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What to Wear for Your
Engagement Session

Outfit questions are the most common thing couples ask me in the lead-up to a session. The short answer is: wear something you'd actually put on for a nice dinner. The longer answer involves some specifics that make a real difference in how the photos turn out.

Colors that work

Neutrals — whites, creams, taupes, soft greys, navy, sage green — photograph beautifully in almost any setting. They don't compete with the landscape, and they age well. Earth tones are particularly strong for golden hour sessions at places like Baker Beach, where the warm light enhances those tones naturally. Soft blues and dusty pinks also tend to work well in outdoor Bay Area settings.

Bold, saturated colors can work too, but they require more thought about the background. A bright red dress at Baker Beach might look stunning or overwhelming depending on the light — it's worth discussing with your photographer before committing.

Colors to avoid

Neon and very bright colors can reflect onto your face and skin in unflattering ways, especially in direct sunlight. Pure white can blow out in bright outdoor light — off-white or cream is usually a better call. Very dark black can absorb detail in low light. And anything with a busy logo or graphic print tends to date the photos quickly.

How to coordinate with your partner

You don't need to match — and honestly, matching too closely often looks more like a costume than a couple. A better approach is to pick a color palette and each choose something within it. If one person is wearing a dusty blue dress, the other might wear a white shirt with tan trousers — complementary, not identical. Look at your outfits together before the session and check that they feel like they belong to the same world.

Fit and comfort matter more than you think

Wear something you've worn before, not something brand new. New clothes have a way of making you feel self-conscious, and that shows in photos. More importantly, wear something you can actually move in — you might be walking on sand, sitting on steps, or standing on rocks. Shoes that are impractical for the location will make you tense.

Bring a second outfit if you want variety

For longer sessions, bringing a change of clothes gives you two completely different looks in one session. A lot of couples will do one more dressed-up look early on and something more casual and relaxed later — it works well and gives you a wider range of photos to choose from.

One final thing

Whatever you wear, wear what makes you feel like yourself. The best engagement photos aren't about the outfits — they're about the two of you. I've seen stunning photos in jeans and a t-shirt and awkward photos in perfectly styled looks. Comfort and confidence matter more than anything else.