First things first: quit stressin’. I can imagine you now, standing over piles of clothes and staring at options until your eyes cross. Deciding what to wear to an engagement/couple shoot does not have to be a tricky thing to navigate. Below is my best advice and what I tell my clients – but it is by no means meant to be followed like a Mean Girls Burn Book.
I offer my clients the choice to change during these sessions as well as senior photos. I love to give my couples the choice to have different styles of photos in different styles of clothing in order to have the day be completely theirs. Typically, I advise to do TWO outfits: a more casual outfit and then a dressier outfit and we can play off the location to go further than that.
I also love to advise for couples to dress in due to the season — and I do not always mean the season we are shooting in! Whatever you plan to use these photos for (save-the-dates, display for your wedding day etc.), I suggest dressing for THAT season. If you are having a fall wedding, dress fall-ish (warm tones and lots of dark greenery!) and let’s plan the location accordingly. If you LOVE minimal black/white and you are hanging these in your house, let’s dress that way! Spring wedding (even if shooting in the winter…) let’s dress spring-y and shoot by the lake so your save-the-date will match your wedding day.
If you need MORE detailed tips, I gathered 6 of my best for you here:
*** (P.S. CHECK OUT MY PINTEREST BOARD FOR MORE INSPIRATION!)
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- Comfort is key. Make sure you are completely comfortable in what you are wearing. My goal and your goal both should be to create photos that you look comfortable in and we most likely won’t achieve that if you are wearing something you normally would not. If you are having to adjust your outfit and pull up your jeans or suck in tight for the perfect look, then don’t wear it! You will regret being uncomfortable and not yourself in your photos.
- Avoid anything wordy. Okay, I know this seems obvious but listen up! I have had a couple clients show up to shoots with something on their body that had words on it. If that is what you love then I am so happy for you but odds are it is not timeless and looking back on those in a few years might be a lil embarrassing – not to mention it will completely distract the viewer’s eyes from the real focus of the image: YOU!
- Go for something timeless vs. trendy. This goes on my last point a little bit as well but something that is a MAJOR trend now most likely won’t be in a few years (or months – we are looking at you gaucho pants!) Stick to simple, comfortable, and timeless. Your favorite top and comfiest jeans that hug your butt just right are probably a good choice. Reference Points 1 & 2 again.
- Dress on the same scale. “Better to be overdressed than underdressed.” True, true, true… but maybe not in a two-person scenario. If your S.O. is wearing jeans and a nice shirt do the same! If it is a dress or slacks and a button down – do the same! It never looks right or planned well if one person is in stilettos and a bodycon dress (I am exaggerating to prove a point) and the other is in shorts and a nice shirt.
- Play off the location. What you should wear should be planned according to the location we are shooting at! Think about what you normally would wear to that location and dress it up a little bit. This goes back to being natural, comfortable, and creating beautiful photos.
Here are my best tips and suggestions for you! Like I said, just a recommendation but I am happy to help. For more ideas and inspiration, check out my Pinterest board here.
Now, let’s book a session.
