I know and appreciate the absolute stress of preparing for a photo session, as I’ve had many sessions myself. I am definitely NOT a fashion guru as 99% of my days are spent in leisure wear and pajamas because I love being comfortable. While I don’t know what is currently in style, I can still guide you on how to pick your outfits and give you some helpful tips on how to look absolutely stunning for your Engagement or Couples Session.
What Not To Wear
I know this sounds counter productive but hear me out. I’ve photographed hundreds of Couples over the years and I know what works and what doesn’t. The first tip on putting your outfits together is knowing what NOT to wear. In my professional opinion, here are a list of items you should absolutely not wear to your Engagement Photo Session.
- solid neon colors (will cast color on your skin)
- sports jerseys
- t-shirts with words on them (they often times do not photograph well)
- blinding stripes (you know the kind I’m talking about)
- wrinkled garments
- uncomfortable shoes or garments
Now please ignore these suggestions if your aesthetic is neon for your shoot, or you’re having a theme that is sports related or have funny matching shirts that say something cute on them. We can work around these issues, but for the most part I recommend avoiding them if possible. If you plan on wearing uncomfortable shoes, bring a pair of flip flops or sneakers to walk in between pictures.
Compliment Each Other Without Overly Matching
You definitely do not want to match 100% unless you are going for the JC Penny studio portrait look. My advice is always to compliment. Choose one partner’s outfit that has multiple colors. Choose a color within the range and use solid for the second partner. Even for family sessions this is always my first piece of advice.
If you’re both wearing solids than pick a theme for colors like fall colors or jewel tones.
Plan for an Outfit Change
I love when Couples bring multiple outfits. It breaks up the session so that it looks like you’ve had more than one photo session. This also allows you to be comfy and casual for one look and then elevated for the next look. If you’re including your pets or kiddos in your Engagement Photos the casual works great for this and then elevated for solo shots.
It’s also good to choose your outfits based on your location as well.
- Nature x Casual or Glam
- Carnival or Theme Park x Casual
- Beach x Comfy or Glam
- Boat x Glam
- Home x Comfy
- Downtown Area x Glam
- Museum x Glam
- Greenhouse x Glam or Casual
- Gardens x Glam or Casual
- Bookstore x Casual
Be Yourselves
If you want to really love your photos my best advice is to be yourselves. Wear something you already own that you love. Wear clothes you are comfortable in. If you buy something new that isn’t your normal vibe, you might feel totally uncomfortable and it will show in the photos.
It’s also really important to choose outfits that are timeless and classic vs something super trendy that might make you cringe in ten years. Simple and classic looks can still make a huge impact for your Engagement Photos.
Create a Pinterest Mood Board
Create a mood board on Pinterest for how you want your session to feel and highlight outfits that you’re drawn to. Pinterest is a wonderful tool for inspiration. Here’s a link to my Pinterest if you need some ideas for your Engagement Photos.
Something You Can Move In
Take into consideration that you’ll be moving a lot during your session. My Couples are encouraged to skip, play together and twirl a lot. Ask yourself if movement is possible in your outfits. If your session is at home or in a studio location this will not apply as much, but an outdoor session will most likely be more active. If you wear dresses or skirts consider a flowy skirt that has movement for more drama. No matter what garments you choose, make sure you are comfortable wearing them.
Favorite Clothing Stores
I am in no way telling you where to shop, as your outfit selection is completely up to you, but here are a few stores I love the vibe of for Engagement Session attire.
- Anthropologie
- Thrift Stores and Second Hand Stores (IYKYK)
- Baltic Born
- Banana Republic
- Stitch Fix
- Madewell
- Free People
- Natural Life
- Reformation
- Farm Rio
If new clothes are not in the budget, you can always try Poshmark or Ebay for pre-owned name brand garments. There are also sites like Rent The Runway where you can literally rent an outfit. I’ve met tons of Wedding guests who do this.
I hope this blog was helpful and you feel better about putting your outfits together for your upcoming Engagement or Couples photo session. Good luck, babes!
All Photos © Tiny House Photo
