One of the most important things to do when preparing for your engagement session is choosing your outfits. To help you feel confident in your outfit choice, here are five style tips to consider when making your decision:
1. Location and Weather
Where are you taking your photos? Is it on the beach, in your home, the city, woods, or desert? How about the weather? What time of the year is it—spring, summer, fall, or winter?
Considering the weather and location of your photo shoot helps narrow down your choices of what to wear. You wouldn’t want to wear sandals in the woods during the winter or Uggs on the beach during a hot summer day! So, one of the easiest things to do first when choosing an outfit is to take into account the photo shoot location and weather.
2. Color
Again, thinking about the location of where you’re taking your photos is always helpful, especially when you’re deciding on what colors to coordinate and wear. Try to avoid a color that you think will easily blend into the background. For example, if you’re taking photos in a forest, it is best to avoid wearing green. Instead, try wearing an outfit with a different earthy color that would coordinate with and contrast against a green forest background; such as black, maroon, a soft tan, or navy blue. (Personal preference: I believe pastel or neutral colors on a subject look very nice in any location! Just make sure the color does not blend in with your surroundings.)
Incorporating a pop or touch of color in your outfit is always a nice way to bring attention to yourself in a photo. However, try to stay away from “highlighter” colors. These colors can be distracting and unflattering.
Is white an option? Of course! Just be aware that white typically washes out skin tones. So, if you want to go with a white outfit, try incorporating a touch of color to it, whether it be a pattern or design on the outfit or a different colored layer or article of clothing, such as a coat, sweater, hat, necklace, etc.
3. Simple but not Casual
A simple outfit can really help capture a timeless look. However, try not to confuse simple with casual. To make your photos stand out, wear something a little bit dressier than usual, like something you would wear for a special occasion. So, think of your engagement shoot as a special occasion and come dressed to impress!
Here are a few tips on how to turn your outfits from a casual look to a sophisticated one:
Layer it up!
Clothes photograph better when they are layered. So, guys feel free to throw on a collared shirt underneath your sweater or jacket. Ladies, spruce up that dress by wearing a necklace.
Other layers can include: belts, vests, scarves, hats (excluding baseball caps), cardigans, blazers, etc.!
No logos!
Your engagement photos are meant to promote your love, not the bubbly goodness of what is Coca-Cola!
Avoid flip-flops!
I suggest you only wear flip-flops for a beach photo shoot so you can easily remove them. To add an element of formality, wear closed-toe shoes. A couple exceptions for women would be open-toe heels or elegant looking sandals.
4. Matching vs. Coordinating
Matching with your significant other can be cute on occasions, like wearing the same sports jersey to a game or the same pajamas on Christmas morning. However, when it comes to your engagement photos, try coordinating outfits instead of matching them to showcase both of your individuality. Yes, you are two people about to become one in marriage but that doesn’t mean you’ll be wearing matching outfits everyday after you both say, “I do!” One of the best ways to portray your unique personality is through the clothes you wear. So, wear what you believe represents your individuality and coordinate with your fiancé to create a unifying look.
You can coordinate outfits by:
Choosing colors that complement each other
Dressing at the same level of simplicity or extravagance
One of you wearing a patterned outfit while the other is wearing a solid colored outfit
5. Be Yourself
Overall, be yourself! These tips are not requirements, just suggestions. So wear what you feel comfortable and confident in!