offers.

The Perfect Senior Picture Locations

Location is an important part of grad images. Different locations completely change the look and feel of your photos. Check out some of these awesome location ideas, or ask your photographer for recommendations near you.

Try taking your senior pictures inside a nursery. | The Dating Divas
Girl shows off graduation poses in a greenhouse.

13. In a Greenhouse (Amanda Tonangel Photography)– Early spring is the perfect time to take advantage of shooting inside a greenhouse. It is a little warmer, protected from the elements, and surrounded by gorgeous colors!

Use local art for your senior pictures. | The Dating Divas
Woman stands in front of giant painted butterfly on side of building for unique senior pictures.

14. Local Art (CTG Photography)– Take advantage of local art in your town to create colorful and unique photos.

Trust a portrait studio to take gorgeous headshots for your senior pictures. | The Dating Divas
Woman poses in portrait studio for her grad images.

15. Portrait Studio (Em Parker Portrait)– You really can’t go wrong with a studio session. Your photographer has complete control over the lighting, you don’t have to worry about bad weather, and some portrait studios even offer hair and makeup.

Grad images don't get prettier than those taken at the beach. | The Dating Divas
Girl plays in the water at the beach during her senior pictures.

16. Beach Session (Amy Gray Photography)– If you live within 24 hours of a beach, please book your session there! Adding in the sand and water element adds so much interest to photos, and you really can’t miss with a sunset photo on the beach.

Show off yourself and your stuff in this unique senior picture location. | The Dating Divas
Girl poses for senior portraits in her own room.

17. Showcase Their Bedroom (Claudia Farr Photography)– This unique idea for a location is such a great way to make your senior session something of a time capsule. Take some photos in your space, doing what you love, and you are guaranteed to love the results.

Check out these senior picture ideas for even more inspiration for your photoshoot. | The Dating Divas
Girl lays in grass with flowers for one of her grad images.

18. Think Outside the Box (Deanna Loren Photography)– With some creativity, you don’t need to travel to several different locations to get different a different look during your session. Try different angles, a slightly different background, or even an outfit change to mix things up.

Try these senior picture ideas for something truly different. | The Dating Divas
Boy poses inside tunnel for a unique perspective for his senior portraits.

19. Unique Locations (Jess Lynn Photography)– Think of any super-unique locations near you. There are probably places where it seems like everyone gets their photos taken, so search somewhere else to get a unique photo that is all your own.

20. Their Favorite Places (Jess Lynn Photography)– Consider asking your favorite local store or hangout if you can snap a few photos there. This is another awesome way to capture a moment in time in a way that you will always want to remember.

Best Senior Picture Outfits

One of the biggest questions photographers get before a session is, “What do I wear?!” Luckily, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but there are some simple rules to follow to help take your best photos. Scroll for some outfit inspiration you don’t want to miss.

21. Neutrals (Jill Carmel Photography)– Light neutral colors always look great in photos. They can match any setting, look great with any editing style, and give a classic look that won’t go out of style. Luckily, great neutral clothing is totally trendy right now.

22. Pops of Color (Jenna Hidinger Photography)– Adding in a pop of bright color can give some life and interest to your senior photos. Try finding clothing, accessories, or props in your favorite color. There are lots of great bright-colored clothing options.

23. Your Best Color (Andrea Hallett Photography)– Check out the website Colorwise and find colors that look best on you. You might be surprised by what they are!

24. Cap and Gown (Amy Gray Photography)– Of course, you can’t miss a classic photo with your graduation gear- a cap, gown, sash, or tassel all make great senior photos. You can even throw your hat in the air for one of the classic graduation poses.

25. Varsity Jacket (Claudia Farr Photography)– If you are graduating with a varsity jacket, it is a must for including in your senior portraits! Be sure to capture all the little details.

26. Highlight Your Best Features (Andrea Hallett Photography)– Search for clothing choices that highlight your best features. Make your eyes pop, your smile whiter, or your skin clearer just by choosing the right color palette.

27. Express Your Personality (Maria Snider Photography)– Overall, choosing clothing that feels very YOU is the best thing you can do- show off your personality in your senior photos.

28. Cultural Attire (Jess Lynn Photography)– Adding in some cultural clothing can make for some incredible senior picture ideas. Consider how the location you choose can make the clothing stand out as well.

Celebrating School Activities in Senior Pictures

If you were involved in any school activities, be sure to capture those in some photos! Here are some really unique ways to do that.

29. Football (Crimson & Cloud Photography)– Consider bringing gear, varsity jackets, or even taking photos on the football field for some really memorable photos.

30. Band (Amanda Tonangel Photography)– Bring your instrument and take some photos in the stands for some awesome photos full of memories.

31. Baseball (Deanna Loren Photography)– Simply bringing a ball and mitt (and your favorite team hat, of course) to any location can be a great way to remember a beloved high school sport.

32. Track (Amanda Tonangel Photography)– Capturing running isn’t always easy, but use some creativity like this shot, and you can end up with a really awesome senior photo.

33. Tennis (Claudia Farr Photography)– Shooting your session on or off the court can look great. Just don’t forget your racket!

34. Violin (Jill Carmel Photography)– Go someplace pretty and bring your instrument. Let your photography capture you totally in your element playing.

35. Swimming (Dawn Matthes Photography)– Capturing your love of swimming is sure to make for some super unique photos!

Showcase Your Personality in Senior Photos

Even if you weren’t involved in any school-sanctioned activities, it can be a great idea to capture some of your other hobbies and interests in your senior photos! These can make for some simple senior picture ideas for guys or girls. Consider what you love doing, and use some of these photos as inspiration for your own senior photo session.

36. Skateboarding (Loriana Marie Photography)– Take some portraits with your skateboard like this one, or get some action shots while you’re at the skate park!

37. Guitar (Crimson & Cloud Photography)– There are so many unique shots you can get with something as simple as your guitar! Change up the pose or the scenery, and you’ll end up with several great shots to choose from.

38. Water Sports (Maria Snider Photography)– If you think your hobby might be too difficult to capture on camera, think again! Find a willing photographer, and you might be surprised by what you can create.

39. Sailing (Loriana Marie Photography)– This is another unique session idea that might seem difficult to capture but can make for some really awesome photos if you give it a try!

40. Horses/Pets (Claudia Farr Photography)– If you have a favorite family pet, try including them in your photoshoot! Pets make for a cute focal point and are a great way to bring more sweet memories into your photos.

41. With a Car (Amanda Tonangel Photography)– Whether you saved to buy your first car or it was a hand me down gift from Grandpa, cars are often a great way to tell the story of your time in school. Consider including your car in your senior portraits.

42. Night Photography (CTG Photography)– There are some awesome and artistic photos you can create at night if you can find a willing photographer! Experiment with glow sticks, flashlights, neon signs, etc. You are sure to end up with the most unique senior photos in your class!

43. Hunting (Amanda Tonangel Photography)– If your hobby doesn’t exactly make it easy to invite a photographer along, find other ways to capture the memories! Bring gear along, dress the part, or ask your photographer for their ideas.

44. Boating (Amanda Tonangel Photography)– Trust us, your photographer will love being invited on your boat to capture some awesome and unique senior photos.

45. Showcase a Degree (CTG Photography) – Find a unique way to celebrate your recently earned degree or future degree through your photos!

Bonus Tips To Make Your Photo Shoot Rock

Hopefully, by now, you’re itching to get out and try some of these ideas for your own senior photo shoot, but here are a few bonus tips to really make your session stand out.

46. Practice Your Smile (Andrea Hallett Photography)– It may feel silly, but practice your smile in a mirror or while taking some selfies before your session. This can help you feel more relaxed, and you’ll be much more likely to love the end result.

47. Consider Props (Dawn Matthes Photography)– Think about what props might look great in your photoshoot. An old desk like this one, some favorite hobby gear like above, or maybe even something else we haven’t discussed. Think of ways you can use props to showcase your time in school.

48. Comfort (Sophie Crew Photography)– Your comfort during a session is one of the most important ways to ensure you end up with photos you love. We aren’t suggesting you bring a pillow to sit on. What we mean is that you need to be comfortable with your chosen photographer, wear clothing that you don’t feel you need to keep fixing, and maybe even bring along friends or family who can help you feel more at ease.

49. Be In Your Element (Dawn Matthes Photography)– If you don’t usually dress up, you probably aren’t going to love stiff photos of you in a suit. Consider if there are ways to get photos of you in your element–playing your favorite sport or instrument, in your own room, or even at your job. There is no quicker way to get you relaxed in a photo shoot than to start out where you’re already comfortable.

50. Have Fun! (Amanda Tonangel Photography)– Sometimes a photoshoot can feel like a job. But for you as the client, it should be fun! Be sure to laugh and enjoy yourself!

And there you have it… 50 awesome ideas for the best senior photos out there! We hope you found an idea or two that you can’t wait to recreate with your own special twist.

If you liked this post, be sure to check out our Back to School Pictures and Ways to Prepare for Going Back to School.

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Danica

I'm a mama to 3 little redheads and wife to my studly red-headed husband! I love game nights, running, chips and guac, and a good Netflix series to binge. I thrive most when my kitchen is clean, cookies are baking, and it's a little rainy outside. Mmm a perfect day!

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