SOOOOOO, you’ve booked the photographer, you might even have a wedding date set, now it’s time to start planning your engagement session! Planning out your engagement session is SO MUCH FUN. It’s a time where we show off you and where you’re at in your life right now. The number one question I ALWAYS get after scheduling engagement photos is what do we wear? That’s why I’ve taken some of my photo knowledge from the past couple of years and put together a guide to help you through choosing what to wear to your session! Let’s get into it!

Picking a Season

Here in the Midwest, there is a WIDE variety of options in terms of seasons to have your photos in. Because of the weather in the Midwest, you have SO many options for your session!  As you begin to plan your session, one of the first things you’ll have to do is choose a date!   When you plan your engagement session with your partner, think about what type of clothes you picture yourself wearing.  I don’t know about you, but my style and I THRIVE in that time between summer and fall.  My ideal month is definitely September, I am ALL for a good sweater and shorts combo. If I were to choose a time of year to have my own session I would definitely gravitate towards those early fall months.

If you feel like you want to rock some jeans and a sweater, have your session in the fall or early winter!  Do you picture yourselves splashing in the water along lake Michigan? Maybe opt for a summer session!  Or maybe you’re just OBSESSED with the colors that come with a Midwest fall. Have your session in October just as the leaves change!  After you and your partner put together a vision for your session, start making some moves. You will want to book your session sooner rather than later!  Your girl books out her weekends at least a couple of months in advance. If you want a coveted Sunday session date, you’ll want to contact me ASAP!

Choosing Your Colors

As you’re picking out your outfits, you’re going to want to try to gravitate towards neutrals and earth tones.  These tones are the more muted versions of colors we all know and love.  Sage, navy or powder blue, blush, cream, white and black are all great options for your session.  We opt for more neutral color palettes for a number of reasons, one of the most important reasons is that we want to keep the focus on you.  Muted tones also help to keep your skin tones true to color when documenting your session.

If you want to incorporate patterns into your outfits, make sure to keep them on the smaller side.  Larger objects on clothing can distort body shapes in photos. Stick to smaller patterns and you’ll be good to go! A little tip for choosing a color palette for your outfits. If one of you LOVES to incorporate patterns, choose the patterned outfit first! Then all you have to do is pull colors from the pattern for your partner’s outfit and you will be good to go.

Compliment One Another

When you two are picking out what to wear for your engagement photos use a color palette to help guide you.  Picking a color palette is a great way to help you pick outfits that complement one another.  When choosing your outfits, avoid matching colors with your partner, as it can sort of morph your bodies together on camera. Not to mention it can give some JCPenny’s Christmas Card vibes!  You’ll want to choose outfits that have colors that complement one another but aren’t the same.  Look to Pinterest for inspiration and search the term muted color palette to gather inspiration and choose some options that fit your wardrobes. 

The Style of Your Location

After you two have set a date and have chosen a location for your session, do some research on what your location will look like at the time of your session.  Look at what colors will make up the background of your engagement photos to reference when picking out what you’ll wear.  Then, when deciding what to wear, make sure you choose colors that will stand out from the background of your photos.  If you’re taking photos in a forest in the spring, opt for a color palette that has lighter colors mixed in.  If you’re using a city for your session, choose colors that will stand out from the grays and blues that make up the background.

Prepare for The Weather

In the Midwest, you really have to be ready for anything.  Summer days range from the 60’s-90’s and everything in between!  Meanwhile, spring can be rainy, humid, sunny, or all three throughout the course of a day! I do reschedule for EXTREME weather such as negative temperatures, or crazy rain. But as long as we can be safe and my gear can be protected, we will have our session.

Wherever and whenever you decide to have your engagement session, make sure to do some research on the weather for the area. Plan your outfits accordingly so that you’re comfortable. For colder weather wear a coat you can pop on and off. If there’s a chance of rain bring your super cute clear umbrella! In the Midwest, the weather is always subject to change, so if your session is in the spring or fall make sure to plan ahead. The weather can get a bit crazy. Keep an eye on your date the week leading up to it so you have a solid idea of what the weather will be like and you’ll be good to go!

Let’s Talk Footwear

With the unpredictability of midwest weather, you’ll probably want to have two options ready for your session.  We will be walking a lot so you’ll want to wear shoes that are broken in and comfortable. Your comfort is one of the most important things in getting great engagement photos, if the shoes you’re wearing make you uncomfortable trust me it’ll show. More often than not we will end up walking through some grass, even in a city session. Because of this, avoid heals that will sink into the grass and fabrics that show if they get wet. If you want to bring a pair of shoes that aren’t the most practical for long walks but are next-level cute, bring an extra pair! We can do a show change when we get to our main location and you’ll save yourself from some blisters.

In addition to shoes that are broken in, it is SO important that you choose shoes that fit the weather and terrain you will be walking in. If we are heading to the beach, bring a pair that can easily be slipped on and off. If we are taking photos in the winter or late fall, it is SO important to have your toes covered for your session. Then last but not least, if we are hiking more than a mile to a cool location bring shoes that can handle the terrain!

Your engagement photos are SO much fun. They are easily one of the most exciting parts leading up to your wedding. Use this guide to take the stress out of planning out what to wear with your partner and you’ll be set for some amazing engagement photos! If you’re looking for a photographer for your engagement session head over to my contact page and let’s do this!