WHAT TO WEAR? What you wear to your engagement photo session is so important for the final product, and it takes some planning. Here are some tips: Coordinate and complement - but don’t match. It helps to start out with a basic color palette and go from there. You can do this with a neutral and a few colorful brights, or try a softer palette that has different tonal ranges of the same shades. Layers and texture add detail and depth. Don’t be afraid to layer! This adds lots of interest and looks great in photos. Accessories look great, too – belts, scarves, lace, hats, a vest, a bowtie – and add to the character of your shoot. Hands: We’ll be photographing your engagement ring, so be sure to have your nails looking great! Shoes matter! Please don’t wear sneakers … unless we’re talking about some funky Converse that go with the feel of the session. The choice of shoes can make or break an outfit. Slipping on a pair of distressed boots or some colorful ballet flats (or funky high heels) can tie everything together and complete the feel of the session. Think about coordinating bright and colorful shoes with other accessories and clothing in the photo. Think timeless: While being current and fashionable, still try to select clothes with a timeless look. This will extend the life of the photos and won’t make them look dated a few years from now.
Get comfortable: Wear something that you feel comfortable and beautiful in – and something you can be playful in. Patterns are OK! Patterns can add visual interest and texture as well as a good dose of personality. Make sure that just one person is in a pattern, and the other person can wear simple, more solid color pieces – or make sure that the patterns are subtle and complementary. Think about your location: Think about your location and make sure your wardrobe complements the surroundings. For example, a simple, flowing dress with bare feet would look great at a location in a field with a rustic barn in the background … but that same look might be out of place in an urban setting with a graffiti wall in the background. Also, consider how well the colors and patterns in the wardrobes will stand out against the backdrops of your location. A green dress might disappear into a park setting with green grass, but a coral dress would pop beautifully against the green backdrop. Props: Props are welcome if they are meaningful to you – for example, a quilt that Grandma made – but in general, I’m a prop minimalist and feel that the focus should be on you as a couple. A few things NOT to do… Please avoid anything with logos, graphics, sports teams, characters, labels, etc. These tend to take the “finished” look of a professional portrait down a few notches, can be distracting and will date a photo quickly. • When scheduling haircuts, be sure to let the hair cut grow out a week or so before the photos in order to look most natural. • Don’t have everyone wear all the same color - matching too much is boring and dated. Coordinate colors and looks, with each of you having your own spin on the color palette – but don’t match too much (no matching khaki pants, or all in denim and white shirts). • No bright white socks and no sneakers, please. This can detract from the finished and timeless look of your portrait. Please contact me if you have any questions at all about your outfits or the photo session. I’m happy to help! Rebecca Denton (615) 400-8535 rebeccadentonphotography@gmail.com