What to Wear for Your Engagement Session: A Photographer’s Guide

Here’s a little confession: I am not someone with a giant wardrobe. My husband takes up most of our closet space (offensive), although I win by a landslide in the shoe department. I used to have a ton of clothes, but once I realized I only wore the same handful of pieces—the ones that fit well, felt good, and were colors I naturally gravitated toward—I did a massive purge.

Now I stick to pieces that are timeless, quality, and comfortable… because when you’re comfortable in your clothes, it shows. And when you’re not? Yeah… that shows, too.

And that’s exactly where we begin when deciding what to wear for your engagement session.

Because these photos aren’t just for five minutes on Instagram—they’re the ones you’ll frame, gift, look back on, and maybe even show your kids someday. So let’s make sure you’re wearing something you feel really, really good in.

Start With Comfort: The Most Important Engagement Session Outfit Tip

Before we talk about colors or rules, the biggest deciding factor in what to wear for your engagement photos is this:

Wear something you truly feel like yourself in.

If you never wear long dresses, don’t force one for the sake of “aesthetic.”
If jeans and a soft sweater make you feel confident, that’s a great foundation.
If you love maxi dresses, flowy skirts, or anything with movement—that’s a win.

The best outfits aren’t the fanciest. They’re the ones you can move in… sit in… walk in… spin in… and still feel comfortable and natural.

Basic Rules for What to Wear for Your Engagement Session

There are a handful of guidelines that almost always apply (and will save you lots of frustration):

• Avoid fluorescents. They reflect oddly on skin and don’t photograph well.

• Skip overly bright colors that dominate the frame.

• Avoid tiny checks, micro-patterns, or thin stripes that cause a weird camera effect.

• Go easy on solid green if you’re shooting outdoors in a lush area—you’ll blend into the trees.

• No logos or large graphics.

• Wear outfits that match your photographer’s editing style.

  • If you hired someone bright + airy, choose soft, light tones.

  • If your photographer is dark + moody, jewel tones + deep neutrals look incredible.

These simple rules apply no matter what your style is—and they help ensure your final photos look cohesive and flattering.

Choosing Colors That Photograph Beautifully

Not sure what shades actually work well for engagement photos? Here are tried-and-true suggestions:

For the Guys:

• Light blue

• Light gray

• Soft neutrals

• Khaki

• Pastels

• Creams

Pro tip: Swap dark jeans for khaki or lighter pants. It makes a massive difference in bright, airy photos.

For the Ladies:

• Light pink

• Soft blues

• Sage or mint

• Cream

• Whites (as long as the fabric isn’t see-through!)

• Neutrals

• A tasteful pop of color if it still matches your palette

Flow, texture, and layers photograph beautifully—especially dresses that move with you.

For fall and winter sessions: scarves, jackets, shawls, and cozy layers look incredible (and keep you warm).

Coordinate — Don’t Match

This is SO important when choosing what to wear for your engagement session:

You want to coordinate, not match.

Think complementary colors, tones from the same palette, and a mix of textures.
Pinterest is gold for this—in fact, I have a Pinterest board here with tons of outfit inspiration!!

Build a palette with 2–4 tones, then mix them between your outfits.
You should look cohesive… not like you’re auditioning for a family reunion photo from 2003.

 

Consider Your Location + Season

Where you’re shooting can guide your outfit choices, too:

• Beaches: Soft neutrals, airy blues, white, light pinks

• Mountains: Earth tones, blush, denim, sage, muted greens

• City/Urban: Classic neutrals, trendy pieces, structured outfits

• Forests: Warmer tones, deeper neutrals, creams

Your surroundings matter—and your outfits should complement, not compete.

Use Your Closet First (Seriously)

Real talk: you don’t need to buy a brand new wardrobe for your engagement session.
You just need outfits that feel like you—comfortable, confident, beautifully “us” you.

If you’re deciding between a dress or boots, jeans or a skirt, neutrals or pastels—send me photos! I help all my couples style their engagement sessions, and I genuinely love seeing what you come up with.

And if you truly don’t have anything you love, I have a small client closet with dresses available for sessions, too.

Ready to Feel Great in Your Engagement Photos?

If you’re still unsure what to wear for your engagement session, I’m happy to help you build your outfits, choose a color palette, or narrow down your options.

Your session should feel easy, natural, and totally you.

Inquire here and let’s plan a session you’ll love forever.