The Engagement Session
Style Guide
What every couple needs to know
The engagement session is one of our favorite parts of our time together because it gives you both a chance to be in front of my camera before you get married, which is going to make your wedding day experience feel so smooth, seamless and comfortable. Not only that, but we get to create something so special together. We’re so excited to capture the only time in your life when you get to be each other’s fiances. We created this guide for you, and packed it with all our best secrets for getting the best out of your engagement experience, so let’s dive right in!
What to wear
I always recommend you to bring options. Most couples bring about one or two pairs of bottoms and one or two tops each, then you can add accessories.
You can always text me a few photos of the outfit options you have in mind and we can pick it out together beforehand.
And of course … always use me as a excuse to shop ;)
Styling Your Session
Want your engagement images to look more editorial? Bring a little extra something with you!
A freshly- picked bouquet for you to hold , a classic cars , or smaller props like blankets or hats, even incorporating just one extra styled item could be a fun way to make your session more unique.
Props could be anything YOU love a dominos pizza picnic, a motorcycle, blankets, a car, a campfire, a bouquet, a paddle board, etc. If you have props you wanna incorporate, let me know and we can make sure to incorporate them in a non-cheesy way!
Dress it up.
Have you thought about rocking a sequined gown, tulle skirt , or a new one piece swimming suit but just never had an occasion for it? This is your chance to do it up !
Remember: There is no such thing as “too dressed up” when it comes to your engagement session, so don’t be afraid to have some fun!
Long, flowy dresses and skirts look amazing on camera because they bring extra movement to the photos. Especially when juxtaposed with nature, like the forest, beach or coast. Cute, shorter-length dresses photograph beautifully as well. Dresses and skirts tend to look most stunning on camera because they really flatter the female body. Most of our brides who choose two outfits will bring one “wow” dress, and then another more casual that can be shorter sun dress or cocktail dress or if you are a jeans , sweater and boots. If is a beach session don’t be scare to also rock a bikini ! Bring what make fell the best ;)
I also love when people bring clothing or accessories that can show movement by catching wind, because it adds energy to the photos and looks gorgeous!
Choosing Colors.
When choosing colors for your outfits, we recommend selecting lighter tones and more muted shades. I typically recommend sticking with neutrals and earthy tones . Neutrals doesn’t mean just grays and browns , there is neutrals of every color. ( mustard yellow , forest green , navy-blue , burnt orange , etc ) By avoiding ultra-bright, bold colors, it will help bring all the attention to your faces and let the eye focus on the way you feel about each other. The camera loves shades of soft and muted colors , mixed with sophisticated light neutrals like heather gray, creams, leather brown and white. But if you do love colors I would say BRING IT after all this is all about you.
Coordinating the Looks.
As you’re coordinating your outfit with your fiance’s, keep in mind that your outfits will look the most cohesive on camera when the color palettes coordinate, but don’t necessarily “match.” You should each aim to wear a different dominant color, but stay within a similar color palette family. Example : So if you’re wearing a blush dress, soft blue earrings and nude heels (blush being your dominant color), then he could wear a navy coat with gray pants, paired with brown leather shoes and maybe even a blush pocket square. Now he has his own dominant color (navy) while still incorporating a few touches of your color palette. Most of our brides choose their dress first, and then put together their fiance’s outfit based on that.
Patterns.
Avoid big, loud, chunky, crazy patterns. The smaller or more subtle, the better! If the pattern is too loud, it will distract from your faces. Flannels are always a yes !
I usually try to avoid pairing too many patterns together because, you guessed it, it makes the photos feel a little hectic and distracting from your faces and the location. Also, be sure to iron your clothes before so there’s not huge wrinkles distracting from your faces either!
Flattering Your Features
In our experience, every woman, regardless of her shape has an area of her body that she’s self-conscious about, so recognizing what that is in advance is key. Choosing flattering silhouettes and colors that complement your natural features is the best way to ensure you’ll love the way you look in your photos. Three-quarter length sleeves create an awesome slimming effect on all arms, so be on the lookout for an option with a longer length sleeve. You could also bring a cute jacket, blazer or cardigan along, too. Skinny straps or strapless dresses have the opposite effect on arms on camera, so we recommend avoiding those whenever possible if your goal is a set of slimmer-looking arms. These little tricks make all the difference!
Quick Tip :
Bring a pair of flats or tennis shoes to wear when moving from place to place. Your feet will thank you later! Always think about the conditions and locations we are going to be shooting in and plan around it. If we are going to be hiking around the mountains, bring hiking shoes . If we are shooting on a sandy beach or nature, we can go flats, boots or barefoot, if you want show off some heels you can always hold your heels on the side, what can be very cute too :) Some places can be cold right after sunset so don’t be afraid to bring a jacket or a towel specially if you planning get in the water.
Make a Statement.
Pairing an accessory or two with your outfit can really help bring some extra dimension to your images. Belts, bracelets and earrings bring great visual interest, so choose one or two that don’t compete for attention. Fresh florals in a crown or bouquet can be a really romantic touch as well. I love when people bring fun accessories like hats, sunglasses, scarves, jewelry, etc
Go Pro: Hair & Makeup
A lot of people ask me whether or not they should get your hair and makeup done by a pro. My answer is always “whatever will make you feel best, do that.”
That said Professional hair and makeup is also good because it looks amazing and removes the stress of getting ready on your own. Whether it’s lash extensions or blown-out hair, professional hair and makeup will give you an extra boost of confidence in front of the camera, and it always photographs like a dream.
If you need a recommendation for hair and makeup, we work with the best in the business and have a go-to team!
