Tis the season for engagement pictures and I’m often asked some advice on what to do and where to go, so here’s some tips!
1. Clothing: wear what you are comfortable in and what you want your pictures to look like. Are you really casual? Then jeans and a nice shirt will do. Do you want them more dressy? I suggest a nice casual dress or skirt and at least a button down shirt for guys.
2. More on clothing: I suggest not to wear anything with big logos, you don’t want to look like an advertisement! Try to wear complementary items but not too matchy matchy, so you don’t both have to wear black polo shirts
Try and bring out your personality with your clothing. Large prints aren’t always good on both people, but if everything else is pretty simple, go for the print! You can always bring a change of clothing or email what you’re thinking so I can help you decide. If one person is wearing a big print, the other needs to wear something solid.
3. Clothing for the boys: I suggest either a polo shirt or a button down shirt or a sweater (depending on the season, you could layer these items!). They look sharp whether you’re wearing jeans or dress pants. I highly suggest nice shoes for the boys, usually casual dress, in some cases tennis shoes work but I’m just generalizing for your benefit!
4. Clothing for girls: beware too much cleavage! I know the pains but just make sure the goods aren’t out like you’re hitting up the clubs later, you’ll probably be giving these pictures as gifts or on save the dates and you don’t want your mom commenting on it (or worse, your mother in law!). Wear something you’re comfortable in like I said before, your engagement pictures are not a time to decide to try a new trendy fashion statement. Make those statements with jewelry instead.
5. Shoes: wear something comfortable, we’ll be walking anywhere from 1-3 miles during your engagement session! If you want to wear heels in your pictures, make sure they’re comfortable or bring an extra change of shoes that are easy to get on and off (flip flops, slides, ballet slipper type shoes). You have time to slip them off and on before I set up the shots
6. Make up: Even if you don’t wear makeup, wear a little for your shoot. I suggest these key items: mascara (it’s a little pricey at around $18 a bottle but Too Faced has awesome mascara!! and it lasts a long time!), lip gloss with a small tint (do this to define your lips and not have them blend with your face, doesn’t have to be bold, just subtle!), and finally blush (give those cheeks a small amount of red! Unless it’s going to be cold out when we do this, then you get it naturally!). Ideally, you want your make up a touch darker than what you wear day to day, but not over the top for engagement pictures (boudoir is a different story!).
7. Accessories are your friend: maybe that’s a bright shirt under your black shirt (Jason and Traycie did that for his shirt to give it a little more umfph!), or with some funky color shoes with simple black or brown tops, or even some chunky jewelry that you want to wear to spice it up. Your accessories are probably going to be the thing that may make your outfit a little more special, try on your outfits and look in the mirror to see if you need something more, if you’re questioning it, you’re probably right
But remember you can always EMAIL ME for advice
8. How this is going to work: I may set up some shots for you that are nice and pretty standard things that I do, there will be other times that I’ll tell you just to have fun or do something crazy. I welcome ANY crazy idea that you have and may have more for you than you think! Just relax, I try and make this pretty enjoyable (and most of the people say it’s painless!). I’m fun, you’re fun, this will be fun. Don’t worry if you think it’s something dorky or silly, I’m so down for it as a self-proclaimed dork.
And I only break the law sometimes if you want to jump in a fountain.
9. RELAX. I’m there to make sure that you get good pictures, you don’t have to worry about that, just smile and laugh during your session to get feeling natural, at first it’s a bit tough, I know, but we’ll get there! Just don’t worry about the shots, that’s my job
10. And lastly, some things that are always welcomed: shots you like (can be brought up at the session), props (always fun!), clothing changes (as long as there’s a bathroom it’s fine with me!), any questions you have, location advice (I’m happy to pick if you’re willing to drive anywhere!).
And finally, please call if you’re running behind! I’m usually there early
and just hoping everything is fine, but after 15 minutes I get a bit weary (I’m a worrier about it!). I completely understand if traffic is bad or parking is an issue! I deal with it daily so I’m not going to hold it against you at all!
So that’s it for today’s 10 on tuesday, hope this was more informative for you!!
Until next time, I have some engagement pictures to show off! (told you it was the season!)
Kar