Engagement sessions are so much fun! For many couples, an engagement photoshoot is one of the first and few things you get to do as an engaged couple. In my experience, it’s also one of the first times you and your partner are getting professional photos done! 

One of the most common questions that I get from clients is: WHAT DO WE WEAR?!

Think of your photoshoot kind of like a recipe, the secret sauce for a good photo is an equal mixture of: lighting, location, photographer, outfits and attitude. If one of these things are off, then it can distract from the purpose of the photo which is to capture your love story!

To help make sure that the focus remains on you and your partner, here are my five tips for picking an outfit for your engagement photos! 

Plan Ahead

There is a strong chance this hot tip is underwhelming, but I can’t stress enough the value of planning ahead. From the moment you book with your photographer, start thinking about your location and your outfit – do this by exploring Pinterest Boards for photoshoots in your area to get the idea of what might be possible. For easy research, you know I have a board for you to get some inspiration from. 

Once you’ve got an idea of what you’d like to wear… please… please… please… try your outfits on a week or two ahead of your photoshoot. Make it a group activity, try your outfit on with your partner and stand side-by-side in the mirror to see how things look together. During this time, also think about the fit and how you feel in the garment. If you feel restricted in your clothing, or fear popping a button or zipper, you will not be comfortable during your shoot. Plan to wear something that makes you feel beautiful but you can also move in. 

Finally, during this planning stage, I’d like to also encourage you to try and find two outfits that you like. Maybe you picked a package that doesn’t have an outfit change, that’s okay. But you will appreciate bringing that second outfit when your dress gets muddy or the coffee you picked up on the way the photoshoot spills on your outfit. That second outfit, it’s your insurance fit. 😉 

Think of The Location

Remember when I mentioned the secret sauce to a good photo & one of those ingredients was location? Well, let me tell you – location and outfits go hand in hand. When you plan your outfits really think about the colors and style of the setting you’ve chosen.

For example, if you are doing a light and airy, romantic, beach location, then heavy jackets and boots might look a little out of place. The same can be said about a dense redwood forest, if you decide to rock your jean shorts and crop tops, it wouldn’t quite fit the darker, neutral tones of a forest. Overall, your outfits should complement the environment. My biggest tip here? Neutrals and more muted tones can work in almost every location. 

Skip Matching Outfits

This might be a little counterintuitive. Instead of rocking a full matching outfit, find two outfits that compliment each other! The easiest way to do this is to pick 3-4 colors that you agree on and then find outfits within that color palette.

Maybe you pick the colors: navy, grey, yellow and white – from there, each of you can explore your closet to see what fits in the color scheme. Maybe you rock a white shirt & yellow skirt while your partner finds something in the navy and grey space.

Using a palette to help coordinate outfits ensure thats: 1. You aren’t matchy-matchy, 2. You both get to wear something you like, 3. It enables a little more creative freedom in outfit picking 4. It looks really freaking good on camera. 

Think of Your Home

Most photos have a longer lifetime than social media. Many of my couples print their photos to hang in their home. So when you plan your outfits and location, really think about where these images will live when the photoshoot is said and done.

Take a look around your house, if it’s full of bright colors and fun patterns – then by all means, rock the hot pink and the bold print! But if you’re looking at your walls and see more muted tones within your furniture, then I recommend wearing something that leans towards a neutral side. You’re not going to want to hang something that doesn’t quite fit your home, so really take inventory of your interior style as you plan your outfits. 

Add Texture & Accessories 

Alright, we’ve talked a lot about colors and how they will look on, in an environment and your home – but what about textures? Mixing textures in your clothing can really add a little more magic to your photo. Gone are the all white linen outfit days. Instead, rock linen, cable knit, lace, tulle, cotton, jean – it all really shows up really well on camera. 

On top of the textures, don’t forget to accessorize! Hats, scarfs, layers can add an extra element to your photos and also give you a prop to play with. 

Alright, there you have it – my top five tips for planning your engagement photoshoot outfits.I never want to stifle your style. There are all suggestions & what I’ve seen work well over the years. At the end of the day, these are your photos & if you have a vision – let’s make it happen!