What to Wear for Engagement Photos
If you're planning on taking engagement photos, you probably want to look your best. But it can be hard to decide what's appropriate and what's not. Do you want to look casual or dressy? How do you know what will look good in the photos?
The answer is simple: whatever makes you feel good about yourself! If you're feeling like a slob one day, don't worry about how silly or messy your clothes might look. Just wear them and have fun with it. On the other hand, if you're feeling extra pretty, go for it! Your engagement photo shoot should be more about having fun than trying to impress everyone else with how fancy your outfit is.
If you're not sure where to start, here are some tips:
Use Color theory
Color theory uses the color wheel to help you choose colors that work well together, and it can also be used as a guide for choosing colors for your engagement photo shoot.
MONOCHROMATIC
Monochromatic means that all of your clothes are in shades of one color (like all black or all white) or that they are very close together on the color wheel.
The easiest way to pick a monochromatic color scheme for your engagement photos is to choose one color and wear it in different shades. So if you want to wear blue, you could wear a blue dress, your partner could wear blue pants, and a neutral shirt (think light blue, white, khaki)
The trick is making sure that all of those items are at least two shades apart from each other—so no wearing all three pieces in the exact same shade of blue. Monochromatic is a great rule to follow when doing large groupings of photos. Everyone in different shades of neutral beiges will look amazing.
When working with Monochromatic colors, think about the shades, tones, and tints of each color, like on the graph to the left. This allows you to keep harmonious colors in your clothing!
ANALOGOUS
Alright, so we're talking about analogous colors here – you know, those colors that are besties on the color wheel. Think red and orange cozying up together, or blue and green chilling out side by side. When you mix these colors in your outfit, it's like they were meant to be together – total harmony, no awkward clashes.
So, when you're planning what to wear for your engagement photos, think about playing with analogous colors to create a look that's as coordinated as it is eye-catching. Picture this: you're planning a fall shoot. Rusty oranges, mustard yellows, and deep burgundies are your go-to hues. They not only scream autumn vibes but also blend seamlessly together, giving your photos that warm, cohesive feel.
Now, let's fast-forward to spring. Soft pastels like blush pink, lavender, and baby blue are stealing the show. They're light, they're airy, and when you put them together, it's like stepping into a blooming garden of harmony.
By rocking outfits that feature analogous colors, you're not just dressing for the occasion – you're creating a visual masterpiece. Whether you're going for laid-back boho chic or elegant sophistication, embracing the magic of analogous colors will ensure you and your partner look like a match made in color-coordinated heaven in your engagement photos. So go ahead, mix and match those hues, and let your love shine through in every perfectly coordinated shot!
COMPLIMENTARY
Absolutely, let's dive deeper into leveraging complementary colors for your engagement photos:
Alright, buckle up because we're about to talk about complementary colors – those dynamic duos that are like two peas in a pod, but with a little extra oomph. We're talking about colors that sit opposite each other on the color wheel, creating that eye-catching contrast that's sure to make you pop in your engagement photos.
So, here's the deal: by rocking complementary colors, you're not just blending in with the background – you're making a statement. Picture this: you're out on a bright, bluebird sky day. Instead of both of you wearing blue dresses (which, let's be real, might make you blend into the sky), one of you opts for a vibrant yellow or orange ensemble. Boom! Instant contrast, instant visual interest, and instant attention-grabbing power.
Now, let's say you're surrounded by a lush, dark green forest. You want to stand out against all that greenery, right? Enter: the power of red. Whether it's a bold red dress or a statement accessory, that pop of red against the verdant backdrop is going to make you the focal point of every shot.
The key here is to think about your surroundings and use complementary colors to your advantage. Instead of matching each other, think about how your outfits can complement the environment around you. Whether it's a sandy desert landscape, a snowy mountain vista, or a vibrant urban backdrop, there's a complementary color combo that's just waiting to elevate your engagement photos to the next level.
If we pull that all together and apply it to more neutral clothing colors (that will always stand the test of time in photos!), it would look something like this.
WORK WITH YOUR LOCATION
When you're choosing your outfit, it's important to keep in mind the color story of your landscape and background. The colors around you will influence how well your clothing pops, so if you want your clothes to stand out, make sure they're complementary or not too similar to the background. If you want to blend in, think about going monochromatic.
Let's say you're taking your photos at sunset on a beach. The sky will be orange and red, so choose an outfit that has similar colors so that it blends into the background. If you pick something green or blue, however, it'll stand out against the sunset and really make an impact.
Warm colors vs Cool colors
The warmth and coolness of your clothing and environment are also going to impact your final photos. This one is hard to follow so just bear with me.
Warm-toned Clothing Examples
Khaki, brown, red, orange, yellow, occasionally green and white
Cool-toned Clothing examples
blue, grey, black, navy, occasionally green and white
Warm-toned Environment Examples
Sunset (red/orange/yellow), fall (orange, yellow), desert (red, orange)
Cool-toned Environment examples
Mountains (blue sky, green grass), winter (blue reflection from snow), alpine lakes (blue water, grey mountains, blue sky)
Here are some examples to think about when thinking about how clothing and environment tone interact.
WARM COLOR CLOTHING WITH COOL ENVIRONMENT COLORS
COOL COLOR CLOTHING WITH WARM ENVIRONMENT COLORS
WARM COLOR CLOTHING WITH WARM ENVIRONMENT COLORS
COOL COLOR CLOTHING WITH COOL ENVIRONMENT COLORS
Light colors vs dark colors
LIGHT COLORS
I recommend wearing light-colored clothing when you shoot your engagement photos. It's all about the light and one way to make sure you don’t get lost in the shadows of your background is to make sure your clothes are bright enough to stand out against a dark background.
DARK COLORS
On the other hand, if you want to go for more of a moody look, try wearing dark-colored clothing in black or navy blue. This will give your photos more depth and make them feel more dramatic than they would with a lighter color scheme!
More tips on how to dress for engagement photos:
You can never go wrong with neutrals
Ivory
Cream
Beige
Taupe
Cognac
Heather gray
Charcoal
Black
Navy
Avoid logos, bright colors, and busy patterns
We are here to focus on you two, your connection, and the moment. Avoid this to help fine-tune the emotions in your photos.
1. Logos. This is a great time to show off your personal style, but maybe don’t be a walking billboard for Patagonia in your engagement photos.
2. Bright colors and busy patterns. You want your outfit to complement your partners attire, not compete with it for attention—especially if they are wearing a solid color or a classic pattern like stripes or plaids. When in doubt, only one person should be wearing a pattern.
Reflect the season you're in
Summer is all about the light, so if you're planning on doing photos outdoors, make sure you're prepared for warm weather by wearing loose fitting clothing (and hydrating well before hand).
Winter is all about keeping warm—make sure to dress warmly with layers and bring gloves.
Spring and fall are always unpredictable, so prepare for every temperature and season by bringing layers for yourself and your partner.
Activities and Accessories
Accessories
Show off something personal about yourselves or even your relationship. If you love gardening together, then maybe wear some gardening gloves; if one of you loves cooking, then maybe wear their favorite chef's hat; if the other loves running and has medals from races, then maybe put on their running shoes and medal holder! There are so many options!
Activities
Same goes for activities. If you enjoy climbing together, get engagement photos taken while out bouldering. Same if you like mountain biking, cooking together, camping, walking your dogs around your neighborhood: the options on activities are endless (and help take the pressure of a “photo shoot” off of you as you’re just out doing something you love together).
BE COMFORTABLE
First, wear something comfortable. You want to be able to move around and really enjoy yourself in the photos, so make sure you're wearing clothes that aren't too tight or restrictive. We recommend jeans and a nice top.
Second, wear something that makes you feel confident. If you feel good about the way you look, it'll shine through in the photos.
Third, wear shoes that are easy for walking around in. Engagement sessions tend to be outdoors, and I incorporate a lot of movement into my photos so it's important to have footwear that can stand up to dirt and rocks without making you trip off the side of a mountain :)
You do need to think about what you'll be wearing for your engagement shoot. But don't get too caught up in the details. After all, a beautiful engagement photo doesn't come down to your pantsuit or your boho dress—it's all about how you connect with each other during this experience. After all, that's what makes a photo stand out.
Looking to have an engagement photo session experience that you can look back on and know you wouldn’t change a single thing about?
Howdy, I’m Kimberly!
I’m a Colorado elopement and wedding photographer that’s committed countless hours chasing sunrises and making dinner in the back of my car while perfecting my craft (while getting some lenses really dusty and wet along the way), and capturing images that make people feel something.
