Engagement photo outfits

What to wear: the rules photographers agree on

1. Wear shoes you can walk in

   Most sessions involve walking, often on grass, sand or trails. Bring the nice shoes for close-ups and wear practical ones in between.

   In 11 of 12 guides

2. Choose neutrals and earth tones

   Cream, beige, olive, rust, navy and brown flatter most skin tones and never date the photos.

   In 10 of 12 guides

3. Coordinate, don’t match

   Share a palette, not an outfit. Two tones from the same color family look intentional; identical outfits look like a costume.

   In 10 of 12 guides

4. Bring two outfits

   One casual and one dressier look gives you two different sets of photos from one session.

   In 10 of 12 guides

5. Pick fabrics that move

   A flowy dress, a long skirt or an open jacket catches wind and movement and makes candid shots come alive.

   In 10 of 12 guides

6. Dress for the location and weather

   A mountain trail, a beach and a city street each call for different fabrics and shoes. Comfortable people look relaxed on camera.

   In 10 of 12 guides

7. Skip busy and small patterns

   Tiny checks and thin stripes can shimmer on camera. Solids, textures and large, soft prints are safer.

   In 9 of 12 guides

8. Add texture

   Knits, linen, lace and suede add depth to photos, especially when your colors are neutral.

   In 9 of 12 guides

9. Layer

   A jacket, cardigan or coat gives you a second look without a full change and keeps photos interesting.

   In 9 of 12 guides

10. Accessorize lightly

    A hat, a scarf or simple jewelry adds personality. Keep the ring hand uncluttered.

    In 9 of 12 guides

11. Avoid logos and graphics

    Logos pull the eye away from your faces and date the photos quickly.

    In 7 of 12 guides

12. Be careful with all-black and bright white

    Solid black loses detail and stark white can blow out in sun. Choose textured whites and pair black with lighter tones.

    In 6 of 12 guides