One of the questions I get asked most often from my clients is “What should we wear for our engagement session?” I’ve put together this guide with some suggestions on what works well and what doesn’t. I hope this helps with your outfit planning!
A few tips: avoid busy, bold patterns. Keep black and white to a minimum as they don’t photograph as well. If you’re thinking of wearing white, consider ivory or cream and be sure to choose a fabric with texture, like lace, which will photograph more nicely. Please remember to take everything out of your pockets (I’m talking to you gentleman) – wallet, keys, and cellphone. If you have any questions or need help with outfit planning please let me know.
- Use layers, texture, and accessories to create visual interest in your outfits. Elly choose a cream colored top that has lots of lovely texture in it and added a long statement necklace and wrap that pairs perfectly with the colors in Drew’s shirt.
- Don’t try to match each other, instead try using complementary colors. Choosing shades from the same color often work very well together. In this case, the blues look great to go with beautiful beach background as well!
- Use patterns carefully. Pattern can add interest to an outfit, but it can be distracting if there is too much or clashing patterns. If one person is wearing pattern, the other outfit should be more simple. Also keep in mind that large plaid/checkered patterns photograph better than small patterns. Melissa chose a scarf that ties in one of the colors from Nick’s shirt, which worked perfectly. Even Ripley’s bowtie coordinates! 🙂
- Consider the season. If your session is taking place in summer a cute summer dress like Emily is wearing would be appropriate, but for a winter session you’d be freezing! Sarah and Keith’s made the best of their winter engagement session but accessorizing with gloves, a scarf, and a beautiful coat in some of their photos. She stayed warm, looked fabulous, and it makes sense visually with the bare trees. In fall, cozy sweaters with boots always look fantastic.
- Keep your location in mind. A flowy dress with bare feet look great on the beach but may not work as well for on a city street corner. You can also use the location as inspiration for your color palette. These soft pastels work perfectly with the soft colors of the beach. In fall, neutrals and earth tones work really well to complement the fall leaves. Make sure you are not clashing with your background.
- Choose clothes that reflect your personality. If you feel most comfortable in a formal dress and suit, embrace that. If you’re a more of a jeans and t-shirt kind of couple, that’s great, too. When you look at your portraits you want to look like YOU.
- Choose something that is comfortable and flattering. Make sure your outfit is easy to move in and flatters your body type. Use your outfit to highlight the things you like best about your body (like Ashley’s toned legs!) and minimize the things you don’t.
- Consider an outfit change. Many of my clients opt to change halfway through their session, typically choosing one outfit that is dressy and that is more casual.