RESOURCES | TIPS & ADVICE
What to Wear for Your Engagement Session
Most of the couples I work with haven’t had professional photos taken, and they often tell me that they don’t have any good photos of themselves together. If you’re already camera shy, you might feel added pressure to finally get some good photos of the two of you. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? And then to add to the stress, there’s one more detail to fuss about: What are you going to wear?
Yikes!
But don’t worry. I have the foolproof tips you need, so you’ll know what to pull out of your closet on the day of your engagement session to take you from anxious to excited for some really great photos.
Comfort Comes First
I can’t stress this enough: If you feel comfortable, you’ll look natural and feel at ease. Whether you’re dressing up or going casual, think about two things when it comes to comfort: First, does what you’re wearing fit well physically? Poorly fitting clothing often has to be adjusted throughout the shoot and it’ll distract you from the moment. And secondly, am I comfortable with the amount of skin I’m showing? Only show as much skin as you’re comfortable with. And remember: We’re often our own worst critic. But if you’re comfortable, you feel confident about the way you look!
Location, Location, Location
It’s important to be mindful of where you’ll be shooting too, and think about how it might interact with your outfit. I often find at outdoor sessions — like those at beaches, parks or hiking trails — wearing earth tones or gentle colours compliment the scenery beautifully. When shooting downtown, or inside a bar or cafe, it can be fun to dress up, wear patterns, or choose bold colours. A note on colour: It can be fun and look great for partners to have complimentary colours in their outfits too!
Watch the Weather
Depending on the time of year, I always tell couples to dress appropriately for the weather, especially here in the Maritimes. Feeling too hot or too cold will show up in your photos, and it’ll be harder for you to relax. If you’re not sure of the weather, use this opportunity to bring extra items for variety like jackets, hats, and shoes. You could get more mileage out of your photos with some outfit options.
Stay True to Your Style
Just be yourself and try not to worry about following fashion trends! I recommend couples go for a timeless look with your outfit so that the photos won’t look dated when you look back years later.
Wardrobe Dont’s
There are a few wardrobe choices that may have a negative impact on your photos, so you may want to avoid:
- Extremely bright colours (e.g. neons) since they’ll clash with scenery and may cause a strange colour cast on your skin.
- Large, busy patterns can be distracting, and it may be all you notice in the image. Subtle patterns can work one one person though.
- Big, bold logos. Similar to patterns, they can just be too distracting and might be all you see in the image.
I always encourage couples to feel free to bring an extra outfit or clothing item to change into for variety in the photos. Feeling comfortable in the outfit(s) you’ve chosen will help you feel prepared, confident, and free to have fun at your engagement session!
Now that you know what you’re going to wear, check out some of these blog posts or this Pinterest board for location inspiration!
