Are you looking at your closet with a blank stare? Deciding what you are going to wear to your upcoming couples or engagement session can be very overwhelming. It is important to find pieces that will represent you and your significant others personality and style and compliment your photos!

Before you hit your local mall or start digging through your closet, it is important to remember these 8 helpful tips of what you should and should not wear that can ultimately help lead you in the right direction of finding the perfect outfit.

1. COLORS

If you want to ensure that your outfit is going to be versatile with a wide variety of backgrounds, stick to solid colors. Neutrals and earth tones can compliment both an urban or nature landscape. It is important to select the location of the setting prior to choosing outfits in order to make sure that your outfits will go with environment.

Colors that tend to work well with my editing style are pastels, cool tones, and neutrals.

Avoid neon colors when choosing outfits.

COLOR TONES AND LOCATIONS THAT COMPLIMENT EACH OTHER

DOWNTOWN/URBAN SETTINGS

Do’s:

• Neutrals
• Light and Dark Tones (black, grey, and tan)
• Various Prints

Keep In Mind: 

• If you are wanting photos in front of red/orange brick, try to avoid those colors as you will blend in

GREENERY- NATURE INSPIRED

Do’s:

• White and very light and bright colors like baby pink and purple
• Earth tones (burnt oranges, maroons, yellows, light & dark blue)
• Black and brown tones

Keep In Mind:

• Green shades will cause you to blend in with the background
• Bright red with green in the background can look very Christmas colored, try darker shades such as maroon

GOLDEN HOUR- FIELD

Do’s:

• White and neutrals
• Prints and various textures such as lace or floral
• The color red can really make you pop in a yellow field!
• Dark shades and green and blue tones (Earth tones)

Keep In Mind:

• Yellow tones will blend in

2.PATTERNS

PATTERNS CAN BE TRICKY, BUT WHEN DONE WELL, THEY CAN LOOK GREAT.

If you’re dying for a pattern, stick to something simple, like small polka dots or floral patterns. Try and avoid patterns that are bigger than your fist in size. Flannel is a great option for the fall, but keep in mind only one individual should wear a pattern if someone chooses to wear a flannel. It is important that the individual not wearing the flannel should be in a neutral outfit, so that it is not overpowering.

Here are a few good examples of patterns done right:

3.MOVEMENT

ADD FUN ELEMENTS TO YOUR SESSION THROUGH YOUR OUTFIT SELECTION

Movement is a great way to capture candid and authentic images that reflect you and your significant other right in that very moment. By choosing an outfit such as a flowy skirt or dress, tops with bell sleeves, anything with some fringe on it, wide leg pants, or even something as simple as dangly earrings it can make a dramatic difference in the feel of your images.

4.COMPLIMENT EACH OTHER, BUT DON’T MATCH

Complementing your partner’s look is one thing, but matching outfits and patterned prints aren’t ideal for portrait sessions. 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.

5.INCORPORATE AN ACCESSORY

ADD SOME VARIETY TO YOUR SESSION THROUGH ACCESSORIES

If you are looking for an easy way to get a wide range of images, look no further. Choose a few of your favorite accessories that could be easily put on and taken off of the same outfit. This could be a scarf, belt, hat, chunky necklace, or statement earrings. For gentlemen, they can implement layering into their shirts. This is a great way to make your images stand out be more visualizing appealing.

6.DON’T BE AFRAID TO DRESS UP

WEAR YOUR “FANCY OUTFIT”

Adding a dressy outfit along with a casual one, is a great way to ensure that your gallery is going to have a wide variety of images with drastically different outfits. For ladies, this could mean a long dress or a show stopping skirt in your favorite color. For gentleman, this is a great opportunity to bring out your suit and nice tie. If you are doing an engagement session, a dressy outfit is a great way to stand out in your wedding invitations.

7.CASUAL OUTFITS

A lot of couples choose to do a casual outfit along with a dressy outfit for their session. A casual outfit can be as simple as jeans, a skirt, blouse, or sweater for example.

8.OTHER HELPFUL TIPS

1. Avoid large logos and graphics
2. These can take away from the most important part of the picture, you! Large words or designs can be distracting in the images so it is best to stick to solids or small prints.
3. Bring comfortable shoes!
4. Comfort is essential during your session! If you want to wear heels or something that might be difficult to walk in through a field, bring along some tennis shoes to wear until you reach the destination!
5. Wear outfits that you would wear on a daily basis!
6. Choose outfits that reflect your personality and style on a normal basis so that you feel your best and are ready to be in front of the camera!

Ready to plan your couples photoshoot with me?

Let’s do it! Fill out my contact form, and we can make it official! Let’s plan a photoshoot that authentically captures you and your love. Let’s make magic!