I get it. You just got engaged, you booked a photographer, and now you're staring at your closet having a full existential crisis about what to wear. Pinterest is showing you flowy dresses in wheat fields. Your mom is suggesting "something classic." Your partner is asking if jeans are okay. And you're spiraling.
Deep breath. Let's sort this out.
After photographing hundreds of couples, here's what I know for sure: the best engagement photos happen when people feel like themselves, not when they're wearing something they'd never actually put on in real life. So let's start there.
Rule #1: Wear What Makes You Feel Like the Hottest Version of Yourself
Not what you think you should wear. Not what looks good on other people's engagement boards. Not what your mom thinks is appropriate.
What makes you feel confident, comfortable, and like you could flirt with your partner for an hour straight?
If you feel your best in a Selkie dress, Doc Martens, and space buns - do that! Wear the platform boots. Go for the statement jewelry. Show up as the version of yourself that makes you feel most alive. That energy is what I'm photographing, and it translates directly into images that feel authentically you.
If that's a sundress and cowboy boots, amazing. If it's matching leather jackets, incredible. If it's a vintage band tee and Converse you've gone to 100 shows in, let's go. There's no wrong answer here as long as it's genuinely yours.
The couples who show up wearing something they feel powerful in? Those are the sessions where we get the photos that stand out in a sea of mom-approved engagement photos.
Rule #2: Coordinate, Don't Match
You and your partner don't need to look like you planned your outfits together in a dressing room (even if you did). But you do want your looks to feel like they belong in the same photograph.
Here's how to think about it:
Option A: Same Color Palette
Pick a palette and both lean into it. This creates a cohesive look without being matchy-matchy.
Palettes that photograph beautifully:
- Jewel tones — emerald, burgundy, sapphire, amethyst. Rich colors that pop on camera and work in basically any setting.
- Earth tones — rust, olive, camel, chocolate. Perfect for outdoor sessions, especially fall.
- Cool neutrals — navy, gray, cream, black. Clean and modern.
- Warm neutrals — tan, ivory, soft pink, caramel. Soft and romantic.
Both of you in jewel tones? Chef's kiss. Both in earth tones? Beautiful. The key is staying in the same tonal family so the images feel intentional.
Option B: Intentional Contrast
One partner goes bold, the other goes neutral. This creates visual interest and keeps the eye moving.
Think: one person in a rich emerald dress, the other in a fitted black outfit. Or one in a bold printed shirt, the other in clean denim and a simple top. The contrast tells a story—two distinct people who complement each other.
What to Avoid
- Matching outfits — Unless it's ironic and you fully own it, identical outfits tend to read as costumey rather than romantic.
- Competing patterns — If one person is wearing a bold print, the other should go solid. Two busy patterns fight each other in photos.
- Clashing color temperatures — One person in warm earth tones and the other in cool blues can look unintentional. Pick a lane and both commit.
- Logos and large text — Your eyes go straight to readable text in a photo. Keep the focus on your faces, not your shirts.
Rule #3: Dress for Movement
This one is specific to how I shoot, but it matters a lot.
My sessions involve movement. A lot of it. I'm going to ask you to walk toward me, run at each other, pick each other up, spin, dip, play, be silly. The best engagement photos come from couples in motion—not standing still with their hands awkwardly folded.
That means your outfit needs to let you move.
Things to consider:
- Can you lift your arms above your head? If your top is so fitted that raising your arms is a whole production, it's going to limit what we can do.
- Can you walk comfortably? If you're in heels that make you wobble on grass, we're going to spend more time stabilizing and less time laughing.
- Can your partner pick you up? If you want those lift-and-spin moments (and trust me, they're fun), make sure your outfit allows for it without a wardrobe malfunction.
- Will you be comfortable for 60-90 minutes? If you're tugging at your clothes, adjusting straps, or sucking in the whole time, it shows in your face. Comfort = confidence = great photos.
My recommendation: If you're torn between the stunning-but-restrictive outfit and the one you feel amazing in, go with the second one every time. I'd rather photograph you laughing freely in jeans than looking stiff and gorgeous in something you can't breathe in. If we have time for an outfit change, bring the stunning-but-restrictive outfit and save it for sunset.
Rule #4: Accessories Are Your Secret Weapon
Here's a styling hack that most people overlook: accessories can give you a second look without a full outfit change.
Bring along:
- A jacket or blazer — Throw it on for a few frames, take it off for a completely different vibe. Leather jackets, denim jackets, and oversized blazers all photograph incredibly well.
- A hat — Wide-brim hats add instant drama. Baseball caps add playfulness. Both work.
- A scarf or bandana — Adds texture and color without committing to a whole new outfit.
- Sunglasses — Even if you only wear them for a few shots, they can add an entirely different energy.
This is one of my favorite tricks because it's low-effort, high-reward. We shoot 10 minutes with the jacket, take it off, and suddenly the photos look like two different sessions. Your gallery has twice the variety without any of the time or logistics of a full wardrobe change.
Rule #5: Think About the Setting
Your outfit should make sense with where we're shooting—not because there are rules, but because it creates visual harmony.
Some general guidance:
- Urban/downtown session — Edge it up. Leather, black, structured pieces, boots, bold jewelry.
- Park or nature session — Softer fabrics, flowing silhouettes, earthy or jewel tones, comfortable shoes.
- Coffee shop or indoor session — Whatever you'd actually wear on a date there. Casual-cool.
- Beach or waterfront — Light, airy fabrics. Skip anything that'll get ruined if it touches sand or water(because I will end up with us all jumping in the water for a photo at some point).
That said, if you want to wear a ballgown to a taco truck session, I'm here for it. These are just guidelines, and I love breaking the rules if you want to.
The Night-Before Checklist
- Steam or iron your outfits (wrinkles show up in photos more than you'd think)
- Try everything on together with your partner to check the color coordination
- Wear your shoes around the house for 30 minutes (blisters kill the vibe)
- Pack your accessories in a separate bag so nothing gets forgotten
- Check the weather and have a backup layer if it might get cool
- Moisturize and hydrate — it genuinely shows in photos
- Get a good night's sleep
Quick FAQ
Should I get my hair and makeup professionally done? Only if that's your thing. If you never wear makeup, don't suddenly go full glam—you'll feel like a different person and it'll show. If you love a bold lip, rock it. A slightly elevated version of your everyday look is the sweet spot.
How many outfits should I bring? One great outfit is enough. Two is ideal if you want variety. More than two usually isn't worth the time spent changing unless we're doing a longer session.
What about nails? I'll be photographing your hands (ring shots!), so if your nails are your thing, a fresh manicure is a nice touch. But don't stress about it—I'm focused on your faces and the moments between you, not inspecting your cuticles.
My partner doesn't care about clothes at all. Help. Very common. Here's the cheat code: dark jeans or chinos that fit well + a solid-color button-down with the sleeves rolled up + clean shoes. Done. It works every single time and requires zero fashion knowledge.
The Real Talk
Your engagement photos should capture who you are right now—in this specific chapter of your lives, in this specific moment of excitement and love and probably mild wedding-planning stress. Don't dress as some aspirational future version of yourself. Dress as the person your partner fell in love with.
The photos where people look the happiest are never the ones where the outfits are "perfect." They're the ones where the couple showed up feeling like themselves, forgot they were taking photos within 15 minutes, and just enjoyed being together.
That's the goal. The outfit just needs to not get in the way of it.
Ready to book your engagement session? Let's plan it—and yes, I'm happy to weigh in on outfit options if you send me photos.
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