Have you been struggling on what to wear for your engagement session? I feel you. It's so hard to decide! There are so many options, but ultimately it's completely up to you & how you see yourselves as a couple. Engagement sessions are to help you get comfortable with your photographer but they should also reflect how you see yourself as a couple. So here are 8 great tips on how to decide what you should wear!
1. Wear Clothes That Make you Feel Like YOU
Now is not the time to pull out that fancy ball gown if you're a t-shirt & jeans kind of girl. You should be comfortable in the outfit you choose. You should still look like yourself but maybe just a little bit more of a made up, put together, better version of yourself. Wardrobe choices that are extremely outside of your comfort level will make you look & feel awkward in your photos, which isn't pretty for anyone. If you're already nervous for your session (which is completely normal!), not being comfortable in what you are wearing doesn't make that situation any easier.
2. Compliment Each Other, But Don't Match
Complimenting your partners's look is one thing, but matching outfits & patterned prints aren't ideal for portrait sessions. When you are deciding how you and your partner will dress, look for complimentary colours & solid prints. Try & also stay away from anything that's too busy because it tends to be distracting in the photos & you're supposed to be the main focus of the photos, not your clothes!
3. Choose Pastels, Cool Colours & Neutral Tones
You'll want to avoid any extremely bright colours, like neon green, unless you'd really like to look like a bright neon flashing sign in your photo! You want your faces & the love between the two of you to stand out, not your clothing. Consider wearing pastels, cool hues or neutral tones, then add a bright pop of colour with your accessories like a scarf or necklace.
4. Be Mindful of How Your Colour Scheme Will Flow Throughout the Collection of Photos
Once you have an idea of what colours you'll be wearing in your photos, consider how that colour will translate throughout the entire collection of photos. You want to have everything flow nicely, rather than having a random collection of photos. An example of this could be if you really love blue, you can wear a dress or jumpsuit, then have your partner incorporate the same hue in an accessory, like a tie, to avoid being too matchy-matchy. If time entails, you can also change your outfits halfway through your session as well and your partner could use that tie in the next series of images if it was not worn in the pervious set.
5. Incorporate at Least One Accessory
I say this a lot & I will keep on saying it - accessories are the bomb. They can really make your style look polished & put together. Accessories like a stylish scarf or chunky necklace add a little something extra to your looks. Plus, they are easy to slip on & off which means you can have a variety of slightly different looks with only a single outfit. Adding at least one accessory per outfit for ladies and wearing layers of clothing for the guys, are two things that photograph amazing as well as giving you a few variety of images.
6. Choose Classic Rather Than Trendy
You may love that black and white maxi-dress now, but next year you may only picture a referee or jailbird when you see yourself in head-to-toe stripes! You want to love your photos forever so sticking to something that's a little less trendy can help you stay in love forever. You want your outfit to look effortless & not like you're trying too hard, but also keeping your style & personalities showing.
7. Stick With Two Outfits
Normally when I'm photographing an engagement session, we are not in any area that has change rooms - there's a lot of back woods changing! If your session allows, you may bring a change of clothes to change into, but limit yourself to only two looks each. Changing your clothes also counts towards your session time so quick changes of a shirt, or switching up accessories is the easiest. You're going to have a million wedding photos taken when you're all dolled up & looking gorgeous, but these are the photos where you get to remember who you are at the end of the day when it's only the two of you!
8. Flatter Your Body Type
Clothing looks best if it fits you properly in all the right places by accentuating your assets. Here are some tips I came across to help you out:
Pear-shaped - to show off your curves, focus on cinching the waist with an A-line skirt or dress that flares at the bottom
Apple-Shaped - An A-line style with a gradual flow from the waist to the legs is always flattering This shape is also great for a dress with texture &/or a deep v-neck.
Busty - Scoop & sweetheart necklines offer support & open up the décolletage so the focus is on the face rather than the bust.
Small Chest - Look for textured or ruched styles to create fullness in the chest area.
Plus Size - An empire-waist dress is super flattering & emphasizes the smallest portion under the bust that creates the effect of a slender silhouette from top to bottom.
I hope this helps you a little bit when choosing your outfits! Remember to emphasize yourself & don't take away from your natural beauty!
XO Leesa