It’s taken me a full 6 years of wedding and engagement photography to be ready to write this post. Not for lack of trying! But the main thing that’s held me back on it is that I never want you to feel limited, or like there are rules you have to follow for what to wear (to your engagement photos!)

However, I have learned over the last few years that it can be nice to have a little guidance from your photographer on your engagement outfits. I’ve also realized that it’s less about telling you what you should or shouldn’t wear, and more about giving you some insight into what photographs well with my particular approach to engagement photography. Every photographer will have their own preferences, but I have noticed patterns of what choices go especially nicely with my style, and that’s what I’ll be sharing below.

Please know that this post is meant to be a gentle guide, not a rulebook! Everyone has different opinions, personal styles, and preferences, and none of them are wrong.

Prioritize Comfort and Movement

The most important thing about your outfit is that it is something you are comfortable and confident in. I have no problem if you decide to show up barefoot, in your favorite t-shirt and jeans if it means that you won’t worry about your outfit the rest of the session!

Obviously I’m not saying you can’t wear anything new or different. Just choose something you feel good in — Comfort shows up on camera more than almost anything else. If your dress or suit is too tight or prone to riding up/malfunctioning, if your shoes are uncomfortable or put you at risk of breaking your ankle if you run around on uneven surfaces in them. If you’re too cold or too hot, if what you’re wearing makes you feel a little self conscious… all those things will make it harder to relax and ease into the flow of things. It takes me much longer to help you get warmed up, and can limit my ability to find your best angles and and bring out your natural personality.

(Read my tips to stay warm during your engagement photos here)

Additionally, I use movement (including walking, running, spinning, dancing, piggy back rides, lifts, etc) heavily in my engagement sessions to help me achieve the natural and joyful portraits I specialize in. Choosing to wear something too restrictive — especially at the beginning of your session — can really limit your ability to warm up and relax properly.

(You can read more about what engagement sessions are like with me here!)

Wear the right shoes (and at the right time!)

Wear shoes that compliment both your outfit and the location we’ve chosen! The biggest issue I see when it comes to shoes is wearing heels too early in the session. Since we almost always start with movement — walking, running, exploring the location — restrictive shoes can make it significantly harder to get properly warmed up.

I always recommend wearing something you can move in comfortably at the beginning, or at least something you’re okay kicking off for part of the session. Being able to walk, run, and move naturally right away makes a huge difference in how relaxed your photos feel.

I love a good heel, don’t get me wrong! I just recommend saving them for later, once we’re warmed up and have already captured those natural, movement-based shots. Bring a second pair of shoes, or plan on going barefoot for the first part of your session.

My personal favorite options for footwear during engagement sessions are comfortable shoes with natural textures and fun details. (I’ve recently discovered the joys of beaded shoes, and they are so sparkly and pretty — especially when they catch the light.) Below are a few other options to consider:

• Barefoot: Going barefoot brings a level of intimacy to your session, and especially fits engagement photos that are near the water, in a studio, or in your home.
• Sandals: versatile and easy to dress up or down, these are a great option for spring and summer sessions! Make sure to do your toenails nicely if you’re going to be showing them off — opt for a neutral or muted color, a clear coat, or French tips!
• Flip flops: laid back and comfortable, flip flops are great for casual summer sessions!
• Heels: A classic choice that work especially well in urban locations, as well as elevated (and paved!) outdoor spaces: botanical gardens, library courtyards, and city rooftops are some great examples.
• Flats: just as dressy as heels, but easier to move in, flats can work with most outfits and locations if you style them right.
• Sneakers: casual shoes can bring a down-to-earth feel to your engagement photos. Opt for CLEAN, neutral shoes that either don’t have laces or have low contrast laces that won’t draw attention to themselves.
• Leather shoes: Natural textures like leather and suede are a personal favorite of mine. Berks can be a great choice for a more laid back session. Brown leather shoes are another classic pick, especially for men. These are especially fitting for fall sessions, but are exceptionally versatile.
• Snow/weatherproof boots: These are perfect for wet or cold days, especially during fall and winter sessions. Browns and tans are great for these, and I honestly don’t mind even a good pop of color with a classic yellow rain boot these days either. Pair with some cozy socks in a color that ties into your outfits, and you’re golden.

Jewelry and Details

I love jewelry in engagement sessions, especially classic pieces. Gold, silver, and pearls photograph beautifully and feel timeless. Layered bracelets can be really pretty (and are also a great way to hide a watch tan…), and delicate or statement earrings are high key one of my favorite details to photograph.

There’s no reason not to put the same amount of thought into your engagement session jewelry as you would your wedding jewelry. In fact, I love when couples consider wearing their wedding earrings or necklace for their engagement photos.

That said, you really can’t go wrong with simple hoops, a delicate necklace, and your engagement ring. It’s such a classic look, and it instantly elevates your outfit without feeling overdone.

When it comes to watches: Fitbits, Apple Watches, and other e-watches can be a distraction in photos. They naturally draw your eye and can look outdated really quickly. Classic watches can be a great touch, though!

Beyond jewelry, I’ve also developed a real love for pretty details. Hair ribbons, lace, beautiful necklines or sleeves, beading — anything that catches the light and your eye can be such a fun addition. I’ve seen so many cool, unique choices from my couples over the last few years, and those little details always add interest and personality to photos without overwhelming them.

How to choose outfits

If outfit planning feels overwhelming, here’s a simple way to approach it.

Start with whoever is hardest to shop for. This is my number one tip! So much pain and suffering can be avoided if you find an outfit for whoever is hardest to shop for/whoever has the hardest time finding something they’re willing to wear first! If that’s you, start with you. If it’s your partner, start with them. In my own marriage, my husband is much pickier about what he’ll wear than I am, so we always start with his outfit first. Once he’s sorted out, I can find something that fits within the color scheme and general vibe without too many issues.

Opt to coordinate, rather than match — once you have that first outfit picked out, choose a color from that and bring a similar color into the other person’s outfit as well.

Go for something that fits your location and that you’re comfortable in, above anything else! Adding layers and texture are always going to be a great way to mix things up. Avoid high contrast palettes, bold prints, and logos. And don’t be afraid to bring more than one outfit!

Colors That Photograph Beautifully in Engagement Photos

Over the years, I have learned that I love working with harmonious color palettes. When I talk about a harmonious color palette, I’m not talking about matching outfits or sticking to one exact color.

A harmonious palette simply means that the colors you’re wearing feel like they belong together — and with the environment we’re photographing in.

Instead of high-contrast or competing colors, harmonious palettes are made up of shades that naturally complement one another. They tend to feel calmer, more cohesive, and more timeless in photos.

Harmonious palettes often include:

• A neutral base (white, cream, beige, tan, light gray, soft denim)
• One or two supporting colors (light blue, sage, dusty lavender, soft blush, muted green)
• Optional texture or depth through layers (linen, knit, denim, wool, leather, satin, corduroy, etc)

For example:

• White + light blue + soft brown
• Cream + lavender + tan
• Soft denim + ivory + muted green
• Shades of white and brown
• Pastels mixed with neutrals

These combinations photograph beautifully because they allow skin tones, movement, and connection to take center stage — instead of bold color contrasts stealing the focus. Below are some sessions I’ve done with examples of what I’m talking about!

A Note on Patterns

Patterns aren’t off-limits, but they can be tricky. As long as they aren’t overly modern or distracting, patterns can be really fun and add interest. When in doubt, I’m always happy to take a look at what you’re thinking and help you decide.

Colors to be careful with

Red: especially very dark, muted, warm tones (deep burgundy or warm reds) tend to photograph heavier and muddier in my style. They can make skin tones harder to edit and often darken the overall feel of an image.

Lighter, cooler, or softer versions of these colors are often totally fine. It’s usually the deep, muted warmth that causes issues, not the color family itself. Additionally, colors that can be high contrast and darker on their own can actually be absolutely beautiful when brought into a more harmonious color palette. If you love these colors, we can absolutely make them work — it just takes balance. I have been surprised by some really great combos, so don’t feel discouraged if you’ve got red on your mind for your photos! I’ve included some examples below of when red can be really lovely, and love having my mind changed.

What Usually Isn’t Harmonious

Color palettes start to feel less harmonious when:

• Both outfits are high-contrast in different ways
• Very dark, saturated colors are paired together without softer balance
• Multiple bold colors compete for attention
• Outfits feel disconnected from the environment

This doesn’t mean bold colors are “wrong” — they just tend to work best when they’re balanced with calmer tones and similar shades.

If You’re Unsure — That’s Normal

You don’t need to know color theory to choose a harmonious palette. If you’re stuck, a great place to start is the location:

• What colors already exist there?
• What season are we in?
• What colors do you naturally gravitate toward?

From there, we can build something that feels like you and photographs beautifully. And if you want help, I’m definitely always happy to weigh in — that’s part of what I’m here for.

If you’re looking for engagement photos that feel bright, joyful, and like you, I’d love to help you plan and photograph that season well!

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