I remember the first time I had my picture taken by a professional photographer. My fiancé and I decided to splurge on engagement photos (which was a great decision, by the way) and I felt a bit nervous before our session - how should I stand? What do I wear? Should we match?
These days I’m usually the one behind the camera, but I know what it’s like to be in clients’ shoes. Without a doubt, the most common question that I’m asked as a photographer is:
“What do we wear for our photoshoot?!”
Whether it's to celebrate your engagement, anniversary, or just because, all clients who book couples portrait sessions with me have the option of an outfit change in the middle of their session. I recommend picking a casual outfit to start off with and another that's a little dressier to change into when the sun starts to set. What about the details though? How dressy is "dressy"? Should you coordinate what you're wearing with your fiancé?
If you’re wondering what to wear for your couples portrait session, these four guidelines can help you decide.
GIVE YOURSELF OPTIONS
For some clients, this means choosing jeans and a cardigan in the first set of photos and your favourite dress in the other. For others, it could be the difference between your everyday style and your alphas. Instead of choosing two outfits that are similar, pick options that give you variety for your “casual” and “dressy” looks. This will help you make the most of your photos, especially if you plan on printing them (which you definitely should!) and displaying them around your home.
CHOOSE POCKETS
A simple tip that most people totally overlook? When in doubt, choose pockets. Pockets give you something to do with your hands, which makes posing easier and makes you feel less awkward.
DON'T OVER-COORDINATE
These aren't prom pictures. You know which ones I'm talking about, right? When you match your dress or tie to your date's outfit? That's the quickest way to make your photos look outdated. Photos turn out the best when colors "go" together and complement each other but aren't exactly the same.
WEAR SOMETHING THAT YOU FEEL GOOD IN
This means choosing an outfit that doesn’t need to be pulled on or adjusted with every move. You know that cute dress in the back of your closet that requires a strapless bra and you barely wear it ‘cause it always falls down so now it’s only for “special” occasions? Don’t wear that. Choose something that’s not fussy, that looks good from the front and the back, and isn’t too short when you sit down. Most importantly, choose something that you feel confident in when you’re wearing, because that confidence will shine through in your photos.
The next time you're ready to book a session with a photographer, don't worry about trying to find something to wear that's "picture perfect". Choose an outfit that makes you feel good about yourself and accentuates your style. Confidence and authenticity come through the camera when you're comfortable in what you're wearing, and those features always look beautiful in a photograph.
