What to Wear

1. Be Yourself

As long as yourself doesn’t include white tennis shoes with khakis, I am 100% in support of your engagement photos actually resembling you, how you are, how you like to dress. Some of us feel a little clueless about our wardrobes and I totally understand that, too. So if you want to take the engagement session as an opportunity for you and your fiance to make a What Not to Wear style shopping trip by all means I won’t stop you (I adore What Not to Wear and am so sad the show has ended!). Your personalities can really shine through in what you wear so flip through a few catalogs or websites like J.Crew, Anthropologie, Madewell, Banana Republic, Boden (British style and they have some super-cute women’s clothes!) and see what you are drawn to. This can also give you an idea on how to accessorize. I’m a big fan of dresses that have personality for girls (twirly skirts, a fun pattern, a vintage silhouette).

2. How many outfits?

I recommend bringing two to three outfits to change into, but some couples opt for just one. I recommend one dressier outfit that you would wear for a nice dinner out, for example, and one more casual outfit that you feel comfortable sitting in the grass or being picked up in, for example. There is no rule as to how dressy you should be, though I have seen a greater response from the general public when a couple opts for slightly more formal ensembles. There is no rule against a floor-length gown, killer heels, and a guy in a well cut suit. Unless you would never ever ever wear an outfit like that because you dislike them. See rule number 1.

For my own engagement photos many moons ago I wore two different dresses (I love dresses) and an outfit with a striped (obviously) cardigan and jeans, and wore my hair down at first and then put it up with bobbypins later for variety. We also brought champagne which was very us.

3. Wear something you are comfortable in!

You want to wear something that you know you look good in, that outfit that makes you go “Yeah!” when you put it on (don’t worry, we all look in the mirror sometimes and say “Yeah!” and sometimes we even sing Usher at ourselves). You shouldn’t wear something so baggy that no one can tell that there is a person under your clothes (you can pair a loose top with some more fitted pants for example). The reverse is true as well, don’t wear something so tight it makes you self conscious, since that equals an uncomfortable look on the camera. It’s always good to follow rules that flatter your body type, also, for example I’m pretty short (5’2″) and cropped pants make me seem even shorter, and since I’m not very curvy so sheath dresses often look like sacks on me. On other body types sheath dresses and cropped pants can be adorable or chic, just not for me. You can always ask a friend for a second opinion on what flatters you best or ask your fiance what some of their favorite outfits are, too!

4. Accessorize!

Accessories add a lot of visual interest to engagement photos! Depending on the time of year you could use a cute sunhat, scarves, sunglasses, jewelry, or a pair of awesome heels to create a focal point for some fun detail shots or to use as pseudo props (grabbing the collar of your fiance’s jacket to pull them close to you, hiding your faces behind a hat for a kiss, etc.). Girls, you might consider wearing your hair down for the first part of the session and then putting it up for another outfit, if you like your hair both ways, of course!

5. Hair and Makeup

Some brides use the engagement session as an opportunity for a hair and makeup trial (though if you are doing a bridal session you might prefer to use it then!). I recommend wearing your hair a way that you do actually wear it so that you will feel like yourself in the photos. If you never ever curl your hair now might not be the time to immortalize a curly hairstyle in your photos. Also, consider wearing your hair a way that your fiance likes it, it’s a sweet gesture!

For more ideas on how to wear your hair, feel free to check out my hairstyles pinterest board or the blog of local stylists Joanna Ballentine and Molly Stilley, Irrelephant, which has lots of example hairstyles and tutorials.

6. Pinning on Pinterest: The right way.

I encourage brides to make pinterest boards; it’s a big help in helping pick locations and seeing the kinds of images you are drawn to. While making your board take a look at the common links between the photos you like. If most of the photos feature a twirly skirt that might be a good cue for you to bring along a twirly skirt to wear. Notice how the hair, makeup, and outfits make a difference in the photo. Are the couples bundled up for winter? Are they hiding behind a cute hat in the summertime? Are you drawn to emotional closeups or artsy wide angles where you get to see a lot of the view? Communicating what you and your fiance are drawn to is an excellent step to getting engagement session photos that are swoon-worthy. Having trouble getting started? I have a board full of engagement session inspiration (mostly from other photographers) and a board of images from my portfolio as well (which includes weddings and engagements). Don’t feel like you can only pin my work, I’m inspired by the images I see on blogs and Pinterest too!

7. Make it meaningful!

Engagement sessions are so much more fun when you are actually flirting with your significant other, so wear perfume or cologne they like, wear your hair in a way that drives them crazy, ask him to wear your favorite shirt of his (or the one from your first date or on the proposal day or some other special event). Wear jewelry that he gave you. Make it personal and you’ll love the photos that much more.

8. Engaged Twins are not Cute!

I know this is a silly thing to even add here, since you are unlikely to have hired me if you were the matching white button up shirts and khaki pants barefoot on the beach type people, but it’s an important rule: Don’t wear totally matching outfits! That doesn’t mean if you are wearing a light blue shirt your fiance can’t wear a dark blue  shirt, or that you can’t both wear jeans for part of the session, it just means that both of you matching on top and bottom feels more like an Olan Mills portrait session and doesn’t reflect your personalities well. It’s better to add some contrast and interest!

9. Be cautious about wearing bright whites!

I know that the wedding dress is white, so this seems a little counter-intuitive, but sometimes white clothes can be difficult to photograph. Whites have different shades and sometimes cool whites throw off the white balance, especially men’s dress shirts. I’ve photographed some really really cute white dresses and shirts during engagement sessions, and this rule is definitely more for the guys, but in general warmer whites and off whites will photograph better.

10. Include the furry members of your family!

This one works best when you have a friend or family member who can bring your pet to the session for a few photos and pet-sit for the rest of the time or take them home so that they don’t get cooped up in the car (especially in the summer!). If you like the idea of some photos at home (especially if you two are moving into your first home!), we could run by and include your pets that way (and that way all of you fellow cat-lovers can get in on family photos with your felines!).

Extras to think about:

-An umbrella just in case (and a cute umbrella or a plain black or clear one can make great photos!)

-A jacket or coat for cold sessions where you want to warm up as we move place to place

-Water for drinking (especially during the summer!)

-Comfortable shoes for walking from place to place if you are wearing an outfit with heels

-Boots if we are going to a field!

-Extra outfits in case you just aren’t feeling an outfit!

-Make sure you have all of the shoes that go with each outfit and that they match (I’ve had a bride show up with one brown and one black boot because it was dark when she packed her bag!).

-Don’t forget to pack your jewelry (this happens about 30% of the time to my brides!)

-I will give you bonus points for: STRIPES (navy and white especially), twirly dresses, big floppy sunhats, yellow cardigans, red lipstick, wearing light robins egg blue with red (my business colors!), and anything that feels French. I’m kidding, at least kind of, since you should only wear these things if they fit YOUR personal style! I love to capture people the way they are, I can always hire models to wear outfits that I’ve picked out! Your photos are for you! See rule number 1!