What to Wear to your Engagement Session

5 Tips from a Photographer

You’re engaged? Congrats!

Is it time for your engagement shoot and you have no idea what to wear, or how to prepare? Fear not, I am here to help! After 15+ years photographing weddings and engagements, I’ve definitely have thoughts on what works and what doesn’t. Below are some suggestions and things to think about when planning for your engagement session.

First thing first, are you going casual or dressing it up?

There is no wrong or right answer to this question, it totally depends on your own style and the overall look you want to achieve with the shoot. My few pieces of advice for this are: 

1. Make sure it’s practical for the terrain you’ll be working in. ie; Pointy high-heels and grassy fields are not the best of friends.
   
2. Coordinate with your significant other to make sure you are dressed in a similar level of formality.
   
3. Think about the weather and surroundings, you don’t want to be uncomfortable or it will show in the pictures (more on that below). Just like ladies may need to cover up bare shoulders in colder months, guys may want to forgo jackets and ties in the dead of summer. Whatever you decide, make sure there is continuity between you and your partner. 

Comfort is key

While I accept that one must suffer a little for fashion, I can also attest that if you’re uncomfortable (cold, self conscious etc.) it will come across in the photos. Wear something that makes you feel amazing, confidence is a good look on anyone! 

Be sure to test it out before the day of the shoot. Try it on, wear it out to dinner, sometimes you don’t notice right away that a strap keeps slipping, or the fabric is too clingy.  

If you’re doing the shoot outside, chances are you’ll be doing a bit of walking. Make sure your shoes are comfortable and if they’re not, consider bringing a pair of flip flops or ballet flats to change into between spots.

Flowy Skirts are Your Friend

If you’re going to wear a skirt or dress I always recommend something flowy, preferably in a midi or maxi length. Why? Short or tight skirts and dresses are hard to sit in, and thus limit the poses you can do comfortably. This is especially true if you are doing the photos in a park or on the beach where you may want to sit on the ground.

Why flowy? Aside from it being super forgiving (and comfortable), the movement of the extra fabric looks amazing on camera. You can hold it out, twirl a little, swish it as you walk…bonus points if it has pockets! Not sure what to do with your hands in pictures? Problem solved if you have pockets to put them in, or a lovely skirt to hold.

Color

Solid, neutral colors are usually best because they won’t compete with the colors in the background, and are easy to match between you and your partner. I would also consider the tones of the background you’ll be shooting in. Whites and lighter colors feel cohesive on a beach, where as they might have too much contrast for a shadowy forest.

One last thought on color; the color you wear is going to become part of the color palette of the images, so choose wisely. If you already have a color scheme you plan on using for save the dates etc, try to pick colors within this scheme, or a neutral that compliments it. This also applies to you and your partner. Make sure you coordinate so you don’t clash.

Hair & Make Up

Ok, this one isn’t fashion advice but I still think it’s relevant. If you’re not handy with hair and makeup 🙋‍♀️ and you can spare the cost, I highly recommend outsourcing that headache to someone who knows what they’re doing. 

Professional hair and make up makes a huge difference. Pros know what techniques and products to use for the best results in photos, which isn’t always the same as your everyday in person look. It’s also an opportunity to check out a vendor you might want to hire for the wedding day, or to see how a particular look will photograph. 

Pro Tip: Most photographers know a ton of hair & make up artists, myself included. We’re always happy to share recommendations, just ask!

Final Thoughts

Pay attention to the details. How are your nails? Is your engagement ring clean? Shirt wrinkled? Shoes dusty? Things you would barely notice in person can get amplified in still images. 

This is meant to be a guide, but always stay true to your own style. I can’t stress enough how important it is for you to feel comfortable and look like yourself.

Thanks for reading! Remember to have fun, trust your photographer, and don’t take it too seriously!