What to Wear to an Engagement Shoot
One of the questions we receive the most is, “What Should I Wear?” Below are a few suggestions to help you achieve the perfect look for your photos.
- Bring at least two outfits: one casual, everyday outfit and one dressy outfit.
Casual… and dressy:
* Wear solid colors. Clothing with bold stripes and colorful prints are often distracting. Choose one solid hue that complements your eye color.
* Avoid showing a ton of skin. Shirt with sleeves are generally more flattering.
* Bring a black top. A simple, dark top allows the focus of an image to be the persons face. An added bonus of dark clothes is that they tend to be slimming.
- Simple black dress for engagement shoot
* Wear classic styles to prevent the photograph from looking outdated. A little black dress for women and a solid-colored suit for men will never go out of style.
* Ladies, consider a v-neck top. Turtlenecks, thick scarves and sweaters can add bulk to your appearance. V-necks and open collars elongate the neck and body and bring the focus to your face.
* Guys, consider a collared shirt. A collared shirt frames the face and can be very flattering.
The perfect match. A solid v-neck for her, a collared shirt for him:
- An off white shirt is better than a bright white shirt
* Always choose sleek, fitted clothes over baggy.
* Keep your makeup and hairstyle simple.
* Feel free to coordinate your look and wear complementary colors with others in the photo, but don’t try to match them. (Good examples: black shirts, or everyone in different shades of blue or purple.)
Coordinated, but not matching:
- Be yourself, be fun and comfortable!
* Don’t be afraid to wear things that ‘pop’ such as chunky jewelry, fun shoes, a brightly-colored blazer, a tie, sunglasses or dress hats.
Cowboy boots are a fun touch:
* Launder and iron your clothes to remove any wrinkles.
* Before your photo session, grab a digital camera and take a “test shot” of your outfit. Clothing often looks much different in a photo than it does in a mirror. A test shot is a surefire way of knowing you will love your outfit in your photos.
* Bring props! If you play an instrument, ride a bike or skateboard, have a favorite article of clothing or just a meaningful item, bring it with you. These personal items add an extra flair to your look.
Fall Engagement shoot ideas:
* Don’t wear an outfit containing plaid, bold stripes, colorful prints or writing/large graphics; these will make you look too busy and take away from the subject of the photo.
* Don’t go for solid white button down shirts for the two of you.
* Ladies should pass on tube top styles, to avoid ending up with an ‘extra layer’ on top.
* Ladies, don’t forget a manicure for an engagement shoot. There will always be a close-up shot of the ring on your hand.
* Don’t have your hair cut the day of a portrait. Schedule hair appointments at least a week in advance for a more natural look.
* Don’t neglect finding shoes to compliment your outfit. They will likely be seen in most of your photos.
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For more fashion tips and daily inspiration, check out J’s Everyday Fashion blog.
Dallas Wedding Photographer Jonathan Ivy Photography is a International photographer based out of Dallas, TX who enjoys working locally and world-wide. Thank you for visiting us and for viewing this DFW Wedding.
