How to Rock Your Engagement Session Outfit
Getting your pictures taken professionally (or maybe just in general) can be a little weird and stressful. We’ve all been there! And I’m here to tell you it’s okay! Most of the stress comes from what in the WORLD do you wear to your Lubbock TX engagement session? I’m here to help with that, too! This gets a little lengthy but I say being over-prepared is better than being just slightly prepared.
EMBRACE YOUR STYLE AND DRESS FOR COMFORT
The motto here is comfort! I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but if you are uncomfortable in what you are wearing, I can tell and my camera can tell. Listen to your gut when it comes to what you feel good in. Some couples love an excuse to go all out on a fun, dressed up outfit. Others prefer a more casual, but polished look.
I always encourage my couples to bring at least two outfits. One “us on a cute, casual date” outfit and one more formal outfit. This will give your session two totally different looks, and I recommend beginning with the “cute date” outfit first (as this will help you to feel more natural as we all warm-up).
If it’s you and your personality, do not be afraid to GO ALL OUT! Your engagement session is the perfect opportunity to rock a fun, dressed up look that you might not normally have an excuse for. Long, flowy dresses and skirts look amazing on camera — they add movement to your clothing that tends to be very flattering and natural-looking.
CHOOSING AND COORDINATING COLORS FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION OUTFITS
Focus on coordinating colors, not matching colors. If you both wore the same exact color tone to your engagement session, how boring would those images be? For example, if you wear a blush dress, soft blue chunky necklace, and nude heels, then your partner might wear a navy coat with khaki or gray pants, paired with brown leather shoes and maybe even a blush pocket square to your Lubbock TX engagement session. You each tie in the main color that the other is wearing (blush for you, navy for them), and create a well-coordinated look that isn’t too matchy-matchy.
I generally recommend selecting lighter tones and more muted shades. By avoiding ultra-bright, bold colors (think, like hot pink or cherry red types of tones), viewers wont’ be distracted by your clothing choice and the attention will stay on your beautiful faces.
Now, the above is a rule that can be broken when done well. Sometimes, a pop of color can be the perfect touch for your engagement session color palette! The key is having one big pop of color — and a tone subtle enough that it complements the overall look. Like all good things in life, it’s all about balance!
FLATTER YOUR FEATURES WHEN SELECTING YOUR OUTFITS
You’re going to look AMAZING no matter what! That being said, you’re only human and it’s natural to have some features that you’re self-conscious about at times. If you tend to nit-pick at yourself, then this section is for you. The best thing to do is recognize anything you may be self-conscious about and choose clothes that best complement those feelings. When you wear clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident, you’ll look comfortable and confident on camera! Here are a few common concern areas:
● Arms: Three-quarter length sleeves can help to create a slimming effect on all arms. You could also bring a cute jacket, blazer or cardigan along. Skinny straps or strapless dresses can have the opposite effect on arms, so I recommend avoiding those if you find yourself focused on your arms a lot.
● Legs: Heels tend to elongate the look of women’s legs (especially closed-toe heels!). If you do choose to wear peep-toe heels, remember to give your toenails some love before your session too.
● Height differences: This can go both ways! Make sure that you’re comfortable with your shoe height and where that puts you next to each other if this is something you’re self-conscious about. Overcompensating with a subtle dip down or a tiptoe up can turn a cute pose into an awkward look.
No matter the concern, know that you look incredible. When you feel comfortable and confident, it really does show!
ADD DETAILS TO COMPLETE YOUR SESSION OUTFITS
Be bold with layers and accessories — jackets, sweaters, necklaces, scarves, belts, etc. all add dimension to your photos. Layers like jackets, sweaters, and scarves also make it easy to give yourself two “looks” without actually changing your outfit.
MOST patterns are okay for photos but, stay away from those graphic tees. I know you are super bummed about not being able to wear your Iron Man shirt – I would be too, honestly – but they just don’t tend to photography well. If you’re wearing a pattern, make sure it’s not overwhelming and distracting. Similar to choosing colors, we want to first draw attention to your faces, not your clothes.
Empty those pockets, literally. Guys, this one is generally most applicable to you. You’ll regret seeing your cell phone or keys showing through your pockets and I don’t want to spend five billion hours photoshopping it out of your Lubbock TX engagement session.
GO PRO WITH HAIR AND MAKEUP
Professional hair and makeup can be a great option because it looks amazing and removes the stress of getting ready on your own. It’s also a good way to get an extra boost of confidence!
If your wedding is local, your engagement session could also be the perfect time to do your makeup trial. It can be easy to feel like your makeup is too much at first since it’s more than you would wear on a normal day — know that this is a normal feeling, but that a good makeup artist knows how to get it just right for the camera! Doing this for your engagement session, you’ll get to see how the makeup photographs. There is NO going back on your wedding day, and this is the perfect way to know for sure that you love it.
Don’t forget that your ring will get some attention on this shoot, so give yourself permission to get it cleaned and your nails done, too!
YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION PACKING LIST
Here are the things I remind my couples to bring along to their engagement session:
● Flats or flip-flops for walking between photo locations (if you’re planning to wear heels)
● Outfit two (including shoes and accessories), if you’d like a second outfit
● Touch-up makeup
● Water bottle (for warmer sessions)
● Coat or cover-up (for colder sessions)
SO… I know that was A LOT. Grab some wine if you are still here cause I know you need it (HAH!). I wrote this blog post to help guide you through some of the decisions you have on what to wear to your engagement session, and hopefully, it’s done just that. TLDR; just be comfortable and be yourself!
My very last tip is to make the day fun! Spend the morning relaxing and then after your Lubbock TX engagement session make a reservation at that fancy restaurant you’ve been dying to try or hit up the Taco Bell drive-thru. Being engaged is supposed to be fun in between the crazy decision making!
