So you’ve booked your photographer and scheduled your engagement session, and now you’re probably wondering what you’re gonna wear! It seems like the options are endless and you need a little guidance. After several years of shooting engagement sessions, Ryan and I have developed our favorite tips for ensuring that you’ll be happy with how you look in your pictures. Let’s jump in!
Look like yourself!
We want your photos to look like… you! Choose clothes you really love that make you feel great. Maybe its a particular sweater or jacket that’s the perfect color for your eyes. Maybe it’s your favorite pair of shoes. Whatever that garment is, build a look around it. The most important thing is to be comfortable and confident in whatever you’re wearing.
Laura and John opted for a slightly more formal look, which is how they tend to dress in their day to day lives.
Play with color
Color is so much fun to incorporate into your engagement session! Our general rule of thumb is to wear colors that you love that flatter you. A lot of folks prefer softer, lighter colors for spring photos and darker, more saturated tones for autumn shoots. We say that anything goes as long as you love it and feel dynamite in it! If you’re wondering which colors are best for your skin and hair tone, check out Colorwise! I’ve personally always had a hard time nailing down the best colors for my pale skin tone, and this app totally changed how I get dressed. (Let’s just say that half my closet is purple now, and that’s a good thing.)
Cam’s monochrome ensemble allowed Paige’s brightly colored dress to really pop in this image!
Bring pets! And a human friend
Pets bring a special magic and spontaneity to portrait sessions. What can they say? They’re adorable and a bit unpredictable. We recommend bringing a friend along to keep your pet company while you’re doing “couple only” photos without your furry friend. Also, treats, water, and a favorite toy can help to keep your pet calm and happy during the shoot.
Bubba was just a puppy when we did Maria and Raymond’s engagement session, but we somehow managed to get him to sit still long enough to take this photo. Anything can happen!
Jeans are great! Just make sure they fit
We want you to feel comfortable and like yourself, and for most of us, that means denim. It’s the classic, cool, American look, and we can’t help but love it. If you’re planning on wearing jeans for one of your engagement looks, check them over beforehand and make sure they still fit you well and are comfortable for you to wear. And make sure you take everything out of your pockets!
Bri and Adam chose a more lived in style for their photos, which we took at Adam’s family farm.
Don’t be afraid of texture and pattern… within reason
We love a good pattern, and when it’s used deliberately in a shoot, it can elevate the photos and give them some added pizzazz. Maybe it’s a plaid scarf or a fun floral print, but whatever you choose, balance it out with some neutral tones so your clothes don’t start to wear you, instead of the other way around!
The beautiful blues in Eden’s dress and Nate’s shirt completed the cool tones of this image perfectly.
Thanks for reading! We hope these ideas help you choose the perfect outfits for your engagement session!
