5 Tips on What to Wear for Engagement Sessions
Based in Hampton Roads, I love all the gorgeous outdoor options and variety I have to work with for my outdoor engagement sessions. Grassy fields, beaches, historical buildings, downtowns, vineyards, farms, lakes, gardens, and the gorgeous Shenandoah mountains just a few hours away!
And I love to help all my clients have an amazing experience. Year after year I hear the same questions, such as what to wear for an engagement session, and I have been emailing tips to everyone for the last couple of years with a great response. Everyone loves and appreciates the help, I had no idea how stressful it can be to pick out an outfit or two!!
Deep down, I truly want EVERYONE to get the photos that they want. So I’ve decided to post the facts & tips that others have found helpful when choosing what to wear for their engagement photo shoot.
Hopefully I am able to help relieve a little stress and help you look forward to your engagement session!
What to Wear for Engagement Sessions
TIP 1
We will be moving around throughout the portrait session so if you want to wear cute (but not comfy) shoes be sure to bring a second pair to walk in.
TIP 2
Your clothes should compliment, not match, each other and the background. Solid colors tend to photograph better than bold patterns. (think little dots vs. big ones)
For a 1 Hour Session: Try to layer so you can quickly get 2 looks without the time to change.
For a 2 Hour Session: Have at least 1 timeless, classic look so you will still love the photo 5-10 years later.
TIP 3
Consider pampering yourself and getting your makeup or hair done & dressing up for the occasion! It’s a great trial run for the big day and can save you costly retouching fees. If you need a referral on the Peninsula, Kim at About Face MUA is amazing!
TIP 4
Lighter Skin Tones: Avoid green, yellow, and red (they can add a cast to your skin tone).
Darker Skin Tones: Avoid blacks, browns, and green for grassy backgrounds or khaki for the beach. Also keep in mind the weather – it is generally more windy at the beach so clothes should not be too loose.
So for the Beach – best to avoid light khaki, white, and yellow (better to save white for the wedding day 😉 For grassy backgrounds – skip green, black, and yellow.
TIP 5
I love working with pets!! To make it easier, it is best to tire dogs out before the portrait session, bring treats or toys to help get their attention, and bring a friend that can pull them aside (or tire them out even more) when they are not in the photos. I’ve worked with cats too – I have 3 at home – they are just harder on location. And I’m open to just about anything else…. with 4 legs or less 😉
What to Wear Tips
As you may have noticed, there are exceptions to every rule. If you are planning a sunset or sunrise session a light skin tone can get away with wearing red, and sometimes matching shirts can be really cute. So please use these tips as a guide and go with your gut – these are photos you will be enjoying for years alongside your wedding photos and so you want to still show off your personal style so that you will love them.
Finally, above all else, you want to relax and have fun so I can get great natural photos that capture your authentic smiles and don’t look overly posed.
That is how my sessions look different – I prefer that at least half of the photos one or both of you are NOT looking at the camera and smiling. Then they look more natural and candid.
So if we’re working together, come ready for lots of hugs & kisses and a little fun too, not just smiling for the camera, and don’t stress too much about what to wear for your engagement session.
If you want, text me a photo of your outfits – I’m always available for honest feedback!
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