Engagement Photos Style Guide

We're so excited about your upcoming engagement photo session! Engagement photos aren't just about getting images for your Save The Date cards; these photos will be timeless because they will capture you two in a natural, relaxed setting. Plus, engagement sessions are a fantastic way for us to get to know each other a little better before your big day. We'll test out some poses, and I will get to know your personalities a little more; this will help me make your wedding day go smooth. This guide exists to provide answers to some frequently asked questions and help our couples feel comfortable and prepared for the upcoming session.

We typically photograph engagement sessions using only natural light to deliver the best possible results. We avoid harsh, unflattering natural light by scheduling your session around 2 hours before sunset. This allows your session to take advantage of "golden hour," the best time of day when for engagement photos. To get the most out of your session, please plan to arrive a few minutes early so you can prepare for your session and be ready to start on time. If you're wearing two outfits, save your favorite one for the second half, and if you're wearing one, arrive in that.

Styling for Her

DON'T BE AFRAID TO DRESS UP

Have you thought about rocking a romantic gown, tulle skirt, or flower crown but just never had an occasion for it? This is your chance (and you can always do one casual look and then change into a more glam outfit). Remember: There is no such thing as "too dressed up" when it comes to your engagement session, so don't be afraid to have some fun!

SAY YES TO THE DRESS

Long, flowing dresses and skirts look amazing on camera because they bring extra movement to the photos, especially when juxtaposed with nature. Cute, shorter-length dresses photograph beautifully, too. Dresses and skirts tend to look most stunning on camera because they really flatter the female body — which is probably why the red carpet is always full of so many dresses and not very many pantsuits! We recommend avoiding pants and shorts for your session and saying yes to a dress or two.

FLATTERING YOUR FEATURES

In our experience, every woman, regardless of her shape, has a part of her body that she's self-conscious about, and recognizing which area is in advance is key. Choosing flattering silhouettes and colors that complement your natural features is the best way to ensure you'll love the way you look in your photos.

Three-quarter length sleeves create a great slimming effect on all arms, so be on the lookout for an option with a longer length sleeve. You could bring a cute jacket, blazer or cardigan along, too. Skinny straps or strapless dresses have the opposite effect on arms on camera, so we recommend avoiding those if your goal is a set of slimmer-looking arms.

Heels elongate women's legs, making them look fabulous. Closed-toed heels, in particular, look great on camera because they carry out the line of your leg all the way down to your toe. If your toes are showing in a peep-toe heel, you might want to schedule a pedicure before your session, so you don't regret letting your feet show (these little tricks make all the difference)!

Quick Tip: Bring a pair of easy-to-kick-off flats to wear when moving from place to place in between photos. Your feet will thank you later!

CHOOSING COLORS

When choosing colors for your outfits, we recommend selecting lighter tones and more muted shades. By avoiding ultra-bright, bold colors will help bring all the attention to your faces and let the eye focus on the way you feel about each other. The camera loves shades of soft pink and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light neutrals like heather gray, creams, leather brown, and white. This more delicate color palette fits beautifully into most natural, outdoor environments. 

COORDINATING THE LOOKS 

As you coordinate outfits between you and your fiance, keep in mind that the outfits will look the most cohesive on camera when the color palettes coordinate (but don't exactly "match"). You should both aim to wear a different dominant color but stay within a similar color palette family. For example: if you're wearing a blush dress, soft blue earrings, and nude heels (blush being your dominant color), he could wear a navy coat with gray pants paired with brown leather shoes and maybe even a blush pocket square. Now he has his own dominant color (navy) while still incorporating a few touches of your color palette. Most of our brides choose their dress first and then put together their fiancé's outfit based on that. Guys: that's why we have a section ahead for you.

GO PRO: HAIR & MAKEUP 

Professional hair and makeup are on the top of most of our brides' checklists because it looks fantastic and removes the stress of getting ready on your own. Whether it's lash extensions or blown-out hair, professional hair and makeup will give you an extra boost of confidence in front of the camera, and it always photographs like a dream. This is the perfect opportunity to have your trial with your makeup artist for the wedding day. If you are working with a makeup artist, have them apply your makeup in natural light, if possible, to look fresh and not too heavy. Most of our brides feel like their makeup is "too much" at first, since it's more than you would wear on a typical day, so if you feel that way at the beginning, don't worry! Good makeup artists know how to get it just right for the camera — and our brides always love the final result. 

SKIP THE SPRAY TAN

Although it might seem counter-intuitive, we recommend that you do not get a spray tan before your session (even a few days prior) because it tends to photograph orange, even when applied subtly and by a professional. Trust us, your natural skin tone will photograph the most beautifully and naturally.

SHOW OFF THAT RING

We always try to get a shot of the ring on its own or on your hand during your engagement session. As your ring will be center stage, give yourself permission to get it cleaned and your nails done too! To make your ring really sparkle in photos, have it professionally cleaned by your jeweler (they will clean it for free!) or use an appropriate jewelry cleaner before your session.

STYLING FOR HIM

A GOOD SUIT

Men look striking in a well-tailored suit. If he doesn't have one, now's the perfect time to invest in something he'll wear for the rest of his life! The best part? It's a lot less expensive than you might think! While custom suits can cost thousands of dollars, some of the most well-known brands have off-the-rack suits in their stores for a fraction of the price. Solid shades of gray or navy seem to complement most women's outfits, while pinstripes or plaid patterns tend to distract the eye.

LAYERED LOOKS

Next time you walk by a store like J. Crew, you'll notice the male mannequins and models always wear several layers at once. Layers on men look great on camera, so even when it's hot outside, trust us when we say that it's worth a stuffy hour or two for photos that will last a lifetime. Adding another layer will bring extra dimension and visual interest to your photos. Blazers, vests, and coats up the level of any look. If the temperature permits, he could even consider adding a v-neck sweater with a pop of color from a long-sleeved collared shirt and tie underneath. Don't be afraid to get a little creative!

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS 

Long pants and closed-toed shoes are the most sophisticated and masculine looks for men. They draw attention away from his legs and feet and place it where you want it: on that face you fell in love with. So, for your session, it's best to leave shorts, sandals, and jeans at home, too. Suit pants, dress pants, or colored pants work best. Brown leather dress shoes compliment almost every look, whether he's wearing a full suit or a blazer and colored pants. Ties, bowties, pocket squares, colored socks, belts, tie clips, suspenders, vests, and watches are sharp compliments to any suit. If you bring two suits to the session, you can start with a traditional necktie and belt, then switch to suspenders and a bow tie for your second look. If two suits are too stressful, it's no problem - one look will do the trick! You can still mix and match accessories to compliment both of her dresses without changing during the session; it's a win-win!

GIRLS: HOW TO PREP YOUR MAN

Honesty, most men aren't overly excited to take photos for one to two hours because they don't have an expectation of what's to come and why it's so important to you. Take fifteen minutes to educate and empower your guy. Tell him why you chose ZEAL creative and our style of photography. Show him your three favorite images that we've taken, explain why you love them, and express to him how much it means to you. Trust me, once he knows it's important, he'll light up the camera for you! The most common thing we hear from guys before photo sessions is that they don't like taking photos or don't think they'll be good at it because of a bad experience in the past. However, by the time we're done, they can't believe how fast it went and just how much fun they had!

ONE FINAL NOTE

We know we just gave you a lot to think about. We created this guide to help make your engagement session experience something you’ll look back fondly on for many years to come. At the end of the day, the location you choose and the outfits you select won’t matter nearly as much as the memories you make together. Your future marriage is the most important thing to us, and we want your engagement session to be a time for you to just be yourselves and enjoy it. Have fun together, laugh a lot; we’ll take care of the rest!

engagement session checklist

Set date, time, and location with us

Fully review this guide for style tips 

Schedule hair and makeup appointments 

Choose your outfits 

Get your nails done 

Clean your ring 

Pack a bag with: 

Flats or flip-flops for walking between photo spots

(Optional) Outfit two (including shoes and accessories) 

Touch-up makeup

Water bottle (for warmer sessions) 

Coat or cover-up (for colder sessions)