Why Every Senior Girl Should Consider a Long Flowing Dress for Her Senior Photos

There’s something about a long, flowy dress that just makes a senior session feel a little more magical. Maybe it’s the way the fabric moves in the wind. Maybe it’s the way a long dress creates beautiful movement in photos. Or maybe it’s simply the feeling of putting on something a little more glamorous and realizing, okay… this is my moment. Whatever it is, I’m here for it.


Over the years, I’ve photographed so many senior girls in long dresses, and no two have looked the same. Some choose soft, romantic dresses. Others go bold and dramatic. Some are covered in florals, while others keep things simple and elegant. And that’s exactly why I love them.


The Movement Makes the Photos

One of my favorite things about a long dress is the movement it creates. Instead of having to stand perfectly still and “pose,” we can get the dress moving. You can walk, spin, run, twirl, kick the skirt out, or simply let the wind catch it. Those little moments create photographs that feel natural and effortless. A long dress gives us something to work with and trust me, we will.


It Adds a Little Drama

Your senior photos don't have to look like everyone else's. A gorgeous, floor-length dress can instantly give your images a more editorial, elevated feel. It can take a beautiful location and turn it into something that feels straight out of a magazine. And you don't have to be someone who normally dresses up to pull it off. In fact, some of my favorite senior portraits are the ones where the girl says, “I would never normally wear something like this.” That's kind of the point. Your senior session is an excuse to have a little fun and try something different.


You Can Still Make It Completely YOU

The best part? There is no “right” long dress. Maybe you want something soft and feminine. Maybe you want a sleek black gown. Maybe you love color. Maybe you want sleeves, a slit, florals, sparkle, or layers of tulle. Choose something that makes you feel amazing. Your senior photos should reflect your personality, and your outfit is a huge part of that.


Think About the Location

When you're choosing a long dress, think about where we're photographing your session. A flowy dress looks incredible in open fields, tall grass, gardens, wooded locations, beaches, and anywhere we can get a little movement. And if there's wind? Even better. Some of the most gorgeous images happen when we simply let the dress move and see what happens. Don't Be Afraid to Go BIG. If you've been saving that dress on Pinterest for months because it's “too much,” I'm going to tell you something: It's probably not too much. Senior pictures are one of those rare opportunities to really celebrate this stage of your life. You don't have to play it safe.


Bring the dress.


Wear the heels.


Add the statement earrings.


Give me all the drama.


Because years from now, I want you to look back at your senior portraits and remember exactly how it felt to be seventeen, twenty years old, or wherever you are in this season of your life confident, excited, beautiful, and completely yourself. And if a giant flowy dress makes you feel like a freaking princess? We're absolutely doing it.


Planning Your Senior Session?

If you're a senior girl planning your photos in Lake County, Northern Illinois, or Southern Wisconsin, I'm all about creating a session that feels like you, from the outfits and locations to the little details that make your images completely personal. And yes, I will always encourage you to bring the dress.


Especially the one that's going to make you stop and say, “Ohhhhhh… I LOVE this.”

Let's make some magic.

Young woman in pink floral maxi dress and sandals posing on a sandy path surrounded by lush greenery at sunset.
Young woman in flowing pink ruffle dress walking gracefully through lush green garden at golden hour.
Young woman in floral burgundy maxi dress standing among wildflowers near a sunlit pond at golden hour.
Young woman in navy floral maxi dress smiling on brick pathway in front of elegant red brick building with arched white doors.
Young woman in white dress standing by a lake at golden sunset, smiling over her shoulder near tall reeds.
Young blonde woman in a light blue tiered maxi dress standing barefoot on rocks outdoors.
Young woman in cream maxi dress poses among colorful wildflowers in a lush green garden at golden hour.
Woman in light blue halter maxi dress twirling on green lawn at golden hour with trees in background.
Woman in blue patterned maxi dress walking along a brick path between tall green hedges in a garden.
Young woman in yellow off-shoulder maxi dress standing on sandy shore at golden hour sunset.
Young woman in floral midi dress and brown boots standing among yellow wildflowers in a lush garden.
Woman in flowing blue gown poses on rocky desert landscape at golden hour sunset.
Woman in elegant yellow strapless gown posing outdoors near a rustic bridge and pond surrounded by lush greenery.
Young woman in white floral maxi dress standing on rocks at sunset with green trees in background.
Young woman in blue maxi dress standing in lush green field at sunset with willow trees in background.