It can be pretty difficult to decide what to wear for your engagement photos, and to make sure you choose outfits that’ll keep you feeling comfy + confident. Keep reading for my 8 best tips for your engagement photo outfits & accessories for your next shoot with me (whether it’s engagement, maternity, whatever)!
A disclaimer
Before we begin I want to remind you that this is a guide, not a rulebook. What I share in this guide is to help you feel confident and prepared based on the sessions that I have worked on before, and what has worked well, and what hasn’t.
BUT – just because something doesn’t work for someone else, doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. And vice versa.
If you’ve been dying to get your photos done in a bright rainbow jumpsuit then go for it, my friend! You can show up in potato sacks for all I care – I just want you to feel like Beyonce and make out with the person you love! The most important thing is that you’re comfortable, so you can feel like your truest self in your photos. Not just like the model you saw on Pinterest wearing that sweater you bought.
1. Bring options!
I definitely recommend bringing multiple outfits to your engagement session. This way we can pick and choose the best options for the location that we’re at and make sure that the outfits don’t distract from you two!
And don’t worry, I will help you choose what pieces to wear once we’re there. Don’t bring your whole closet, but do bring a handful of outfits that make you feel confident in your skin.
I usually recommend four to five options for tops and bottoms, a dress or two, and plenty of accessories like coats/jackets, sweaters, jewelry, and hats – all super fun to play with!
2. Plan it out – make it make sense
Remember to take into account the location, the weather, and the conditions we’ll be shooting in. I don’t want you to show up in a sundress and sandals if it’s winter and we’re in the rainforest – we don’t want you to freeze your ass off and try to fake a smile for the camera!
Heels won’t be your best friend if the majority of our shoot is on the beach, and sandals aren’t the best option for a hike. On that note, heels actually are not a great idea at most outdoor locations unless you’re freakishly good at wearing them.
The most important thing is that you’re comfortable, so bring the appropriate clothing for the conditions we’ll be shooting in and you’ll be good to go!
3. Keep your patterns to a minimum
My biggest tip as far as patterns go: avoid patterns that are too large or clunky. The smaller and more subtle the pattern, the better!
We don’t want you to show up in a dress with huge patterns that’ll distract from you two, the actual subjects of the photos that you’re paying for.
Flannels are always a yes, but avoid mixing too many statement pieces or patterned pieces with each other. That way they don’t take away the focus from your faces or the emotion in your photos.
4. Props are always a hell yes
Okay, I’ll be honest with you, if I see another Pinterest-y chalkboard sign brought to a photoshoot I might gag!
When you think of props, instead of thinking of your typical chalkboard sign with a weird pun on it, get creative with it. Go outside of the box.
Props can be a picnic lunch (something as simple as a pizza or PB&J’s), your pets (PLEASEEEE), your old school truck or car, a motorcycle, blankets to cozy up with, or the fixin’s for a campfire and s’mores!
Think of things that would bring sentiment to your session that reflect who you are as a couple. Not the couples you saw on Pinterest doing the cheesiest, most unoriginal, non-emotional photoshoot you’ve ever seen.
5. Show some skin for your in-home session
I adore doing in-home sessions with my couples who want to be photographed in their most natural, comfortable environment). And when it comes to in-homes, I say show a little (or a lot!) of skin, if that’s something you’re comfortable with.
Let’s be honest, at home we’re all in our undies anyway, so try to keep your outfits simple & cozy. Outfits you would truly wear while lounging around on a lazy Sunday, Netflix & chillin’ with your dogs and your favorite beers.
Some of my favorite in-home pieces include ripped jeans, plain white tees, sports bras, cheeky shorts, oversized sweaters, or chunky cozy socks! Have fun with it!
6. Consider your hair + makeup
I don’t know how many times I will repeat this phrase to you, but the most important thing is that you feel comfortable. And that you feel like YOU!
If you want your hair and makeup done and you know that that’s what will make you feel like Beyonce, then by all means, DO IT!
But if it’s going to make you feel like you have too much caked on, or like you have bobby pins stabbing you in the head and making it hard to truly enjoy yourself, don’t do it. Just go with your natural day-to-day look instead!
7. Layers for the win
Layering pieces are a great, easy way to add dimension and variety at the same location, wearing the same outfit.
Coats and jackets can be thrown over the shoulder, worn properly, or tied around your waist. Underneath layers can stay underneath or can be shown off with an open jacket.
Sweaters are also easy to throw on over a thin layer like a tank top, which you can wear over a cute bralette. Then, you can feature that bralette at the end of your shoot with a pair of ripped jeans if you want to get a little saucy.
This is why I always tell my couples to bring multiple options – usually, we can layer pieces together to create totally different looks without much extra effort!
8. Accessorize
And finally, accessorize accessorize accessorize.
Accessories are such a fun and simple way to add something a little extra interesting to your photos.
Consider bringing accessories such as:
- Rings
- Earrings
- Necklaces
- Sunglasses
- Hats
- Jackets
- Nice watches
- Bracelets
- Hair pieces
The combination of accessories, layers and textures in clothing help draw your eye around the image and bring your focus to the subject of the photo (you)!
The big takeaway
Again, I want to highlight my main point when it comes to your engagement photo outfits: staying comfy and feeling like yourself is key.
One of the foolproof ways to bomb your session is to wear something totally out of your comfort zone (or to tell your partner to). If you don’t wear heels or dresses in your day-to-day life, this usually isn’t the time to try. I want you to experience your session with ease and joy, not anxiety about your clothing or how you look. Your engagement photo outfits should make you feel good!
I’m a pro at what I do, so I’ll help make you look good – as long as you’re intentional about feeling like your best self! It’s a two-way road 😉
Want to see some more engagement photo outfits inspo? Check out these rad days below!
