What to Wear: Engagement Sessions
One of our most frequently asked questions when planning any photography session is “What should I wear?!”. We’ve compiled a list of our top tips when planning your outfits for your engagement session, and we hope this will relieve some stress for you!
Our most important tip of all though— relax, have fun and enjoy yourselves! You will cherish these photos forever, so let you love and happiness shine through them. We also offer a complimentary wardrobe consultation via zoom if you are interested, in which we can discuss the styling of your session and various wardrobe options.
Feel Comfortable & Confident
If you are comfortable and feel confident, it will shine through in your photos! We’ve listed this as number one because we think it is most important- after all if you are uncomfortable in what you’re wearing it will show through on camera. Take this as a fun opportunity to dress up. Depending on the season, we recommend a dress and chinos or some sort of tailored pant with a collared shirt for a more polished look. Long, flowy dresses photograph beautifully, as well as heels which tend to elongate your legs. You’ll also want to make sure your shoes are clean, clothing is ironed, and everything is well-fitting as the camera tends to pick up on everything. Remove everything from your pockets! Wallets, keys, it will all show through on camera. Tight clothing will make you uncomfortable, and looser baggy clothing can tend to look sloppy.
Coordinate Colors,
Rather Than Match
The key is to wear coordinating colors, rather than matching colors. We recommend to avoid being “matchy-matchy” and instead choose colors and patterns than compliment each other. For example, if you wear a blush dress, then your partner might wear a navy shirt or jacket with khaki or gray pants, paired with brown leather shoes and maybe even a blush pocket square. This can create a well-coordinated look that doesn’t clash but also doesn’t look identical. Ask yourself, “Do we look like we’re going to the same place?”- the biggest part of coordinating!
Lighter Tones &
Muted Shades
When couples reach out to us asking what to wear we typically recommend selecting lighter tones and more muted shades. Very bright, bold colors (purples & reds for example) can sometimes distract viewers’ eyes to go to your clothing and not your faces. Also you want to make sure your photos look clean and timeless. Consider your location and backdrops. If photographing on a beach or at a park, consider the earth tones around you being photographed. Also make sure not to wear any logos, loud patterns or graphics. These can sometimes photograph poorly, and very quickly “date” the photos. Pale blues, khaki, light pink, off whites and even navy all photograph very fresh and keep the focus on your faces rather than your clothing. Also don’t be afraid to do a pop of color, as long as it isn’t over-the-top.
Consider the Season
This may seem like a no brainer- but the last thing you want is to show up in a dress and sandals while your partner is in a winter sweater! If you’re taking your photos outside during the Fall for example, consider the autumn colors and landscape around you. A pink sleeveless dress will not feel season appropriate and will look odd in photos. You want to ensure you both are dressed for the same season, and for the landscape in which you’re taking your photos. For cooler months, it’s not a bad idea to bring a little sweater, wrap, or blazer to have the option to take some photos with and some without. Having those layering pieces can give you the option of multiple looks throughout your session, without having to fully change your outfits.
Hair, Makeup & Nails
If you’re getting your make-up professionally done for your wedding, we always recommend having your trial done for your engagement photos. It will relieve you of the stress of having to get ready on your own, as well as the stress of what your makeup will look like for your wedding day.
Your hair you will want to keep simple, classic and polished. Wear it how you feel your best!
If you’re debating different nail polish colors, now is the time to get a manicure and test one out. After all these are your engagement photos, so your hands and ring will be getting photographed a lot. Treat yourself to a manicure! Which also reminds us to let you know to clean your ring.
Don’t Forget!
Lastly, we’ve compiled a list of items to not forget. Although your session should last no more than an hour, we always recommend bringing the following to make sure your’e as comfortable as can be.
-Water & snacks: Always pack a little snack or make sure to eat before your photos, and definitely bring some water for warmer days, especially on the beach!
-Flats or flip flops: If you’re wearing heels, you might find it most comfortable to slip into flat shoes when walking to different spots in between photos.
-Hair brush, small mirror & touch up make-up: As part of feeling and looking you’re best, we always recommend bringing a little makeup bag for you to be able to touch-up your hair and makeup should you need to. You’ll be happy you did, and it’s good to bring just incase!
-Props: Think about if you’d like to include champagne, your ring box or any special details that are meaningful to the both of you.
We photograph engagement sessions all year round, and have a list of our favorite places if you need some recommendations. If you’re looking to plan your engagement session, please contact us here. We look forward to photographing this beautiful time in your lives for you, before saying “I do!”.
