Getting Ready for Engagement Photography

There are many factors to consider when you're getting ready for your engagement session. Here I've listed a few details you might wish to review. If you follow these simple tips when you're getting ready for your engagement session, you're much more likely to present yourself in a positive light in the photographs we capture. Remember, this information is intended to serve as helpful guidelines and should not be considered requirements for your session.

Considerations

Before you arrive, I recommend that you make available at least one alternative outfit for each of you. You'll most likely leave that other wardrobe in your vehicle, but it's best to be prepared (for many reasons). When you arrive for your session, I'll help you choose the wardrobe options that might suit you best and promote your likeness in the most complementary fashion. Generally speaking, we will not be able to accommodate a wardrobe change during your session.

For your engagement session, only you and your fiance should plan on attending. Other friends or family members who may want to attend will only distract you (and me) from the photography. Another reason why this is my policy is that when other folks are present, I find it much more difficult to have you relax and discard your photographic inhibitions.

When we start your session, plan on leaving your cell phones, purses, bags, and other accessories in your automobile. If your keys are bulky, you can feel free to give them to me to carry. This policy prevents you from having bulky things in your pockets. For the bags, I want to avoid you having to pick up and put down a bag or purse every time we change locations.

If you don't have access to a large, stylish, or new wardrobe, you may wish to consider purchasing a few new items prior to your engagement session. Since these photos are so important, it's helpful if you can ensure that your wardrobe will enhance rather than detract from your portrait. If your budget doesn't allow you to purchase new apparel, you may wish to consider another option. Many of my subjects purchase new clothing from their favorite boutique or department store and then return the items after our session; if you elect to return those items, you shouldn't remove the tags. If you consider this option, please take note that some stores don't allow returns. Check on the store's return policy before you buy!

Avoid selecting wardrobe items that feature patterns, bright colors, busy prints, or logos. Apparel featuring those characteristics can draw attention away from your face, the most important area of your photos. For more information on color selection, please see my short article titled Choosing Complementary Colors.

To make sure your wardrobe is presented in the best possible light, you should make sure it's pressed and clean. An insignificant wrinkle can sometimes ruin an otherwise great photo. You should also ensure your undergarments aren't visible through your outer layers of clothing. Women’s bras and bra straps are notorious for causing problems in photos. And if you're wearing white or semi-transparent items, try to remove the tags from your garments. Under certain lighting conditions, these tags can sometimes be visible in your photographs.

Although it may not always be possible, consider avoiding wardrobe items that are made out of 100% cotton, linen, tweed, stripes, bulky knits, busy prints, shiny silk, satin, and shantung. The nature of these fabrics and accessories can pose unique difficulties in portrait photography. You should also avoid wearing multiple layers of clothing. Multiple layers can often add perceived weight to your body in photographs and make you appear bulky.

And finally unless you're very thin, avoid sleeveless shirts, sweaters, or blouses. Even for slender subjects, it's often difficult to focus attention on your face if your bare arm is competing for attention in the photograph.

Don’t forget your bring all of your accessories like shoes, socks, belts, necklaces, and earrings. You should also avoid wearing distracting jewelry including watches, large rings and earrings, and prominent necklaces. Jewelry should be kept at a minimum as these items can distract from your face in the finished photo. You should also avoid large buttons or shiny objects on your clothing or body. Shiny objects can also include glitter and rhinestones.

In addition to your standard accessories, you may wish to bring along a complementary props like a bouquet of fresh flowers, a highly unique piece of jewelry or clothing, or even crazy hats. Try to choose items that help identify you as a couple, but won't detract from your appearance. In particular, I love it when you bring a small fresh bouquet of flowers because that will help tie your engagement photos into your wedding photos.

Both men and women should pay particular attention to your facial hair. Women should take a close look at their eyebrows and upper lips before the session. Even if your facial hair is masked by makeup, it can still appear in photos. For men, although it might prove difficult, I recommend you carefully shave no more than two hours before the photo session. This is a good practice because evidence of facial hair can often appear right away. Trimming your beard, goatee, moustache, and/or sideburns is also strongly recommended.

In the same vein, I also recommend that you visit your barber or stylist at least one week prior to the session. And if you're not comfortable styling your own hair or applying your makeup, please consider seeing a professional on the day of your session. That step alone can make a world of difference.

Finally, you should try and use hand moisturizer immediately before our engagement session. It's quite possible that I'll feature your hands in some photos. A manicure a few days before is also highly recommended, even for gentlemen. Pedicures are optional, but they often offer me additional photographic opportunities, especially for barefoot shots or if you intend to wear open toed shoes.

I recommend that you both wear similar attire. Just as in my recommendations for individual portraits, you should think about complementary colors and styles. These wardrobe choices will keep distractions to a minimum. For example, one option might be to have both of you wearing a combination of white and denim. A good rule of thumb is to make sure that any garment worn on your upper torso doesn't conflict with anything worn by your fiancé. Solid black, white, pastel, khaki, and denim combinations are generally the most successful colors for these types of photographs. If you have other color-scheme ideas, please feel free to check with me beforehand so I can off you suggestions. For more information about color choices, I recommend my article Choosing Complementary Colors which details my recommendations for selecting ideal colors.

Try to get a good night’s sleep before your photo session and avoid alcohol. You'd be amazed how easily bags under your eyes can detract from your photos! You should also avoid stress during your engagement session. Since my goal is to make sure you look natural, bring things that help you relax. Avoid stressors like your ringing cell phone, young children (who aren't going to be in the photos), and arriving late to your photo session.

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If you'd like to republish excerpts or the entire article found above, please call Rob Greer of Rob Greer Photography at (626) 523-3123 or send an e-mail with your request along with a URL to where you'd like to publish this information. I'll then send you official permission along with a short biographical note that you can post on your site or within your publication.