When it comes to engagement photos, every couple has the thought: “what the heck do we wear?” It’s a totally fair question, but I promise it’s not that deep! It’s easy to overthink your engagement photo outfits, but my motto is: “less is more!” Let’s dive into some tips to help you pick out your perfect engagement photo outfits.

1. Black and White Colors (Monochrome Scale)

I'm a huge fan of anything on the monochrome scale. From white to black, those contrast colors look really nice and help you pop out of the scenery. Especially if we are shooting somewhere beautiful outside in nature like an epic cliffside or by the ocean. There's also something timeless and classy about those dramatic, white and black tones.

2. Earthy and Warm Tones

I also always recommend earthy tones. For example, cream, off-white, even browns work really well to give that wilderness nature vibe. These tones really fit well for more adventurous couples who don't want that classic black-and-white look. If you want to try something different and mix it up, these colors can really help create a more relaxed and intimate vibe.

3. Colors to Avoid

There are certain colors that don't really work well together shooting outdoors in nature. (This is my area of expertise – always important to play to the style of your photographer!) I often tell couples not to wear anything super bright and vibrant. Doing so can really throw off the colors of the background and will make you stand out, and not in the way we want! Muted colors work much better in a natural and organic setting.

4. Can I Wear Patterns?

Generally, I tell my clients not to wear patterns in their engagement photo outfits. I tend to recommend against anything too crazy on your outfits. Especially through a camera, there's something that is really special about solid colors during your photoshoot. It really helps create a more timeless look that is not tied to a specific style or era. 20 years from now you don't wanna look back and laugh at the patterns you were wearing. Also, if you wear stripes or other contrast patterns, digital cameras can have some weird effects in the final image that look really odd.

5. What Kind of Shoes Should I Wear?

Shoes are totally up to what type of shoot you are doing. For the ladies, I would say wedges or flats work really well. For my photoshoots, I like to keep my couples active and moving and engaged the whole time. So we are going to be moving around, possibly running along the beach, dancing, and just having a good time! So I want you to be comfortable and mobile. The only time I would recommend heels would be if you are wanting a more classic documentary type shoot that is geared more towards posing and editorial looks. If that’s the case, then we can take more time to pose you and not do so much active photographing, allowing you to wear footwear like heels. For guys, I like a nice, classy brown boot, or really really clean white shoes. Something that is clean and stylish is always a safe bet!

6. Can We Match?

Matching too much is a big no-no! We’re looking for engagement photo outfits that complement each other, not match each other. Figure out the overall vibe you’re wanting to bring, and pick out outfits for the both of you that go well together in their tones and contrast. For example, the ladies can wear a nice, floaty cream dress while their guy is wearing a button up shirt with some dark pants to complement that.

7. What About Extra Accessories?

Typical accessories like jewelry are totally up to you, but some additional prop accessories can really level up your engagement photos! Whether it’s some florals we can be creative with or champagne you can pop for some really fun shots, the options are endless! I love adding these kinds of photos as they’re a great way to celebrate your proposal and engagement.

Another fun idea that I often recommend to my couples is renting a cool vintage car. We can drive around and incorporate that into your photoshoot to mix in with your typical engagement shoot poses. There are so many iconic places here on the coast of California down Highway 1 that are just stunning for that classic car look on the highway. If you're into that, I'd like to recommend Monterey touring vehicles as the go to rental spot. They are the best!

At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you feel good in your engagement photo outfits.  

If you love what you are wearing, and are feeling confident and excited to be there, we can capitalize on that energy and create some photos that are stunning! Be comfortable. Be confident. Let's have a good time and run around capturing the sunset together!