Engagements

Service Description

Wondering what to wear for your engagement photos? You're not alone. Brides spend plenty of time planning the looks that will show up on everything from their save-the-dates to the walls of their first house. Before you scan your closet or hit the mall, consider these top tips from stylists and photographers on what to wear for your engagement shoot. 1. Complement Each Other, But Don't Match Complementing your man's look is one thing. But "matching outfits and patterned prints aren't ideal for portrait sessions," explains Michelle Cross of Michelle Cross Photography in Oregon. "When deciding how you and your partner will dress, look for complementary colors and solid prints. Try to stay away from anything too busy, as it can be an unnecessary distraction in photos." 2. Choose Pastels, Cool Colors, and Neutral Tones You'll want to avoid anything neon, lest you look like a hot, blinking sign, warns Jillian Requeima of Jillian Tree Photography in Miami. "I also find orange is the least photogenic color, while red is the color your eye is drawn to immediately—and you don't necessarily want your shirt or skirt to be the focus of your photograph. You want your faces and the love between you to stand out." So consider wearing pastels, cool hues, or neutral tones, then add a pop of bright color with your accessories, Requeima suggests. 3. Be Mindful of How Your Color Scheme Will Flow Through the Collection of Photos Once you have an idea of what colors you'll be wearing in your engagement photos, consider how that color will translate throughout the entire collection of photos. You want to create synergy, rather than have the final result look like a random collection of images. "For example, if you love light blue, you can wear this as a dress or a jumpsuit," says NYC-based celebrity fashion stylist Kimmie Smith. Then have him incorporate the same hue (think a blue tie or accessory) in a later look during the shoot to tie things together without it being too matchy-matchy. 4. Incorporate at Least One Accessory Accessories, such as a stylish scarf or chunky necklace, add serious "wow" factor no matter what you're wearing. Plus, they're easy to slip on and off, which means you'll have a variety of looks with a single outfit. "Adding in at least one accessory per outfit for the ladies and wearing layers of clothing for the guys are two things that photograph well because it adds more visual interest to their looks and, as a result, to the images we create together