Some of the best photos are those that convey a story, and your senior portraits shouldn’t be any different.

One of the ways that photographers achieve this is by creating a sense of joy in their images and adding movement is one way they can do that. 

And while you can move your body during your senior photos to create these happy, candid shots, you can also use clothing and accessories to create the same effect.

Here’s how:

Bring a Scarf Along

You might think that scarves are a winter and fall accessory but not necessarily. You can use a scarf in one of two ways, regardless of the season. If you are shooting in the cooler months, moving your body with a scarf around your neck will create movement. And if you’re shooting in a warmer season, you can use a scarf in your hand to twirl and dance as a way to incorporate more flow. An alternative to a scarf is a blanket, which can be used in a similar way. 

Wear a Dress for Your Photos

Another easy way to incorporate movement is to wear a long, flowing dress for your senior portraits. The idea is to create a carefree setting where you can play and swish your dress around. Plus, this is a great choice for anyone who is stressed about what to do with their hands during their shoot. An added tip is to rather stick to solid colors for this so that any patterns don’t become the main focus in the shots. 

Add Some Tassels

This works really well if you’re opting for a boho theme for your senior portraits. Wearing items with a fringe or tassels will naturally create movement as you move around and have fun during your shoot. This could be in the form of a dress, scarf, blanket, or jacket. 

Leave Your Hair Down

For some additional movement, you can also leave your hair loose and add create some soft waves on the day of your shoot. As you can imagine, this type of hairstyle works particularly well if you’re having an outdoor shoot. And if you’re lucky, a gentle wind might just play along, moving your hair naturally. 

If movement is something you want to incorporate into your senior photos, be sure to discuss the concept with your photographer ahead of time so that they can plan accordingly.