“What should I wear?” Advice from an Ann Arbor Wedding Photographer

Congratulations on your engagement! One of the most exciting parts of the engagement and wedding process is capturing beautiful photos to commemorate this special time in your life. Engagement photos are a wonderful way to celebrate your love and share your excitement with friends and family. Admit it— you can’t wait to post those pics on Instagram and sit back while the likes roll in!

When it comes to choosing what to wear for your engagement photo session, in my opinion, there is no RIGHT or WRONG answer. If you have a tie dye dress you’re dying to commemorate in photos forever, I say wear it! I’m all for alternative choices in what people choose to wear to an engagement session (see below photo). If you want to see some inspiration or other examples from past clients, take a look at my Sessions page and see what you like (or maybe what you dont)!

As a wedding photographer in Ann Arbor, Michigan,

I know that it can be hard to dress sometimes especially in a region where the weather can be unpredictable. So my first tip is— bring options! You can also talk to your photographer ahead of time and they will help you pick something that will look good in pictures and also make you feel comfortable in front of the camera.

Absolutely HERE for the engagement photos in matching sweatsuits from Old Navy (Sweatshirt, Pants)

However, selecting the right colors can make a big difference in the final result, if that sort of thing is important to you. I’m going to be honest— it makes my job editing easier— but that’s not the point of the session! The point is for you to be happy, and I reiterate, you should wear whatever you want if what you want doesn’t fit within the suggested color scheme.

SO. If you want to wear whatever you want, stop reading now! If it’s important to you for your photos to have the kind of aesthetic you see plastered all over social media: the rest of this post is for you.

In general, the colors you choose should complement each other and create a cohesive look. Here are some of the best colors to wear to an engagement photo session:

Neutral colors such as beige, cream, white, and gray are always a safe bet. They are classic, timeless, and elegant. These colors are also great for showcasing your natural beauty and allowing your personalities to shine through. You can add some interest to neutral colors by mixing and matching different textures and fabrics.

Soft pastel colors such as blush pink, lavender, and baby blue are perfect for creating a romantic and dreamy atmosphere. These colors are also flattering on most skin tones and can help to soften the overall look of your photos.

Jewel tones such as emerald green, deep purple, and rich burgundy are perfect for adding a touch of glamour and sophistication to your photos. These colors are also great for fall and winter engagement sessions.

Earth tones such as olive green, rust, and mustard yellow are perfect for creating a warm and cozy atmosphere. These colors are also great for fall and winter engagement sessions and can complement natural surroundings.

recently engaged couple stands close together smiling at each other on a tiny island in a japanese garden during winter

Also something to consider— clothing that has movement can add a lot of interest to pictures as well. A slight breeze picking up a long skirt or dress is chef’s kiss in my opinion. Choosing something that highlights your best features, that you’re comfortable in is your best bet, so just make sure whatever you choose is a compliment to you, and isn’t going to detract from the point of the shoot, which is to showcase the love between you and your partner.

When it comes to choosing outfits for your engagement photo session, there are plenty of great options available at retailers like Old Navy and Free People (depending on how much money you want to spend!). Here are just a couple outfit ideas that incorporate the colors mentioned above:

J Crew Men’s Linen Cotton Shirt in Bluegrass

Old Navy Flex Chino Pants in Stone Wall

Amazon Smocked Tiered Midi in Beige

Bohme Lavender Maxi Dress

Free People Blush Dress

Free People Sage Maxi Dress

Remember, the most important thing is to choose outfits that make you feel comfortable and confident. You want to be able to enjoy the engagement experience with your partner and create memories that will last a lifetime. I can’t wait to see what you picked! See ya in the field :)

If you want to work together, you can start the process here. I can’t wait to work with you! And of course, the next step is to be thinking about weddings—

find out more about my wedding photography experience on my Weddings page.

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