Engagement Photos Outfits
The most common question I get from my clients is “What should I wear for engagement photos?!” here is my post with tons of ideas for your engagement photo outfits.
My biggest tip for what to wear for your engagement photoshoot is to wear whatever feels most authentically to you. If you want to wear a full ball gown, great. You want to wear a banana costume, wonderful. Really I photograph the whole spectrum of what to wear, and I am here for all of it.
My what to wear for engagement photo tips for you are
- Wear something that makes you feel monarch energy because that confidence will shine through your photos.
- Wear something you love.
- Wear something that is comfortable and moveable.
Further tips if you would like them:
Think about your wedding dress code
When picking your engagement session outfit, sometimes it’s good to think about your wedding dress code. Your engagement session sets the tone for your wedding and can be a great tip for your guests on how you would like them to dress. For example, if your dress code is festive attire and costumes, bringing some fringe and sequins to your engagement session can be a blast! If your dress code is black tie, opt for suits, gowns, and other formal attire.
Comfort and Fit
In my sessions, we usually end up walking around the location scouting light and finding the best spots for photos. This usually results in us walking close to a mile throughout the session. I recommend wearing footwear that can comfortably make it the whole route.
Wear something that is well-fitted and comfortable for you. We will be moving throughout our photoshoot, so any clothing that you need to tug at or rearrange can become difficult.
Color Blocking
If you’re trying to decide what color to wear for your engagement photo outfit and aren’t sure where to start, I suggest thinking about color blocking! Pick two colors to wear and break up where they are on your bodies to create visual interest.
Take a look at how these three couples styled themselves. The first photo has the same denim on top and bottom. The second carries the yellow tone from one to the next. And the third use white to bring your eye from his shirt to her skirt and to her shoes. Color blocking creates a cohesive look and brings you together in your photoshoot!
Wearing Black
One of the biggest questions I get is “Can I wear black to our photoshoot.” My answer will always be “Wear whatever makes you feel most like yourself.” Black outfits photograph beautifully, but if both of you are wearing all black, you run the risk of meshing together in the photos. You can get around this by adding different textures and a black with a bit of a shine (think velvet, leather, satin, ect.)
Wearing Red
I love the way the red pops in a photo. There really is nothing quite as dramatic as red! The only thing I would be wary of is if you or your partner has a lot of red in your skin tone. If either of you is prone to get flushed (I know I am a rosy posy when I get flushed), I will desaturate the reds in editing to make you both look even-toned and glowy. In doing that, it will also desaturate the red in your outfits.
Textiles that reflect light
Textiles that reflect light make great engagement photo outfits (like leather, satin, velvet) photograph beautifully and always add a level of visual interest to your images. I tend to work with lower light to catch the romantic vibe of New Orleans when you wear textiles that reflect light it helps bring that to life.
Patterns
If you’re going for patterns, I say really go for it! Go full into patterns to make a dramatic look in your images. Lean into it, and make your whole photo vibe around the patterns!
Extra Tips
Lipstick
If one or both of you are planning on wearing lipstick for our session, make sure that is long-lasting and smudge-proof. Chances are that you will be kissing on each other and you will want to be conscious of lipstick transferring to lips, faces, and clothing you don’t want it to be in.
If you liked these tips, check out some of these galleries! Maddie and Emily – Bywater engagement photos or this Marigny couples portrait session!
