What to Wear to Your Engagement Photos: 5 Tips to Choose Engagement Outfits

5 TIPS TO HELP YOU CHOOSE YOUR ENGAGEMENT PHOTO OUTFITS

Your engagement session is such an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming and stressful when it comes to deciding what to wear. You probably have been sitting on Pinterest searching for “engagement photo outfit ideas” or “engagement wardrobe inspiration,” etc. Stress no more because it should be fun and I hope these tips will help you choose outfits you’ll love during your engagement photos!

1. Choose Comfort Over Current Trends

Comfort is the most important thing during engagement photos - comfort in front of the camera, comfort with your photographer, comfort with your partner, comfort in your clothing. If you’re not comfortable in your outfit, it will show in the photos. Think about your personal style for a moment. Do you wear dresses or heels often or are you used to wearing jeans and a cute top? Those wardrobe pieces may look great on other people, but if you’re not used to wearing dresses or can’t walk in heels (hi, meeee!), it will show in the photos. Don’t let other people’s fashion choices encourage your personal style to a point of discomfort. The last thing any photographer wants for their clients is an uncomfortable session. If you’re set on wearing a new pair of heels or trying a new outfit, wear those pieces ahead of time. Practice wearing heels beforehand, even if for 10-15 minutes a day. It will boost your confidence if you’re comfortable.

2. Casual and Formal

Most photographers allow 1-2 outfits during an engagement session and personally I encourage it. Before any session I send an overview of what to expect, which details outfit ideas and what to bring. More specifically, I suggest to bring a casual outfit and a more formal outfit, so we can show diversity as we change locations. I suggest starting with the casual look first so you can get comfortable/warmed up. By the time you're in the formal look, you'll be a pro! Keep reading to see some examples a little further down.

3. Keep Your Backdrop in Mind

Hopefully you’ve chosen a backdrop before choosing your outfits or maybe you’re choosing the backdrop based on your outfits. Either way, keeping the location in mind is important. Colorful backdrops can either be met with even more color or simple outfits such as jeans and a white tank top as pictured above. If you are planning to take photos on a beach, aim to dress in clothes that are light and flowing. If you’ll be surrounded by fall leaves, layering in textures is a great option. Again this is where your personal style comes into play - choose outfits in colors and textures you’re comfortable in that will enhance the backdrop. Build a mood board of outfit ideas and poses based on your backdrop, too.

Casual outfits are perfect for poses with a lot of movement. Ever wonder how everyone looks so happy, comfortable, and natural? Well, a lot of it has to do with movement and action based posing rather than static posing. I tell all of my couples ahead of time to expect a workout, both cardio and lifting between running around the beach, piggyback rides, and spinning around. Don’t forget props like a skateboard, a blanket, or a save the date sign.

Casual-Formal outfits or what some might consider business casual outfits are also a great option for an in between outfit or if you’re planning to only do one outfit the entire session. It can be as simple as a romper/jumpsuit with your partner’s button down shirt with jeans/chinos or a long flowy top with jean shorts. I’ll say it again, think about what you and your partner are most comfortable in and build from there.

Formal outfits, I mean hello date night!! Need I say more? You’re likely getting your makeup done (pro tip: use your engagement session to do your makeup trial), doing your hair, and you probably bought a new outfit, which sounds like key components to a date night to me. This is likely the only time you’re planning to take photos with your hunny, so why not dress up a bit, get some beautiful photos and enjoy a date night after?

4. Try The Outfits On

Don’t forget to try your outfits on ahead of time. Don’t wait until the day of or the day before when it’s too late to purchase something else. Try your outfits on and take pictures in the mirror or have your significant other take photos of you in your backyard or on your evening beach walk. Practice some poses in the mirror while you’re at it, too. If can’t decide which outfit to wear, get some opinions on your outfits by sharing the photos with your best friends or your family.

5. HAVE FUN!

Go out there and have fun!! I know, cliche, but the sooner you start to think about this as fun, the more fun you’ll have throughout the entire process. One of my couples had a nightmare before their engagement session because they were so stressed out about taking photos. All of their stress and worries were alleviated as soon as the engagement session started. Remember, you’ve hired a professional, someone you trust, so if you’re still worried, talk to your photographer. By all means, I’d suggest to even send photos of your outfits to your photographer, too! Get ready to have some fun during your engagement photos!!

Chelsea + Will: Laguna Niguel Regional Park Couple's Session

A LAGUNA NIGUEL REGIONAL PARK COUPLE’S SESSION

Getting to photograph these two every year is such a joy!! I’m so thankful to call these two friends, but I’m even more thankful that they trust me to photograph them year after year! Our most recent shoot, we met up at Laguna Niguel Regional Park, which is absolutely gorgeous. Their outfits worked perfectly with the location, too!

David + Grace: Newport Beach Engagement Session

A NEWPORT BEACH ENGAGEMENT SESSION

I met up with David and Grace at one of my favorite spots in Newport Beach - a fairly secluded beach area that also allows for access to the main beach. They also love going to Woody’s, so we made a stop over there for a milkshake and some fun photos. They were both slightly nervous for photos, especially Grace - she was worried she wouldn’t end with any she loved, but they were naturals!! They wound up with some beautiful photos and I promise I had very little to do with it ;)

Top 7 Engagement Locations in Orange County

THE BEST PLACES TO TAKE ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS IN ORANGE COUNTY, CA

Orange County is full of gorgeous locations and endless places to choose from! The number one tip I tell couples is to choose a location that is meaningful to them. That could mean a variety of things - it could the place you met or had your first kiss/date, it could be somewhere you two hang out often (like the beach or a hiking trail), a place you visit every year, (staycation or a festival) or a place you go to watch the sunset/check out the view. If none of those will work or you really can’t decide on a spot, keep on reading! I’m going to share 7 of my favorite spots to shoot in Orange County. I had to narrow down the list (originally 10) because a few locations are no longer available for shoots / require hefty permit fees.

After 4 years of photographing weddings and engagement and over 10 years as a fashion-lifestyle photographer, I’m full of locations and advice when it comes to locations. I love finding new locations, but there’s something about a location you know really well. There’s no guessing when it comes to lighting/the perfect time to shoot. I know which spots will work, which part of the overall location to start and end with, and I can really help with wardrobe suggestions. I’ve included current permit requirements and fees, but make sure to do your own research to find up to date permit requirements and fees.

1. Dana Point Harbor

Okay now I grew up in south OC, specifically on the border of Dana Point and Laguna Niguel, so I may be biased. Dana Point Harbor is one of the best locations in south OC! There are so many options - the harbor itself (do the full walk around if you’re able to), the Ocean Institute which allows access to a nature area, Killer Dana (the beach area) and jetty, the hiking trail up top, and of course the hill you drive to the trail up top. The beach is usually fairly empty, but make sure to check the tide forecast. There isn’t a permit needed here unless you’re looking to take photos on any of the ships or docks at the Ocean Institute.

2. Laguna Beach

Laguna is known for its beaches with rock formations, tide pools, caves, and secret/secluded beaches. I’m not going to name all of these beaches because a couple of them are fairly secluded and considered “secret”, but if you stumble upon it then by all means! Or if you hire me, just let me know you’d like to shoot at one of these beaches! The classic ones everyone does engagement sessions at are Shaw’s Cove, Montage, Victoria, and Tablerock. Keep in mind, a permit is required for all beaches in Laguna Beach, even the secluded ones. Find out more information and specifics here. The permit fee is currently $100 for 2 hours. Fines are currently $600, so make sure you get that permit!

3. Los Rios St

The hidden gem of San Juan Capistrano! If you’re a local or grew up in south OC, you probably know and love this spot, too! Plan ahead because this spot does get busy because of the cute shops, Hidden House coffeeshop, and restaurants as well as the train station right across the way. There are a lot of signs explicitly say “no photography,” so make sure to abide by those rules. The residents aren’t too bothered by photo sessions unless you’re disrupting the peace, not reading the signs, or illegally going into their yards. If you’re going to shoot somewhere that’s not along the street, please inquire with the owner. They’ll appreciate it and you’ll keep this space open for future photo sessions. Find out more information about permits here.

4. Newport Beach

Newport is another one of my favorite spots to shoot because like the other spots listed, it’s full of so many options! There’s the Balboa Fun Zone, the pier, the canals, and of course the beach. There are also tons of colorful houses and a variety of walls, plus you might come across a colorful VW van in the process. Bring your skateboard and some cute outfits and make a fun day of it! Don’t forget to research permit requirements and fees.

5. Huntington Beach

Grab your board and come down to HB for a fun little beach session! This is one beach I’ve shot at during all times of the day. The top photo and photo with the board were at 11AM, so pretty high sun, but we still wound up with some beautiful photos. The photo by the pier was at sunset of course, which is gorgeous, but expect to have people in the background. Make sure to get some shots on and under the pier to get variety. More info on permit fees here.

6. Top of the World Laguna

Check out that view of Laguna! You get such a mix here as well - some beautiful open field areas with rolling hills, which is perfect for sunset, plenty of rocks, and trails, too. I typically suggest couples start here and end at the beach since it’s an easy 10 minute drive to any of the local beaches.

7. San Clemente

Who doesn’t love San Clemente? You have the pier and main beach, where you’ll find plenty of rocks, a hiking trail, and cute neighborhoods nearby. North Beach is right near two of my favorite venues, Ole Hanson and The Casino. There’s also San Onofre and Trestles (which I just checked out today and I’m a huge fan!!). These beaches are huge, so there are more opportunities to find empty areas without people in the background.

I HOPE THIS BLOG POST WAS HELPFUL AND YOU’RE ABLE TO FIND A LOCATION YOU’LL LOVE FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION!

The Greens: Huntington Beach Pier Family Photographer

A HUNTINGTON BEACH FAMILY SESSION

I love getting to photography this family! Jessi and I started working together when she needed a photographer for her Instagram. She and Parker lived in New York for years then moved back to SoCal with their little family. Since working together on her Instagram and blog, I’ve photographed their family over the years as well as taken photos of Jessi and Parker (pro tip: this is a great way to have a date without the littles!). Their family is growing! Jessi is pregnant with a little girl and I can’t wait for the next family session with her!