Engagement Session Outfit Guide: What Looks Best on Camera

Your engagement session is such a fun milestone — a chance to celebrate this exciting chapter before the wedding whirlwind begins. And one of the biggest questions couples ask me is: “What should we wear?” Let’s break it down.

The Golden Rule: Coordinate, Don’t Match

You don’t need to wear the same thing (please don’t wear the same thing). Instead, think of your outfits as two pieces of the same puzzle. Choose a colour palette of 2-3 complementary tones and build from there.

For example: she wears a flowy sage green dress, he wears dark jeans with a cream button-down and a sage pocket square. Coordinated, not matching. It looks intentional and polished without being cheesy.

What Photographs Well

Solid colours and subtle textures. Knit sweaters, linen, chambray, soft wool — texture adds visual richness that flat fabrics lack.

Soft, muted tones. Blush, sage, cream, dusty blue, warm grey, soft rust — these tones are flattering on almost everyone and they don’t compete with your surroundings.

Layers. A denim jacket, a cardigan, a scarf — layers add dimension and give you variety without a full outfit change. They also come in handy when the Edmonton evening gets chilly.

Dresses with movement. For my lovely ladies: a dress that moves when you twirl or when the wind catches it? Chef’s kiss. Flowy fabrics create the most romantic, dynamic images.

What to Avoid

Neon and super-bright colours. They cast unflattering colour onto your skin and draw attention away from your faces.

Large logos and graphics. Unless it’s meaningful to you, skip the branded tees. Your love story is the focus, not a clothing brand.

Busy patterns on both of you. One subtle pattern is fine — but if you’re both in bold prints, they’ll fight each other in the frame.

Anything uncomfortable. If you’re tugging, adjusting, or can’t sit down comfortably, it will show. Confidence is the best thing you can wear.

Consider Your Location

Your outfits should feel at home in your setting:

• Nature/park session — earthy tones, boots, cosy layers. Think romantic and relaxed.
• Urban/downtown session — you can go a little dressier. A nice dress and blazer look fantastic against city backdrops.
• At-home session — comfortable and casual. Bare feet, soft knits, lived-in and lovely.

Two Outfits or One?

I always recommend bringing two outfits if you’d like variety — one dressier, one more casual. We can do a quick change mid-session. It essentially gives you two mini-sessions in one, and the variety in your final gallery is wonderful.

That said, one great outfit is absolutely fine too. Quality over quantity.

Hair and Makeup Tips

• A little extra makeup photographs well — the camera tends to wash things out slightly. But stay true to yourself; you want to look like you on your best day.
• Consider professional hair and makeup — many of my couples use their engagement session as a trial run for their wedding day glam. Two birds, one stone!
• Bring touch-up supplies — lipstick, powder, a brush. Edmonton wind is real.

The Most Important Thing

Wear something that makes you feel like the best version of yourselves. When you feel good, you relax. When you relax, you’re present with each other. And that’s when the magic happens — the laughter, the quiet looks, the genuine connection. That’s what I live to capture.

Engaged and ready for beautiful photos? Let’s plan your session — I can’t wait to celebrate with you.