If you’re skimming the web for engagement shoot outfit recommendations and trying to figure out where to start, look no further! Below are a few key recommendations I share with my couples. Please know, that in anything, the number one thing is that your outfits should represent you. Now if you spend most of your days in leggings like I do, you may not want that exactly (if you do, by all means… go for it!). But I say choose the outfits that you’d choose if you were going out for a nice dinner with friends or family.
Here are my other key tips:
1. Make a Pinterest Mood Board
As you’re skimming photographers websites and/or Pinterest, I would create a board to save anything and everything that calls out to you. After some time doing this and before you start shopping, come back to it a few times and refine it. My guess is that you will start to see a trend of what colors and styles are speaking to you.
2. Choose your location(s) for your Engagement Shoot
Before you officially start to shop, I would also choose your location, at least in terms of whether they will be outdoor photos with trees behind you or if you are looking for more modern, city photos with a cityscape as your background. It won’t make a huge difference in terms of the actual photos (your photographer will make them look great no matter what!), but when you are shopping it will make it easier for yourself to envision the look and feel you want. When we were doing our own engagement photo shopping, knowing the location helped me choose between a few different options.
3. Have 2-3 outfit changes
When it comes to picking out engagement photo outfits, I always recommend having a 2-3 options. Have a few different outfits selected allows you to show off who you are and gives a fun variety of photos to choose from when you’re making Save the Dates, your Guest Book or even for prints around your own home.
4. Have one of your outfits be dressier
If you are a couple who just doesn’t really dress up and don’t care to give this a try, that is totally fine, you can ignore this recommendation. However, here are a few reasons why I’d recommend considering it. When you have a dressier option, it gives a little nod to the formality of your wedding day. So, even if you don’t wear dresses a lot, it’s a way to show a more “bridal” look, if you will. In addition, from a photographer’s standpoint, by wearing a dress it allows for some additional, fun poses that they can take of you. Think twirls, dancing, holding out the skirt and in general, just capturing some more movement in your photos!
5. Add a prop!
Bring a blanket, bring a hat… if you’re golfers, maybe do a fun golf outfit with your clubs. If you’re campers, bring a cute mug for your outdoor shots. This is your time to shine!!!
6. When in doubt, ask a stylist
There are so many services now that offer personal styling. If you really are stuck and need some guidance on choosing something that will be perfect for you… go ask a stylist at the store! That’s what they are there for and they’d LOVE to help. Personally, I used Trunk Club for Joey and I’s own engagement shoot and my stylist found me the perfect looks!
Remember, make it you and have fun!
I hope those were some helpful tips to set you in the right direction for your engagement shoot planning! Below are some photos from my first ever engagement shoot with Kelly and Jon in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. It was a beautiful, summer evening and these two chose outfits that represented them perfectly. Enjoy!
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Love, Bri
