Engagement Session Styling Tips

Stuck on what to wear for your engagement shoot? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

When it comes to choosing outfits, it’s not just about finding what you love—it can be just as helpful to figure out what you don’t like. Narrowing down your preferences makes the decision process easier and less stressful.

Deciding on Your Style

First things first: there are no right or wrong answers when it comes to your engagement session wardrobe. So, take a deep breath and don’t stress over every little detail. Maybe you want one outfit to be dressy and the other more casual. Or perhaps you’re thinking of starting with something light and neutral, then switching it up with a pop of color. If you’re feeling stuck, you’re not alone—finding your style can be a process.

To help you get started, here are some general “rules of thumb” for styling your engagement session. These tips are based on my experience and might just help you discover what feels right for you. Remember, these are guidelines, not hard-and-fast rules. So feel free to break them if that’s what feels true to you!

Styling Tips

1. Colors to Avoid

Steer clear of bright reds, neons, and bright oranges. These colors can reflect onto your skin and make editing more challenging.

2. Pattern Size Matters

Avoid patterns smaller than a quarter, as tiny patterns can cause “Chromatic Aberration” in digital images, leading to unwanted visual effects. Men’s checkered shirts are fine as long as the checks are on the larger side.

3. Balance the Heaviness

If one of you is wearing dark jeans, the other might consider lighter pants. Similarly, if one person wears a navy top, the other should avoid wearing a similarly dark or heavy-colored top. Balancing the “heaviness” of your outfits can create a more harmonious look in your photos.

4. Consistent Dress Code

Avoid having one person dress casually while the other goes for a more formal look. This can create an awkward imbalance in your photos.

5. Other Things to Avoid

To keep your look polished and cohesive, skip the tennis shoes, graphic tees, bold logos, sunglasses, and baseball hats.