How to Pick the Perfect Color Palette for Your Engagement Session

How to Pick the Perfect Color Palette for Your Engagement Session

Planning your outfits is one thing… but choosing a color palette for your engagement session? That’s where the real magic happens. I talk a lot about outfits (because I love outfits), but color is truly the secret weapon that can completely transform the look and feel of your photos.

If you’re struggling to find clothes you love, start with your color palette first. The shades you choose influence everything—whether your photos feel soft and romantic, bold and vibrant, or classic and timeless. And the best part? Your color palette can guide both of you so you coordinate without matching, which is the holy grail of engagement session styling.

Your skin tone, preferred style, and your session location all play a role, too. And—let’s be honest—some colors just feelmore like you. So let’s break down how to choose a color palette for your engagement session that photographs beautifully and captures your personalities.

Start With What You Naturally Love to Wear

Before you dive into swatches and Pinterest boards, take a peek inside your closet. What colors do you naturally buy? What shades do you feel good in? If your everyday outfits all fall in similar tones—neutrals, pastels, jewel tones—that’s your starting point.

And don’t be afraid to prioritize one partner’s coloring or preference. If you know you don’t look great in mustard or burgundy (same, girl), don’t force it. Build the palette around what’s most flattering for the person who’s pickier about color.

My husband can wear literally any color—so I always pick my outfit first and base his around mine. Zero shame. It’s strategy.

Choosing a Light, Soft, Romantic Color Palette

If you want your photos to feel airy, glowy, and romantic, lean into lighter tones. These colors photograph beautifully in New England’s natural light and help keep your entire gallery soft and cohesive.

Tips for a Soft + Romantic Color Palette for Your Engagement Session:

• If your partner usually goes for dark pants, encourage them to switch to a lighter khaki or taupe. Dark denim can be a little heavy in bright, airy photos.

• Flowy dresses and skirts bring beautiful movement to your images and add softness instantly.

• Patterns are totally okay—just make sure they’re larger, not tiny and busy. Big, soft patterns photograph beautifully.

• Great soft tones include:

  • Blush

  • Light gray

  • Cream

  • Linen beige

  • Light blue

  • Soft mint green

  • Pale pink

  • All neutrals

These tones pair beautifully together, especially if you’re shooting in nature (fields, mountains, beaches… New England has all the options).

Choosing a Bold, Vibrant, Jewel-Tone Palette

If soft and dreamy isn’t your vibe, bold color palettes photograph incredibly well—especially in fall and winter. Richer tones create contrast, depth, and a polished, elevated look.

Tips for a Bold + Vibrant Color Palette for Your Engagement Session:

• Stick with jewel tones that flatter most skin tones and pop beautifully on camera:

  • Navy

  • Mustard

  • Burgundy

  • Forest green

  • Black (always classic)

• If you’re both wearing darker colors, make sure at least one of you incorporates some lighter elements—a cream sweater, tan boots, lighter denim—to avoid the photos becoming too heavy.

• Darker patterns (like flannels or plaids) are chef’s kiss for fall or winter sessions and help break up the deeper tones.

Bold palettes are perfect for urban sessions, forest locations, moody coastal spots, or anywhere with texture and contrast.

Coordinating Without Matching

Coordination is key—but matching outfits is a no from me.

Here’s the rule of thumb:
Choose 2–4 colors for your palette, then mix them in different ways between both partners.

For example:

• Soft palette: blush + cream + light blue

• Bold palette: burgundy + navy + forest green

You should look cohesive, not like you’re headed to a family reunion photoshoot from 2003.

Let Your Location Influence Your Palette

Your location matters more than most couples realize.

• Beach sessions pair beautifully with soft neutrals, pale blues, and breezy tones.

• Mountain sessions love deeper shades like navy, emerald, and rust.

• City sessions can go either way—airy pastels for a light look or bold jewel tones for a chic, editorial vibe.

Your color palette for your engagement session should complement the environment, not clash with it.

If you’re staring at your closet like it personally offended you, let me help you figure out your options. For more outfit inspiration, check out this post and this one! I help all my couples with outfit planning—it’s honestly one of my favorite parts of prepping for a session.  Inquire now and let’s start planning a session that’s totally your vibe.