For today’s post, we turned it over to the beautiful and talented Rachel Elaine from Rachel Elaine Photography. Her ability to capture the natural beauty of couples and their wedding makes her one of the premier photographers in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about engagement photo basics!
From Rachel: Congrats! Now you’re engaged and planning your much anticipated wedding day. Before your wedding day, it is my pleasure as your wedding photographer to get to document you as a couple for your engagement pictures. Below are some tips on what to wear and how to prepare yourself for this session.
Engagement sessions are such a great way for you to let loose and have fun! It is a way to connect with your photographer and build a relationship prior to your wedding day. Engagement pictures are a way to also get memorable images and see what you like and don’t like to prepare not only yourself but your photographer of things to be aware of on your big day.
TIP 1: Pick out your outfits prior to your engagement session. Communicate with your photographer (this is what we are here for!!! Trust me we want to help!) what type of images/feelings you gravitate towards. Many ladies will text and even email me their outfit pulls while they are shopping to see what looks best in front of the camera. Another option is to arrive to your engagement session 30 minutes early and we will pull outfits together.
TIP 2: Stick to two outfits: one casual and one more formal (trust me, it looks great!!!)
TIP 3: I cannot stress these two things enough:
Men: have outfits that are tailored to your body and bring multiple belts. Belts help finish outfits and make your pictures look much more polished.
Ladies: get your hair and makeup professionally done for your big engagement session. This is a time for you to get pampered and build a relationship with your hair and makeup artist for your wedding day. I always tell my brides that your beautiful faces will be what shines in your images, so make sure to have your makeup and hair professionally done.
TIP 4: Location. A lot of the time locations are what evoke emotions: your favorite coffee shop, where the two of you met for your first date, your first home, etc. these locations will create a mood and will help guide you for your engagement session. Some ideas for locations creating moods and outfits that correlate.
- If you both love a coffee shop then wear casual wear. We want each scenario to look like it is naturally unfolding so dress according.
- If you both are big sport fans, maybe wear your favorite jersey.
TIP 5: Rent the Runway. If you are needing beautiful outfits but don’t know what to wear and aren’t interested in paying full price, Rent the Runway has amazing options for rent that will bring your engagement session to the next level.
TIP 6: Complement each other, but do not match. Try not to be too matchy matchy as it can distract from the two of you and bring attention to your attire and not to the two of you.
TIP 7: Complimentary colors and solid patterns are always your best friend.
TIP 8: Pick attire that is more timeless and classic and not so trendy. While we love trendy, don’t get me wrong, we want your pictures to stand the test of time and not seem dated by the end of the year.
TIP 9: Pastels, Pastels, pastels! We all love light colors and the beauty they bring to an images. Ladies wearing long flowy dress that create movement is a personal fave!
TIP 10: If there is one color I would tell everyone to avoid it would be neon. Neon colors tend to create color casts on you and will bring distractions to your images.
TIP 11: Always wear outfits that will make the two of you feel comfortable. We want you to look your best and feel your best. So don’t wear something that doesn’t feel like you because it will tend to translate and show in your engagement pictures.
TIP 12: Color Schemes are your best friend! Ladies, we can’t stress enough how much complimentary colors help your session. If you wanted to wear a flowy white top and a pair of fitted jeans, maybe have him wear a blue polo shirt with a pair of khakis or long slacks. It doesn’t need to be matchy but being cohesive is best.
TIP 13: Pose in front of your mirror together. See how your outfits look and how they translate together. Do you get great movement in your outfits or are they restricting you to be able to move freely. Take this into consideration when picking your outfits.
Contributing Photographer: Rachel Elaine Photography