High school seniors, families, and engagement sessions – I’m often asked for suggestions on what to wear for portraits. Let’s talk about the best dress options for spring pictures!

While you may find it easy to select outfits for day-to-day life, recognizing that this will be the outfit you will be looking at on your walls in the months ahead can make selecting a dress for your portraits a little daunting.

That’s why I love being able to help my clients select the best option for their portraits! It’s important to me to help you find an outfit that makes you look great as well as feel great. Living in the Upper Peninsula, we don’t really have malls with lots of options close by, but we do have the Internet at our fingertips! Online shopping makes it easy to try a wide range of dresses from the comfort of your home.

Before we get started: this post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. For more information please read my disclaimer on affiliate links.

Is this the year you are ready to update your pictures? I can’t wait to meet you! In the meantime, here are my top recommendations for skirts and dresses for spring pictures.

How to Decide What To Wear For Spring Pictures

The first thing I ask when someone seeks advice on what to wear is what they plan to do with their images. If you are planning to hang your prints in a family room, consider selecting clothing that will coordinate, not clash, with the rest of the room.

A couple of general tips when selecting dresses for spring pictures:

• If you’re sporting prints (i.e. polka dots or floral), make sure they’re big enough to show up on camera, but not too big. You don’t want to get lost in an oversize print – think giant Hawaiian flowers.
• Avoid small, tight patterns like very narrow stripes and gingham. This can lead to something called moire.
  (See an example on ThredUp here. Note the difference in patterns. When photographed, the small, tight lines give a somewhat dizzying effect that makes my eyes hurt!)
• Consider the weather. Spring in the Upper Peninsula is still more brisk than balmy, so save those short and sleeveless dresses for the summer! Consider a midi length / calf length skirt that says spring but keeps you warm, too!
• What are your insecurities? We all have them! Find materials that skim over the areas you don’t love instead of cling. For example, are you insecure about your midsection? Wear a flowing dress (a silky chiffon style) instead of a hugging t-shirt/jersey dress!
• Consider the silhouette. There’s a difference between a dress that doesn’t cling and an oversized dress that you get lost in. If your clothes are too baggy or loose, it can actually make you look BIGGER! A well-placed belt will take you from drab to chic!

Amazon Skirts and Dresses for Spring Pictures

Amazon makes it SO easy to order, try on, and return dresses as needed! Additionally, they make it easy to find a dress style you love in a variety of colors. Click on any of the pictures below to view its listing.

When you click on some of these listings and view the available colors, note how certain colorways have a lot of contrast, making it difficult to discern even what the pattern is. (Example: small white daisies on black background.) These are materials I would avoid for dresses for spring pictures. Spring is a great time for soft neutrals and pastels.

More Recommendations for Spring Dresses

While Amazon is super convenient, consider browsing other stores as well. The dresses linked below are from a variety of brands, from Wal-Mart to Anthropologie.

Additionally, another site I love to browse for spring dresses is ThredUp.com. I didn’t link anything specifically from them as their inventory turns over quickly, but this is a great option for gently worn (but clean and reviewed by a team, not an individual seller) clothing. Click the link above to receive $10 off your first order!

Are you ready to plan your spring pictures?

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ENJOY THE VU PHOTOGRAPHY IS A KEWEENAW PENINSULA PHOTOGRAPHER WHO MAKES IT EASY FOR YOU TO PLAN GREAT SPRING PICTURES!