Deciding what to wear to an engagement shoot can be such a daunting & frustrating tasks, trust me I’ve been there! We all want to look our best and many of us find ourselves drowning in Pinterest inspiration boards only to end up even more unsure of what we want. Without a doubt the most common question I get from my engagement session clients is “what should I wear to my engagement shoot” and while I can’t completely answer that for you I do want to help you narrow down your choices. I’ve compiled a list of things to consider when you’re selecting your outfits – most of these tips can be applied to brides or grooms! Have a scroll through and feel free to drop me a comment if you have questions or ideas that could help other couples.
Season: This tip probably seems pretty obvious but dressing appropriately for the season you’re in is huge! Showing up to your session in a light flowy dress in the middle of a chilly autumn probably isn’t the greatest plan. I love clothing that allows movement (more on that later) but making sure it’s weather appropriate is so important. If you’re freezing cold or sweating to death during your session you won’t have as much fun and the photos probably won’t be as awesome as they could have been. Don’t forget proper footwear too! If your shoot is taking place at a remote waterfall you likely won’t want to wear heels on your hike in so bringing appropriate shoes to walk in and shoes for your outfit once you arrive is never a bad idea.
Movement: This is one of those things that photographers talk about a lot – we love movement! When people move it gives life to a photograph, same goes for your clothing. If you’re planning a summer session consider a dress or skirt that will catch the breeze and flow behind you. If your engagement shoot is taking place during cooler months you can add movement to your wardrobe with a scarf or shawl or even just by wearing your hair down!
Personal Style: I can give you all kinds of suggestions and tips but let’s not forget the importance of personal style! Maybe you’re more casual or you love really formal outfits – that’s OK! These are your photos and this is your time to let your personality and style shine though. If you see an outfit that you’re drawn to in a store don’t over think it if it feels right, you know what you like! Be yourselves! Having said that I always recommend avoiding logos/trademarks, graphics, and super bright colours.
Comfort: I can’t stress this one enough – please wear clothes you feel comfortable in to your session. I’m not saying roll up with yoga pants on (unless you’re doing a yoga themed couples shoot… which would be kind of amazing), but wear clothing that fits properly and that feels good. Straps that slide off, waistbands that are too tight, jackets that don’t allow you to move, pantyhose that roll down… none of these are fun to deal with when you’re moving in and out of poses or locations. Ensuring that your selected wardrobe fits your body will help keep your focus on your partner and not on that bit of tummy that keeps peeking out from your shirt.
The most important thing I can recommend for your engagement session is to wear something you just freaking love. Be yourself, buy that outfit you’ve been eyeing, and treat it like the special event it is! Feel free to creep our blog for more ideas or check out some recent engagement sessions for more inspiration:
Corktown Engagement Photos
Muskoka Engagement Photos
